Seventh Grade

LIVING HISTORY & EXECUTIVE SKILLS IN SEVENTH GRADE

With four decades of teaching experience and a background in youth ministry, Mr. Roger Erickson brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to student success to All Saints. His philosophy is simple but powerful: "Every kid can learn given the right opportunity and the right support."

Building the Foundation for High School

Mr. Erickson’s classroom runs on a rigorous, predictable routine designed to prepare students for the expectations of high school. Rather than just memorizing facts, students focus on mastering Executive Functioning Skills:

• Study & Note-Taking: Developing the essential habits required for academic independence.

• Primary Sources: Learning how to analyze original historical documents to understand the past firsthand.

• "Old School" Grammar: Students engage in sentence diagramming—a visual, graphic method that helps them see exactly how parts of speech delineate a sentence.

History as a Living Experience

In Mr. Erickson’s social studies classes, history isn't just in the past; it’s something we live every day. He encourages students to see themselves as part of a continuing story through unique, cross-curricular projects:

• The Cross-Country Expedition: A technology-integrated project where students plan an end-to-end trip across the United States.

• Cross-Curricular Connections: Mr. Erickson collaborates with the Literature department to link historical events with reading. For example, while studying the Holocaust in Literature, Mr. Erickson’s history class examines the context of World War II and draws parallels to other historical periods, such as the American Revolution and the treatment of Native Americans.

Health and Technology for the Modern Student

Mr. Erickson recognizes that middle school is a pivotal age for personal growth. He places a heavy emphasis on Health and Wellness, utilizing technology to help students access resources for both physical and mental health.

• Wise Tech Use: While students use Google Workspace and IXL, Mr. Erickson focuses on "channeling the good stuff away from the bad." He teaches students how to use technology wisely and addresses the modern implications of AI in education.

• Primary Source Analysis: Students are taught to distinguish between types of evidence to build better research skills.

Spirituality and Daily Faith

Drawing on his years as a youth minister, Mr. Erickson weaves spirituality into the fabric of the day. He helps students move beyond "man-made rules" to understand how faith impacts their daily lives and decisions.

• Historical Faith: In Social Studies, the class explores the complex role of faith in history—such as the motivations of the Puritans and Pilgrims—and critically examines when historical figures acted in ways contrary to their stated faith.

• Archdiocese of Hartford Standards: Mr. Erickson uses the Archdiocesan standards as a guide to ensure students meet all spiritual and academic milestones.

"I always joke with the kids that the information we’re studying now is going to be different five years from now. I want them to understand their appreciation of history into their everyday life, because they are living history today." — Mr. Erickson