This year in World Geography we will be taking a close look at the geographical and cultural aspects of the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. We will also orient ourselves with current events at the local, state, national, and international levels. Studies have long pointed to the benefits of "current events" programs in shaping a nation of lifelong newsreaders. "Using the news" -- whether in the form of the daily newspaper, TV news reports, or classroom discussions of important events -- can go a long way toward developing an informed citizenry.

7th grade science is the second of our three-year science curriculum. While we will spend some time on topics of Earth and physical science, our focus this year will be in the areas of life science. We will spend time on three broad themes: the diversity of life, the cell and heredity, and ecology and the environment. Students will need a binder with two sections and a writing utensil. You will receive a syllabus on the first day of school, which will have more detailed information on 7th grade science.

Seventh Grade Language Arts will emphasize the development of writing skills (argumentative, informative, and narrative), vocabulary acquisition, the exploration of fiction and informational text in a variety of genres and formats, and the strengthening of students’ grammar foundation.

This year in math we will be learning many important skills. We will be starting the year off by learning how to perform our four operations on positives, negatives, fractions, and decimals. We will then dive into ratios and proportional relationships. We will also need to begin thinking algebraically to solve equations and inequalities. In geometry, we will be focusing on scale drawings, surface area, and volume. In addition, we will be analyzing statistics from samples of populations and creating data displays. Lastly, we will have some fun with experimental and theoretical probability. Throughout the year you will have opportunities to engage in competitions, play games, and earn rewards. Our goal will be to remember these math concepts while having an enjoyable 7th grade year.

Seventh-grade art is a nine-week course where students will be introduced to a wide variety of mediums, techniques, history, and art theories. Students will be working on projects and mediums that include drawing, pastels, paintings, crafts, clay, and colored pencils. Students will complete six to nine projects that may be entered in the spring art show.

Junior High Band teaches the students proper instrumental playing techniques, music theory concepts, and introduces/explores the concept of the aesthetic value of music. To join Jr. High Band students must have completed one year of elementary band or have spoken with the Jr. High Band Director prior to signing up for this class. The Jr. High Band performs a minimum of 2 concerts per year (Winter and Spring). Additional participation in extra Band Festivals is offered, but not required.

Choir is a fun class of singing, moving, and working together as a team to create vocal works of art in music. We will work on learning to sing correctly, to read music, and singing in three part harmony with and without instruments. Junior High Choir performs for the Christmas and Spring Concerts as well as a short performance for the sixth graders on move-up day, and plans to perform the National Anthem again at one of the Erie Otters Hockey games.

Family and Consumer Sciences will offer students opportunities to acquire and practice consumer skills as they relate to clothing and textiles. Students will combine the use of computer technology with sewing to create a project. In addition, students will be introduced to careers in the Family and Consumer Sciences that can be pursued further at the high school and post high school levels. FCS 7 will also cover basic knowledge and skills in the areas of careers in the food industry, food preparation, food safety, nutrition and wellness, and shopping for food. The classes are taught using a variety of materials and methods with an emphasis on a “hands on approach” whenever appropriate. Students are evaluated on their tests, homework, food labs, presentations, and daily assignments. The course is designed to be relevant to the students’ present day life and to be a foundation for future high school foods classes.

I am so excited to welcome your child into my class this year! Seventh grade health will be focusing on the human body systems with the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, digestive and excretory, and reproductive systems being discussed. Seventh grade physical education focuses on the PE4Life philosophy, which is to inspire active, healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents through health-related physical activities. Our goal is to inspire students to become physically active for their entire lives. PE will focus more closely on developing students’ physical activity knowledge and skills, as well as helping them to develop total fitness, which includes mental, social, and emotional fitness. Students’ objectives will include maintaining an effective and safe target heart rate during class activities by tracking their heart rates using heart rate monitors and MOV Bands. Students will need to bring a clean set of workout clothes and athletic shoes each day.

I am so excited to welcome your child into my class this year! Seventh grade health will be focusing on the human body systems with the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, digestive and excretory, and reproductive systems being discussed. Seventh grade physical education focuses on the PE4Life philosophy, which is to inspire active, healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents through health-related physical activities. Our goal is to inspire students to become physically active for their entire lives. PE will focus more closely on developing students’ physical activity knowledge and skills, as well as helping them to develop total fitness, which includes mental, social, and emotional fitness. Students’ objectives will include maintaining an effective and safe target heart rate during class activities by tracking their heart rates using heart rate monitors and MOV Bands. Students will need to bring a clean set of workout clothes and athletic shoes each day.