7th Grade Elective Courses: Personalized Learning Pathway

World Languages

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE A (Year-long Course) (067933)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: None

American Sign Language A (ASL) is an introduction to the most widely used sign language in the United States. Students will study the basic vocabulary, structure, syntax, and grammar of ASL. Students will focus on mastering the basics of finger spelling, facial grammar and sentence structure, and will also learn conversational/cultural behaviors necessary to hold a beginning-level conversation in ASL with deaf/hard-of-hearing native users of the language. Introductory information about deaf culture will also be presented to provide students with a broad picture of language and culture. This course is intended for students that have little to no experience with ASL.

FRENCH A (Year-long Course) (067533)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: None

French A is an introduction to one of the most global languages in the world. Students will study various French-speaking countries and peoples to better understand the diverse cultures that they might encounter. Students will also begin to describe themselves, family and friends, and daily life. They will speak, listen, read, and write French with their classmates through paired practice, small group work, and role plays. Students will be introduced to skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will help them live and work in an increasingly global society. Upon successful completion of French A, students will be ready to take French B in 8th grade.

SPANISH A (Year-long Course) (067833)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: None

Spanish A is an introduction to one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Students will study various Spanish-speaking countries, peoples, and cultures.  Students will also begin to describe themselves, family and friends, and daily life. They will speak and write with their classmates through paired practice, small group work, and role plays. Students will be introduced to skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will help them live and work in an increasingly global society. Upon successful completion of Spanish A, students will be ready to take Spanish B in 8th grade.

Physical Education

PHYSICAL EDUCATION MENTOR (One Semester or Year-long Course) (088543)

Grade: 7-8

Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

This course will give students the opportunity to improve their skills in mentoring others as they serve as assistants for students with physical and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in Physical Education. Students will take on the role of “buddies'' to provide leadership in a variety of physical fitness games and activities. 

Music

BAND (Year-long Course) (127503)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: 6th Grade Band or Approval of Instructor.

Seventh Grade Band is designed for the second year band student. Emphasis will be placed on the continued development of technical skills, tone quality, and style. Listening skills and ensemble techniques are further developed and increasingly challenging literature will be introduced. Attendance at all performances is required. Scholars are required to have an instrument (either own or rent).

CADET STRINGS (Year-long Course) (126613)

Grades: 6-8

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed for beginning students and students who took strings in elementary school but didn’t take a full 3 years or and/or the full year of 5th grade orchestra. Students who don’t have the required experience or otherwise recommended for the class should be directed into the concertino orchestra. The course will cover beginning Level strings technique including proper posture positioning, how to hold the bow, playing in first position, identifying notes on the staff, basic tone production, instrument care and maintenance, and beginning ensemble skills. Regardless of experience, there will be no expectation of experience and instruction will begin from the very beginning of learning to play a string instrument.  Like our 3rd grade beginning strings class, this class will only perform once, on the final concert of the year.  Scholars are required to have an instrument (either own or rent). 

CHOIR (MIXED) (Year-long Course) (127703)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: None.

Seventh Grade Choir (Mixed) provides an opportunity for students to develop musically within a choral ensemble. Various styles of music will be studied with an emphasis on sight singing, vocal production, concert etiquette, and performance technique. An understanding of musical elements and terminology is reinforced. This choir will perform in various concerts throughout the year. Attendance is required at all performances.

ORCHESTRA (Year-long Course) (127603)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: 6th Grade Orchestra or Approval of Instructor.

Seventh Grade Orchestra continues to develop personal technical and performance skills for continuing students within the ensemble. Emphasis is placed on the development of listening skills, improved intonation, balance and blend, and tone quality. Proficiency is increased in music reading, analysis, and interpretation. A wide variety of orchestral repertoire is presented from many styles. Instruments are required for daily practice and all performances. Attendance is required at rehearsals and concerts. Scholars are required to have an instrument (either own or rent).

Fine Arts

CREATING THEATRE ARTISTS: ONSTAGE & OFF (Semester-long Course) (057543)

Grade: 7 

Prerequisite: None

Take center stage in this interactive study of the production process!  Get out of the audience and learn the basics of acting, scripting, and designing.  In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, scene building, and scripted play performance. To support the action on stage, students will develop skills in technical aspects of theatre.

MUSIC AND MEDIA (Semester-long Course) (127543)

Grade: 7

Prerequisite: None

Have you ever wanted to see how technology creates music in the 21st century? Write songs, play instruments, sign, and create your own digital music in this real-world music lab!  Students will learn the fundamentals of musical elements, the industry-standard language of music and how to connect it with modern musical applications.  Individual and team-based projects will be utilized.  Students will also learn how to collaborate with artists in other areas to produce media. 

VISUAL ARTS EXPLORATION (Semester-long Course) (027543)

Grade: 7 

Prerequisite: None

Explore visual art and design through hands-on learning using a wide variety of 2D and 3D materials. Students will practice critical thinking through artistic innovation and creativity. As they find their individual artistic voice, students will have a better understanding of how art connects them to their world. 

Career Technical Education

ENGINEERING INNOVATORS (Semester-long Course) (107543)

Grade: 7 

Prerequisite: None

Students in this course will utilize concepts of STEM to design, model, create, and modify various solutions to engineering problems. In this course students will get hands on experience working through the engineering design process with the intention of becoming future inventors and innovators. Students will learn how to use various prototyping tools including 3D modeling software and traditional woodworking machinery. Students will solve problems while exploring topics related to flight and space, energy and the environment, science and technology as well as many other technological areas. There is a $10 course fee for this course.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES SKILLS (Semester-long Course) (097543)

Grade: 7
Prerequisite: None

TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More! Students in this class will work together as a team through the units of Human Relations, Food Safety and Sanitation, Culinary Arts, and Apparel & Textile Design while giving students the opportunity to build communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. This is a hands-on course focusing on team building while utilizing problem and project based learning experiences of more advanced cooking, sewing, and teaching skills for the 7th grade student. There is a $10 course fee for this course.

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS (Semester-long Course) (037543)

Grade: 7 

Prerequisite: None

This intermediate level business and technology course will enable students to improve their communication and computers skills. Students will learn to utilize Microsoft products in a real business simulation that properly aligns with current industry practices through the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other presentation applications.  In addition, students will spend time learning logic and problem-solving skills through intermediate level coding and business simulations.