Seventh Grade Exploratory Classes
Each course is offered for a marking period, with the exception of Band and PE.
Art
Seventh grade art class offers a more rigorous curriculum through which students will continue the study of 2D and 3D art while incorporating the elements and principles of design into their work. They will continue learning about the artistic process, which will offer them a chance to brainstorm, problem solve, and explore their own ideas and artistic styles. Students will have the opportunity for free choice exploration every Friday where all of the artistic decisions for a project are left up to each individual student.
Band (year-long course)
Students continue to build their knowledge and practice to improve their technique, skill, and performance. Seventh grade students participate in a winter concert, a band festival performance, a spring concert, and the BandAid concert at NCMC.
Computer Skills
Students continue practicing keyboarding speed and accuracy and working toward becoming more comfortable with Microsoft programs such and Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. In this project-based class, students also work with Photoshop and learn programing skills.
Career Exploration 7
This basic career exploration class helps students discover different careers and understand the skills and education they require. Students will explore their interests, strengths, and workplace environments while learning about goal-setting, job responsibilities, and career pathways. The course encourages self-awareness, planning, and preparation for future career opportunities. Coursework and projects will vary between 6th and 7th grade classes.
Foundations (teacher recommendation required)
The primary focus of the course is targeted remediation to strengthen foundational math and reading skills and support academic growth. In addition to academic remediation, students receive support in developing executive functioning skills, including organization, assignment tracking, and task completion. Foundations is designed to address individual learning needs, strengthen essential academic skills, and help students build the tools and confidence needed for success across their classes.
Full Value Seminar
This class focuses on collaboration, helping students embody the full value agreement, and be willing to help and be helped. This class incorporates adventure education activities, stem/steam projects, and a mini drone unit at the end of the marking period. Students are continuously asked to work together and “redesign” projects and activities to show improvement and success.
History and Exploration of the Arts
Students will explore the arts as they are expressed in various cultures and societies across time. In this class, students will examine and analyze literature, visual arts, and music genres and theories.
Industrial Arts
This hands-on class meets in the shop room, where students continue to build their knowledge of the basics of working with various tools to process materials and create projects.
Physical Education (semester course)
In seventh grade, PE covers units in softball, soccer, volleyball, and hockey. Each unit teaches the fundamentals, skills, strategy, and rules of each sport. There is “regular season play” followed by “tournament play,” which is tailored to each unit—World Series, World Cup, Volleyball Tournament, and Stanley Cup. Students are assessed for each unit on a combination of physical skills and written tests.
