7th Grade Course Descriptions

7th Grade Core Courses

Grade Level Courses-The majority of students will be enrolled in these courses

Lang Arts 7- English Language Arts

7th Gr Math- Mathematics

Science 7- Science

Wld Hst/Cult/Geo- World History

Honors/ Accelerated Courses- Students interested in advanced, rigorous instruction and coursework

ELA 7 Honors- Honors English Language Arts

Acc 7th Gr Math- Advanced/Accelerated Math

Sci 7 Hnrs- Honors Science

Wld Hst 7 Hnrs- Honors World History

Physical Ed 7- Physical Education. The majority of students will be enrolled in PE

7th Grade Electives

Student will be enrolled in ONE elective of their choice

Art

These classes cover the elements of Art (Line, shape, form, value, texture, color and space) as well as the Principles of Design (Balance, Contrast, Repetition, Emphasis, Harmony and Unity). These elements and principles are the foundations of art. You will use oil pastels, charcoal, tempera paint, water color, colored pencil and acrylic paint. Students will learn art vocabulary, and a bit of art history. You will also create many inspired works of art.

AVID

Avid (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is designed for underrepresented students who wish to attend a four-year university upon graduation from high school. The purpose of the AVID program is to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility and to restructure the teaching methodologies of an entire school to make college preparatory curriculum accessible to all students. Students must apply for the AVID program, application will be available at the school.

Band (Beginning or Intermediate)

Students who would like to play a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument and would like to be a part of an active music program will enjoy band. Most students supply their own instrument, however, there are a limited number of instruments available for students at no cost. Beginning Band is designed for students with no band experience, Intermediate Band is designed for students with one or more years of band experience at the elementary level or middle school level. Advanced band is for students who have completed a year or more of intermediate band.

Piano Lab

This course is designed for students who wish to develop basic piano playing skills, or expand on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent both on and off the pianos. While playing, students will be working individually and in small groups to master the techniques of playing and to learn pieces. There will also be time spent in group instruction on musical notation and theory.

Computer Science

Computer Science takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS and data. Students engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving and fun. The course inspires students as they build their own websites, apps, games and computing devices.

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**DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM (DLI) ONLY**

*DLI Elective: If you are in the DLI program, you will take a specific DLI track of electives while at Sierra Middle School. In 7th grade you will take Pre-AP Spanish as your elective.

Pre-AP Spanish

Taught in Spanish, this course is a study of modern Spanish and Hispanic society and issues, as well as a development of more complex communication skills. Topics studied include global challenges; science and technology; contemporary life; self-discovery; family and community; art and aesthetics. Students will further develop the interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal modes of communication through reading selections, listening selections, persuasive essays, email responses, dialogues, and oral presentations.

*0 Period PE option: Students in the DLI program have the option to take PE before school during 0 period from 7:22-8:11. This allows for these students to schedule a 2nd Elective during the school day from one of the options above. If you are interested in this please choose Pre-AP Spanish and a 2nd Elective.