7​th​ GRADE

CURRICULUM
GUIDE

2017 – 2018

GRADE 7
 YEAR LONG CORE CLASSES
ENGLISH
English is comprised of the processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing, and the content of written
and visual texts. Students will read narrative and informational texts of increasing levels of difficulty. Using narrative
texts, students will practice and improve their skills in recognizing the basic literary elements and terms, as well as
compare literary themes, and identify author’s purpose and perspective. They will increasingly monitor their own
reading by pausing, self-correcting, questioning, and reflecting. Students will rehearse the four modes of writing –
narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and expository – often in combined form. Writing experiences will reflect
awareness of audience, emerging author’s voice, purpose and focus.

SCIENCE
Science is designed to cover the middle school science benchmarks and principles drawn from the ​Michigan
Curriculum Framework. Through the use of inquiry-based, hands on activities, students will investigate concepts
dealing with diversity of life, cells and organisms, matter and chemical interactions, and finally weather and water.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Eastern Regions of the World is designed as a yearlong course in the secondary sequence of study required for
seventh grade students, introducing the cultures of the East. Students explore cultural and natural features, trace the
movement of people, ideas, and products within the regions, and discover ways that each can be divided into
sub-regions. Historical background is provided to enable students to understand how these regions developed.
Students also study the economy and public issues of global significance and work to resolve them through analysis,
discussion and writing. The benchmarks delivered through the units of this course are drawn from the ​Michigan
Curriculum Framework.

MATH
Students develop a deep understanding of the concepts of ratio and proportional reasoning. Similarity and scale
factors are investigated and formulas are developed. Integers and operations involving integers as well as linear
relationships in tables, graphs and equations are developed. Units on probability and data analysis which include the
study of experimental and theoretical probabilities, expected value, variability, measures of central tendency, and the
effective use of tables and graphs are also studied.

ACCELERATED MATH 7
This advanced 7th​​ grade math course is a fast-paced, rigorous course that incorporates the concepts of the Math 7
​ grade Algebra
course. It also incorporates most of the concepts of the Math 8 course that are not covered in the 9th​
course. The course presents comprehensive instruction in Number and Operations, Algebra and Geometry to prepare
students for advancement into Algebra I when they reach 8th​ ​ grade.

ALGEBRA 1 *
This advanced math course is a study of the basic structure of algebra and its application to problem solving. It
includes simplifying expressions, the solutions of first and second-degree equations and inequalities, operations with
real numbers, and linear graphing and problem solving techniques. Upon successful completion of this course,
students will meet the high school graduation requirement for Algebra 1. * Please see High School Courses policy
below.

​Math placement questions should be directed to your current math teacher.

For detailed information regarding curriculum, visit the FPS website and click on the Atlas Rubicon link:
https://farmingtonk12-oakland-public.rubiconatlas.org/Atlas/Public/View/Default

GRADE 7
 SEMESTER ELECTIVES
HEALTH​: REQUIRED
Health​ ​integrates critical and age-appropriate life skills within a focused curriculum. It provides learning experiences which
enable young people to make informed decisions, modify behaviors, and change social conditions in ways that will enhance
personal health. This course will promote the growth of individuals in a holistic manner, including physical, social, emotional, and
intellectual development. Units of instruction are conflict resolution, substance use, family life education, healthy relationships
and digital citizenship. Standards are developed by the Michigan Department of Education for health and life management and
include the mandated Family Life curriculum.

ART
This lab-style course will expose students to many art disciplines including drawing, painting, color theory,
three-dimensional sculpture and construction. Students will develop an understanding of ways art fits into our lives
through the presentation of art history and career information.​ ​This course can be taken for one or two semesters.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PE focuses on skills, knowledge and attitudes essential to engage in regular lifelong physical activity.
Students are provided with the knowledge and levels of motor skills essential to monitoring and managing
their own health-related levels of fitness. Working collaboratively as a team member is also an essential
aspect of this course. This course can be taken for one or two semesters.

CHOIR
Students will have the opportunity to learn the basic elements of vocal music, emphasizing proper vocal
technique/production, sight-singing skills, stage presence and music interpretation. This course is designed to
encourage a love and understanding of music as well as encouraging the ability to work as a team. This course
can be taken for one or two semesters. Please see the Music Attendance Policy below.

EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY
The Design and Technology Curriculum provides active, hands-on learning situations that will help students explore and develop
a broad view of technology. The program will assist students in learning the processes that apply to design, problem-solving,
design brief development, and the use of technological products and systems and the impacts and consequences of these
systems on individuals, society, and the environment. Students will have the opportunity to see how technology has
relationships with other fields of study such as science, mathematics, social studies, and language
arts. Students will learn how to apply principles of technology to gain a better understanding of our world.

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES
Students will design and develop products and structures from around the world. Students will have the
opportunity to put engineering principles into practice through various challenges both individually and in
teams. One challenge is the design, build, test, and evaluation of a CO² vehicle.

STRUCTURES
Students will have the opportunity to explore engineering principles of different structures from around the world. Through the
study of engineering and the study of stress on structures, students will develop a better understanding of why some structures
are successful while others fail. Student projects are designed, built, and then tested to extremes.

VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
Students in this course will create weekly newscasts by writing scripts, videotaping events, and editing newscasts. A history of
television and radio will also be studied.

GRADE 7
 SEMESTER ELECTIVES, cont.
THEATER I
This course will present a comprehensive guide to the elements of theater production. Students will explore theater
through the eyes of the playwright, actor, director, producer, technician and audience member.
Emphasis will be placed on the physical environment of the stage and the development of various
​ grade.
characters through script analysis. This course is a prerequisite for the Theater II course in 8th​

THEATER II ​Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theater I

Students will work with all aspects of theatrical production, including acting, makeup, lighting, set design and directing.
Students will finish the semester by producing and performing works of professional playwrights. Students who have
previous theatrical experience – but have not completed Theater I – may enroll with teacher approval.

STAGECRAFT
This course is an advanced theater class. Students focus on the technical aspects of theater rather than the
performance aspects. Students will learn about stage rigging, designing sets for plays, lighting techniques and many
other activities associated with technical theater.

CREDIT UNION
Credit Union is a course in which students become “employees” of the credit union. Student
employees are trained by teachers and a Farmington L.O.C. employee to operate a credit union
servicing students, parents, and staff members. Students will provide a convenient savings plan in a
friendly environment, as well as learn to develop various marketing programs.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
This course is designed to provide basic and intermediate computer skills to increase school success.
Students will complete a typing course while learning digital citizenship, exploring photo editing,
multiple presentation web sites, coding, website construction and Google apps.

INTRODUCTORY WORLD LANGUAGE COURSES

INTRO TO FRENCH ~ INTRO TO JAPANESE ~ INTRO TO SPANISH
Each of these courses will provide a basis for introductory study directed at that specific world language.
Students will be provided with the foundations for further world language study. Students may take more than
one introductory world language course in a year. An introductory course is ​not ​required in order to take year
long (Level 1) of a world language.

GRADE 7
 YEAR LONG ELECTIVES

FRENCH 1 *
This course is a full year course which introduces the student to the language, culture, and geography of the
French-speaking world. Students will develop the ability to speak, read, and write French, as well as understand
spoken French. Daily lessons and assignments will reinforce the language. Upon successful completion of this course,
students will advance to the second year of French study.

SPANISH 1 *
This course is a full year course which introduces the student to the language, culture, and geography of
the Spanish-speaking world. Students will develop the ability to speak, read, and write Spanish, as well as
understand spoken Spanish. Daily lessons and assignments will reinforce the language. Upon successful completion
of this course, students will advance to the second year of Spanish study.

JAPANESE 1 ​*
Japanese 1 is a full year course which introduces the student to both the Japanese language and culture. Students
begin to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Upon successful completion of this course, students
will advance to the second year of Japanese study.

*HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

There are no prerequisites for high school World Language courses. Upon successful completion
and achieving the required score on the end-of-year state assessment, students will meet the high
school graduation requirement for world language study. Students wishing to be accepted to
competitive college/universities are strongly encouraged to continue on with the next levels of that
language at high school. Many schools will expect to see at least two years of (the same) world
language completed beyond middle school.

For all high school courses (Math and World Language), grades earned will be posted on the high
school transcript. The grades earned, however, are not a factor to the high school GPA unless
requested in writing to the high school guidance office. Travel may be required for some courses,
potentially causing the loss of one elective period. FPS will provide transportation.

GRADE 7
 YEAR LONG ELECTIVES, ​cont.

YEARBOOK​ Application may be required

This course involves creating a computer-generated yearbook. There is an ​after school requirement​ to take photos
and sell the yearbook. The yearbook staff should be comfortable working with others, taking and giving constructive
criticism, navigating the internet and various yearbook websites, constructing creative layouts, and completing tasks
within a given deadline. Students will create advertisements and should be comfortable approaching parents/adults in
order to promote sales of the yearbook.

MUSIC ATTENDANCE POLICY: It should be understood that before or after school activities, evening
and weekend concerts, festivals, etc., are a logical outgrowth of the daily classroom rehearsal activity.
Students electing music courses should understand that attendance is required at all scheduled
rehearsals and performances.

BEGINNING BAND​ ​and

BEGINNING ORCHESTRA
These courses are designed for students who have no previous experience with an instrument.

BAND
This course is available to all students who have successfully completed Band the previous year. Fundamentals of
instrumental technique and music will be expanded with a focus on how to apply these to a performance. Various
method books, teaching techniques and additional clinician involvement will be used throughout the course.

ORCHESTRA
This course is available to all students who have successfully completed Orchestra the previous year. Students will
continue to develop skills in playing a string instrument and in music reading and will study a wide variety of music to
develop musical skills.

GRADE 7