Middle School

Fifth Grade
Students learn the art of constructing well-organized paragraphs and essays and practice presenting their ideas logically and cohesively. From personal narratives that reflect their own experiences to analytical paragraphs that dissect ideas, students have multiple opportunities to share their thoughts, experiences, and insights in writing. Novels such as The Giver (Lois Lowry) and anthologies such as Flying Lessons and Other Stories (Kwame Alexander) help students sharpen their factual and inferential reading comprehension skills. They analyze overall craft, setting, character and plot development, and theme to uncover the author’s message and intended purpose. Grammar, mechanics and vocabulary studies are ongoing throughout the year and focus specifically on parts of speech and capitalization. Teacher feedback, quizzes, writing assignments, and self-evaluation provide opportunities for assessment and improvement.

Sixth Grade
Students ramp up their English skills as they tackle novels including Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. They explore character, identity, belonging, and citizenship through multiple genres including modern literature, personal narratives, poetry, and short stories. Throughout the year, they practice strategies to move from writing paragraphs to longer form essays. Students learn how writers use literary techniques to develop their authentic voice, engage in a deep study of character development, and examine how literary devices effectively communicate theme and message. Specific instruction in vocabulary and grammar — especially parts of speech, sentence structure, and prepositional phrases — supplements the study of literature throughout the year and is assessed through both quizzes and writing assignments.  

Seventh Grade
Students engage in an exciting, immersive introduction to American literature, with a focus on exploring identity in both fiction and poetry. Through the works of influential authors like John Steinbeck, Sandra Cisneros, and Langston Hughes, students engage with diverse voices that shape American literary heritage. In this course, students are encouraged to think deeply and critically about essential questions, such as: How do our social identities shape our experiences? How can we uphold our dignity in the face of adversity? And how do we navigate obstacles to our aspirations? Through a combination of analytical and creative writing, students hone their critical thinking skills to write multiple five paragraph essays, expand their imaginations, and engage in thought-provoking discussions. The course syllabus is designed to foster a love of literature and includes novels such as Deadly (Julie Chibbaro), Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck), Displacement (Kiku Hughes), Fly Girl (Sherri L. Smith), and The House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros). Students also develop expressive and reflective writing skills that empower them to explore and articulate complex ideas. 

Eighth Grade
Eighth grade English centers on critical reading and persuasive writing skills. Students engage with both classical and modern texts including Oedipus Rex, Antigone, The Odyssey, Persepolis, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a variety of dystopian novels as they explore the question: How do we define a hero? Students have ample opportunities for creative writing through narrative pieces and poetry and also focus on analytical paragraph and essay writing. Longer essays offer an opportunity to deepen their analysis of a text as they develop a thesis, choose quotations, outline, draft, and revise their writing. Students receive feedback from their teacher — in one-on-one conferences and in written responses to drafts — that emphasizes their strengths and highlights areas for improvement. Specific instruction in vocabulary and grammar supplements the grade’s study of literature and is assessed through both quizzes and writing assignments.  

Fifth Grade
Fifth grade history is guided by the essential question: What is a civilization? Throughout the year, students explore diverse ancient civilizations worldwide, discovering their adaptations, innovations, and ultimately, their profound impacts on our modern world. As budding historians, students refine their research skills by analyzing artifacts, maps, and historical records to piece together the intricate puzzle of civilizations. Students also engage in discussions, debates, hands-on activities, and writing assignments to understand the connections and patterns that link ancient civilizations to one another and to our world today. Units of study include: Human Migration; Ancient Mesopotamia; Ancient Egypt; African Empires: Mali and Ghana; Ancient China and the Silk Road; Early People of Meso-South America.

Sixth Grade
Sixth grade history students delve into the foundations of human society, tracing the evolution from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities during the Neolithic Revolution. As they study diverse cultures, students gain insight into influential belief systems, technologies, and governance structures. They journey through time, witnessing the rise of great empires and the interconnectedness of trade networks, and fostering a deep understanding of the cultural exchanges that shaped the course of history and a broader perspective on the world's interconnectedness. Units of study include: Exploring the Eastern Hemisphere and the Neolithic Revolution; World Religions: Complex Societies and Belief Systems; Greek and Roman Civilizations; The Byzantine Empire; The Middle Ages, The Mongol Empire.

Seventh Grade
Seventh graders learn to think like a historian: to question, research, think critically, interpret evidence, make connections, and evaluate the past. This course presents multiple perspectives reflecting early American history's diverse experiences. Students examine the relationship between Indigenous tribes, the influence of European colonization, and the juxtaposition of American ideals of liberty with the realities faced by enslaved individuals and marginalized communities. The course emphasizes analyzing primary sources, investigating causal relationships, examining different historical lenses, and engaging in open discourse. Assessments take on a variety of forms, including essays and projects. Units of study include: Before Contact: The First Peoples of the Americas; Clash of Cultures: Encounters, Exchanges, and Impact of Exploration; Colonial America and the Transatlantic Slave Trade; The American Revolution.

Eighth Grade
Eighth grade historians explore the evolution of citizenship, equality, and justice in Early America through the 20th century. The year begins with a study of Greek influence on early American governance and its role in shaping American democracy. Students examine interconnected narratives on both domestic and global scales to develop an evolving understanding of individual rights, representation, and societal responsibilities. They study different leaders who have used their voices to advocate for positive change and learn about the significance of collective force to instigate change. The course emphasizes analyzing primary sources, investigating causal relationships, examining different historical perspectives, and engaging in open discourse. Assessments take on a variety of forms, including essays and projects. Units of study include: The Birth of a New Nation; Manifest Destiny and Its Consequences; A Nation Divided: Sectionalism and the Civil War; Reconstruction, The Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance; The Holocaust and World War II: Exploring Historical Intersections.

Hewitt students continue the study of Spanish throughout middle school, and we offer French as an alternative language option based on student interest. Language classes come alive with dynamic conversations about the everyday lives of students as well as the music, art, and culture of Francophone and Spanish-language communities. We teach classes almost entirely in the target language, so students gain a good ear for the spoken word and grow confident in their own ability to communicate. Grammar and vocabulary instruction occur daily and we expect students to review work at home not only on paper but using apps that allow them to practice listening and speaking.

Our world languages faculty members take advantage of the many neighborhoods in the city that speak French and Spanish, as well as the many cultural institutions that provide educational programming, often in the target language.

Beginning in grade eight, students add Latin I to their schedule, a half-credit course that covers the first book of the Cambridge Latin series. Many students continue to take Latin as an elective in the upper school. Through their study of Latin, students explore the relationship of Latin words to English derivatives, patterns of word endings and syntax, and the culture and history preserved in the archaeology of Pompeii.