7th Grade

At University School of Milwaukee, 7th graders cross over into their first year of secondary education, when the educational philosophy changes from the primary education years. Simply put, USM expects more out of its 7th grade students, in terms of both preparation and communication. This process begins in this grade level, and will continue as students mature and move on in their academic careers.

USM’s 7th grade faculty work with students every step of the way to navigate this unique journey, as none of these students’ experiences will be exactly the same. Students are encouraged to become advocates for themselves when they need help. Trying and failing at something new in 7th grade is OK and even beneficial for students, as it helps develop resolve and perseverance and gives them the confidence to continue to safely experiment and explore. For the first time, 7th graders will be present at—and even help run—their parent-student-teacher conferences. Our 7th grade faculty truly love this age level, and as students grow, our teachers will be there to guide them toward success when the answers don’t come naturally. By the time they get to 8th grade, our students are well on their way to new leadership roles and opportunities.

Academics and Curriculum

As 7th graders enter their first year of secondary education, their curriculum expands and becomes more diversified, with core subject-area courses such as English Language Arts, Pre-algebra, Science, Economics, History, and World Languages (French or Spanish) supplemented with fine and performing arts and physical education and health courses.

Subject-area outcomes are an important part of how our curriculum is developed and how our students are evaluated. The following lists, broken out by subject area, provide some examples of student outcomes for the end of the 7th grade year.

English Language Arts

Middle School students laugh while working together in class.

In 7th grade English Language Arts, students advance their skills in language arts through a range of challenging and rewarding units, projects, and experiences. Reading and writing instruction are again intertwined; when reading, students are asked to think like writers; when writing, they have to question what the reader would want. In writing, students continue to focus on ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and voice as they write for a variety of audiences and purposes. Additionally, students build their oral communication skills in speeches and presentations. Students continue the development of close reading skills begun in both 5th and 6th grades, furthering empathy-building, critical thinking, deep understanding, and analysis of increasingly challenging texts. Students also follow their own interests and passions as they often choose their own books, hopefully kindling a lifelong love of reading, A focus on learning and using new vocabulary and recognizing and correcting grammatical and usage errors lasts through each unit of study. Culminating projects push students to demonstrate their understanding of content by researching, writing, revising, publishing, and presenting to their peers and experts in the wider Milwaukee community as well as develop skills in teamwork, creativity, curiosity, resilience, ethics, and time management.

Pre-algebra

This class continues to transition students from the concrete thinking of arithmetic to the abstract thinking needed for algebra and geometry. Students, building on their prior knowledge, study topics related to numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and probability. Through the use of manipulatives and technology, concepts and skills are modeled in a variety of representations. Class activities and discussions are designed to develop students’ problem-solving, reasoning, and communication skills. Projects and challenge problems serve to extend the students’ understanding of how the topics of mathematics are interconnected and related to everyday life.

Science

Middle School students paddle in a canoe during a retreat.

This course centers on life science, health, and robotics. The examination of the scientific method and measurement are covered early in 7th grade. Laboratories and the basics of measuring as it applies in science are stressed. Experiential topics including composting, sustainable gardening, and honey beekeeping have been added to the curriculum. A symposium investigation of topics related to outdoor education introduces 7th graders to scientific research. The cell and its processes provide a launchpad for the study of the human body. Human anatomy and physiology are explored and health issues are discussed as they relate to each body system. Examination of two organisms different from humans allows for the study of simple versus complex living things and the investigation of evolutionary concepts. Principles, theories, and scientific thinking are learned through the scientific method. Robotics will enable students to learn the process of coding, working as a team, and engineering a bot to perform a complicated task.

Economics

Students pose for a photo with their arcade game from the KEVA Arcade.

In 7th grade, all students take the economics course during the first semester of the school year. USM is one of the few schools in the country to require an economics course for all Middle School students. Economic topics include the six core economic principles; economic systems of the world; stock markets and the world of investing; supply and demand; money and banking; budgeting; how credit and debit cards work; and entrepreneurship. The fall semester includes a special collaboration with English Language Arts, Theatre, and Art to study the Industrial Revolution and bring to life Victorian England.

History

In 7th grade, the spring semester brings the first of three semesters of “America’s Story,” which continues into 8th grade. Important topics in this course include U.S. geography, Pre-Columbian America, exploration and discovery, the colonial period, and finally, the American Revolution. The focus of 7th grade social studies is on developing important life skills. These include reading, comprehension, written and oral communication, collaboration with peers, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, access and analysis of information, and creativity.

World Languages

Students dress in traditional French clothing at the Global Enrichment Festival.

Building on the skills learned in 6th grade, students continue to build their speaking proficiency. They are comfortable asking and answering familiar questions on a variety of learned topics. They move toward creating original language by combining previously learned material with new material. They also improve their writing skills, using more accurate expression and grammar. Students in both French and Spanish read at an intermediate level, but are most comfortable with familiar topics. Cultural curriculum is embedded in each lesson.

Introduction to Spanish courses are offered to students in 7th and 8th grades who are new to USM and also new to Spanish.

Art

Middle School students smile while wearing matching aprons in art class.

The curriculum includes instruction in aesthetics, art history, art criticism, and art production. Goals include conceptual understanding, understanding the content of art, valuing creative behavior, self-exploration, and craftsmanship. Exploring, learning, and applying both the elements and principles of art are emphasized. A working vocabulary about the tools, materials, and art-making processes is established and reinforced. Students are expected to maintain a working art binder that includes assignments, notes, preliminary sketches, critiques, and reflections. As students proceed through the Middle School grades, expectations and skills are further refined appropriately from grade to grade.

Band*

Band is designed to expose students to the joy of music through the performance of brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments. Students learn the technique and tone production of the instrument they choose to study, as well as music-reading skills and the basic elements of playing in an ensemble, as they study music from a variety of genres in the band repertoire. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association’s (WSMA) Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students are expected to practice their instruments regularly and take private or group lessons in addition to attending band rehearsal. In 7th grade, students may also participate in Jazz Band.

Chorus*

A trio of students perform a solo during a choir concert.

Chorus students develop their musical skill, vocal technique, expressive performance, and creative thinking, as they also develop a lifelong appreciation of singing and the ability to sing. Students study the basic techniques of healthy singing, further develop their music literacy, study music theory and history, and explore their personal connection to the musical repertoire. Music includes Western repertoire from the Medieval to current times as well as music of many different world genres and styles. In 7th grade, students also have the opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association's Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Orchestra*

In Middle School, Orchestra continues to offer students great variety and challenge in musical performance. Students will continue the advanced development of instrumental technique, music reading and comprehension skills, independent musicianship, and critical thinking skills, and perform orchestral literature of different genres and cultures. Students will also study basic music theory, composition, and music history. The orchestra performs two regular concerts. All 7th grade students also have the opportunity to participate in the Wisconsin School Music Association's Solo and Ensemble Festival. All orchestra students are required to take private or group lessons in addition to attending orchestra rehearsals.

Theatre

Students perform %22Matilda, The Musical%22.

By 7th grade, students begin to display mastery of the four facet skillset. As part of the Middle School's Big Idea art collaboration, students use their strong foundational skills to create 10-minute theatre pieces. These works are a culmination of many skills learned throughout the Middle School curriculum, including characterization, intentionality, playwriting, theatrical design, and ensemble building. The project finishes with a performance of the plays at a Middle School assembly.

Physical Education & Health

Physical activity is critical to the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of physical education is to develop physically-educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Students participate in Physical Education classes four out of eight days for 70 minutes. Students continue to participate in individual and team sports as well as fitness activities that are added to expand their knowledge of the many varieties of physical activities. Students are instructed in proper warm-up procedures, skill techniques, game strategies, and cool-down. The skills that were learned in previous years help students move to the next level in active game situations and help enhance individual physical fitness. In the 7th grade, PE classes are gender-specific, except for fitness and health lessons. Health will be delivered as a unit during the school year. The course is a combination of laboratory, lecture, and discussion. Students are instructed in the area of wellness, which includes physical health, mental health, and social health. Each grade has a skill focus for health, and in 7th grade, it is decision-making as well as the steps to making healthy choices.

Library

The Middle School library skills program is designed to familiarize students with the library, which is a model for other libraries. In 7th grade, students receive library instruction on an as-needed basis, either one-on-one or with class groups. The program strives to promote knowledge and appreciation of literature by building and expanding interest in books and reading, and to teach skills needed for effective use of the library for information, research, study, and leisure reading activities. The use of databases, and reference materials is also covered. The skill of how to select and evaluate information is stressed on a continual basis. Research and study skills are reinforced and reviewed.

Advising

Through a comprehensive advising program, the Middle School aims to develop students socially, academically, and emotionally with an emphasis on responsibility and growth. Some of the areas covered are goal setting, accepting and following rules, decision making, study skills, peer relations, understanding differences, conflict resolution, stereotypes, creative thinking, and values. In addition to following this curriculum, advisees meet individually with their advisors throughout the school year to discuss academic performance. The advisor maintains regular contact with parents through parent-teacher conferences and phone calls. The advisor also maintains regular contact with other teachers of each advisee regarding the academic, behavioral, and social adjustment of each student.

Special Events and Activities

Learning to work together and develop resiliency are important parts of 7th graders overnight fall retreat, where the focus is on challenge by choice. In addition, two experiences later in the school year serve to further enhance these skills. The Kiva Arcade, a service-learning experience, provides 7th grade students with the opportunity to engage with the wider school community and make life-changing loans to people around the world. Among many other simulations, writing workshops, and hands-on lab experiences, Dickens’ Streets of Victorian London, an event held ahead of winter break each school year, sees 7th grade students and teachers apply research, design, and presentation skills to turn a gym into 1856 London for guests to tour and learn about that time. Another incredible experience for 7th graders is the annual retreat to YMCA Camp MacLean in Burlington, participating in low- and high-ropes courses and their challenge by choice programming, as well as a courage retreat presented by Youth Frontiers.

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