Curriculum Year A

Central Subject:    Adversity, Change, and Making a Difference

History, Society, & World Geography

In social studies, through the study of world geography, economics, politics, and history of the 20th Century, students review the events and circumstances that led to World War II, the Holocaust (fall), the Cold War (winter), and, finally, the Cultural Revolution in China (spring).  A look at major historic events, economic movements, and cultural change will include studies of capitalism and communism, nuclear weapons and the space race, and the ways in which these movements and others changed the natural and cultural geography of every continent.

Major Project:
History Exhibition, including a written research paper and also an oral presentation on a chosen topic of interest (Grade 7: February, 2010). This exhibition includes an on-demand timed task: completing research for a given historical question.

Reading, Literature & the Humanities

As students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres, they build an understanding of the multidimensional nature of human experience, language and forms of expression.  This year, students read significant memoirs, historical fiction, plays, and utopian literature.   Important titles include: 

• Eighth Grade: The House of Scorpion, Night, Gadget, The Bomb, A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch, Fahrenheit 451, and The Good Earth.
• Seventh Grade:  Anne Frank Remembered: A Play, No Pretty Pictures, Red Scarf Girl
• Sixth Grade:  The Messenger, The Devil’s Arithmetic,  Freedomwriters

In addition, all students in grades 6-8 independently read high volumes of texts – one book per week – as a part of the graduation requirement in literature.
 

Major Project: 
Reading Portfolio:  As students independently read one book per week, 30+ books per year, 100+ books by graduation day, they document their work in a reading portfolio.  This portfolio gives evidence of wide reading, high volume reading, goal setting, and growing fluency.  It is also includes individual goals and self-assessments relating to one’s growth as a reader.

More on the reading and literature program.

Writing Composition

As students complete routine assignments in vocabulary, grammar, writing mechanics, and spelling, they work towards creating written compositions of significance.  Students especially sharpen their skill with the essay form as they complete a personal essay, a comparison-contrast essay, a research report in both history and science, and a final paper that addresses a question of choice.  In December, the study and writing of poetry will help student expand their use of rich language.
 

Major Project: 
Literature Exhibition, including a written comparison/contrast essay and also an oral presentation, in which the student reviews and compares the relevant literary elements of two authors or books (Grade 7: June).  This exhibition also includes an on-demand timed task: writing a comparison/contrast essay.   

More on the writing program.

Science

In science, students investigate three major units of study this year:  1) DNA and Genetics; 2) Scientists and Scientific Inquiry, 3) Solar Energy, and 4) Electricity and Electric Circuits.  In the fall, students, trace the characteristics of their own features to proteins, identify chromosomes and genes, and explore cell structures and functions. In the winter term, as they become acquainted with scientists in history, students take on their own independent research investigations.   Finally, in the spring, students build and analyze circuits, explore the concepts of receivers and converters, and experiment with energy and resistance.  Throughout the year, lab reports, data keeping, note-taking, and content-area reading are routine challenges.

Major Projects: 
Science Exhibition, including a written process essay and oral presentation in which the student must effectively teach a scientific principle or relationship to younger students (Grade 7: March)

Health & Physical Education

As students study the intricacies of genetics and heredity, they also consider the human body systems.  In the procss, students consider nutritional eating habits, personal hygiene, the prevention of disease, injury and violence, healthy relationships, sex education, and emotional health.   At 8:10, students begin the day with physical activity.   All parts of the program emphasize the development of fitness, physical skills, and the understanding of game rules and strategies, sportsmanship, individual initiative and teamwork.

Visual Arts

In the visual arts, students work with a wide variety of media, including drawing materials, paints, clay, printmaking materials, mixed media sculpture and digital media.  The year begins with a study of the principles of design, as well as a study of significant works of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and ends with the creation of a personal work that synthesizes what has been learned in response to a question of significance.

Major Project:
Art Exhibition, including a compare/contrast essay and oral presentation that compares two important works of art  (Grades 7 &8:  November)

Music

The first instrument of musical instruction is through the human voice, as students develop musical literacy though vigorous exposure to authentic folk music and music theory.  Students also learn to read and compose music through study the baroque recorder.  Students who elect to join the chorus will perform at the Las Posadas Celebration and at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.  Those who are accepted (by audition) for the second term will participate in a set of spring performances and the Annual Spring Concert.
 

Major Projects: 

• Spring Concert
• Attendance at two Carnegie Hall Concerts, at which students observe light concerts, broadcast by internet from Mexico and India