Grade 7 Course Selection Guide

This full year course is designed to assist students in continuing their growth in reading, writing, speaking, listening and research skills. This course is developed around ELA priority standards in the areas of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. Students will read and analyze literature and poetry. There will be numerous opportunities for students to write, and to develop vocabulary. This course provides the opportunity for the continued study of grammar, usage, and conventions and emphasizes the application of these skills. Students will learn how to gather relevant information and present information.

This rigorous full year course is designed to assist students in continuing their growth in reading, writing, speaking, listening and research skills. This course is developed around ELA priority standards in the areas of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. Students will read and analyze literature and poetry. There will be numerous opportunities for students to write, and to develop vocabulary. Students will learn how to gather relevant information and present information. Students must have a command of the conventions of grammar, usage and mechanics to support placement in this course. This course provides the opportunity for the continued study of grammar, usage, and conventions and assumes some proficiency in the application of these skills.

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of the Academic Language Arts - English 7 Program.

This course focuses on ELA priority standards in the area of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. Students will read and analyze short stories and nonfiction text in whole group, small group and individual settings. Text dependent analysis will be taught and practiced on a regular basis. Students will engage in word study through learning about prefixes, suffixes, and roots.   Students will read independently to foster a love of reading. 
 

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This course focuses on ELA priority standards in the area of reading informational text, reading literature, writing, speaking and listening. This course seeks to help students become better readers by providing explicit instruction and a smaller class size. Students will read and analyze short stories and nonfiction text in whole group, small group and individual settings. Text dependent analysis will be taught and practiced on a regular basis through differentiated instruction. Students will engage in word study through learning about prefixes, suffixes, and roots.   Students will read independently to foster a love of reading.
 

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of the Language Arts – Literacy Skills 7 Program.
 

This full-year, multidimensional reading class for entering and emerging EL students (Newcomers) integrates all four domains of speaking, reading, writing and listening to enable EL students to make continued growth in their language and literacy development. This course is designed to strengthen students’ reading skills by engaging students in daily, intensive reading instruction with a focus on word analysis, vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension skills and strategies aligned with the Council Rock reading curriculum. The course is co-taught by an ELD Specialist and a Reading Specialist. Placement in the course is determined by the ELD Specialist and informed by WIDA ACCESS/WIDA Screener scores. Small group instruction (capped at 14).

This course will examine new concepts by extending previous knowledge. Topics include ratios and proportional reasoning, an in-depth study of the number system, expressions, equations, inequalities, geometry, statistics, and probability. These topics are developed conceptually and are supplemented with enrichment activities to further challenge students and to evoke abstract thinking and problem solving skills. We recommend the TI-30 calculator.

This compacted course covers both seventh and eighth grade standards in the domains of the number system, ratios and proportional reasoning, expressions and equations, functions, geometry, and statistics and probability. Algebra related topics will be studied in preparation for the formal study of Algebra 1. There will be a focus on building conceptual understanding and problem solving skills.  Challenging problems are assigned and independent work is required. We recommend the TI-30 calculator.

Students, who demonstrate the pre-requisite skills necessary for success, will be recommended for this course. Recommended students will receive a mathematically sound understanding of the concepts of Algebra. The students will develop fundamental algebraic skills and concepts based on the structure of the system of real numbers. Topics will include equations, inequalities, problem solving, polynomials, factoring, graphs and functions, simultaneous equations, irrational numbers, square roots, relations, functions, and variation. Challenging problems are assigned and independent work is required.  Because graphing activities are integrated throughout classroom presentations and textbook activities, a graphing calculator is required for this course. We recommend the TI-84 PLUS or the TI-84 CE calculator. 

For 7th grade students who are not eligible for the Algebra 1 at course recommendation time, parents have the option to enroll their child in a Pre-Algebra course over the summer and to demonstrate readiness for Algebra 1 by passing the Council Rock Honors 7 assessment after completion of the course.  Please contact the District Coordinator for Secondary Mathematics for more information about this option.
 

This course is designed to implement the goals of the student's IEP and parallels the curriculum of Academic Math 7.
 

The Academic Science 7 course is designed to introduce the student to a formalized science course, consisting of daily instruction with daily homework to reinforce content, assessments, and laboratory reports. This course will have four core units: Nature of science, Cells, Ecology and Natural Resources. Students will be encouraged to develop the skills of analysis, application and problem solving to aid them in understanding the material studied in this course. The topics studied include but are not limited to the following areas: scientific method, metrics and measurements, graphing, cells, living and nonliving resources along with their interactions, cycles in nature, biomes, as well as renewable and non-renewable energy. Students will participate in inquiry-based labs to reinforce material.

The Honors Science 7 course is designed to introduce the student to a formalized science course, consisting of daily instruction with daily homework to reinforce content, assessments, and laboratory reports. The course covers the same units as Academic 7 Science but in greater range and depth. The course will require students to not only use learning skills they already possess but to also develop new skills while completing the course. Inquiry based lab activities and simulations will be used to guide and reinforce the topics covered. The 7th grade honors course includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: scientific method, metrics and measurements, graphing, cells, living and nonliving resources along with their interactions, cycles in nature, biomes, as well as renewable and non-renewable energy. Students will be encouraged to develop skills consisting of analysis, application and problem solving to assist in relating inquiry-based labs to the material studied in class. Students in this course should be strong in math and reading skills.

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of Academic Science 7.

The Gifted Science 7 Program is designed to include the “how” as well as the “what” of science. Students will learn how scientific information is acquired as well as the information itself. This will be done through an effective student-centered approach to learning that engages the students physically and mentally in an inquiry-based laboratory program as well as formalized daily instruction, testing and laboratory reports. This course is designed for those students who manifest the special interest, motivation, creativity, critical thinking, and other indicators of potential for becoming productive, practicing scientists. This course will expand, and enhance the core learning for gifted students through differentiated learning experiences, that supports personal development, responsible citizenship, and life-long learning among our students. Students will also be encouraged to develop their creativity and individuality through various project/group activities such as: case studies, outside readings, current events, experimental design and career exploration. The course emphasis is in The Nature of Science, Life Science, Environmental Science, and Ecology The topics covered include, but are not limited to, the following areas: scientific method, metric and measurement, cells, living interactions, land biomes, cycles in nature, living and nonliving resources, pollution, and conservation. Students will be encouraged to develop the skills of analysis, application and problem solving to aid them in understanding the material covered in this course. This course is designed to have students apply their knowledge of the concepts. This will be achieved through data analysis, diagram interpretation and the use of models, connecting and relating ideas to one another through inquiry based learning.
 

This course is a study of the development of Western Civilization beginning with the Greeks and culminating with the development of Nation States. There will be an emphasis on the historic, geographic, economic, and political dynamics of the studied civilizations through the essential questions that guide student learning. The students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of chronological development and historical comprehension. Critical and spatial thinking are developed through the use of analytical and interpretive skills. This program continues to develop research skills. The program is designed to support the academic standards as outlined by the National Council of Social Studies, Pennsylvania Department of Education and Council Rock School District. 

The essential questions of the course are:

1. How did geography influence the growth of civilization?
2. What impact does trade/economics have on the organization and daily life of people?
3. What are the evolving principles and ideals that have shaped government over time?
4. How does the legacy of civilizations impact their interaction throughout history?
5. How can Social Studies be accurately interpreted?
6. What lessons can current events teach us about the past, present and future? 
    

This course is a study of the development of Western Civilization beginning with the Greeks and culminating with the development of the Nation States. There will be an integration of the historic, geographic, economic, and political dynamics of the studied civilizations through the essential questions that guide the seventh grade program. The course will emphasize the development of informational writing, research skills and an interpretation and analysis of primary sources. Students will continue to develop their collaborative skills. Critical and spatial thinking will be emphasized with the use of analytical and interpretive skills. This course is designed to support the academic standards as outlined by the National Council of Social Studies, Pennsylvania Department of Education and Council Rock School District. (The essential questions of this course are identified in the Academic Social Studies 7 description.)
 

This course is designed to implement the goals of the IEP and parallels the curriculum of the Academic Social Studies 7.

The scope of this course encompasses study of the history, art, culture of Ancient Greece and Rome, The Byzantine Empire, the Islamic World, and the Middle Ages including the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. Instruction is based on multiple resources, related literature, and student research.  Additionally, Challenge Based Learning (CBL) and Project Based Learned (PBL) are essential in implementing the curriculum. Both CBL and PBL challenge students to explore deeply an element of the curriculum that coincides with their interests or aptitudes.  In PBL, the student devises a project reflecting research. CBL offers the student an opportunity to synthesize their research with a current issue. 
 

Students will study the structure, function, and care of the body systems including the diseases and disorders that are associated with them. Students will also study factors that affect decision - making related to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. In addition, students will examine the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own health as well as the importance of risk reduction.

The physical education program is designed to teach students the value of staying active, the importance of personal fitness, and the need to respect the rights of others while participating in competitive situations.  Emphasis is on the development of skills and knowledge through participation in a wide variety of team, individual, and lifetime activities. Students will be tested for physical fitness and encouraged to maintain and improve their fitness level.

The seventh grade visual arts course provides students with the opportunity to manipulate a variety of mediums through hands-on learning experiences.  Students will create works of art that explore color theory, the illusion of space and surreal vs. real drawing. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of artists including but not limited to Yayoi Kusama, Meret Oppenheim, Thomas Benton and Andrew Wyeth.

The Information Technology course is designed to review and reinforce the technology skills and knowledge acquired at the elementary level. Students in this seventh grade course will expand their knowledge of the computer operating system, the Internet and contemporary computer applications. Introduction to Information Technology studies will include:

• Word processing (Microsoft Word)
• Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)
• Presentation graphics (Microsoft PowerPoint)
• Internet Safety

Word Processing is emphasized. Students will explore the use of the computer network to access various research and curriculum-based programs needed for integrated curricular projects.
 

This course helps to strengthen families and empower individuals to facilitate health and well-being in the home, workplace, and community. The seventh grade program concentrates on the basics in foods, sewing, and skills for daily living.

To accomplish this goal, the following areas will be addressed:

• Food Preparation
• Nutrition
• Clothing Skills
• Kitchen and Food Safety
   

This course provides students with information and learning experiences to better understand the principles of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens as a foundation for decision-making and life choices.
 

The seventh grade music program is based on exploring the elements of music through performing, composing, and listening activities. Students will experience many musical styles helping to develop more discriminating music consumers.
 

Understanding technology and its usefulness is essential for success in our rapidly changing world. Teamwork and problem solving are stressed as students pursue meaningful, real world activities that build a strong foundation for practical application of technology. This course in combination with Technology & ENGINEERING 8 is an exploration in four areas of technology: communications, manufacturing, construction, and transportation.