Grade 7 -Students Portfolio

Water
Splash!
When I go into the sea,
I feel tiny air bubbles rushing up.
Their power is over; it has gone to another element.
An element that cannot break apart in the
Strongest wind,
An element that can quench even the
Hottest fire,
An element that can break apart the
Strongest earth,
An element that has no more, only equal.
Life cannot go on without it,
But we have endless supply..
But we pay for that supply.
In other words, we pay for life.
But other people,
They are forced to waste their life for life.
To spend their whole day to get water.
But in vain,
For dozens die a day from disease and drought.
But there is a cure.
A cure that has been possible for years but never
Has been done.
Until. Now.
A group of people have realized the true weapon;
Not for war,
But for water.
Not for ourselves,
But for life.
Not for fame,
But for earth.
Not for money,
Not for mankind,
Not for anything or anyone
But for all,
In other words;
Nature.

Parthiv Shah
Grade 7




Applying Learning in Grade 7

In Middle School, the focus on inquiry-based learning continues, as does parallel in-depth explorations of subjects. Assessments are not based merely on subject knowledge, but also on skills of research, organisation, presentation and application.

English Literature

Through Macbeth, we are taught to write scripts. We begin with the investigation of King Duncan’s murder, where a list of suspects needs to be interviewed. I discover that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both liars!

Physics

Our project, to build a Solar Cooker, throws up so many questions: we realise how we take energy and fuels for granted. Have we thought about how long it will last, or even where it comes from? We watched the movie, An Inconvenient Truth. Everyone should see it!

Chemistry

We’re looking at acids and bases in nature today. So beetroot, tea, and lemon are being put to the test. The question is: how can Nature’s wonders be tapped to identify the acidic and basic nature of substances? I can’t wait to get home and create my own “pH solution” in the kitchen!

Biology

Chlorophyll is seriously fascinating. Do plants really need it for photosynthesis? How do we prove that it is the green parts of the leaf that actually make sugars? What about variegated leaves? Do they produce sugars only in the green sections? And then we learn about the starch test.

History

An excerpt from my journal describing the splendours of Vijayanagara, in the persona of Nicolo Conti, the famous traveller and historian:
“I am Nicolo Conti. I’ve just returned to the court in Vijayanagara, from visiting the very beautiful Vitthala Temple in Hampi. The musical pillars there are truly unique. I marvel at the genius of the creators of this wonder, and hope to visit it again, soon.”

Math

The teacher distributes two square-shaped pieces (one big and the other small) and two rectangles of paper to each of us. Assuming the sides of the big square are ‘a’ and the small square are ‘b’, and the rectangles have one side as b & the other side as a, we’re asked to find out the area. We arrive at this formula: (a+b)2!

Physical Education

I’m really looking forward to PE today. We warm up by doing coordinated sprints and stretches, then practice shooting hoops for a little while. It’s not game time yet, but today I heard the coach say we’re to focus on lay-ups!

PODS

The Media Pod is just great! Today, one of the city’s best known editors talked to us about how he got into journalism, and told us about some of the life-changing incidents he’d witnessed. We’re going to be looking at media from different angles – as a reporter, an editor, a cameraperson... wow!!