7th Grade Courses

7th Grade Required Courses

Every 7th grade student will be required to take the following, along with a total of 3 elective credits: 

Description of Elective Courses

Elective courses will be based on the number of students who choose to take each course.  If there is not enough interest, it is always possible that a course will not exist from one year to the next. 

Year long electives

Band

Students who sign up for any of the band classes will remain in the course all year. Placement in specific ensembles will be determined by the campus director and will occur in May. Purchase of supplies and uniform is required for all band classes.

Beginning Band

Requires no prior experience. Emphasis is placed on basic tone production, instrumental technique and music reading.

Concert Band

Concert band is the intermediate ensemble for those who have completed at least one year of beginning band. Emphasis is placed on refining ensemble playing skills and developing individual performance skills. Students are expected to participate in some pep rallies, football games, formal concerts, solo & ensemble and the Spring Trip. Students are expected to participate in a weekly help session held before or after school.

Symphonic Band

Symphonic band is the most-advanced ensemble for those who have completed at least one year of beginning band. Emphasis is placed on refining ensemble playing skills and developing individual performance skills; however, performance expectations and instruction are more rigorous than in Concert Band. In addition to the performance opportunities listed for Concert Band, these students will participate in several additional performances and are expected to audition for the TMEA All-District Band . Students are expected to participate in a weekly help session held before or after school.

Wind Ensemble

A full-year course, at least one year’s experience in a school band program is required. This ensemble is for advanced players auditioning at the region level. Attention is given to advanced ensemble techniques and skills of good ensemble playing, in addition to developing and refining individual playing skills for advancement to the high school level. Placement is based on a taped audition and directors’ evaluation of the student’s playing skills.

Jazz Band

Jazz band is open to any 7th or 8th grade student who is concurrently enrolled in another band, choir or orchestra class. All instruction will take place during the class period. Students will develop technical, theoretical and improvisational skills inherent in modern jazz and pop music. Performance opportunities are dependent upon the instrumentation of the students enrolled.

Choir

Students of all ability levels are welcome to join WRMS Choir.  Placement in one of the choirs will be at the recommendation of the choir directors.  All members will participate in concerts, Choir UIL, and will be encouraged to participate in the All-Region Choir.  Note:  purchase of a performance uniform is required.


Concert and Honor Treble Choir

Open to all seventh and eighth grade girls. Previous music experience is helpful, but not required.  Students will receive training in music skills, will learn to read music, and will enjoy singing a wide variety musical styles.  Opportunities for performances both on and off campus will be provided for all students. Choir members will perform in 4 evening performances through the year.  Students will be given the opportunity to participate in All-Region Choir, UIL, assemblies and our annual spring music festival trip. To become a member of this choir, an audition is not required, but is recommended for placement.   

  


Tenor Bass Choir

Open to all seventh and eighth grade boys. Previous music experience is helpful, but not required.  Students will receive training in music skills, will learn to read music, and will enjoy singing a wide variety of musical styles.  Special attention will be devoted to the care of the developing, changing voice.  Opportunities for performances both on and off campus will be provided for all students. Choir members will perform in 4 evening performances through the course of the year.  Students will be given the opportunity to participate in All-Region Choir, UIL, assemblies and our annual spring music festival trip.  To become a member of this choir, an audition is not required, but is recommended for placement.   


Varsity Treble Choir

Open to seventh and eighth grade girls who have at least one year of choir experience.  Emphasis is placed on advanced music skills, and further development of the voice.  Students will study and perform a wide variety of musical styles with increasing depth and challenge.  Choir members will perform in 4 evening performances through the course of the year.  They will also perform at school assemblies and pep rallies.  Students will be given the opportunity to participate in All-Region Choir, UIL, and our annual spring music festival trip.  To become a member of this choir, an audition is not required, but is recommended for placement.   



Orchestra

Note: Purchase of supplies and a uniform is required.Placement is at the recommendation of the Orchestra director

Beginning Orchestra

Beginning Orchestra is for all students who have never played a string instrument before and includes instruction on violin, viola, cello, bass or harp. The campus orchestra teacher will assist in the selection of the specific instrument.

Concert Orchestra

Concert Orchestra is the intermediate orchestra for 7th and 8th grade students with at least one year of experience in beginning orchestra. Instruction emphasizes tone production, instrumental technique, music reading, personal responsibility and collaboration with other musicians. Students are expected to participate in concerts, assemblies, UIL contest, solo & ensemble, a spring trip and several after school rehearsals.

Sinfonia Orchestra

Sinfonia Orchestra is the advanced orchestra for 7th and 8th grade students with at least one year experience in beginning orchestra. Emphasis is on technique, music reading and collaboration; however, performance expectations and instruction are more rigorous than the Concert Orchestra. These students will have several performances in addition to the participation expectations listed above for Concert Orchestra members

Athletics

IMPORTANT: Any student, boy or girl, in an Athletic period is required to have completed the following prior to participation in an Athletic class and/or on a team:

1. A current Physical on file dated on or after May 1st and prior to the first day of school. The Physical Form must be on the school required form which can be found on the Athletics page on the school website.

2. Paid the athletics fees:

$275: fee for a team sport or more than one sport. The max is $275 no matter how many sports (could be one group sport, multiple group sports, a group sport + individual sport (s), etc).

$200: fee for ONE individual sport only (golf, tennis, track, or cross country)


Boys Athletics

This one year course allows boys to play football, basketball, track or off-season sports and competitions. Students who do not make teams must remain in the class and participate in off-season activities and competitions. Athletic uniform is required ($75). 

Girls Athletics

This one year course allows girls to play volleyball, basketball, track or off-season sports and competitions.. Students who do not make teams must remain in the class and participate in off-season activities and competitions. Athletic uniform is required ($75). 


Note: Cross-country, golf, tennis, and soccer are sports available before or after school as set up by the coach. Students in these sports are not required to sign up for an Athletics class. However, students will only receive PE credit through Athletics or a PE Waiver.

Color Guard- Elite Visual Ensemble (EVE)


This year-long course is designed to teach, train and develop individual performance skills through the use of color guard equipment.  This performing arts group will use contemporary guard equipment (flags, rifles, sabers), modern dance, acting and a wide variety of props.  Numerous performance opportunities include half-time shows, pep rallies and competitions.  The winter guard competes indoors during the spring.  The Westlake Elite Visual Ensemble is open to all 7th and 8th grade students and counts as PE credit.  There is a $50 fee for all students and a $250 fee for students who wish to compete.



Latin 7

Introduction to Latin with emphasis on all skills: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Passing the full year of Latin 7 allows the student to earn 0.5 high school credit for Latin IA. Grades from both semesters will be posted to the high school transcript but are not factored in high school GPA calculation. Students who score below a 70 in the fall semester will be removed from the course and no high school credit will be awarded. Recommended for students with a B+ average or better in English and who will devote 15 to 20 minutes to homework each night. This is an academic elective; it also counts toward the world language graduation requirement.



Spanish 7

Introduction to Spanish with emphasis on all skills: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Passing the full year of Spanish 7 allows the student to earn 0.5 high school credit for Spanish IA. Grades from both semesters will be posted to the high school transcript but are not factored in high school GPA calculation. Students who score below a 70 in the fall semester will be removed from the course and no high school credit will be awarded. Recommended for students with a B+ average or better in English and who will devote 15 to 20 minutes to homework each night. This is an academic elective; it also counts toward the world language graduation requirement.



French 7

Introduction to French with emphasis on all skills: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Passing the full year of French 7 allows the student to earn 0.5 high school credit for French IA. Grades from both semesters will be posted to the high school transcript but are not factored in high school GPA calculation. Students who score below a 70 in the fall semester will be removed from the course and no high school credit will be awarded. Recommended for students with a B+ average or better in English and who will devote 15 to 20 minutes to homework each night. This is an academic elective; it also counts toward the world language graduation requirement.



Yearbook

A year-long course where students-staff are responsible for creating the WRMS yearbook. They will create and design the theme, page design formations, photographs, interviews, stories, photo captions, and marketing/sales. Each year the yearbook staff creates a 130+ page school yearbook with annual sales to over 750 students. Ideal candidates are organized, responsible, creative self-starters with strong writing and photography skills. Yearbook students must be able to work independently in order to meet deadlines, function under pressure, work well with others and attend extracurricular events outside of the school day. Students may need their own transportation to and from events as needed to complete yearbook page assignments. Students will participate in approximately three work nights throughout the year designed to assist in meeting publisher requirements. Students must be available occasionally at night and on weekends to cover certain school events. Students are expected to remain in the course for the full year.

Semester long electives

Above and Beyond

This hands on, project-based course explores topics such as philosophy, law, and engineering. Students will use critical and creative thinking skills as they ponder philosophical questions, learn about courtroom procedures, and work through the engineering design process. Activities include conducting mock trials, designing solutions, and building a variety of simple machines and structures. 

Art I and Art II

This 7th and 8th grade art studio course concentrates on the art techniques of both two dimensional and three dimensional art. Students will explore a LARGE variety of ideas and creative expression drawn from the imagination, art history, art careers, and various cultures. This Visual Art class will take the student from drawing to painting, printmaking, perspective, three-dimensional works, computer graphics, and textiles. New technologies are enthusiastically explored with each project. When creating art, students will rely on their perceptions of the environment to develop an increased visual awareness and sensitivity to their surroundings, memory, imagination, and life experiences. The environment of this class is one of cooperative learning, a high level of creative activity and personal responsibility. The course may be repeated as the curriculum is different each semester, offering a wide range of creative learning. This course develops the skill of making informed judgments and evaluations on works of art. Visual Art is a way of encouraging a creative approach to life necessary for invention and problem solving in a variety of situations. Art teaches creative thinking. Students will be expected to acquire and keep a sketchbook. There will be a $15.00 supply fee for consumables for this class.

Computer Animation and Game Design

Students will be challenged to use problem solving techniques and higher level thinking skills along with creative design to produce animations and games using a variety of programs.  Students will have the opportunity to practice animating in several different styles while learning the 12 Animation Principles and learn game design principles and apply them in creating gaming worlds.  Skills refined within this class will enable students to be confident, efficient and successful when given technology based assignments 

Computer Graphics and Web Design

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of Graphic and Web Design.  It will include learning basic HTML and CSS used in designing web sites.  Students will learn to use tools from a variety of applications to create graphic designs, manipulate photographic images, and create web pages.   



Design and Technology

This hands-on, project based course allows students to get creative in the classroom while developing problem-solving skills. This class uses STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) based activities to develop critical thinking skills and collaboration amongst the students. Students will explore areas of Coding, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Aided Design and Drafting, and Digital Electronics.

Methodology of Academic and Personal Success (MAPS)

MAPS is a one semester course offered to 7th & 8th grade students that focuses on the skills necessary for students to be successful. Essential knowledge and skills include: time management, goal setting, organizational skills, study skills/habits, attitude, resilience, and character education. 

Peer Partners (formally known as Kids Helping Kids)

This elective gives students an opportunity to support students with disabilities in a variety of settings. Students taking this class will have a chance to be a peer buddy and to model appropriate social behavior. It is an opportunity to build valuable lasting friendships.

P.E.

The seventh and eighth grade P.E. class will include a variety of individual, team and lifetime sports. Recreational class games such as hoop house capture the flag and prison ball will be played. The state mandated physical fitness test will also be administered. A P.E. uniform is required ($20).

Robotics I

This course is designed to introduce students to robotics and the engineering design process. Students will build a basic robot from instructions and follow along with an online curriculum to learn how to program their bot to perform multiple tasks and challenges.  This course is a prerequisite for Robotics II. 

Robotics II

This course is designed for students who are highly motivated to continue pursuing robotics and engineering.  Students in Robotics 2 will be faced with a large robotic challenge and will work during the semester in small groups using the Engineering Design Process to build multiple prototypes to complete the challenge.  Students will then compete against each other and Hill Country Middle School robotics for the ultimate winner.



Family and Consumer Sciences I

Family and Consumer Sciences 1 (FCS 1) - formerly Teen Skills - is designed to provide students a well-rounded understanding of essential life skills. Through hands-on experiences and engaging activities, students will explore many aspects of FCS: interior design, fashion, sewing, child development, financial literacy, career exploration, nutrition and wellness, and food science.  Projects include a room design portfolio, miniature pillow with applique, standard pillowcase, baby egg project, babysitter training tips, jobs/bills/budgeting project, and cooking recipes such as french toast, pizza, muffins, and penne bolognese.  Students will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork skills and  insights into the diverse aspects of FCS.

There will be a $15 supply fee for consumables for this class.



Family and Consumer Sciences II

Advanced Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS 2) is the follow-up course to the required prerequisite, FCS 1.  FCS 2 deepens students' understanding and skills in various aspects of life through real-world applications. Utilizing thematic units, students will explore multiple aspects of FCS simultaneously using the foundational knowledge from FCS 1.  Projects for this course include: Food Truck Challenge (interior design, financial literacy, nutrition, and food science), Monster Mash Up (child development, hand sewing and career exploration), Hospitality 101 (fashion, machine sewing, nutrition/wellness, financial literacy, and food science).  FCS 2 aims to empower students with practical life skills that are essential for success in their future personal and professional lives.

Students must successfully complete FCS 1 before taking FCS 2.

There will be a $25 supply fee for consumables for this class.



Technical Theater 

Come explore the backstage in Technical Theatre! We’ll be designing and creating the sets, costumes, makeup, and props for the West Ridge Theatre Department shows. You will also learn to use sound, lighting, and media to help enhance the theatre experience. When you have completed Tech Theatre you will find that with something as small as duct tape, you can walk away with a wearable work of art!


Theatre II

Theatre Arts is open to all 7th and 8th grade students. Theatre II (Theatre Arts) is the second level of drama. This class is designed to bring out the actor in any middle school student. We will explore acting techniques, improvisation, and live performances. It is a great way to share your many talents, boost your confidence, and have a great time. Students who would like to participate in main stage, school wide productions are highly encouraged to take Theatre II.



WRMS TV: News Production

Come join the West Ridge TV/news team next year! This is a semester course offering instruction in writing, directing, producing, anchoring, technical directing, and much more. Students will write, direct, and star in the TV news program. The course includes an introduction to the principles, practices, procedures, and equipment utilized to produce broadcast quality news and interviews. In addition, news segments and information may be published on the school’s news website.

Fundamentals of Computer Science

Fundamentals of Computer Science is intended as a first course for those students just beginning the study of computer science. Students will foster their creativity and innovation through opportunities to design, implement, and present solutions to problems.  Students will gain an understanding of the principles of computer science through the study of computer science history, technology concepts and be introduced to basic computer programming.


High school elective 0.5 credit course