THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
SEVENTH GRADE ENCORE REGISTRATION FORMS
Dear Sixth Grade Student and Parent/Guardian:
In
order to assure that all students will be properly scheduled for
classes in the fall, it is necessary that we initiate the selection
process at this time. All students are required to take grade
appropriate CORE courses in Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and
Math. Three marking periods of Physical Education and one marking period
of Health are mandatory and will be scheduled for all students. All
students must select one World Language.
Along with core
subjects, students are given an opportunity to select several courses
from the ENCORES which are listed and described below. ENCORE courses
meet every other day either for the entire year or for only one semester
(l/2 year – 2 marking periods).
Review all options and make your
choices based upon the student’s interests and abilities. Select
carefully since no changes will be permitted in the fall.
WORLD LANGUAGE
World
language at the middle school level is a two-year sequence. All seventh
grade students are now required to select a foreign language class.
Students must take the same language course in grade 7 and continue in
grade 8. No changes will be permitted in 8th grade. World Language
credit toward high school graduation and college requirements begin at
the high school level.
French 7 - French is taught with the goal
of providing our students with proficiency and accuracy in understanding
and using it meaningfully in French speaking countries and areas in
Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, in North, and South America. In
French 7 students begin to master, apply, and synthesize basic French
pronunciation, vocabulary, and structures in large and small group
settings. Role playing, games, and songs help to maximize lively and
enthusiastic participation. The infusion of culture and customs of
France and French speaking countries serves to enhance the students’
multicultural experience. Full year (1)
Spanish 7 - Students will
master the basic sounds, intonation and basic vocabulary in Spanish.
This course offers games, songs, and exciting activities to strengthen
students’ vocabulary and ability to communicate in Spanish. Students
will work individually, in pairs and groups to learn numbers, greetings,
time expressions, family, school, colors, dates and body parts. Basic
grammar such as verb forms and adjective agreement are presented orally.
As the course progresses students
will acquire the ability
to write correctly. An appreciation of various Spanish cultures is
taught to enrich the language learning experiences. Full year (1)
Nuevo
Destinos 7 – A seventh grade class designed specifically for
native/heritage speakers of Spanish who already have some oral language
proficiency. The purpose of this course is to enable students whose
heritage language is Spanish to develop, maintain, and enhance
proficiency in Spanish by providing them the opportunity to listen,
speak, read, and write in a variety of contexts and for a variety of
audiences including the family, school, and immediate community. The
course will allow students to explore the past, present and future of
cultures of the Hispanic world including their own and it will enable
students to gain a better understanding of the nature of their own
language as well as other languages to be acquired. Full year (1)
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Art
7 - Students will explore basic art concepts through the use of varied
media. They will acquire knowledge and skills that increase their
aesthetic awareness. During the full year course a unit on sculpture and
ceramics is included. Projects are more in depth, and more art history
is included. Students will begin to master an art vocabulary. Full year.
(1)
Chorus 7 * - Students interested in singing and learning to
develop vocal skills should sign up for this course. In-class exercises
will help students improve their breathing, pitch and overall vocal
sound. Students will learn sight reading, rehearsal and performance
techniques while practicing choral music. Choral selections include
classical, gospel, madrigal, R & B, jazz, Broadway and multicultural
styles of music. Active participation is a necessity since choral
concerts will be held in the winter and the spring. Full year (1)
Dance
7* - This is a beginning performance based dance course in basic jazz
and modern techniques inclusive of locomotor and non-locomotor movement,
with an emphasis on space, direction, focus, level, tempo, and rhythmic
patterns. A variety of dance patterns will be explored. Some research
in dance, dance styles and technique as well as biographies of famous
dancers and choreographers will be a course component. Full year (1)
Drama
7* - Students will learn the basic skills. The use of voice, diction,
movement, improvisation, emotional recall and characterization will be
applied to scene study and play production. Students will be encouraged
to discover their thoughts and feelings through active theater
performance. Some research of the
history, techniques and
the lives of people involved in the profession is a component of this
course. This is a performance based class and some outside preparation
and memorization of lines is required. Full year (1)
Band 7* -
Students interested in signing up for band should have at least one year
of band experience. You must be recommended by your instrumental music
instructor. Individual lessons are required for all band members. Active
participation is required as concerts will be held in the winter and
spring. Full year (1)
Beginner’s Band 7* - The Beginner's Band 7
is open to all seventh grade students who want to begin playing an
instrument. The students will practice together in band class, perform
at concerts, and learn music theory. The categories of instruments are:
brass (trumpet, trombone...), woodwind (clarinet, flute, saxophone...),
and percussion (snare drum, bells, timpani...). No string instruments
are offered in this class. Full year (1)
Orchestra 7* (Strings
Only) - Students interested in signing up for orchestra should be well
acquainted with rhythms and music notation of their instrument, and must
be recommended by their instrumental lesson instructor. Individual
lessons are required for all orchestra members. Full year (1)
*Note:
Courses in the Performing Arts will require additional after school
hours of rehearsal several times prior to performances. This scheduling
will be done by the teachers involved and students and parents will be
informed in advance. Participation in culminating winter and spring
performances is mandatory.
TECHNOLOGY
Computer
Applications 7 - Students will explore budgeting, presentation skills,
desktop publishing and webpage design while actively engaged in
real-life problem solving adventures. Students will use Excel, Power
Point, Publisher and a variety of internet sites to complete the
projects during this course. (1/2 year)
Music Through Technology 7
- Students interested in creating music using keyboards and computers
should sign up for this course. They will learn to use the sounds and
sound design capabilities of the Roland XP-l0 keyboard. Using computers
and software, students will record, edit and orchestrate multi track
realizations of musical pieces. This course is available for one
semester and has limited enrollment because of equipment needs. (1/2
year)
Literature & Film
In this course, students will
be introduced to film technique. It will use a thematic approach to
discussing literature and films. Students will view films and read short
stories, poems and essays about several themes involving young adults
and current issues. (1/2 year).
LANGUAGE ARTS
Creative
Writing 7 - This course is offered for those students who like to write
imaginatively. Students will have the opportunity to express themselves
through a variety of writing activities and personal journal entries.
Students will be encouraged to use words more skillfully, explore
different genres of writing, and improve their writing skills. In
addition, they will work collaboratively, share ideas and edit each
other’s work. Oral reading of many writing assignments enlivens the
class and helps make active listeners of the entire group. This is a one
semester course. (1/2 year)
Humanities 7 – Semester 1: Odyssey
of the Mind This course encourages students to use creative problem
solving to explore a variety of scenarios and hands on activities. Some
projects include balsa wood structures, duct tape creations, and
survival simulations. The problems are process oriented and students are
required to complete a written reflection after each activity. There is
a heavy emphasis on cooperative group work. This course is part of the
TAG program and is recommended for students with a “B” average or higher
in Language Arts and Social Studies. This is a one semester course.
(1/2 year)
Humanities 7 – Semester 2: Global Concerns: The Global
Concerns course consists of learning experiences designed to engage
students in critical thinking regarding the current conflicts in our
world. The activities and assignments are created to help students
achieve a basic understanding of the historical, social and political
components of conflicts. Students will begin to think about potential
solutions to the problems taking into account each of the perspectives
involved. This course is recommended for students with a “ B” average or
higher in Language Arts and Social Studies. This is a one semester
course. (1/2 year)
BASIC SKILLS INSTRUCTION
Basic Skills Improvement Program (BSIP) Reading &/or Math
Enrollment
in the remediation classes for Math &/or Reading programs is based
on multiple assessments used to identify students whose skills
development interfere with greater academic success. The factors
include, but are not limited, to standardized achievements test scores,
teacher input regarding academic performances, past and current BSIP
teacher recommendations, and parent input. Final determinations are made
at end of the year. Thus, students recommended for BSIP courses may
need to replace original Encore choice(s) with BSIP course(s). Hence,
students/parents should not choose these courses as their Encores at
this time.