Monroe County Community School Corporation

2016-2017Grade 7 Course Selection Information

Informational Letter to Parents/Guardians (Please keep)

Course Descriptions (Please keep)

Course Enrollment Sheet (Turn In)

(This sheet must be detached from the back of the packet and returned to Jackson Creek Middle School.)

Music Information Sheet (Turn in)

(This sheet must be detached from the packet and returned with the course selection sheet for all students requesting Band, Mixed Choir, or Strings.)

January 4, 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Welcome to Jackson Creek Middle School! It is the purpose of this letter and the packet that follows to help you understand important information concerning academic planning for your child at JCMS. Your child has received this packet to help you decide what courses to enroll him/her in next year.

Your child will be enrolling in seven (7) courses. Five (5) of the courses are required by the State of Indiana, and two of the courses are elective courses.Students may not skip levels of World Languages. Students must begin with Level 1 for any World Language.

The five (5) required courses are as follows: (See Course Descriptions for more information.)

Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Mathematics
Grade 7 Exploratory

Grade 7 – 1 semester Physical Education (PE) and Health, one semester Preparing for College and Careers

You will be selecting the elective courses. Every attempt will be made to place your child in theirchoices. However, scheduling conflicts, lack of space and teacher changes may prevent a choice from being fulfilled.

Placement in a mathematics course is determined by middle school teachers based on test results and prior teacher recommendation. Your child will be taking a placement test in the late spring of 2016. The levels of mathematics are as follows:

Standard Mathematics Grade 7
Advanced Math Grade 7
Accelerated Learning Program - Algebra 1-2 Grades 7/8
Accelerated Learning Program - Geometry Grades 7/8

There are multiple sections of Standard Mathematics Grade 7Advanced Mathematics Grade 7 and Advanced Math Grade 8 offered because of the number of students enrolled in those courses. All advanced middle school math placements must be coordinated and approved through the MCCSC High Ability Office.Online courses for credit or placement cannot be accepted. Mathematics courses are sequential. Students will not be permitted to skip Algebra and move directly into Geometry Honors.The MCCSC’s automated scheduling program will try to place your child in a section that does not conflict with the elective choice.

OVER >

Courses in Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies are teamed in a block and offered at two levels of placement. The levels are as follows:

Accelerated Learning Program – Grade 7Humanities (Language Arts & Social Studies) & Advanced Science

All Accelerated Learning Program placements are determined by acceptance into the ALPs program through the formal application program. Please direct all questions regarding ALPs placement to Mrs. Kim Williams at (812) 330-7700

Standard Grade 7Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies

The automated computer program randomly places all of the students in a team that is composed of Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies classes. The only students who are hand-scheduled to teams are as follows:

Special Education & ELL (English Language Learners) students who are following an Individualized Education Plan as per federal and state law.
Qualified ALPs students who are accepted in the district’s gifted and talented program.

Most 7th graders eat lunch with their peers every day. They will have time to be with their friends during this time. Please keep in mind that the sizes of the 2016-2017 Grade 7 classes are going to be approximately 280 students. This new 7th Grade class is notably larger than the 6th Grade class they are leaving. Please keep in mind that there are so many sections of courses that it makes it impossible to hand-schedule students with their friends and/or specific teachers. Thank you in advance for your understanding of this situation.

The JCMS staff is looking forward to having your child successfully enter Jaguar country. Please contact a JCMS Guidance Counselor at 330-2451 with any questions and/or concerns you might have. Thank you!

Sincerely,

David Pillar

Mr. David Pillar

Principal

Jackson Creek Middle School Courses

PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Physical Education / Health

Grade 7 - 8

One semester

This is a required course which will continue to involve students in activities which emphasize the importance of physical conditioning, physical fitness, and lifelong leisure skills. Students will learn the rules, basic skills, game strategies, sportsmanship, proper etiquette, and teamwork while participating in each unit of study. No matter what the student ability level is at the beginning of a unit, the students are encouraged to do their best to achieve continuous improvement. The health component will include units such as wellness and the body systems; alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse; communicable and non-communicable diseases; and safety and first aid.

Advanced Physical Education:

Grade 7

One semester

This electivesemester long course promotes lifetime sport and recreational activities and includes: team sports; dual sports activities; individual physical activities; outdoor pursuits. It includes principles of sport and exercise as well as opportunities to develop or refine skills and attitudes that promote lifelong fitness. Ongoing assessment includes both written and performance-based skill evaluation. Individual assessments may be modified for individuals with disabilities, in addition to those with IEP’s and 504 plans.

BUSINESS AND PRACTICAL ARTS

Business and Information Technology: Project Business

Grade 7

One Semester

This semester-long elective is a project-based course in which students build their own business from the ground up using a hands-on approach. This fun computer and technology focused course will show you all the excitement the world of business has to offer! Students create a business plan, which includes designing a business card, brochure, logo, advertisement, and a web page (time permitting). Along the way, students experience the world of entrepreneurship, teamwork, and communication. When completed, students will have a plan they could use to start their own business!

Preparing for College and Careers

Grade 7

One semester

This required course addresses knowledge, skills, and behaviors all students need to be prepared for success in college, career, and life. The focus of the course is the impact of today’s choices on tomorrow’s possibilities. Topics to be addressed include twenty-first century life and career skills; higher order thinking, communication, leadership, and management processes; exploration of personal aptitudes, interests, values, and goals; examining multiple life roles and responsibilities as individuals and family members; planning and building employability skills; transferring school skills to life and work; and managing personal resources.

LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Language Arts

Grade 7

Two semesters

This required course will expose students to the various components of language arts. The primary focus will be on major skills such as speech, composition, spelling, vocabulary, and the various genres of literature. Major emphasis will be placed on grammar with respect to usage and mechanics, and developing compositions utilizing the writing process.

Humanities (ALPS)

Grade 7

Two semesters

Prerequisite: Placement in this course is based on the selection process of the Accelerated Learning Program.

This interdisciplinary course replaces the standard required language arts course, and the Language Arts Humanities students will be enrolled in the Social Studies Humanities course also. The course will expose students to the various components of language arts. Emphasis will be placed on grammar with respect to usage and mechanics, developing writing skills, information skills, public speaking skills, and literature

this relates to the social studies component of Humanities. Emphasis is placed on student-directed learning, presentations, and projects

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Social Studies

Grade 7

Two semesters

This required course is a survey course which focuses on several disciplines: anthropology, cultural studies, current affairs, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology. This course is taught in a topical rather than area studies fashion, but emphasis is placed on the non-western world, particularly Africa and Asia. Students will be exposed to the traditional social studies skills along with the expansion of student expertise in the utilization of research and presentation skills.

Humanities (ALPS)

Grade 7

Two semesters

Prerequisite:Placement in this course is based on the selection process of the Accelerated Learning Program.

This interdisciplinary course replaces the standard required social studies course, and the Social Studies Humanities students will be enrolled in the Language Arts Humanities course also. This course is a topical course which includes ethics, history, literature, economics, political science, sociology, environmental studies, and future studies. This course emphasizes student directed learning, participatory activities, critical and creative thinking skills, independent reading, and creative writing.

SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Science

Grade 7

Two semesters

This required course covers Earth Science (Soil, Rocks & Minerals, and Plate Tectonics), Life Science (Cell Biology & Disease) and Physical Science (Force & Motion). Hands-on activities help students learn to be good citizens through understanding the impact of science in their lives and the impact of their choices on the environment.

Science(ALPS)

Grade 7

Two semesters

Prerequisite:Placement in this course is based on the selection process of the Accelerated Learning Program.

MATHEMATICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

All advanced middle school math placements must be coordinated and approved through the MCCSC High Ability Office. Online courses for credit or placement cannot be accepted. Mathematics courses are sequential. Students will not be permitted to skip Algebra and move directly into Geometry Honors.

Standard Mathematics 7

Grade 7

Two semesters

This required course is designed to reinforce and expand upon concepts and skills introduced in the 6th grade. The curriculum spans a wide range of proficiencies which include translating, reasoning, connecting, estimating, place-value, operations with rational numbers, evaluating expressions, solving simple equations, measurement, perimeter, area and volume formulas, ratios, proportions, percents, appropriate use of calculators, probability, statistics, data collection, graphing, and data analysis.

Advanced Math 7

Grade 7

Two semesters

Prerequisite: Prognostic test scores and or teacher recommendation will determine placement in this course.

This course replaces the standard required mathematics course. This course introduces and explores topics that provide a foundation for taking either Pre-Algebra or Algebra I in the 8th grade. Students will be exposed to abstract applications with rational numbers, variable expressions, equations, inequalities, ratios, proportions, percentages, number theory, graphing in a coordinate plane, geometry and its applications, square roots and right triangles, irrational numbers, polynomials, probability, and statistics.

Algebra I

Grade 7 - 8

Two semesters

Prerequisite: Prognostic test scores, teacher recommendation, or a combination of both.

This course replaces the standard required mathematics course.Topics in this course include operations with exponents, radicals, and variable expressions; solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities; relations and functions; pairs of linear equations and inequalities; factoring polynomials; algebraic fractions; quadratic, cubic, and radical equations; and mathematical reasoning and problem solving. Students taking this course may choose to obtain high school credit for it. This course may be organized in a 6th/7th/8th grade combination format.

Geometry

Grade 7 – 8

Two semesters

Prerequisite: Placement in this course is based on the selection process of the Accelerated Learning Program.

This course replaces the standard required mathematics course. This rigorous course is for students who successfully completed Algebra I in the 7th grade. This course consists of a study of the undefined terms, the axioms, and the theorems of Euclidean geometry. Emphasis is placed on understanding the deductive processes involved in proofs, numerical and algebraic exercises and geometric constructions. The topics covered include inductive and deductive reasoning, triangles, perpendicular and parallel lines, constructions, area, the Pythagorean Theorem, circles and area, loci, and similar and regular polygons. Students taking this course have the option of choosing to obtain high school credit for it. This course is organized in a 7th/8th grade combination format.

FINE ARTS DESCRIPTIONS

Exploring Music

Grade 7 – 8

One semester

This elective course helps to fulfill the State of Indiana’s fine arts curriculum requirement. This course explores the connection between music and video technology including MIDI basics, computers and digital sampling, synthesis, the physics of sound, multi-track recording, sound system basics, andpiano keyboard skills. A major outcome of this course will be each student’s creation of a 60 minute CD using music technology.

Exploring Music II

Grade 7-8

One semester (repeatable)

Prerequisite: Exploring Music I

This elective course helps to fulfill the State of Indiana fine arts curriculum requirement. This course expands the knowledge of music technology learned in Exploring Music I. Multi-track music recording software is used to record live instruments and voice. Students learn to use electronic music software extensively. Students repeating the course will learn live and studio music production more extensively and will produce and record live music events at school.

Band

Grade 7 – 8

Two semesters

Prerequisite: Placement determined by instructor.

ElectiveBand is explored through the study of performance fundamentals on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument as a soloist, in small ensembles, and with the full band. Placement in a specific band class will be determined by a student’s musical background and ability. Beginners and experienced musicians are welcome. Regular at-home practice is encouraged. Each class performs 2-4 concerts per year with the possibility of performing at annual ISSMA Festivals. Instruments, books, and supplies may be obtained through local music stores. Instruments, not available through the local music stores, may be rented through the school’s music department. Full or partial scholarships for instrument rental are available on a limited basis.Students are required to enroll in Band, Choir or Orchestra to participate in the extra-curricular Jazz Band or Rock Band.

Band – designedfor students who want to start playing a band instrument and for those with some experience. No experience necessary.

Concert Band – designed for students who excel in playing their band instruments, read music well and have significant experience playing in ensembles, large and small.

Choir – Beginning / Advanced

Grades7-8
Two Semesters

Prerequisite: Placement determined by instructor.

In this electivestudents develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing in a mixed choir. Instruction is designed so that students are enabled to integrate music study into other subject areas. Classes provide instruction in creating, performing, conducting, listening to, and analyzing, in addition to focusing on the specific subject matter. Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience. A limited amount of time, outside the school day, may be scheduled for dress rehearsal and viewing of performances by professionals. Students must participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom. A fee of $20.00 will be collected for purchase of part of a costume and shoes. Part of the costume will be provided. We do a fundraiser to purchase music, props, pay for outfits, choreography, and computer software/hardware. As a part of the curriculum assignments will be written every semester.

Orchestra

Grade 7 – 8

Two semesters

ElectiveOrchestra is explored through the study of the fundamentals of performance on an orchestral stringed instrument - the violin, the viola, the cello, or the bass - as a soloist, in small ensembles and with the full string orchestra. Regular at-home practice is encouraged. Each class performs at least 4-6 concerts per year with the possibility of performing at the annual ISSMA Festivals. Instruments and supplies may be obtained through local music stores. Cellos and basses may be rented through the school’s music department.

Arts and Artists

Grade 7 – 8

One semester (repeatable)

In theseelective courses studentswill be assessed by a rubric measuring: Elements & Principles of Art, Content Connection, Tool Competency, Care & Craftsmanship, and Class Citizenship. In any project, I look to see your “personal voice”—I want to see your personality shine in your artwork.

Students will be responsible for one independent sketchbook entry every other week. These sketchbooks build technical skill and creative thinking throughout the semester.

Art and Artist I

This elective course will focus on giving experience with a variety of materials and processes. We will look at art movements and genres throughout the world, past and present. By doing so, we will learn about historical eras, cultures, careers, and even ourselves!