7 - REQUIRED COURSES
M1100 English Language Arts 7
Prerequisite: English Language Arts 6
The seventh grade English Language Arts class continues to develop the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of students through the workshop model. Over the course of the year, students engage in the writing process to produce narrative, informational and argumentative writing pieces. In addition, students cultivate a reading identity and share their thinking with peers in a variety of ways. Targeted mini lessons aim to lift the level of students’ reading and writing skills. Students use class time to independently apply skills and strategies in their reading and writing. Teachers actively confer with students about their individualized goals, which furthers students’ growth as lifelong readers and writers.
M1200 Math 7
Prerequisite: Math 6
Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: (1) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples.
M4220 Math 8
Prerequisite: District Placement Criteria
Instructional time will focus on three critical areas: (1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (2) grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships and (3) analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. At the end of first semester of Math 8, students who are performing at a 75% or below will be moved out of Math 8 and will be placed in Math 7.
M7220 Algebra
Prerequisite: District Placement Criteria
This is the beginning course in a sequence of college preparatory courses. Topics covered include solving formulas, graphing functions, analysis of linear functions, analysis of quadratic functions, analysis of basic exponential functions, solving inequalities, solving systems of equations, and sequences. At the end of first semester of Algebra, students who are performing at a 75% or below will be moved out of Algebra and will be placed in Math 7 or 8.
M1300 Science 7
Prerequisite: Science 6
Seventh grade science students will explore concepts related to the motions of objects in the Universe, cell structure and function, genetics, and factors that control weather and climate. Throughout the school year, students will practice identifying and solving problems, research related topics based on areas of interest, participate in hands-on activities, engineer solutions to identified problems, and evaluate the human impact on each topic of study.
M1400 Social Studies 7
Prerequisite: Social Studies 6
Students will continue their journey through the history of the United States from 1930 to present day. This course will delve into United States history through multiple cultural lenses. Students will investigate major events in American and world history that have affected the world we live in today. Students will engage in a number of activities that include compare/contrast analysis, identifying patterns (movement of people, goods, services, geography), and cause and effect relationships (people, government systems, environment). Learning will engage multiple modalities including inquiry learning, investigations of primary sources, and interpreting charts, graphs, and maps.
M0010 Gifted Social Studies 7
Prerequisite: District Placement Criteria
This course is for students who participate in the district’s gifted program. Learning goals and targets for the class have been developed by incorporating the WGSD Social Studies and Gifted curricula, creating a unique class with content and teaching methods for this special population of students. Much of our Gifted curricular goals will be met through our social studies work, but we will also incorporate projects and activities during the year which will specifically address Gifted needs.
Physical Education - Full-Year Courses
All students are required to take one full-year Physical Education/Health class. Students in 7th and 8th grade may choose from the following options. PE classes must have adequate registration requests to become part of this year's school schedule. Students requesting courses that are not offered due to low enrollment will be notified by their counselor and assigned to the traditional PE/Health course.
M3600 Physical Education/Health 7
Prerequisite: Physical Education 6
Physical Education is designed to help students develop a love for physical activity and to instill in them the importance of a sound mind and body. Through Physical Education, students will obtain skills, abilities, and attitudes to participate successfully in lifetime activities. In this PE class, students will rotate through courses consisting of PE, fitness, and health.
M3595 Competitive PE/Health 7
Prerequisite: Physical Education 6
This PE class differs from the traditional PE/Health 7 class in that gameplay is more intense and strategies are more advanced. Students will experience gameplay with an emphasis on strategies and concepts that apply to specific sports. More intensive training techniques will also be incorporated and students should expect to work at a more vigorous level as compared to the other PE classes. In this PE class, students will rotate through courses consisting of PE, fitness, and health.
M3602 Lifetime Fitness/Health
Prerequisite: Physical Education 6
This PE class differs from the traditional PE/Health 8 class in that gameplay is intended for people with less interest or experience. Strategies and gameplay are more fundamental. This class includes a mix of lower-intensity activities: walking for fitness, outdoor sports and games, mindfulness activities, community service, time to practice social skills, and time to practice stress reduction strategies. In this PE class, students will rotate through courses consisting of PE, fitness, and health. Please note that this class will most likely be a mix of 7th and 8th grade students.