Seventh Grade Extension & Elective Courses
English Language Arts Extension Courses
In addition to the core ELA course selection, students are required to select from one of the following ELA electives. (Due to the nature of the curriculum, students are expected to enroll in 2 ELA courses in each school year for 6th and 7th grade.) Students will be placed in this course based on prerequisites and demonstrated needs.
The school reserves the right to cancel any course if there is insufficient enrollment or if certified staff is unavailable to teach the course.
There may be additional material costs associated with these courses for which the student will be responsible.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
Course No. OTAV7
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: application, interview, instructor approval
AVID is a structured college-readiness course designed to support students' development of inquiry, critical reading, and analytical writing skills. Each week, students in the AVID elective class engage in reading and writing curriculum, tutor-facilitated study groups, collaborative activities and academic success skills. The tools used in this course will help students to be more successful readers, writers, and thinkers in the more rigorous courses in which they will also be expected to enroll (i.e. Advanced and accelerated middle school offerings, Advanced, AP or Dual high school offerings). The AVID elective class reviews and then builds upon skills learned in prior years of AVID. Potential students will need to apply and interview before being accepted into the elective.
GT Independent Study (CMS, CTMS, HMS only)
Course No. GTIS7
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: GT Identification
In this open-ended course offering, students will be allowed to design a project or course of learning according to their interests. The required components of this course will be research, reading, and writing. The work will culminate with a presentation of their work to an audience of peers, teachers, and middle school administrators.
Literacy Achievement
Course No. LITACH
Semesters: 1
Prerequisite: Documented weakness in reading (i.e. STAAR failure, etc…)
This course is designed to strengthen students’ reading and writing skills to ensure grade-level proficiency with academic tasks and expectations. Students enrolling in this course will have demonstrated a need for intervention on STAAR or other assessment or coursework. Through a wide variety of targeted experiences in reading and writing with authentic texts, students will build skills that will transfer to success on assessments.
Considerations: District data will be used to determine students in need of support and accelerated reading/writing intervention as per Senate Bill 1153. Enrollment in this course will supersede involvement in other electives such as AVID.
Project Language Arts (PLA)
Course No. OTPLA7
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: none
Students will develop their 21st century skill-set inspired by the GCISD’s Portrait of a Graduate lens and the new Texas ELA standards. Students will develop a love and passion for reading and writing while demonstrating their learning through creative performance-based assessments. Through this course, students will become effective communicators in an increasingly digital world.
English Learners Language Arts (ELLA)
Course No. ELLA2
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: Participate in ESL program; Beginner or Intermediate in TELPAS or LAS Links; 3 or less years in US Schools
In this course, students new to the English language will have the opportunity to build vocabulary and strengthen their English speaking, reading, and writing abilities. The design of this course will be to support ELL students in both social/conversational language acquisition and development of English skills to support content learning in other middle school coursework.
Considerations: This course is designed to support students who are newly acquiring the English language and will follow the newly adopted ELLA TEKS.
Essentials of Reading and Creative Writing – Modified
Course No. LA7ERW
Prerequisite: ARD/IEP Committee determination required.
This is a *modified English Language Arts (ELA) extension course that must be recommended by an ARD committee prior to a student’s enrollment in the course. The course is intended for students in need of a self-contained extension course who are not able to progress in a general ELA extension course without significant modifications to the TEKS. The course will provide students with opportunities to read and experience text linked to the grade level TEKS and to develop writing skills at their ability level based on the grade level styles of written work. Technology is embedded throughout the course along with access to a wide variety of literature genres. ARD/IEP Committee determination required
STEM Cause and Effect Seminar (GMS only)
Course No. OTSCES
Semesters: 2
Students will explore, discover, and tap into their understanding of the world around them through the engineering design process. The course will center around ELA curriculum objectives in conjunction with the engineering design process to drive research-based and technical writing. In addition, students will develop skills that are necessary to navigate academic texts and will explore STEM careers. This course will conclude with a culminating project applying learned concepts.
General Electives
Math Investigations II
Course No. MAINV2
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: Documented need in mathematics
This course is recommended for students in Grade 6, 7 or 8.
This course is designed to strengthen students’ mathematics skills to ensure grade-level proficiency with academic tasks and expectations. Students enrolling in this course will have demonstrated a need for intervention on STAAR or other assessment or coursework. Through a wide variety of targeted experiences in mathematics, students will build skills that will transfer to success on assessments.
Considerations: This course is designed to support and accelerate students who have demonstrated needs in mathematics.
Study Skills
Course No. OTSS
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: ARD/IEP Committee determination required.
This course is designed to help students master the basic skills necessary to become competent learners. The myriad number of topics will include all of the basic study skills, critical thinking with Bloom’s Taxonomy, learning styles, communication, goal setting and problem solving principles. Emphasis is placed on academic skills, note taking, cursive writing, teamwork and leadership fundamentals. ARD/IEP Committee determination required.
BAND:
Each middle school has multi-level bands with varying names. Students are placed following an audition process. Most parents obtain instruments through a rental program. Designated instruments are available through the school for a fee of $50 per semester.
Symphonic Band
Course No. FABS
Semesters: 2
This is an intermediate level band for 7th and 8th grade students. Proficiency in the basic fundamentals (tone, rhythm, fingering, etc.) is stressed. Concert Band performances occur in fall and spring.
Honors Band
Course No. FABH
Semesters: 2
This is an advanced band for 7th and 8th grade students. These students are challenged with more difficult musical literature and required sight-reading skills. Symphonic Band participates in many activities throughout the year including various concerts, solo & ensemble contests, auditions, and UIL competition at the director’s discretion.
Art I
Course No. FAA78
Art is designed for students with strong interests in exploring many art disciplines and media. Each area of study focuses on critical thinking and problem solving as students develop their artistic skills. There is an emphasis on art history, multi-cultural events, and customs through varied art projects. Areas of study are drawing,
painting, sculpture, printmaking, fibers, papermaking, paper mache, and computer technology. There may be additional material costs associated with this course for which the student will be responsible.
Art II
Course No. FAA2
This is an intermediate level art course in various media and methods in two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. It includes drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, fibers, and art history as applied to specific projects. There may be additional material costs associated with this course for which the student will be responsible.
Advanced Art
Course No. FAAQ78
Prerequisites: Teacher approval
This course is recommended for students who are considering pursuit of advanced art classes in 8th grade and high school. The students are required to develop and maintain a portfolio of work which demonstrates their talent and level of art skills. There may be additional material costs associated with this course for which the student will be responsible.
Choral Program
Students are placed following an audition process that emphasizes music sight reading capability. Required Materials/Fees for choir vary per campus to cover the needed performance uniform.
Choir -Tenor-Bass Select
Course No. FACTB2
This is the beginning choir and requires no audition.
The program strives to allow students to gain musical Knowledge in a supportive and creative environment. Emphasis is placed on proper singing techniques, music reading skills, and performance etiquette. These students participate in curriculum-based school-sponsored concerts on a regular basis and have the opportunity to engage in field trips, choir competitions and other extra activities. Rehearsals may be required outside of class time prior to some performances.
Choir - Select Treble
Course No. FACT2
This is the beginning choir and requires no audition.
The program strives to allow students to gain musical Knowledge in a supportive and creative environment. Emphasis is placed on proper singing techniques, music reading skills, and performance etiquette. These students participate in curriculum-based school-sponsored concerts on a regular basis and have the opportunity to engage in field trips, choir competitions and other extra activities. Rehearsals may be required outside of class time prior to some performances.
Choir - Advanced Treble
Course No. FACTA
Prerequisite: Audition and Teacher Approval
This choir is open to 7th and 8th grade students by audition only. The program strives to allow students to gain musical knowledge in a supportive and creative environment. This choir stresses the development of excellent vocal quality and technique, advanced independent sight reading ability, and the development of performance excellence. Students perform various types of advanced choral literature and study an intensive sight reading program. These students participate in curriculum-based school-sponsored concerts on a regular basis and have the opportunity for field trips, UIL Choir competitions, and other extra activities. Rehearsals may be required outside of class time prior to some performances and contests.
Choir - Chamber Mixed
Course No. FACC
Prerequisite: Audition and Teacher Approval
This choir is open to 7th and 8th grade students by audition only. This choir stresses the development of excellent vocal quality and technique, advanced independent sight reading ability, and the development of performance excellence, emphasizing individual performance techniques. These students participate in curriculum-based, school-sponsored concerts on a regular basis and have the opportunity for field trips, UIL Choir competitions, and other extra activities. Rehearsals may be required outside of class time prior to some performances and contests.
THEATRE ARTS:
Theatre I
Course No. FAT78
Theatre I at the 7th grade level is designed to introduce the student to the many performing and technical aspects of theatre. Students will learn basic acting techniques (stage movement, developing voice, memorizing lines, etc.), improvisation, mime techniques, character development, basic scene study (group and individual monologues), script analysis and performance critiquing. In small ensembles, duets and individually, students will prepare and perform scenes in class demonstrating these skills.
Theatre II
Course No. FAT2
Prerequisite: Theatre I
Theatre II at the 7th grade level builds upon the skills learned in Theatre I. Students will continue to strengthen their acting skills in a variety of theatrical experiences, including reading and writing plays, as well as memorized and improvisational performance.
Theatre Playbill
Course No. FATP
Prerequisites: Audition & Teacher Approval
This year long course gives students the opportunity to prepare and rehearse for events used in competitive speech/theatre tournaments. Participation in tournament competition or a class program is required. Students will develop the ability to work independently in the classroom. Students will also explore on a developmental level, aspects of theatre production as they prepare for performances. Students will experience the entire process of mounting a theatrical production both on and offstage. This class is designed for those students developing an interest in pursuing acting and production in 8th grade and high school.
Other Electives
Principles of Business Marketing & Finance
Course No. CTPBMA/B
Semesters: 2; Credits: 1 HS Credit
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 7-8
Students will gain knowledge/skills in economics and private enterprise systems, the impact of global business, marketing goods and services, advertising, and product pricing. Students analyze the sales process and financial management principles.
Middle School Engineering and Robotics
Course No. CTER
Semesters: 2
This course is recommended for students in Grade 7.
The Engineering brings math and science to life for middle school students. This innovative curriculum keeps students engaged and excited as they apply key concepts to the fundamentals behind electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental and biomedical engineering. Activities are centered on thirteen 3-week modules covering the various disciplines of engineering
Yearbook
Course No. YRBOOK
Prerequisite: Teacher Approval – Spring Application
The primary objective of this course is to produce the school yearbook. Students should exhibit a high degree of responsibility and maturity. Occasionally, students will be required to attend and cover after-school events. Meeting deadlines is a top priority for students in this class. A strong background in English and/or art will be helpful. Basic journalistic and printing terms, layout design, and copy preparation will be developed.
Technology Applications: Introduction to Emerging Technologies
Course No. CTIET
Semesters: 2
Prerequisite: none
This course is an introductory coding course that focuses on critical thinking and problem solving. Students will develop skills to identify relevant problems, develop solutions, design computer programs, and complete projects. They will use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore solutions and learn new relevant technologies. Keyboarding skills are integrated into this course.
Principles of Hospitality and Tourism
Course No. CTPHT
Semesters: 2; Credits: 1 for HS Credit
Prerequisite: None
Principles of Hospitality and Tourism introduces students to an industry that encompasses lodging, travel and tourism, recreation, amusements, attractions, and food/beverage operations. Students learn knowledge and skills focusing on communication, time management, and customer service that meet industry standards. Students will explore the history of the hospitality and tourism industry and examine the characteristics needed for success in that industry.