Menu Grade 7
|
Grade 7 Seminar Units
Main Units of Study Crispin: The Cross of Lead novel study (Literature with historical connection) Many historical events and concepts are referred to in the novel. Among them are the Black Plague, the Hundred Years' War, the Feudal System, the Peasant's Revolt, and 14th century religion and the caste system it incorporated. The book will be used as an introduction to life during this time period and will culminate in a study and simulation activity on the Medieval period. The grade 7 Social Studies curriculum deals with the Eastern Hemisphere, and this novel will allow students to better understand the history of the Middle Ages in that region. This novel will also be used with the students to explore the Socratic Method of questioning/thinking through discussion of the events in the story. Medieval Study (Social Studies Unit) This unit is a culminating activity following our reading of the novel, Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Activities will include designing and building an authentic medieval castle, creating tapestries detailing the history of the castle, constructing heraldic shields, creating stained glass replicas, making illuminations, and much more. Future Problem Solving scenarios Students will solve problems concerning significant issues affecting their world using a six-step creative problem-solving process. Stories with Holes Activities These will be used during short periods of time - "story puzzles" the students must solve using critical thinking and analysis skills.
GRADE 7 SPECIAL DESIGN PROJECTS Egg Drop Project - Students in grade 7 will design a vessel to protect 3 raw eggs as they are dropped from the roof of the Maple Avenue Middle School building. The students will learn about gravity, motion, power, inertia, and potential and kinetic energy through this design project. Roller Coaster - Students in grade 7 will design free-standing roller coasters that include a loop and a second elevation. The design must allow a golf ball to travel the length of the roller coaster and come to a stop before breaking a raw egg placed at the end of the track. Students will learn about energy exchanges involved in such a system.
Extra Units - as time permits Game Factory/Probability Study This unit is a simulation in which pairs of students test games' fairness by investigating their probability. Students will learn what probability is, use its vocabulary, and comprehend how the ability to exercise probability is developed. They will use hands-on experiments with spinners, coins, cards and dice to check games' fairness, understand that we cannot control chance; but that we can quantify chance by associating numbers with the likelihood that an event will happen, generate and organize data daily for statistical analysis, and design and share their own games in a culminating activity. Dream Time - The Myths of the Koori in Australia Students are asked to compare and contrast two myths from the aboriginal people of Australia. They will participate in different centers and participate in an "Each One, Teach One" situation after their centers have been completed. Finally, students will work as a group to record the similarities and differences. Further, students will investigate who the Koori people are and what role have they played in Australian history. Photographic Essay Choosing a topic of interest to them personally, students will create a photographic essay to share with their classmates. They will take pictures that deal with their topic, create captions, and then explain their essay in a formal presentation.
|