Seventh Grade At a Glance Below are a few of the exciting experiences that await your seventh-grader in Langley’s Middle School:
The Langley School’s Arc of Development recognizes that the steepest part of a child’s development comes early, and that while every child’s path is unique, there are predictable cognitive, emotional, and social milestones. With this model, our students receive age-appropriate, inquiry-based instruction.
• Cultural competence, emotional awareness, and digital citizenship classes based on our REACH program that promote academic success and self-awareness • Opportunity to participate in band, chorus, or strings ensembles, dramatic productions, and organized team sports in the Capital Athletic Conference • Continued service learning, including trips to So Others Might Eat to serve breakfast to those in need in our community • Inquiry-based learning in all subjects that allows students to practice critical and analytical thinking, executive functioning, and self-advocacy skills • Overnight trip to Colonial Williamsburg that integrates with a study of Colonial America in language arts and social studies
Learning in Action “Seventh-graders use the engineering design process to state a problem, generate ideas, select a solution, build and test prototypes, and evaluate their designs, such as creating a sling-shot rocket with limited materials. This activity helps students develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving.” -Technology & Innovation Teacher “In pre-algebra, students study scale models and drawings and reproduce real-world objects to poster-sized scale using computational and proportional reasoning skills. They love the art/math connection and discover how math is used to design a real-life object.” -Math Teacher “During our study of the Civil War, student inquiry strongly guides our unit. While researching to develop their own unique theses and pieces of supporting evidence, students develop individual projects to display what they have learned. Projects range from art history creations to dioramas to poetry analysis. Students find the material fascinating when they play such a strong role in deciding what they are learning and how they can display that knowledge.” -Social Studies Teacher
Units of Study: These units of study are examples of how we build age-appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons. The goal is to challenge, expand thinking, and inspire students to act on their curiosity, ask good questions, and solve problems. Social Studies: Road to Independence Essential Question: Why does government exist? Skill/Activity: Take on the role of a Tory or a Patriot and convince moderates whether or not to break away from England Science: Energy Production Essential Question: What are the opportunity costs of different ways of producing electricity in America? Skill/Activity: Research an energy topic, articulate a specific policy position by writing a persuasive essay, and debate the issue in a mock Congressional hearing Math: Equations in Two Variables/Linear Functions Essential Question: How can expressions, equations, and inequalities help us generalize and describe patterns in our world? Skill/Activity: Make predictions using mathematical data, graphs, and equations, and manipulate linear functions to create marble slides on Desmos online graphing calculators Language Arts: Literary Analysis Essential Question: What do different genres convey to an audience? Skill/Activity: Work in small groups to develop thesis statements, introductions, evidence paragraphs, and conclusions
Sample Schedule 8:00-8:25 a.m…...................................Advisory 8:25-9:25 a.m….......................................…Math 9:25-10:25 a.m…..................................….Drama 10:25-10:45 a.m…....................….Snack/Recess 10:45-11:30 a.m……...............................Elective 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m…....…Physical Education 12:30-1:10 p.m………...................Recess/Lunch 1:10-2:10 p.m………......………….Language Arts 2:10-3:10 p.m…………...............…………Science 3:15 p.m……….............................……..Dismissal
What Elective Choices Will My Child Have? Middle Schoolers choose from a wide range of electives in which they participate four times per week, such as: Yearbook: Yearbook staff members produce the school’s yearbook, learning layout, design, editing, photography, and teamwork skills. Upcycle!: Students learn to reduce their carbon footprint while developing creative ways to refashion materials for a new and better purpose, including making notebooks from cereal boxes. String Orchestra: Students develop string technique in an orchestra setting by playing classical, fiddle, and popular selections. The group performs at Middle School concerts throughout the year.
Since we believe educational programs should continually evolve to meet the needs of our students, all curricular lessons and schedules referenced here are examples and may change.