HMS Counseling Corner - 7th Grade Resources

ATTENTION 7th Graders:

On Tuesday, Aug. 11th all students will come to HMS to take their yearbook/ID card photo, receive their ID card and receive textbooks from the library.

The first day of school is Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 8:10 AM which is a minimum school day ending at 12:40 PM.

Student schedules will be posted in PowerSchool on 8/10/26.

You will have the same PowerSchool login credentials and student email address. Students, you will report to Homeroom as your first class of the day. Student locker assignments will be listed on your class schedule. Students do not need to bring a padlock as lockers have built-in locks.

Click Here for Directions to Select Your Electives

Semester length class
Open to 7th and 8th grade students
No prerequisite is required
3D Art is a projectbased class exploring different media areas of 3-D design. The emphasis of this course is to expose students to 3D art mediums and to build their creative skills through the elements and principles of design. These projects will be mostly sculptural based for 3D work. Students will be introduced to Art History and learn about artists from past to the present.
Projects may include: ceramic projects, cardboard creation, papier mâché, wire, styrofoam design, and recycled art.

Semester length course
Open to 7th and 8th grade students
No prerequisite is required
This course is recommended for students who enjoy two-dimensional work. Emphasis is placed on developing basic drawing and painting skills and techniques. A variety of media will be used in class including graphite drawing pencils, colored pencils, pen & ink, oil & chalk pastels, charcoal, and acrylic paint. The fundamentals of composition as found in the elements and principles of design will be used when drawing and painting from life and imagination, using realistic and abstract themes. Students will be introduced to our history and learn about artist from past to the present.

Semester length course
Open to 7th and 8th grade students
No prerequisite is required
This course provides a taste for programming in a fun and creative environment. The course starts with BlockBased Coding to learn the basic logic, structure, and design of Coding. Students quickly progress onto TypeBased Coding using JavaScript, HTML, and Swift (iOS) before advancing to Game-Based Coding using JavaScript, and Webpage Design using CSS and HTML.
The course emphasizes creative exploration and problem-solving as students engage in the design process through creating Google Projects, LittleBits Arduino Electronics Projects, and even 3D Modeling.

Semester length course
Open to 7th and 8th grade students
No prerequisite is required
This course gives an opportunity to try objective-based and task-oriented robotics programming. Students learn basic robot design and programming fundamentals, gain an understanding of the engineering process as they design and build robots for specific task-oriented challenges,and move to objective-based robotics as they compete in various Robotics Games that include everything from Robot Soccer to Battle Bots.
Students will be using Lego EV3 and Spike Prime Robots, while more advanced students have the option to work on the FTC VEX Robot.

Semester length course
Open to 7th and 8th grade students
No prerequisite is required
This course is designed to increase students’ abilities to greet the public, assist and collaborate in the general operation of the school through front office practice or classroom teacher aide duties. Leadership and responsibility skills are built throughout this course.

Yearlong course
This course is designed to help students explore photography, page layout design, and news reporting. Students will create the El Cazador, which is our school yearbook.
Students must have a strong work ethic, a strong English grade and be able to work well with others to be successful in this class.
Course is highly requested so enrollment priority will be given to 8th grade students first.

Yearlong course
Open to all students
This course teaches the fundamentals of stringed instruments
No previous musical experience is needed.

Yearlong course
Open to all students
This course teaches the fundamentals of stringed instruments.
No previous musical experience is needed.

Yearlong course
Open to all students
This course teaches the fundamentals of band instruments such as the trumpet, flute, clarinet, drums, etc.
No previous musical experience is needed.

Yearlong course
Open to all students
This course provides experiences aimed at increasing a student's skills and proficiency with instruments and ability to read music.
A limited number of school instruments are available for loan if necessary.

Yearlong course
No audition needed
This course teaches students traditional and popular choral music for concerns and their annual performance at Disneyland. Students learn the basics of singing harmony and beginning music theory.

SEVENTH GRADE ADVANCED MUSIC COURSES

Chamber Orchestra, Bel Canto Choir, and Wind Ensemble enrollment will be by audition only at the end of the school year. Students cannot select this class as an elective option during their Spring Elective Registration.

Students are to select their music elective from the choices offered during the registration period. If they are selected to participate in the Advanced Music course, they will automatically be enrolled in the class by the School Counselor and their former music class request will be dropped from their schedule. Advanced Music courses will be offered during the school day. The Director/Teacher of each music program will contact the School Counselor with their list of approved students to be placed in this course.

**Course offerings are subject to SMUSD funding and available staffing. All course descriptions subject to change based on Summer curriculum and Principal directives.

Questions about which Math to take? Check out the Flow Chart!