7th Grade Curriculum
The GATE seventh and eighth grade curriculum is designed as a two-year continuum, although each year can stand on its own.
Reading and vocabulary development are important parts of a language arts curriculum. Seventh graders read both contemporary and classic literature. They will have their first taste of literary analysis, focusing on theme, point of view, and characterization, in prose, drama, and poetry. Their study of poetry will culminate with each student creating a themed poetry book that demonstrates the ability to apply what was learned about various poetic forms, rhythm, and figurative language. In addition, students will study classic (Latin and Greek) roots, prefixes, and suffixes, to expand their vocabulary, improve their SAT scores, and become fabulous Jeopardy contestants!
Seventh graders have an overarching theme of connections. They begin the semester with What Did You Say?, a communications and media unit. Students will write and present informative, demonstrative, and persuasive speeches. They will learn to recognize and then practice both objective and subjective writing. They will study advertising in depth, subsequently applying their newfound understanding of techniques of persuasion in a competitive simulation of advertising agencies.
Then the focus will turn to the concepts of Utopia and Dystopia. The class will read a variety of futuristic novels and short stories, both modern and classic. Students will consider real world issues and attempt to solve them by creating a "perfect" world. Then students will author, illustrate, and publish their own hard-bound futuristic story.
The GATE seventh and eighth grade curriculum is designed as a two-year continuum, although each year can stand on its own.
Reading and vocabulary development are important parts of a language arts curriculum. Seventh graders read both contemporary and classic literature. They will have their first taste of literary analysis, focusing on theme, point of view, and characterization, in prose, drama, and poetry. Their study of poetry will culminate with each student creating a themed poetry book that demonstrates the ability to apply what was learned about various poetic forms, rhythm, and figurative language. In addition, students will study classic (Latin and Greek) roots, prefixes, and suffixes, to expand their vocabulary, improve their SAT scores, and become fabulous Jeopardy contestants!
Seventh graders have an overarching theme of connections. They begin the semester with What Did You Say?, a communications and media unit. Students will write and present informative, demonstrative, and persuasive speeches. They will learn to recognize and then practice both objective and subjective writing. They will study advertising in depth, subsequently applying their newfound understanding of techniques of persuasion in a competitive simulation of advertising agencies.
Then the focus will turn to the concepts of Utopia and Dystopia. The class will read a variety of futuristic novels and short stories, both modern and classic. Students will consider real world issues and attempt to solve them by creating a "perfect" world. Then students will author, illustrate, and publish their own hard-bound futuristic story.