Seventh Grade
The Seventh grade can be a tremendously challenging and rewarding year for the students. The seventh-grader stands on the brink of puberty.
Not only are great physical changes taking place, but a major shift in cognitive development is also under way. The children are enthusiastic to express themselves and to assert their independence more strongly. Self-awareness and social relationships become a primary focus.
Seventh Grade marks the birth of the intellect with the need to experiment and explore the world. Students at this age need to question authority, pushing the boundaries of what is known or allowed. Powers of reasoning are being exercised and judgments about the world are formed. The student is developing the capacity to stand back from its own feelings and with this distance can come perspective, the beginnings of objectivity.
The Central Theme for the 7th Grade year is The Age of Explorers: Renaissance/Reformation/and the Age of Discovery. Students will be developing capacties of taking academic tests and experiencing direct feedback through teacher reports and discussion. They will also learn to analyze, debate, and draw conclusions and how to work with younger mentees.
Spring River’s 7th/8th Grade Class for 2024-25 is a blended group which will cover both 7th and 8th grade curriculums in a way that meets the needs of each student. As the year progresses, each main lesson block will give room for students to work at their own level within the group. The rhythm of the group will allow students to connect to a continuum of 7th and 8th grade Waldorf-inspired curriculum.
Depending on the needs of an individual child, and the homeschooling plan the family is following, more study may be needed at home to complement the classes chosen at Spring River. Talk to your teacher or the program director for more information. At Spring River, the parents are ultimately in charge of their children's education, and the school is here to supplement and support.
In seventh grade, the following curriculum components are introduced:
Main Lesson & Academic Subjects:
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Math:
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Year Long - Review of fractions, decimals, and percentages before moving into Algebra
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Block One - Pre-Algebra Ratios, Negative Numbers, Inequalities; powers, square roots, and graphing & exponents.
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Block Two: Geometry - Fibonacci Series, Phi and Pi
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Block Three: Geometry - Understanding previous concepts presented; accurately draw geometric forms and perspective drawings with use of a compass, straghtedge, and protractor.
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Language Arts:
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Skills: Grammar, vocabulary, self-editing, note-taking, independent book reports, research
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Block One: Poetry and Ballads
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Block Two:; Creative writing & research paper writing
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Block Three: Critical thinking through the study of literature and informational texts.
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Cyber Civics: Information Literacy
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Science
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Block One: Physics (Mechanics and Electricity)
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Block Two: Inorganic Chemistry (Combustion, Acids, Bases, Salts, Lime cycle);
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Block Three: Human Physiology (the 9 Systems, Nutrition)
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History & Central Theme: The Age of Explorers: Renaissance, Reformation/Age of Discovery
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Geography:
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Block One: Cultural World Geography (religions, traditions, lifestyles, etc..); Ethnobotony
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Block Two: Map reading
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Class Play: Each class will practice and perform a class play or presentation tied to the curriculum shared with class families.
Special Subjects (weekly)
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World Language: Continuing Spanish instruction through art projects and developing a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture and artists. Learning new Spanish vocabulary, language structure, and simple sentence patterns. Grammar is taught in the context of oral communication.
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Handwork: Hand sew, embroidery, doll clothing, design an animal
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Sculptural Arts: Clay Modeling and sculpting; woodwork
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Painting/Drawing: Perspective drawing
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Music: Recorder, singing & and violin
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Movement/Sports: Explorer's Challenge, movement
During the year, your child's teacher will plan field trips to enhance what's being taught in class. Advance notice will be given and we encourage parents to plan to attend whenever possible.
Science is dominant in the middle school years, with several distinct areas of study.
