Seventh Grade

In the fall, students conduct research into a wide range of early founders of the U.S. and at Early America Day, share their learning with the community in a living museum.

In the winter, they learn what it means to be a change-maker, and in the spring, they delve into the Witness Stones Project and the history of American slavery with first-person accounts. For that project, they engage in primary document research with local historians to understand Connecticut’s role in slavery and the personal stories of enslaved individuals. The project culminates with the students leading a community event and laying a stone at the residence of the enslaved person.

Through these projects, students develop their skills in reading, writing, thinking, speaking and research. They also find their voice as they explore themes of social justice and equity.

The Introduction to Physics course introduces students to the concepts of motion, forces, and energy so that they can better understand how humanity uses the Earth’s resources for energy consumption and production. 

Students’ natural curiosity is fostered through a multitude of hands-on investigations, experiments, and engineering challenges that allow students to practice the scientific method, engineering and design processes, how to effectively analyze data, and clearly communicate conclusions based on evidence. Each study is structured so that students actively learn by performing experiments they design, reflecting on and analyzing their results, and applying their newfound knowledge to a culminating engineering challenge. These challenges include: designing a rocket to fly the furthest horizontal distance, hacking a tug-of-war game, designing the fastest wind-powered vehicle, designing and building an electric car, and maximizing the generation of voltage using solar and wind energy. 

Students gain an appreciation for and working understanding of key concepts in physics by engaging in these studies. Students end the course with deeper skills in critical thinking, analysis, and re-thinking ways to improve the use of Earth’s natural resources.

Students study either Pre-Algebra or Algebra I in sections that best match their needs. They hone their procedural skills as they move beyond operations involving whole numbers, decimals and fractions and transition into algebraic reasoning. All seventh grade mathematics classes focus on equations and mathematical reasoning as expressed through many types of numeric, geometric and conceptual forms. 

As part of a seventh grade statistics project, students have the opportunity to research the unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity rates as well as the population and median income in different towns and cities across Connecticut. They look specifically at the data from two of the categories in an effort to make a connection and construct scatter graphs to show whether or not their hypothesis was correct. 

Students also engage in projects such as designing their dream house with a given budget. They figure out how much interest they would pay on a loan from the bank, design and calculate the cost of renovations for inside and outside the house, and present their project with a slideshow to the class.

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In their first year taking Latin, seventh graders become familiar with the basic grammatical concepts of the Latin language, the city of Rome, Roman history as well various cultural topics such as festivals, religion, architecture and slavery. Their interest in, and awareness of, Roman culture and civilization are enhanced by reading the continuous narrative about the lives and adventures of diverse Romans in the Suburani I illustrated textbook.

Students become quickly proficient in reading lengthy stories in Latin and inducing the general grammatical and syntactical rules from the specifics found in the passages. Attention is also paid to modern influences from the Roman world, such as English words derived from Latin, Latin sayings and the vestiges of Roman culture in our own.

During their first year of study, students master the first three declensions of nouns; the present, imperfect and perfect tenses; prepositions and the agreement of adjectives; as well as many syntactical rules. Special projects may include poetry recitation, creation of a Latin game, Latin novellas, calligraphy, Latin cinquains, Saturnalia celebration, models of cultural artifacts, and story bags of Roman gods and goddesses.

In seventh grade, students expand their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture through a theme-based curriculum. Topics include exploring new places, sports in the neighborhood, music appreciation, and celebrating special occasions. The course incorporates authentic materials and focuses on meaning-based tasks and activities. 

Students develop skills in constructing proper word order, using modifiers, and applying prepositions. Beyond language learning, students gain a deeper appreciation for both traditional and modern Chinese culture. 

Special projects include researching and comparing traditional Chinese and American festivals, writing and illustrating an online comic strip with audio recordings, creating a filmed short play, and participating in the CT COLT Poetry Recitation Contest. Students might also have the opportunity to take a trip off campus to visit the Yale University Art Gallery.

Middle School students show off their language skills at the annual COLT Poetry Contest. Seventh graders practice vocabulary related to body parts and employ their creativity by designing mythical creatures; they enjoy presenting their creations to their peers for an exercise in comparing and contrasting. They research and sample Hispanic cuisine, host guest speakers and plan fiestas. They study reflexive verbs, indirect object pronouns, familiar commands, comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and the preterite tense. Projects, readings, videos and discussions heighten their appreciation of Hispanic culture.

In the seventh grade art course, students explore the Principles of Design through a variety of materials and techniques. 

Early in the year, they engage with Japanese Notan by using cut paper in high contrast collage and then a project inspired by M.C. Escher’s tessellations. They work in graphite, marker and watercolor pain. After creating and glazing a functional clay vessel, the focus shifts to portraiture, beginning with a project that ties into their Humanities Icon research project. 

The year culminates in a realistic, larger-than-life self-portrait, rendered in graphite pencil using the grid techniques utilized by artist Chuck Close. Throughout the year, students maintain a sketchbook for observational drawing, allowing them to track their progress and refine their unique artistic style. This course provides a dynamic blend of technical skill development and personal expression, helping students build a strong foundation in art.

Seventh graders delve into music beginning with an examination of their own tastes, investigating the intersection of music, memory, and emotion. They progress to a study of blues and jazz giants like W.C. Handy, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, B.B. King and Miles Davis. 

By comparing and contrasting “American classical music” with their own contemporary preferences, students discover how music is connected across time. In each class, students explore the building blocks of music — rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, dynamics, tempo and form — through active music-making. This leads to self-awareness, self-discipline and improved ensemble skills. 

Improvising and exploring the harmonic structure of the 12-bar blues, as well as creating original compositions using digital and analog tools, are integral parts of the music curriculum. 

Seventh graders share their music in a variety of ways throughout the year, including presenting in class and performing at the Spring Assembly.

Students participate in performance projects that visually represent principles and theories about acting. Seventh graders practice improvisation to learn acting technique and theater games that hone concentration. In doing so, they develop greater flexibility and problem-solving skills that promote quick thinking and adaptability. 

Students are also exposed to playwriting, dramatic literature and oral and written critical assessments.

Seventh grade PE continues to build on students' athletic skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship while promoting an active and enjoyable experience. Students participate in a variety of sports, including soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, flag football, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, kickball, Capture the Flag, and badminton, as well as other modified and large-group games. 

They have the option to engage in either competitive or non-competitive groups, creating an inclusive environment that supports all skill levels. With an emphasis on participation, engagement, and personal growth, students refine their techniques, develop strategic thinking, and strengthen communication skills. 

The curriculum encourages a lifelong appreciation for physical activity while reinforcing the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship.