Seventh Grade Themes

MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school

Seventh Grade Themes

Environmental Issues (fall) In this theme, students look at a variety of environmental issues including population growth, resource use and management, sustainability, and environmental degradation. Students engage in readings, in-class activities, simulations, documentaries, and field trips as they learn about and discuss the issues that impact our world. Students also work on their presentation skills as they research and present their Current Events Projects, which center on environmental issues that are of particular interest to them. Finally, throughout the trimester, students explore cycling as an alternative form of transportation as they prepare for their four-day point-to-point bike trip on the Katy Trail. Students learn, among other things, how to fix a flat, work their gears, safety check their bikes, and ride safely in a group on streets with minimal traffic.

Urban Experience (spring) In the Urban Experience theme, seventh graders explore our urban landscape and wonder together about the many different aspects of community. Students learn to use public transportation, explore neighborhoods, and interact with local residents and city officials to better understand the strengths and issues of urban environments. After weeks of exploring and identifying urban issues in the St. Louis area, the class travels to Chicago for a five-day investigation of its unique urban qualities. Students explore Chicago, researching urban issues there and comparing and contrasting their experience with their explorations of urban issues in St. Louis. Finally, students share reflections through carefully crafted radio podcasts with the help of personalities from National Public Radio.