7th Grade

English

Seventh graders at Moses Brown read a variety of poetry, short stories, and novels to deeply consider their collective past and present and the role they play as engaged citizens.  Students bring their passion for fairness and justice to conversations about prejudice and discrimination which they explore through fiction, non-fiction, and contemporary news articles. With engaging literature and productive, respectful critique sessions, at Moses Brown we instill kids with a passion for the English language and a love of books.

Students grow their reading skills by practicing active reading and engaging with the text through journal reflection and class discussion.  Seventh grade English classrooms are lively, helping students engage personally and as part of a community of learners. Each unit of study includes writing projects to support analytical essay writing as well as more creative writing like poetry and monologues.

English class isn’t just reading and writing, however.  We make text come alive with immersive projects that extend what we’ve gleaned from the page, and these frequently connect with studies in other classes.

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When they crack open Never Cry Wolf, seventh graders are simultaneously learning about the ecology of Yellowstone National Park and how it has responded to the reintroduction of wolves.  At the same time, in science class they’re learning about the complexity and nuance surrounding that reintroduction, using primary and secondary sources to consider the issue from the perspective of environmentalists, ranchers, tourists, prey animals, and the wolves themselves.  And when a Montana rancher takes a few days away from the herd to visit class, they understand just how real his concerns are.

To Kill A Mockingbird comes alive when the students learn about macroeconomics and market swings in math class, and the cultural forces at work in America during the Great Depression, bringing together issues of wealth, class, and race.  No matter what subject a student feels most passionate about, it becomes an entry point into this multidisciplinary study of a critical moment in American History through the lens of one of our most enduring novels.

The Wolf Project

Students gain a broader perspective

“This project gave us the opportunity to think about the world as a whole and not just about ourselves.” -Dahlia P. ’23

Faculty

Maureen Nagle

Middle School English and Middle School English Department Chair

About

Maureen Nagle

Providence College – B.A.
Trinity College of Dublin – M.Phil.

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