Grade 7 Curriculum

Parents and Guardians

This guide provides an overview of what your child will be learning in seventh grade. It is based on the Common Core Standards, the Massachusetts Frameworks, and the curricular approaches which have been adopted by the Somerville Public Schools. Read the Massachusetts Frameworks for more details.

Academic standards are important. They ensure that all students, no matter where they start, are prepared for success in the next grade level, college, and their careers. By defining standards clearly, we aim to help families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed. There are some students who will need additional support to meet a standard. Other students will need more complex work to go deeper with the standards. Teachers craft their day-to-day classroom instruction based on the standards, individual student needs, and the unique characters of their schools and community.

How can I support my child's learning at home?

  • Talk to your child about what they are learning in school    
  • Contact your child's teacher with any questions or concerns and attend Parent Teach Conferences    
  • Check your child's folder and/or agenda book every night    
  • Provide a space and a consistent time for your child to complete their homework    

English Language Arts

In 7th grade, we use the Fishtank Curriculum for ELA. The guiding principles for Fishtank are:

  • Building knowledge to nurture critical thinking. 
  • Centering diverse, relevant, and rigorous texts.
  • Prioritizing student voices and ideas to build agency.
  • Learning to write, writing to learn.

Unit 1: Longing to Belong

How is the need to belong universal? What does it mean to belong to a culture or community?

Unit 2: Advocating for Change  

How does meaningful social change come about? How do gender and class shape a person’s experience of the world?

Core texts: Uprising, Flesh and Blood so Cheap

Unit 4: Finding Home 

How does a person’s environment shape their identity  and their sense of belonging?

Core text: The House on Mango Street

Unit 5: Exploring Identity

Where do stereotypes come from and how do they affect people? How can individuals stay true to themselves in the face of judgement from others?

Core text:  American Born Chinese

Visit the Fishtank Learning website for more information.

Mathematics

In grades K-8, we use the Illustrative Mathematics (IM) curriculum. IM Math is a problem-based core curriculum rooted in content and practice standards to foster learning and achievement for all. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Information for families is available online in both English and Spanish.     

Science, Technology, and Engineering

In 6th grade science, we use a curriculum called STEMScopes, which is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the MA Curriculum Frameworks. 

Social Studies

7th grade students use the Investigating History curriculum. This is an inquiry based Massachusetts-specific curriculum. More information can be found on the Investigating History website.

Social/Emotional

The elementary years are an important time to nurture social-emotional competence and develop foundational learning skills. The Somerville Public Schools uses the Second Step curriculum, an evidence-based program that includes everything schools need to integrate social-emotional learning into their classrooms and school-wide. The curriculum is designed to promote school success, self-regulation, and a sense of safety and support.

Classroom teachers are responsible for implementing Second Step. Schools guidance counselors and other support personnel assist teachers and students to work toward attaining curriculum goals. Staff at your child's school can give you more detailed information about the sequence of skills taught and how social/emotional skills are taught.

Specialists

Somerville Public Schools provides each student with 40 minutes per week of instruction in General Music, Library/Media, Art, and Physical Education. The specialists at each school are available to give you more detailed information about specific skills addressed. 

Updated 2/2026