Grades 7 and 8

Seventh and eighth graders dive into a Humanities program that weaves literature, history, and ethics into a single, thought-provoking tapestry. Students study World War II and the Holocaust, the Bill of Rights, the Women’s Suffrage Movement, and the History of Chocolate, engaging with essential questions about power, justice, and human behavior.

Classes balance reading and discussion with research and creative expression. Students explore novels, primary documents, and essays that illuminate historical contexts, then write analytical papers and reflective journals connecting past struggles to current events. They debate constitutional rights, dissect propaganda, and grapple with questions of moral courage and responsibility.

Grounded in Lesley Ellis’s anti-bias philosophy, the Humanities program empowers students to see history not as something distant but as a living invitation to think critically, speak up, and act with conscience, preparing them to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Snapshot of Learning: During the Bill of Rights Moot Court, students take on real constitutional cases, arguing, questioning, and ruling as “student justices.” Their decisions link historic precedent to modern life, reinforcing the connection between ideas and action.

Science in grades 7 and 8 fuels curiosity and perseverance, helping students understand that experimentation and discovery are acts of imagination as much as logic.

Classes are immersive, inquiry-driven, and hands-on, inviting students to think like scientists and engineers. Students design experiments, gather and analyze data, and communicate their findings clearly and confidently. Each year, they explore chemistry, genetics, physics, and astronomy, combining scientific principles with creative problem-solving and critical thinking.

Students mix chemicals to investigate reactions, model DNA to understand inheritance, and build circuits to explore electricity and magnetism. Engineering projects encourage them to tackle real-world challenges, designing, testing, and refining prototypes while learning from both success and failure. Collaborative lab work mirrors authentic scientific practice, emphasizing teamwork, careful observation, and iterative improvement.

Science at Lesley Ellis fuels curiosity, perseverance, and flexible thinking, helping students see that experimentation and discovery are as much acts of imagination and creativity as they are of logic and analysis.

Snapshot of Learning: During the Earthquake-Proof Build Challenge, teams construct and test balsa-wood “buildings” on a shake table, analyze data on structural motion, and refine their designs like practicing engineers.

In grades 7 and 8, math builds on the foundations developed in 5/6, becoming more abstract, connected, and purposeful. Students expand their understanding of proportional reasoning, algebra, and geometry, deepening their ability to discover underlying patterns and relationships rather than rely on rote memorization or quick calculation. In addition, students build their procedural efficiency while seeking the most efficient solution pathways.

Lessons emphasize reasoning, representation, and reflection. Students in algebra model real-world situations with equations, graphs, and data sets; learn how to manipulate polynomial expressions; and use functions to describe real world contexts. Geometry units for our accelerated students encourage analysis of two-dimensional space through distance, angle, similarity, and congruence. Across topics, students explore multiple strategies, justify each step, and connect mathematics to science, design, and everyday problem-solving.

Our curriculum framework continues to guide instruction, fostering a classroom culture of dialogue, exploration, and discovery. Students talk, write, and debate about math, learning from one another’s reasoning. Teachers provide productive intellectual challenges that encourage persistence, curiosity, and confidence. The result is joyful rigor: a learning environment where collaboration and thoughtful risk-taking turn mathematics into a dynamic tool for understanding and shaping the world.

Spanish in grades 7 and 8 moves from foundation to fluency. Students expand vocabulary and grammar while using Spanish for authentic communication – speaking, reading, and writing as fully as they are able. Cultural study deepens as they explore the history, geography, and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries through literature, film, and current events.

Classroom interaction is purposeful, collaborative, and intellectually engaging. Students participate in structured role-plays, debate global issues, and undertake projects such as travel videos or cultural festivals that require research, planning, and thoughtful presentation. Writing progresses from short compositions to extended essays and formal correspondence, enabling students to refine vocabulary, strengthen their voice, and develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Learners ready for greater challenge are encouraged to engage with more complex language structures, nuanced ideas, and sophisticated cultural perspectives.

By the end of eighth grade, students are confident communicators with a deepened understanding of culture, stronger analytical and expressive skills, and a sense of global connection, prepared for high school language study or continued immersion.

Snapshot of Learning: Students engage in role-playing activities such as ordering food, visiting the doctor, and planning trips in order to practice using Spanish in real-life situations.

In grades 7 and 8, the arts block becomes a dynamic space for self-expression, collaboration, and creative risk-taking. Students explore a wide range of disciplines, including visual arts, theater, improvisation, African drumming, dance, and music, learning that artistry is as much about curiosity, process, and reflection as it is about performance or product.

In the visual arts studio, students expand technical skills and creative voice through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and digital design. They study how artists across history have used their work to reflect identity, culture, and social change, applying these lessons to their own pieces. Portfolios grow richer and more intentional as students experiment with composition, color, and mixed media. Reflection and critique sessions develop the ability to give and receive constructive feedback and to speak confidently and insightfully about art.

Performing arts experiences take center stage through school plays, improvisation, and ensemble work. Students write, stage, and perform original scenes, learning how storytelling, timing, and collaboration bring ideas to life. Improv games cultivate spontaneity, empathy, and quick thinking, while full productions strengthen communication, confidence, and teamwork.

In music, students continue in wind ensemble and choir or explore electives such as jazz and rock, studying the roots of these genres and practicing ensemble performance. They investigate rhythm, harmony, and improvisation, often performing in concerts that showcase their evolving musicianship and creative energy.

Across all art forms, students are encouraged to take thoughtful creative risks, appreciate diverse perspectives, and find their individual voice within a community of makers and performers. The result is a rigorous, joyful arts experience that builds confidence, courage, and a lifelong appreciation for creativity in all its forms.

In grades 7 and 8, Health and Physical Education focus on developing both physical wellness and emotional resilience. Students explore topics such as nutrition, fitness, stress management, healthy relationships, and safe decision-making, including responsible technology use, digital balance, and strategies for managing overwhelm and anxiety.

Physical Education activities build coordination, stamina, and teamwork through cooperative games, movement challenges, and age-appropriate sports. Students practice perseverance, collaboration, and fair play while developing confidence and a sense of personal responsibility for their health and well-being.

Together, Health and PE provide students with the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness to make thoughtful choices for themselves, support their peers, and maintain balance as they prepare for the demands of high school and beyond.