Curriculum 

(Units of Study)

Art (Trimester)

Seventh-grade students have art for one trimester of the year. Ask your child when he/she will have art. The seventh-grade art curriculum is described, with sample photos, on my Teacher Page. The curriculum is focused on ways of seeing in art. Students will do observation drawing from still life with an emphasis on using a range of values to create the illusion of form. They will create a painting using a loose or abstract style to depict a real subject, learning new ways to look at that subject. And they will look at the art of architecture, and use it as a subject for a linoleum block print. A growing understanding of ways that value and color can be used for purposeful effect is stressed this year.

General Music (Trimester)

Students will demonstrate proper beginner guitar and ukulele skills through reading notated music, holding and strumming the guitar and ukulele, understanding the finger patterns, and successfully playing first and second string songs on the guitar and the four chords on the ukulele.

STEAM (Trimester)

7th Grade STEAM Curriculum

Physical Education (Hexamesters)

1. Tournament-style Badminton

2. Volleyball

3. Archery

4. Golf

5. Invasion Sports and Games

6. Racket sports (net tennis, Pickleball)

7. Physical Fitness 

8. Recreational and Lifetime Pursuits (student choices)

9. Team Building

10. Ultimate Frisbee

11. Nontraditional Games/Sports (OMNIKIN, Korfball)

Health Science (Hexamesters)

Time Management

Decision Making

Nutrition (Cooking Labs)

Mental Health

Healthy Relationships

Immune System

Health Investigations

Modern Language

Unit and Themes/Connections

Band

The symphonic band rehearses, studies, and performs a wide variety of music.  The music chosen is age-developmentally appropriate and each piece builds upon the skills students are developing. Music is slightly more challenging than in grade 6 and, as the school year moves forward, becomes more challenging as students gain more confidence on their instruments. As the year progresses, some students switch to a "new" instrument such as tenor sax, baritone sax, french horn, euphonium, or tuba to expand the sound of the band. After a trial period, contact with the parents is made before any permanent switch occurs.

Students in the symphonic band perform in concerts in December, March, and May.   In addition to our concerts, the band members also participate in local parades in May and July!

Chorus

Chorus at the seventh and eighth-grade level is a performing group that rehearses every other day during the school day.  It is a voluntary course open to all students.  Its members are expected to participate with the chorus at all public performances.  Instruction includes the encouragement of independent two-, three-, and sometimes four-part singing, sight-reading skills, developing vocal skills, and performance professionalism. Membership in the chorus also provides students with opportunities to audition for advanced performing groups within the school and within district festivals.