7th Grade Non-Core Courses

 

Have fun learning about and making art in a studio-type classroom.  Students will learn how to improve their drawing skills and will create projects using materials such as chalk-pastels and paint.  Students will also enjoy learning how to make sculptures of famous people by using wire and plaster.  Students will not only produce works of art, but will look at art, talk about art and develop an appreciation of it.

This class is designed to assist students in the early stages of public speaking.  Students will learn and practice techniques such as role playing, verbal and non-verbal communication, pantomimes, impromptu speaking and note card/outline development.

This class is designed to help students learn and practice using the economics required in everyday life. Topics include budgeting, balancing checkbooks, stock market, and economic and business problem solving. 

Created for students who enjoy writing, the writing workshop format is designed to foster creativity and self-expression in a supportive environment.  Expressing personal voice, peer conferencing and collaborating and multi-genre writing will be some of the areas developed. 

This class will focus on issues in the news today.   We will examine a wide range of topics, from local, state, national and world events.  Students will also focus on issues that have relevance in our global community - everything from the economy to the environment and how they relate to us in Grandville.

Are you interested in exploring the French and Spanish languages and cultures? This trimester class is designed to introduce students to both the French and Spanish languages, cultures, holidays, countries, and beginning vocabulary. Instruction will include lots of hands-on activities, projects, and beginning conversation skills in an effort to give students exposure to the languages and cultures as they prepare for a French or Spanish level 1 course.  

 

In this combined 7th/8th grade critical thinking and civil discourse communication class, students will explore social issues by viewing selected age-appropriate documentaries.  Writing about and discussing the issues presented in the film will be the priority in small and whole group settings.  Students will practice social communication rules and norms as well as how to discuss difficult issues face-to-face in a civilized manner. 

Documentaries to be shown for the 2021-2022 school year include:

*There will be a parent letter sent home the first day of class with dates that each movie is being shown for parents who would like to attend and view with our class.  List will also include where films can be viewed online.  Many can be found for free through KDL Hoopla.

On the way to School (G):  four teenagers from other countries - Kenya, Morocco, Argentina, and India -- are filmed traveling tremendous lengths over difficult terrain to attend school.

I am 11 (NR):  this film follows 11-year olds from around the world as they share their thoughts, triumphs and challenges.

Kindness is Contagious (NR):  is a film about being nice and the benefits of being nice. The film profiles cutting-edge scientists and best-selling authors as well as people from all walks of life; illustrating their incredible discovery - NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST!

Urban Farms (NR):   is a feature documentary that profiles operating farms in New York City and their relationships to the communities they serve. The film explores the importance of supporting local agriculture and those working to protect it by keeping local food sources near urban areas.Urban Roots (NR):  is a documentary film, which follows the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit. Urban Roots is a timely, moving and inspiring film that speaks to a nation grappling with collapsed industrial towns and the need to forge a sustainable and prosperous future.

If you Build It (NR):  follows designer-activists Emily Pilloton and Matthew Miller to rural Bertie County, the poorest in North Carolina, where they work with local high school students to help transform both their community and their lives.

The Elephant in the Living Room (PG):  This film portrays both sides of the issue of keeping exotic  (and predatory) animals as pets and the consequences it can pose on the owners and community.
 
LINKS 
Do you enjoy helping others? Sign up for the LINKS elective! This class is part of Grandville’s awesome LINKS program, a program that provides students (LINKS) opportunities to mentor and build friendships with students who have disabilities, such as Autism or a Cognitive Impairment. Students taking this elective will learn about different disabilities, understand others’ challenges, and appreciate the differences that make us each unique and special! As a LINK, you will participate in class with a student who needs extra support. Your role is to guide, model and be a friend to the student you are supporting while in class with them. You are graded on being a LINK, not fulfilling the requirements of the class in which you’re supporting your friend. This LINKS elective may be taken one, two or all three trimesters.  If you are interested in being a friend and making a difference in someone else’s life, sign up for this class. Your life will change too!  

Note to Parents/Guardians:  The LINKS Program is considered peer-mediated instruction, which research has proven to improve social skills, behaviors and communication skills in students with disabilities, especially those with Autism.  Students who sign up for this class will be expected to sign a confidentiality form and complete an informal training.  Parents/Guardians will also be asked to give permission for their child to be a LINK by signing a letter that will be sent later this spring.
 

This course is for students who love reading!  Students will be reading both independent choices as well as more advanced whole class novels with a focus on reflections, discussion and higher order thinking.

 

This course focuses on lifetime fitness and conditioning.  This elective can be taken in addition to our required PE class.

Science Challenger is designed as a competitive environment where students are given specific challenges with specific rules requiring students to use their skills and imagination to outperform their classmates.  Household materials will be given in limited supply while students are asked to accomplish a task that will test their use of those materials.  Students may be asked to build a structure over a sink.  Weight will be added until that structure collapses.  Students will be ranked by how much weight their structure holds compared to the others in the class.  Challenges will increase in difficulty throughout the trimester.  No homework will be assigned in this class.

This course is a 1-trimester class designed for students to engage in fun, hands-on, activities and projects that apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics skills.    
The 7th grade STEM course is broken down into the following four units:

Planes:  Students will learn the science of flight, design planes, and fly them using a motorized plane controlled by a smartphone.

Cars:  Students will design a race car applying the concepts of speed, friction, and aerodynamics to make and race the best car they can create.

3-D printers: Students will use Tinkercad to design objects to scale and print.  They will make a Monopoly game piece, tools for teacher use, and 3-D quadrupeds.

Robots:  Students will get an introduction to robotics using LEGO mindstorms.  They will be presented with multiple challenges (like a maze) and will have to program their robot to meet the challenge.

 

This course will help students with organization, note taking and test taking strategies as well as core content reading comprehension.  

 

This introductory theater course is open to all students.  The class focus is on performing arts concentrating on the fundamentals of theatre such as speech, movement and improvisation, as well as some of the technical aspects of theater.  

 

All students who participate in this sports and activity experience at GMS will be exposed to a variety of wellness-based activities that will challenge their bodies as well as their minds.  Basic instruction in sports, intramurals, fitness and leisure/fun games provides a foundation to guide students to understand that physical activity is a vital part of lifelong learning.

 

Students will develop technology-based research skills as they explore careers that match their interests, think critically about their career choices, learn how to make informed decisions about their future career choices, communicate verbally and in writing, create realistic goals and educational plans, and build a personal portfolio.

 

Have no fear!!  We will be offering a Beginning Band for Rising 7th Graders (7th graders during the 2021-22 school year) who are interested in playing in Band but were not able to do so as 6th graders during the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID restrictions.  

NO PREVIOUS MUSIC EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE IS REQUIRED TO BE A PART OF THE 7TH GRADE BEGINNING BAND!!  

7th Grade Beginning Band class meets every day as a part of your daily schedule.  Band grades are based on class participation, playing evaluations, weekly practice cards showing time spent practicing at home, and concert performances.

7th Grade performances will include a ”First Performance” concert in the fall, winter holiday concert, and a spring concert with the possibility of an additional performance during the second half of the school year.  Attendance is mandatory for all performances and performance dates will be provided for families at the beginning of the school year.  Other optional performance opportunities throughout the year such as MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festival will be made available to Band students as they are scheduled.

Students will demonstrate proper vocal technique through the performance of unison, two-part, and three-part music of several styles and historical periods. 6th grade choir is not a prerequisite. This class welcomes singers with a variety of experience or none at all.  Music theory and sight singing will be studied on a daily basis.  Grades are based largely on participation and effort while a portion is derived from assessment and concert attendance.  Attendance is mandatory for all performances.

This class studies many aspects of stage and drama methods as well as technical areas through the performance of a musical.  Previous drama experience and musical experience is strongly recommended.  Students must audition for the course and participate in band, choir, or orchestra as a co-requisite. Attendance is mandatory for all performances.   

Many students were hoping to join the orchestra in 6th grade but were unable to due to COVID. For the 2021-2022 school year, 7th grade orchestra is open to ALL STUDENTS - no previous music or orchestra experience required! 

Orchestra meets every day as part of the normal middle school day. Students can choose to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will learn how to play their instrument and how to perform as part of a group. There are typically three concerts each year. Attendance is mandatory for all performances. Grades are based on a combination of playing skills (concerts, playing tests, rehearsal skills, etc.) and musical knowledge (note names, rhythms, etc.).