Seventh Grade

The English curriculum at Rye Neck integrates the close, critical reading of a variety of literary genres with the development of reflective, analytical written work. While four years of English are required for graduation, Rye Neck’s English department offers a broad program of exciting core courses and electives rendering it possible for students to complete more than five years of credit in English.  

Each course in the four-year sequence incorporates reading, writing, listening, speaking, presenting and viewing skills as outlined in the New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. In addition, students are required to develop facility with a variety of research formats employing both traditional print and modern technological media sources.  

English courses 9-11 are Regents courses. Each grade level emphasizes selected parallels to social studies topics and also incorporates focused themes. All students take the Regents Comprehensive Examination in English in either June of sophomore year, or January of the junior year.  

English 7

Curriculum Level: Grade level  

State Examination: NY State English Language Arts Assessment

Frequency: Every day
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DESCRIPTION

The seventh grade English curriculum continues to have students use evidence to support their ideas, especially in their written work. As they work closely with fiction and nonfiction texts, students will explain how selected textual evidence supports their claims. Students will also be exposed to new vocabulary words from these texts and use these words throughout the school year. Students will use critical thinking skills throughout the course as they work on the N.Y.S Common Core standards.

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

Texts include these classic and contemporary titles: The Outsiders, A Raisin in the Sun, The Giver, Warriors Don’t Cry, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Flowers for Algernon (short story version) as well as noteworthy supplemental texts. The themes we delve into are prejudice/racism, rising out of poverty or above our circumstances, family dynamics/gender roles, following our dreams, friendship/loyalty, sacrifice, perseverance, and survival (both physically and emotionally). 

The purpose of the district mathematics program is to provide young students with experiences that will allow them to develop mathematical reasoning and acquire basic mathematical concepts and skills. The primary curriculum makes widespread use of manipulatives (concrete objects) for deeper understanding.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with growth in competencies essential to mathematical growth. As they progress through their coursework, they will develop increasingly sophisticated problem-solving abilities, a range of mathematical “habits of mind,” and a set of highly developed mathematical reasoning skills. In addition, students will become increasingly proficient in oral and written mathematical expression, as they gain fluency in the language of mathematics and ability to make connections within mathematics.

Math 7

Types of Assessments: End of unit test, mid-unit quizzes, quarterly cumulatives

Prerequisite: Math 6 

Credit: 1
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DESCRIPTION

Seventh grade mathematics continues with ratios, proportional reasoning, and use of rational numbers. Throughout the year, students will continue to work on perseverance in problem solving by being able to make sense of and use mathematical practices.  

1. Ratios and proportional relationships
2. Unit Rate and Constants
3. Ratios and rates with fractions
4. Scale drawings
5. Rational Numbers
6. Addition and Subtraction of integers and rationals
7. Multiplication and division of integers and rationals
8. Applying operations with rational numbers to expressions and equations
9. Expressions and Equations
10. Generate equivalent expressions
11. Solving problems using equations and inequalities
12. Use equations to solve geometric problems
13. Percent and Proportional relationships
14. Percent problems 
15. Population, mixture and counting problems
16. Statistics and Probability
17. Calculating and interpreting probabilities
18. Estimating probabilities
19. Random sampling
20. Comparing populations
21. Geometry
22. Angles
23. Constructing triangles
24. Problems with area and surface area
25. Problems with volume

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

BigIdeasMath.com Grade 7
Teacher provided notes and handouts

WORK EXPECTATIONS: Be on time for class. Bring the materials you need and be prepared (have the homework that is due and study for any assessments).  Be respectful and listen while others are speaking. Raise your hand to be called on. Respect classroom and classmates’ supplies. Be understanding that all students have different learning styles and learn at different speeds. 

Math 7/Accelerated

Types of Assessments: End of unit test, mid-unit quizzes, quarterly cumulatives

Prerequisite: Math 6 

Credit: 1  

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DESCRIPTION

Picking up from sixth grade, seventh grade mathematics continues with ratios, proportional reasoning, and use of rational numbers. Throughout the year, students will continue to work on perseverance in problem solving by being able to make sense of and use mathematical practices. Seventh grade accelerated classes will pick up where sixth grade left off. Eighth grade topics will then be addressed so students can complete all three years of middle school math in the first two years. Emphasis will be on critical thinking, problem solving, analyzing and applying skills.  

1. Ratios and proportional relationships
   1. Unit Rate and Constants
   2. Ratios and rates with fractions
   3. Scale drawings
2. Rational Numbers
   1. Addition and Subtraction of integers and rationals
   2. Multiplication and division of integers and rationals
   3. Applying operations with rational numbers to expressions and equations
3. Expressions and Equations
   1. Generate equivalent expressions
   2. Solving problems using equations and inequalities
   3. Use equations to solve geometric problems
4. Percent and Proportional relationships
   1. Percent problems 
   2. Population, mixture and counting problems
5. Statistics and Probability
   1. Calculating and interpreting probabilities
   2. Estimating probabilities
   3. Random sampling
   4. Comparing populations
6. Geometry
   1. Angles
   2. Constructing triangles
   3. Problems with area and surface area
   4. Problems with volume

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

BigIdeasMath.com grade 7 accelerated
Teacher provided notes and handouts

One of the main goals of the science department is to help students become better critical thinkers. The courses offered by the department are diverse and provide students with the opportunity to broaden their content knowledge. A wide variety of project-based learning experiences are provided for students through scientific research opportunities and other content-related work. Advanced Placement courses are offered in every possible subject area. Our electives are unique and diverse offering all types of learners an opportunity to experience science in action. The courses offered by the department assist students to become well-rounded, competitive and prepared for their college experiences.

Science 7

Curriculum Level:   Grade level 

State Examination: Science 7 Grade level Final

Frequency:  Every day 
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1. DESCRIPTION

Students focus on the physical sciences of chemistry and physics. Students will be introduced to science inquiry practices while further developing laboratory techniques. Topics this year include matter, the Periodic Table of Elements, chemical reactions, forces, energy, and electricity. Students will complete activities that facilitate their learning of science skills such as questioning, experimental design, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

Teacher provided handouts

COURSE OUTLINE

1.  Scientific Method and Graphing
   1. Variables and Data Collection
   2. Graphing Data
   3. Following Procedures
   4. Density
2. Introduction to Matter and Changes in Matter
   1. Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
   2. Physical and Chemical Properties/Changes
   3. Phase Changes
3. Weather
    I. Weather and Climate
    II. The Roles of Water in Earth Surface Processes
    III. Natural Resources
4. Atoms and the Periodic Table
   1. Parts of the Atom
   2. Elements
   3. Periodic Table & Trends
5. Natural Hazards/Global Climate Change Resources
6. Chemical Reactions
   1. Evidence of a Chemical Reaction
   2. Law of Conservation of Mass
   3. Types of Chemical Reactions
7. Motion
   1. Distance, Time, and Speed
   2. Acceleration
   3. Graphing Speed and Acceleration
8. Forces
   1. Balanced/Unbalanced Forces
   2. Newton’s Laws
   3. Weight and Gravity
   4. Friction
9. Work, Power, and Energy
   1. Work and Power
   2. Kinetic and Potential Energy
   3. Types of Energy/Energy Transformations
   4. Renewable/Nonrenewable Energy
10. Waves
    1. Parts of a Wave
    2. Sound Waves
    3. Electromagnetic Waves
    4. Light
11. Electricity and Magnetism
    1. Magnets
    2. Ohm’s Law
    3. Circuits

The department seeks to prepare students to be independent, forward-thinking participants, actively involved in the 21st century. Inclusion of technology and evidence-based learning are paramount to the curriculum which is designed to motivate each student to think for himself/herself, to analyze, and to draw conclusions from a variety of primary and secondary sources. At least one research paper is required at each level. The curriculum is supplemented with various primary sources to explore different points of view in a given content area. Each course integrates the social, political, economic and historical elements of culture, nations and governments as outlined in the NYS Syllabi for Social Studies as well as the NYS learning standards. For more information regarding the New York State Core Curriculum for Social Studies go to: 

https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework

Grade 7

Curriculum Level: Grade level

State Exam: None

Frequency: Every day
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DESCRIPTION

Grade 7 Social Studies is arranged chronologically and incorporates geography as well as economic, social, and political trends. The course content is divided into eight key ideas, tracing the human experience in the United States from pre-Columbian times until the Civil War, with a focus on the people, events, and places in New York State as applicable. Throughout the course, teachers will help students see connections across time and tie those connections into current events. 

TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS

Teacher provided handouts and articles, primary and secondary source readings
Ebook America: History of Our Nation

WORK EXPECTATIONS

Participation in class discussions and group activities, daily reading and writing assignments, analysis and synthesis of primary/secondary documents, quizzes, essays, research based projects

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Native Americans
   1.  How physical environment and natural resources influenced the first settlements 
2. Colonies
   1. Reasons for their development and the study of how they each developed differently based on economic, social and geographic factors
3. American Independence
   1. Political and economic issues that sparked the movement for independence from the British
4. The historical development of the Constitution 
5. The Constitution in practice and as a living document
   1. The Constitution as the foundation of the United States government
   2. The rights of citizens
6. Westward expansion
   1. Political and economic motives
7. A nation divided
   1. Sectionalism
   2. Reform and abolitionist movements
   3. Causes of the Civil War