SEVENTH GRADE PROGRAM

 

7th Grade Core Classes

 

Language Arts 7

The Language Arts course is designed to strengthen students' skills in listening, speaking, writing, literature, and language. The content includes, but is not limited to, developing an understanding of listening responsibility, a tolerance for other points of view, and knowledge of various listening techniques for various situations; using standard English in classroom situations; developing an appreciation for the importance of speech in problem solving and the importance of skill in organizing information, thoughts, and ideas logically, leading to clear, concise oral presentations; practicing the process of composition, including prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing; writing in complete sentences; using proofreading skills to correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and usage in final drafts; experiencing different types of literature (e.g., short stories, novels, non-fiction, poetry, mythology; applying information found in the dictionary and the thesaurus; using the media center research facilities; and reading self-selected books to help students learn to view reading as a useful and pleasurable activity.

 

Mathematics 7

The mathematics course is designed to ensure that students understand the basic concepts of mathematics. The course includes practice in the four basic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and an introduction to integers. Topics in number theory, ratio and proportion, percents, and probability and statistics are included to increase students' ability to manipulate numbers in computational ways; and topics in measurement, geometry, perimeters, areas, volumes, and probability are included to demonstrate the application of mathematics to real life situations.  

 

Algebra (high school credit course)

This course will be offered to students that meet the eligibility requirements. Click HERE to view requirements.

This course may be the most common entry level course for students who have had a rich and varied middle level mathematics program.   It expands upon basic algebraic concepts previously acquired and integrates those principles with everyday life.   The processes of problem solving, reasoning, communication and making connections are emphasized.   Students will use formulas, functions, and equations to describe and clarify relationships, and will use geometry to represent algebraic relationships.   Students will learn how to write and translate expressions into mathematical forms, solve first and second degree equations, and use the concept of a function to model real-world phenomena.

 

Integrated Science II

Integrated Science II is designed to provide students with an integrated approach to three traditional science disciplines   (life science, physical science, earth/space science), in addition to science as inquiry, science & technology, science & social perspectives, and the history & nature of science. The course integrates the traditional disciplines using the unifying concepts and processes of systems, order & organization, evidence, models & explanation, change, consistency & equilibrium, and form & function. Scientific inquiry and understanding about inquiry are emphasized through practical implications and meaningful applications.   Topics students study include water, ecology, geology, plant and animal life, properties of matter, populations, and the solar system.

 

World Geography

The world geography course is designed to build on the background of geographical and cultural studies presented in the fourth grade and the historical development of cultures presented in the sixth grade. Students in the seventh grade course begin to look in-depth at given regions of the world, with an emphasis on physical geography. The program is multidisciplinary, drawing from all the social sciences, with the geography of the host nation used to validate geographic concepts. The seventh grade course of study places emphasis on the following regions: North and South America; Europe; Africa, Oceania; Australia-New Zealand; and Antarctica.

 

Physical Education/Health (semester; students may select an additional semester for a yearlong course)

This yearlong course is designed to fully enable seventh grade students to develop movement skills and conceptual knowledge and attitudes related to the physical education needs of the adolescent.   Developmentally appropriate concepts of physical fitness and personal and social development are also taught in this course.   Students apply appropriate physical activity and fitness concepts and attitudes to the development of a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.   They demonstrate responsible and safe behavior applying appropriate concepts and attitudes to personal and social development. Students will spend three quarters in Physical Education and one quarter in Health.

 

Computer Applications (semester)

Computer Applications is designed to assist students in applying a variety of computer technology and its application to their daily lives.   In additional to information literacy, the areas of technology introduced may include word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, e-communication, graphics, presentation and publications applications, and using digital and scanning equipment.

 

Seminar

Seminar is an educational program designed to focus on the social/emotional and intellectual development of our students. The seminar experience provides consistent, caring and continuous adult guidance at school through the organization of a supportive peer study groups. Seminar activities include student-centered study time, academic tutorials, homework help, and student—teacher conferencing. While curricular-based activities will always have priority, assemblies and extra-curricular group meetings are sometimes held during seminar; thus, avoiding the loss of classroom instructional time. Seminar supports the curriculum in the affective domain. Activities that deal with student development such as intramurals, host nation assemblies, discussions on character, drug education and other similarly related issues commonly take place. Research has shown that wise use of seminar time promotes good study habits, develops skills and increases academic achievement.

 

7th Grade Encore Classes

 

Semester Electives:

Art 7

The Art course is designed to develop essential art skills and to expand art experiences. This introduction to the elements and principles of design and art appreciation focuses on a variety of media including painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking.

 

Drama

The drama course is designed to give the students opportunity to experience drama as a significant and rewarding activity and to enable students to demonstrate knowledge of the historical background of drama.   The content includes, but is not limited to, recognition of the different genres of drama (tragedy, comedy, farce, melodrama, musical) and the elements of playwriting; use of oral communication skills such as appropriate voice levels, gestures, posture, and language; understanding of the importance of drama as a reflection of society; and recognition of drama as a self-rewarding activity that involves the identification of the unique worth of the individual, the motivation behind human behavior; and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.

 

Chorus

Chorus is designed to provide students, but not limit them to, the following vocal musical learning experiences: learning the beginning and basic fundamentals of sight-reading vocal music, distinguishing and singing two and three-part music, singing with ensembles and chorus, studying intonation, singing a cappella, experiencing a wide variety of choral repertoire including secular and no secular music, singing with keyboard and other instrumental accompaniment, and singing in public performances and musical productions.

 

Combative Sports (This course will take the place of a semester of PE) 

This course will teach the basic skills of self-defense. A variety of techniques will be explored by the students and they will learn from different disciplines that may include Taekwondo and Hapkido. Students will also participate in conditioning exercises that may include stretching techniques and weightlifting.

 

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies course will focus on current environmental issues and past practices. The class is designed to teach students about the natural environment they live in, no matter where they live. The focus will be on Classification, and those organisms which students are most likely to encounter while living here in Korea. The organisms we will study are: Birds, Insects, Protists, and the Plants with a focus on the flowering plants.

 

Graphic Arts

Students will use computer skills to create computer based images. This class will incorporate digital photography and photo manipulation. Students will produce graphic designs for two-dimensional and three-dimensional computer artwork.

 

Journalism

Instructional activities will be provided in a general classroom setting, and in the school and community environment. Student activities will include, but will not be limited to, reporting, interviewing, writing, rewriting, editing, proofreading, selecting content suitable for a school newspaper preparing page layouts, photographing, selecting photographs, performing assigned staff responsibilities, making judgments about acceptable and legal journalistic practices, typing/reproducing materials, and managing/supervising staff members.

 

Video Productions

The Introduction to Video Communications course is designed to provide students with exploratory and investigative activities dealing with camera functions, filming techniques, composition, non-linear/linear editing, and computer animation/graphics.   Through a hands-on approach students will learn the entire process of video/television production from initial filming to final editing.

 

Year-long Electives:

AVID

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a language arts based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. In addition to inquiry and collaboration, AVID also provides students with academic survival skills, i.e., time management, note taking, textbook reading, library research, test taking skills, and study skills. The Cornell note-taking system is taught and students are expected to use this system in all classes.

 

Strings Ensemble

Participation is limited to students that have at least two years of experience on a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or string bass) and their own instrument. Those with less experience can audition. Students continue to work towards mastering advanced string skills such as tuning, shifting, and vibrato. Other advanced bowing articulations and rhythmic patterns will be introduced and a wide variety of repertoires will be learned.

 

Beginning Band

The beginning band course is designed to introduce students to the following: basic instrumental music techniques such as tone production, articulation, breath control, pitch discrimination; melodic and rhythmic concepts and patterns; practice skills and habits; solo, ensemble, and full group rehearsals; a variety of instrumental repertoire; opportunities for private instruction; experiences in performing; and sound practice habits.

 

Intermediate Band

The intermediate band course is designed to acquaint students with intermediate to advanced instrumental music skills which include, but will not be limited to, the following content: intermediate to advanced level sight-reading skills; discrimination of pitch; absolute essentials for playing in tune; intermediate to advanced rhythm concepts and patterns; techniques for achieving the essentials of unity, balance, and contrast in performing instrumental music; the study of all major and minor scales; the opportunity of performing a variety of good musical repertoire; and listening skills development.

 

Advanced Band

The advanced band course is designed to acquaint students with advanced instrumental music skills. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following: the interpretation and analyzation of musical scores; the application of musical nuances in playing from a score; independent performance of all major and minor scales; advanced rhythm patterns; performance as a soloist and in small and large group ensembles; a variety of music repertoire including style, periods, forms, electronic music; intermediate to advanced level sight-reading exercises; and introduction to computer/synthesizer musical composition.

 

French I, German I, Korean I and II, Mandarin Chinese I and Spanish I (high school credit courses)

 The foreign language I course is designed to teach students to pronounce and discriminate among the various vowel and consonant sounds and respond to and to imitate authentic patterns of intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation. Students learn to give simple oral and written information by using appropriate learned vocabulary, word order, and grammatical forms, and to read silently and aloud with comprehension. The major oral and written linguistic principles presented include the following: pronunciation and recognition of foreign language sounds; formation of affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences; usage of articles and adjectives to correctly modify nouns; conjugation of various regular and irregular verbs; usage of the present, present progressive, future preterit, and imperfect tenses; usage of comparative, superlative, demonstrative, and possessive adjectives; formation of possession; usage of adverbs; and usage of direct and indirect object pronouns. Various short stories, essays, simple readers, magazines, newspapers, filmstrips, films, slides, videos and computer programs, that are representative of the culture of the different foreign language speaking countries, are used.

 

Reading Lab

Improve reading achievement for students not reading at grade level through the use of a whole group instructional model with small group rotations:

Whole Group Literacy Instruction with technology support providing models and Lexile leveled text passages for instruction

  • Modeled or independent reading using leveled literature to model or practice good reading strategies

 

Small Group instruction provides daily student-teacher interaction to build skills that facilitate the reading of increasingly complex materials.   Examples include:

  • Vocabulary Development-general, technical, content-specific
  • Following Directions at increasingly complex levels
  • Drawing Conclusions
  • Using Effective Study Skills-note taking, outlining, graphic organizers
  • Reading for Recreation and Problem Solving

 

Major topics to be studied include the essential components or reading: vocabulary development, building fluency, comprehension, and structural analysis, study/reference skills and reading in the content areas

 

Gifted Education

The Gifted Education course will focus on developing higher-level extension, creativity, and integration activities that add depth and challenge to the core curriculum. The goal is to help the students develop their skills and abilities within the context of the regular curriculum rather than in isolation. Students will participate in a variety of activities and projects to practice and refine their skills. Each day there will be activities designed to develop critical thinking skills and/or creativity skills. Students will also spend some time each session working on larger scale investigations designed to complement or extend topics and concepts from their core classes. These projects will involve independent research and production. The vast majority of work will be intended for completion in class. However, there may occasionally be times when something needs to be completed outside of class.