OZARK MIDDLESCHOOL
Course Planner
2017-2018
As you begin the scheduling process, you will be making decisions that will impact your classes next year. This book is your guide to selecting the courses that you will take as a 6th or 7th grade student.
Read each course description carefully to be sure that you are registering for appropriate courses and that you understand what each course entails. Changes requested later may not be possible. Every effort will be made to allow you to take the courses that you request as your top choices, however, occasionally conflicts occur. If there is a conflict or a course fills up, you will be scheduled for one of the alternate courses that you ranked on your selection form.
We are proud to offer a broad variety of courses designed to meet your needs and interests. We will be doing a block schedule next year with half the classes on A day and half on B day. Students will have the choice of three electives per semester. Our goal is to prepare you for success at Ozark Middle School and beyond.
OMS 6th GRADE CORE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Math
The 6th grade math course will successfully prepare you for 7th grade and future math. The topics of study are: variables and expressions, equivalent expressions, equations and inequalities, patterns, functions, and graphs, multiplying and dividing fractions, decimals, ratios and proportions, area and data. Students will have weekly online assignments for review.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Students will read, comprehend, and respond to grade-level and complex text.Students will also write for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts, with emphasis on narrative and essay formats, while applying their reading skills and the process of writing to demonstrate learning.
Science
This course is designed to help students recognize the importance of science in today’s world. The course provides the students with basic concepts in the areas of scientific inquiry, measurement, mixtures, matter, light and sound, earth’s structures, fossils, biology and ecology. Whenever appropriate, laboratory work will enhance the unit of study.
Social Studies
Students will be learning about ancient world cultures. The year will begin with a review of geography skills. Students will focus on the climate and geography, traditions, religion, government, and social classes of each civilization. This class will be primarily project based and will also include writing assignments.
Physical Education & Health
This is a year-long course where students will rotate between the gym and the health room. Physical education will cover fitness concepts, health, and a variety of traditional team and duel sports.
OMS 7th GRADE CORE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Math 7
This course is designed to prepare students for eighth grade Pre-Algebra the following year. 7th grade Math will include the study of number theory and algebraic reasoning, integers and rational numbers, proportional reasoning, percents, plane figures and measures, probability, multi-step equations, and functions and their graphs.
Accelerated Math 7
Accelerated Math 7 is very rigorous and will put a student on track to complete three years of Math material in two years; 1.5 being completed in 7th grade Accelerated Math, and 1.5 completed in 8th grade Algebra. This course is designed to prepare students for 8th grade Algebra I the following year. The pace of Accelerated Math 7 is very rapid, given the amount of material that is covered, and students who are placed in the course should have exceptional study skills. Students will likely need to complete homework nightly in order to perform well in the course. THIS COURSE IS OPTIONAL FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY.
Accelerated Math 7 Eligibility: Recommended students achieve 3 of 4 criteria
Accelerated Math 7 has limited availability and indicating it as a preference does not guarantee enrollment in the course.
- Advanced or Proficient score on most recent MAP assessment
- A’s all year in 6th grade Math course
- 70% or higher on one of the last two Evaluate assessments
- Teacher recommendation
English Language Arts (ELA)
This course is designed to develop students’ skills in all areas of communication arts – reading, thinking, listening, and speaking - with a strong emphasis placed on writing, including the 6+1 Traits of Writing.
Unified Science 7
This course is designed to help students recognize the critical importance of energy and force in today’s world. The course provides the students with basic concepts in the areas of force and motion, energy transfer, electricity, magnetism, heat, weather and climate, and space science. Whenever appropriate, laboratory work will enhance the unit of study.
Social Studies
While studying World Geography, students will learn about each continent’s culture, physical and political features, and their influences and/or impact on the rest of the world.
Physical Education & Health 7
This is a year-long course where students will rotate between the gym and the health room. Physical education will cover fitness concepts and a variety of traditional team and duel sports. Topics covered in health will include drugs, alcohol, nutrition and sex education.
OMS ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PRACTICAL ART ELECTIVES
Keyboarding(Semester)
Emphasis will be placed on keyboarding accuracy and speed, word processing, basic Internet search skills, safety, digital etiquette, and presentation software.Students may test out of this required class withminimum score of 25 NWAM.
Computer Applications(Semester)
This course will have a small component of alphabetic keyboarding to improve speed as well as an introduction to the number row and numeric keypad. Additional concepts covered will include: conducting effective Internet research to produce presentations, digital citizenship, project-based word processing, Google Apps, and spreadsheets.Prerequisite:Students must achieve passing grade in Keyboarding or meet a minimum score of 25 NWAM.
Advanced Technology(Semester)
This class is yet to be determined.
Introduction to Business(Semester)
This course focuses on a wide variety of business concepts while integrating technology skills. Topics include professional manners, careers, personal finance, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Shop I(Semester)
Industrial Arts 1 is an introduction to the shop experience. Safety and maintenance, basic woodworking, collaboration, and an introduction to drafting will all be explored.Handtools will be used primarily to construct projects, but power tools (i.e. lathe, scroll saw, drill press) will also be introduced.
Shop II (Semester)
Industrial Arts 2 introduces students to basic metal working, and students will expand their skills in woodworking as they design their own project. Drafting will be explored beyond what was introduced in Industrial Arts 1, and working with different materials (e.g. leather, ceramics, glass) will also be explored. Prerequisite: Students must pass Industrial Art I.
Yearbook(Year)
Students will be responsible for completing the Ozark Middle School Yearbook. This course is by application only. Students interested in this course need to have good attendance as all work is during class and within deadlines. Computer knowledge is a plus. Students will be notified if they are accepted. Please do not rank this course on your form unless you have applied.
Foreign Language(Semester)
This class is yet to be determined
Speech & Debate(Semester)
This class is yet to be determined
FINE ART ELECTIVES - MUSIC
6th Grade Band(Year)
No experience necessary! Band directors and students work together to find the best instrument for each child at the beginning of the year. Students will get to perform in two evening concerts. Students wishing to be in JH or HS band should sign up for 6th grade band. Instrument rentals are approximately $30 per month.
7th Grade Band(Year)
Expanding on the skills from 6th grade band class, students learn more notes and rhythms, play more advanced literature, and perform in two evening concerts. Students enrolling in 7th grade band must have had 6th grade beginning band.
Choir(Year)
No experience necessary! Students develop good singing and music reading skills while furthering their knowledge of theory skills. These skills are developed through the rehearsal and performance of a variety of music styles. There are two mandatory concerts each year for 6th grade and three concerts for 7th grade.
General Music(Semester)
This course is available for all students. This is a non-performing class and will offer a variety of activities that build on knowledge learned in the elementary general music classes.
Lab Band(Semester)
This band class will explore music composition, improvisation, and more! Students signing up for Lab Band must also be signed up for 7th grade band AND must have already taken 6th grade beginning band and earned an “A” in class. There are no mandatory performances for Lab Band.
FINE ART ELECTIVES - ART
Digital Media(Semester)
Students will explore digital media programs, such as Photoshop, using Chromebooks.
6th Grade Art(Semester)
Students will have the opportunity to create art through a variety of projects using many different mediums and techniques. Students will gain confidence and proficiency in the visual arts while learning about the history, analysis, critique and interpretation of art.
7th Grade Art(Semester)
This class is for students very interested in art. Students will have opportunities to further explore their artistic abilities through detailed projects.
Ceramics/Sculpture(Semester)
Students will have the opportunity to create art through a variety of projects using clay and other sculptural media. Students will gain confidence and proficiency in ceramics and sculptural media.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION ELECTIVES
Strength Training and Conditioning(Semester)
This class will incorporate a variety of strength andconditioning methods. Focus will be, not only on conditioning the body, but also proper technique and safety. Activities may include, weight lifting, Cross Fit, anaerobic conditioning, aerobic conditioning and flexibility.
Fitness Through Movement(Semester)
This semester long movement and rhythm based fitness class will use various types of exercise to enhance personal fitness. Exercise practices such as Dance, Aerobics, Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and much more will be performed.
Outdoor Recreation(Semester)
This is a semester-long course where students will be introduced to several outdoor activities including, hiking, camping, geocaching, and water safety. There are lots of ways to be active besides traditional sports, so let’s get outside and move!
Fit for Life(Semester)
Fit for Life will focus on achieving the 5 components of physical fitness through exercise and movement. Studentswill be expected to wear appropriate clothing and shoes in order to participate. Work-outs may include: running, jumping, climbing, lifting objects, body weight exercises, and many more.
Outdoor Pursuits and Safety(Semester)
The course will introduce basic first aid and survival skills. Disaster awareness/preparedness, camping, hiking, firearm safety and orienteering will be taught. Students will also be engaged in learning outdoor team games with a focus on recreational play.
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