7th Grade Course Descriptions and Videos

English

English 7: Seventh grade English focuses on the Common Core standards: Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Language. Students will read a variety of informational and literary texts, including novels and short stories, and write informative and argument papers. Emphasis will be placed on improving comprehension skills and applying what is learned in English to all subject areas.  English 7 Video 

English 7 Honors: Seventh grade Honors English focuses on the Common Core standards: Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Language, but on a deeper and quicker level than in a core class. Students will read a variety of informational and literary texts and write informative and argument papers. The work assigned will be rigorous and you should expect homework. To be in this class, you are expected to read and comprehend on or above grade level, which means a Lexile of 970 or higher.  If you are interested in this class, please speak with your sixth grade teacher and get their approval.  

Math

Math 7: In this class students will develop mathematical proficiency, gain skills in critical thinking/problem solving, and apply knowledge to real world situations in accordance with the Utah State Core. 

Math 7 Honors: Honors classes hold students to higher expectations, including a faster pace and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. In this class, students will develop mathematical proficiency, gain skills in critical thinking/problem solving, and apply knowledge to real world situations in accordance with the Utah State Core.

Science

Science 7 Honors: Honors and GT science courses require students to participate at a higher level of thinking and activity. Extra work and projects will be expected throughout the year.

Social Studies (1 Semester)

Utah Studies: The Utah Studies standards are based on four social studies disciplines: history, geography, economics, and civics. Students will explore the complex history of Utah, with examples of creativity, sacrifice, conflict, innovation, inequity, compromise, and leadership. Students will also learn about Utah’s diverse physical geography, encounter Utah’s economic systems and dynamics, and explore local and statewide political systems.  Utah Studies Video 

Utah Studies Honors: The content of the Honors course is the same as the regular core course.  However, the Honors course will be engaging in these concepts more deeply and rigorously.  Staying on top of the curriculum and being able to think deeply about the subjects is required of the Honors course.  Utah Studies Honors Video

CTE

Digital Literacy: Opportunities to use technology and develop skills that encourage creativity. Critical thinking, productivity, and collaboration in the classroom and day to day life. Digital Literacy Video

Health 7

Health:  Instruction in personal health including: life skills, positive and negative lifestyles, growth, development and maturation, disease and first aid care.

Physical Education 7

P.E. 7: Introduction to individual and team activities and to the elements of physical fitness: strength, endurance and flexibility. 

Full Year Elective Courses 

Foundation Strings (Orchestra): This is the class focused on beginning instruction for those interested in learning how to play the Violin, Viola, Cello, or Double Bass. As a side note: guitar is not offered at this time and is not an option for this class. Students with previous experience on these instruments can audition to move up to the advanced ensemble. Students in this class will perform in 4 concerts per year. Foundation Strings Video 

Concert Orchestra:  Consists of more advanced string players; may perform in concerts, programs, and festivals. Concert Orchestra Video 

Foundation Band: This is the class focused on beginning instruction for those interested in learning how to play the Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, or Percussion. Students with previous experience on these instruments can audition to move up to the advanced ensemble. Students in this class will perform in 4 concerts per year. Foundation Band Video

Concert Band:  Consists of more advanced wind, brass, and percussion players; may perform in concerts, programs, and festivals. Concert Band Video 

Spanish 1: Begin your journey into learning how to communicate in Spanish.  Be able to identify and basic facts and memorized words, request and provide information related to basic needs and topics. Spanish 1 and 2

Spanish for Heritage Speakers: Course for students that speak Spanish in the home.  Increase your reading and fluency skills, writing skills, as well as being able to communicate on a variety of cultures and other topics. 

Semester (1/2 year) Elective Courses

Mixed Chorus: This is a 1/2 year class for 7th and 8th grade students to improve their singing/vocal technique, expand their music reading knowledge and cultivate performance skills. Students will perform in evening concerts.  

Music Foundations: Students will learn how to play the ukulele, read chord diagrams and tablature, and perform in two concerts. 

Theatre 1: Foundational theater class with focus on developing movement and vocal skills, building student confidence in their speaking & performing ability, and strengthening student effectiveness in group work and communication.

Theatre 2: Continuation of Theatre 1 with specific focus on character development, scene work and script analysis; as well as using theatre/drama work to examine contemporary social, cultural, or global events. Prerequisite: Theatre 1

Dance 1A: This is a beginning level dance course which introduces dancers to all styles of dance and explores basic dance concepts including space, time, and energy.  Dance 1A Video

Dance 1B: This is a beginning level dance course which builds dance knowledge and skill in technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic  Dance 1B Video 

Dance 2A: This is an intermediate level dance class which builds on the knowledge, vocabulary, and skills learned in Dance 1A and Dance 1B. This class will focus on dance etiquette, the elements of dance, dance analysis, healthful practices, body-mind principles, improvisation, composition, and technique. This course will culminate in a dance performance. Prerequisites for this class are Dance 1A and Dance 1B. 

Social Dance: This class will explore different styles of partner dances from a variety of different cultures. Social Dance Video

Art Foundations 1: Emphasis on understanding of works of art, color and design theory, and developing basic skills in drawing.  Art Foundations 1 Video 

Advanced Art Foundations 2D: Further emphasis on color and design concepts, proportion, value, depth, and use of creative expression. Prerequisite: Art Foundations 1.  

3D Design: Creations of Art, using wood, paper, fiber, clay, and metal 3D Design Video

20th Century:  In this fun, semester length course; we look at the 20th Century and its effect on Utah, the nation, and the world.  In this, we study the movies, art, dance, history, politics, wars, books, sports, and news of the 1900s.  If it was done in the 20th century, we learn about it!  This is a fun, enjoyable, and low-pressure class that lets us learn about our world in the recent past and have a lot of fun doing it! 20th Century Video

Creative Coding: Through Games and Apps, students learn how to code by working in a real software development environment to design, program and publish mobile apps and games.  Creative Coding Video

STEM Concepts: The STEM acronym stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. All of these areas rely heavily on each other, and are combined in the professional and academic world. For example, an engineer will apply scientific knowledge about the chemistry of materials, mathematics, computer simulations, and physics when designing a bridge. This course is intended to integrate the STEM fields through project based learning. Students will be engaged by frequent hands-on activities geared towards combing each of the STEM areas. Creativity and collaboration will be encouraged as students solve problems. The class is divided into several units. Each unit will be divided into instruction, laboratory and project components. During the project phase, students will be presented with a challenge.  Here they must draw upon their knowledge of STEM, work with peers, and apply their own creative process to find solutions to the problem. Some of the projects include:  bridge building; automation; robotics; flight and space; etc. 

FACS Exploration: Join us for a semester of fun with hands on projects like cooking labs, sewing projects, creating clothing or house designs .  Exploring FACS Video

Exploring Technology 1: Emphasis on advanced engineering technologies, engineering design, digital logic circuits, and robotics and aerospace.