Seventh and Eighth Grade Program
Overview
As our students move into their early teen years, teachers provide a solid foundation of trusted mentorship, guidance, and inspiration for the creation of a healthy 7th and 8th grade learning community that is responsive to each individual's needs and goals.
Students begin class with centering activities such as mindful breathing, mindful movement, "do now" exercises, check-ins, theater games, and journaling. Mindfulness is woven into our curriculum as we teach students research-based techniques to regulate their nervous system, ensuring they can show up fully for each class. Students are supported as they strengthen their study skills, check their homework logs daily, discuss the importance of academic honesty and excellence in the age of AI, deepen their understanding of media literacy, and commit themselves to achieving their individual goals. Teachers provide mentorship, research-based best practices, and encouragement along the way.
Our Approach
Finding Their Voices
Students are encouraged to find their unique voices and contribute to rigorous, heartfelt, and thoughtful group discussions. We draw upon the Harkness method of teaching and emphasize respect for differing points of view, substantiating one's perspective through textual references, and active listening and participation.
Learning to Show Up
We're phone-free (including watch phones) because our students learn to connect skillfully—to this world, to each other, to their teachers and mentors, and to the curriculum at hand. Students routinely engage in "Class without Walls" activities including outdoor education, enriching field trips, and volunteering. Odyssey students regularly go for day-long hikes, explore local museums, and meet with individuals at a local care facility to volunteer their time and learn from the elders in our community. Through these experiences, students develop the relational and community-forward skills that help them become thoughtful, engaged young adults.
Health and Wellness
Our health curriculum features discussions that center around healthy tech habits, internet safety, screen addiction, exposure to pornography, the benefits of delaying social media, and the importance of healthy in-person interaction in the age of screens. In addition, the 7th and 8th grade are piloting our new Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. This is an age-appropriate, comprehensive, progressive, and LGBTQI+ friendly approach to teaching self-care, nutrition, sleep habits, sexuality and reproduction, and healthy relationships.
7th and 8th Grade Curriculum
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At Odyssey, our ELA and Social Studies curriculum are integrated throughout both semesters. Our 7th graders study World History and read historical fiction relevant to each unit. Our 8th graders study US History and also deeply benefit from the integration of our ELA curriculum (primarily through historical fiction and occasional works of narrative non fiction) to bring the topics of these two disciplines to life.On the national Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment, Odyssey students scored at the 80th (5th Grade) and the 62nd (6th Grade) Percentile in reading.
Students are encouraged to find their unique voices and contribute to rigorous, heartfelt, and thoughtful group discussions. We draw upon the Harkness method of teaching and emphasize respect for differing points of view, substantiating one’s perspective through textual references, and active listening/participation.
On the national Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment, Odyssey students scored at the 81st (7th Grade) and the 71st (8th Grade) Percentile in reading.
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At Odyssey, our math and science curriculum is both rigorous and hands-on. A creative application of mathematical and scientific concepts includes integrating not only art but a multi-media and hands-on approach to teaching the core concepts of biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and math through multifaceted experiments.
On the national Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment, Odyssey students scored at the 72nd (7th Grade) and the 53rd (8th Grade) Percentile in math.
Meet the 7/8 Grade teachers
Elliot “Tavi” Hardy
Amy Glenn
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7/8 Humanities Lead
Amy Wright Glenn (she/her) earned her MA from Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught high school for eleven years at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey earning the Dunbar Abston Jr. Chair for Teaching Excellence. She has been teaching at Odyssey since 2021.
Amy teaches Odyssey’s integrated English Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum focusing on USHistory and World History for the 7th and 8th grade. She is also a birth and death doula, hospital chaplain, author, Kripalu Yoga teacher, and founder of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death. In her work with the Institute, she trains professionals in the practice of holding space for life transitions with a focus on perinatal loss and grief work.
Amy contributed a chapter entitled “Grief Work for Teachers: Three Practices in Holding Space for Sorrow” in the 2023 anthology Reframing Self Care published by the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). In the summer, Amy often teaches at the Lawrenceville Summer Scholars Program focusing on World Religions, Psychology & Ethics, and Human Rights & Current Events.
When not in her classroom, Amy can be found spending quality time with her 13-year-old son, their Golden Retriever (Scout), and two wonderful Siamese cats (Barley and Eärendil) who are recent additions to the family. Amy loves the study of philosophy, psychology, and the world’s wisdom traditions. She loves to garden, meditate, practice yoga, dance, hike, and travel.
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7/8 STEAM Lead Instructor
Kia ora! That is how we greet each other in my culture of the Māori of Aotearoa, New Zealand. My name is Tavi and I am the 7th/8th Grade Math and Science Teacher! Prior to teaching, I had careers in Public Education as a Data Manager and Front Office Manager and in Elder Care as IT Support and Activities Coordinator.
I studied at Brigham Young University - Hawaii where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics. While in school, I worked as a cultural guide, luau performer and fire knife dancer at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
When I am not working, I am either traveling as a Luau and Fire Performer or I am working on my next Cosplay Costume. I love to perform the dances of my heritage all over the South and I am a Master-Award Winning Cosplayer. I often make public appearances as the Rainbow Mandalorian! My other hobbies include: piano, ukulele, 3D-Printing, movies, video games, and lapidary stone carving.
My family includes myself, my wife Sarah, and my 1-year-old daughter Wairaka (who comes to work with me sometimes.) I LOVE Math and Science and love teaching at Odyssey!
Some 7/8 Class Updates
Curious? Come on a tour and see what sets us apart.
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