Join this class to build community in a small group while learning important 6th and 7th Grade ELA, Writing, Science, History, and Math skills! 

Schedule will be as follows 4 days a week

BLOCK 1 (Teacher Noel)- 35 Min
BREAK - 10 MIN
BLOCK 2 (Teacher Autumn) - 75 Min (5 min break given) 

SCIENCE
In this science course students will be actively involved in the learning process in a way of thinking and investigating, toward growing a body of knowledge about the natural world. Each unit is full of a highly interactive lesson in a unique combination of engaging powerpoints, inquiry-based activities, games, hands-on manipulative and STEM activities embedded throughout. Students will take part in Kinesthetic approaches to help them understand concepts, as well as get a feel for the work that scientists do in the fields of Earth, Space, Engineering, Matter and Biology.
Students at this grade level are able to identify the causes of some of Earth’s surface features, explain the difference between a physical and a chemical change, investigate electricity and magnetism and the relationship between them, use scientific procedures to classify organisms, understand the difference between behaviors and traits, contrast the parts of animal and plant cells, and argue from evidence on how microorganisms can be beneficial or harmful to other organisms. They will engage in engineering practices where crosscutting concepts are applied to help learners make connections across different science disciplines.

Noel, our Science teacher, emphasizes student-led learning. She leads learners to explore topics by encouraging questions and communication in the classroom. Learners will learn through conceptual combinations to enhance their interest and build their knowledge. Our science curriculum embodies the standard criteria following Next Generation Science Standards and more by making it fun!

Science Units:
Earth Systems and Changes Over Time
Dynamics of Classification
Ecosystems
Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
Water on Earth &  Protecting Earth’s Resources
Conservation of Energy & Resources
Photosynthesis
Cells and Microorganisms
Energy Transfer through Electricity and Magnetism
Structure and Properties of Matter

MATH

Our 12-14y math curriculum embodies conceptual categories of Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. During class students will be encouraged  to experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. In class, students will have the opportunity to use the learned practices to develop an appreciation for mathematics as it applies to their lives and strengthen their foundation while encouraging them to think critically & creatively.

We will start the term with reviewing math standards learned in previous years to build up a strong foundation. If a child can’t keep up with their math curriculum, not only will they fall behind and, in turn, lose confidence, but they’ll also lose interest in the subject. Additionally, the skills and concepts that students learn in second grade math aren’t just limited to use in their academic studies. As such, our goal is to make math fun and applicable and maintain a review for the first unit. This unit will focus entirely on building their foundation and identifying areas of difficulty. By re-engaging in key foundations through many different instructional approaches we will make it fun!  Math games, visual aids, technology, mind-maps, reciting it out loud and hands- on approaches. It is important to deepen their confidence where they flourish and not make it rudimentary “memorization”. Therefore, depending on the type of learner they are, they will receive an individualized instructional approach throughout the units.  It is important for us to identify how they learn best and apply that information to strengthening their math skills. 

(September 5) Term 1: 

Constant of proportionality from graphs
Rates & proportional relationships
Introduction to proportional relationships
Identifying constant of proportionality graphically
Constant of proportionality from graph
Identifying the constant of proportionality from equation
Constant of proportionality from equation
Constant of proportionality from table (with equations)
Constant of proportionality from tables

(October 10th) Term 2: 

Fractions, decimals, & percentages
Rates with fractions
Rates with fractions
Rewriting decimals as fractions
Fraction to decimal
Order rational numbers
Percent Word Problems 

Term 3:

Intro to adding negative numbers
Adding negative numbers fluently
Intro to subtracting negative numbers
Subtracting negative numbers fluently
Adding & subtracting integers
Adding & subtracting negative numbers: variables

Term 4:

Rational numbers: addition and subtraction
Absolute value
Adding & subtracting negative fractions
Adding & subtracting rational numbers
Addition & subtraction word problems with negatives
Properties of addition & subtraction


Reading/Literature
Never judge a book by its movie! In this class we take on books so amazing, they made a movie! Each month we will read 1-2 book(s) in class and upon completion we will all watch their video productions (Parent permission will be required; an alternative will also be given to those not participating in the film screening). After the movie, students will participate in an open dialogue comparing and contrasting both pieces.

Term 1:

Holes by: Louis Sachar - (Yearling, 2000) 233 pages.

Term 2: 

Hoot
by: Carl Hiaasen - (Alfred A. Knopf, 2002) 292 pages.

Term 3:

The Princess Diaries
by: Meg Cabot - (Harper Avon, 2000) 256 pages.

Term 4:

Howl’s Moving Castle
by: Diana Wynne Jones - (Greenwillow Books, 2008) 448 pages.

WRITING

Students will learn about various topics, put them in action, and then we will relate each new skill to our book of the term. We will also participate in fun writing activities, projects, and games with the term theme using an online publishing platform. Students will be able to purchase their books if they wish through the platform. 

African American History 

This class goes beyond just learning about Black History during the month of February. Project-based and interactive activities allow students to immerse themselves in the history, culture and traditions of African-Americans throughout the entire year. We believe that you can’t have a complete understanding of United States history without learning about the contributions of African-Americans. 

Fall Semester (PART 1)

Week 1-4:  Apartheid in South Africa

-Students will learn about how Apartheid was a system of laws that forced all ethnic groups to live in different areas and use separate facilities. Essentially, that they were designed to create physical divisions within society based on race. 
-Students will learn about when Apartheid started and what these law entailed for those it affected. 
-Students will learn about the laws that restricted the movement of non-whites, particularly natives, were enacted. 
-Students will learn how Apartheid ended 
-Students will learn how Nelson  Mandela and Klerk worked together to create a new government and constitution. 
-Students will learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)  which was established in 1995 by President Nelson Mandela with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as its leader. 

Week 4-8: Nelson Mandela

-Students will learn that Nelson Mandela was one of the twentieth century's most important civil rights leaders. His leadership is credited with the downfall of the apartheid system of racial segregation in South Africa.
-Students will learn about Nelson's biography and early life
-Students will learn about Nelson's education and intellectual influences
-Students will learn about Nelson Mandela's Children and Family and Early Career
-Students will learn about the mass protest against apartheid policy erupted in violence, and police killed 69 unarmed demonstrators. As a result, South Africa banned the ANC and another influential organization, the Pan Africanist Congress. 

Week 8-12 : Rwandan Genocide

-Students will learn that the Rwandan genocide in the African country of Rwanda occurred in the year 1994. 
-Students will learn that the term ''genocide'' refers to a carried-out action that intends to annihilate an ethnic group. 
-Students will learn about the differences between Rwanda's three major ethnic groups: the Tutsi, the Hutu, and the Twa. 
-Students will learn about how the genocide of Rwanda began and ended. 
-Student will learn about the Effects of the Rwandan Genocide
-Students will take part in a project as a group to come up with a government plan for Rwanda that will allow Hutus and Tutsis to live together in peace but still have constitutionally guaranteed rights. After preparing their ideas, students will present their proposals to the class and discuss.
-Students will view The Color of Friendship in class accompanied with a check for understanding guide to complete while watching the film at the end of the semester (parent permission will be needed, those who will not watch the movie will be given an alternative activity they can complete in a break out room)