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Welcome to Willard’s Rising 7th Grade Night!
Introduction by Jeff RounsleyPrincipal
Curriculum Information
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night
February 25, 2020
Course OverviewALL 7TH GRADE STUDENTS TAKE:
• Language Arts (Honors or Grade Level)• U.S. History (Honors or Grade Level)• Life Science (Honors or Grade Level)• Math • FACS / Tech Ed (semester courses)• PE/Health• Academic Elective• Fine Arts Elective / Resource or Spectrum
Course Overview
ONE Fine Arts Elective:
★ Band 7 (Prerequisite: Band 6)
★ Strings 7 (Prerequisite: Strings 6)
★ Chorus 7
★ Guitar 7
★ Art 7
ONE Academic Elective
★Communication Studies 7
★World Language:
○ Spanish 1, German 1, Latin 1, French 1 *HS credit*,
★ Reading Strategies 7 (Teacher
Recommendation only)
★Coding at the Middle School (CAMS)
★Exploratory Dramatics 7
Fine Arts Options - Choose One
Join our Willard Music Family!
Music Choices:
★ Band 7 (Prerequisite: Band 6)
★ Strings 7 (Prerequisite: Strings 6)
○ Band and Strings are sequential - so if you drop, you can’t get back in!
★ Chorus 7
★ Guitar 7
Projects in Art 7 may include:
● Personal Self-Portrait: mixed media (using multiple art materials)
● Clay Box: modeled after food related traditions or personal hobbies/interests
● Still Life Drawing/Observational Drawing: Charcoal, Oil Pastel, & Graphite Pencil
● Personal Logo: Involving Digital Processes & Drawing and Painting
● Printmaking● Perspective Treehouses● Papier Mâché Sculpture
Academic Electives - Choose One (Slide 1 of 2)★Communication Studies 7
○ Students will work to develop practical skills and knowledge related to verbal, written, and visual communication. Throughout the year, focus will be placed on honing reading and writing skills through a journalistic approach.
★ Reading Strategies 7 (Teacher Recommendation only)○ This course is for students whose reading performance indicates a need to strengthen basic reading skills and
strategies. Teacher recommendation is based on MAP cutoff score and SOL pass rate
★Coding at the Middle School (CAMS)○ Students will develop critical thinking skills, communication, collaboration and creativity through computer
programming. Students work on improving their coding skills by creating interactive programs and games in Scratch during the first quarter. The remainder of the year will focus on the text-based language called Python.
★Exploratory Dramatics 7
○ Exploratory Dramatics will provide students with an introduction to the study of performance, theatre history, dramatic literature and theatrical production. Through research, planning, scripting, production and performance experiences, students will acquire skills in communicating ideas, critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. *Enrollment in Exploratory Dramatics is NOT required to participate in the school musical*
Academic Electives - Choose One (Slide 2 of 2)
★World Languages○ High school credit classes taught at the middle school
○ Spanish 1, German 1, Latin 1, French 1
○ 3 years of one language or 4 years of two different languages are the minimum required for an Advanced Studies Diploma■ (example: Spanish 1, 2, 3 OR Spanish 1, 2 and French 1, 2)
Sample World Language Progression
7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Start in 7th Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 AP
Start in 8th Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Start in 9th Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Block Schedule
• 4 Classes Per Day plus Advisory
• Alternating “A” and “B” Days
• 85 minute blocks• 20 minute “Advisory”
between blocks 1 and 2, and blocks 5 and 6
• 30 minutes added to blocks 3 and 7 to allow for lunch
• 4 minutes of transition time between classes
“A” Day “B” Day
Block 1 Science
Block 5PE/Health
Advisory AdvisoryBlock 2
Language ArtsBlock 6
Academic Elective
Block 3History
Block 7S1 FACS/S2 Tech Ed
Block 4Resource*/Fine Arts
Elective
Block 8 Math
Sample Block Schedule
*SPECTRUM if your child is in the SPECTRUM program
Math - Sample Progressions
Special Note: Students wishing to apply to AET must be in Geometry in 8th grade. Students wishing to apply to AOS and TJ need to be in Algebra 1 by 8th grade.
Program of StudiesWhat is the Program of Studies?
• A guide with detailed information about course offerings and programs offered in middle and high school in Loudoun County Public Schools.
Program of Studies Highlights
• Grading Scale: Page 3• Middle School Course Selection: Page 5• Thomas Jefferson High School: Page 18• Math Progression Chart and Information:
Pages 20 - 22• Middle School General Information:
Pages 23 - 25• 7th Grade Course Descriptions: Pages 28 -
32• Academies of Loudoun Information:
Pages 96 - 114• Web address: www.lcps.org/page/1910
What if I want to make changes?To change an ELECTIVE:
• Contact your child’s current school counselor to change an elective
To change a CORE CLASS (math, science, history, english, world language):
• Step 1: Please contact the teacher to gain an understanding of the reasons behind the teacher recommendation.
• Step 2: If you would still like to make a change after speaking with your child’s teacher, please contact your child’s current school counselor to determine next steps. Only counselors can make changes to core courses.
Mercer 6th Grade Counselor Contacts
• [email protected] – 6th Grade Counselor, Jaguars &
Panthers Teams• [email protected]
– 6th Grade Counselor, Grizzlies & Penguins Teams
• [email protected] – 6th Grade Counselor, Timberwolves
& Bobcats Teams
DEADLINE for all changes: April 1, 2020
