Timberstone Junior High
Home of the Wolves
7th Grade Program of Studies

Timberstone Junior High
Home of the Wolves

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Required and Elective Courses for 7th Grade Students
Timberstone offers a 7 period day, plus a 25 minute A+ class at the end of the day.  Listed below are the five required courses, as well as the full list of electives offered to 7th grade students. Students may select two electives from the options below. Please note that some students are recommended for certain electives based upon their individual needs.	

Required 7th Grade Courses	Elective Options	
1.	English/GATE English
2.	Math 
3.	Science 
4.	Social Studies 
5.	7th Grade Rotation
1.	Information Technology (1 Quarter)
2.	Integrated Health & PE (2 Quarters)
3.	STEM Applications (1 Quarter) 	•	Band 
•	Choir
•	Exploratory Spanish/French/Art/Music
(1 Quarter of each)
•	Interactive Reading (May be required)
•	Orchestra

The Timberstone “I Will Pledge”
I will not tease, harm or threaten others
I will not start or spread rumors
I will treat others the way I want to be treated
I will look for the good in other people
I will not do what is popular, but what is right

	

Timberstone Junior High Course Descriptions	
ENGLISH 7
English is a comprehensive course of study. Students read classic and contemporary literature as well as challenging informational texts in a range of genres. Students follow writing process steps to produce arguments, informational texts, and narratives. They work to ensure that development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Students use media and technology to publish their writing projects. Vocabulary, language, and research lessons are included in reading and writing instruction. Speaking and listening skills are also addressed here to ensure that students are working towards college and career readiness.
GATE ENGLISH 7
GATE English is a comprehensive course of study. Students read classic and contemporary literature as well as challenging informational texts in a range of genres. Students follow writing process steps to produce arguments, informational texts, narratives, and more ensuring that they are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Students use media and technology to publish their writing projects. Students develop skills in analysis, interpretation, oral communication, vocabulary, and research. This class offers depth, complexity, and accelerated pacing appropriate to gifted learners. 
MATH 7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The curriculum emphasizes significant connections among various mathematical topics.  Connections between mathematical ideas and “real world” problems offer students opportunities to apply their skills and revisit prior concepts.  Students grow in their ability to reason effectively with information represented in graphic, numeric, symbolic and verbal forms.  Instruction emphasizes inquiry and discovery of mathematical ideas through investigation of rich problem situations. This year’s units develop: number systems, ratio and proportions, geometry, probability and statistics, linear functions and symbolic relationships.  To accommodate student needs, this course is offered at three levels.  Math 3 is a prerequisite for 8th grade Algebra placement and is designed for students with strong basic math skills and exceptional abstract thinking skills.
SCIENCE 7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The seventh grade science course is aligned to Ohio's revised Academic Content Standards emphasizing the grade band theme, Order and Organization. This curriculum focuses on helping students use scientific inquiry to discover patterns, trends, and relationships that are related to the studies of earth, space, physical, and life sciences. Students will explore the topics of: Cycles and Patterns of the Earth and Moon; Conservation of Mass and Energy; and Cycles of Matter and Flow of Energy. Emphasis on laboratory safety and scientific processes such as conducting scientific investigations, developing laboratory measurement skills, analyzing and interpreting data, and thinking logically and critically are woven throughout these areas of focus. 
SOCIAL STUDIES 7	
This year students will focus on world studies from 750 B.C. to 1600 A.D.  It is an integrated study beginning with Ancient Greece and continuing through global exploration.  Students will learn how historic events are shaped by geography, social, cultural, economic, and political factors.  Students will develop their understanding of how ideas and events from the past have shaped the world today.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 7 (1 Quarter)                                                                                                                                                                                           In this course students will learn Microsoft Word tips and tricks to enhance word processing skills. Graphics and borders will be added to many documents. Students will learn to create tables with ease. MLA style documents will reinforce Language Arts skills. Students create professional PowerPoint slide show presentations incorporating sound, transition, and animation. Students will learn the basics of spreadsheets and develop good search techniques for the internet. In addition students will be working in Google Documents and files, as well as basic coding skills.

INTEGRATED HEALTH and PHYSICAL EDUCATION 7 (2 Quarters)
This course will result in a combined Health and PE grade. Students will experience an integrated course of PE and Health.  Emotional and mental health, living a drug free life, and improving healthy behaviors will be explored.  Shorts, a T-shirt, tennis shoes and socks are required.  Sweat suits may be worn on cooler days.  Emphasis is placed on fitness, skills, and team sports.  Areas covered include physical fitness, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, and track and field.  Grading for PE. is based on dress, participation, and effort.  Students physically unable to participate in physical education should have a letter from their doctor explaining their limitations.
STEM APPLICATIONS 7 (1 Quarter)                                                                                                                                                                                          Students in pre-engineering programs acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork, and innovation. Students explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers as they participate in a project-based learning process, designed to challenge and engage natural curiosity and imagination of junior high students. Teams design and test their ideas using modeling, automation, robotics, and mechanical and computer systems, while exploring energy and the environment. 
ELECTIVES:
BAND 7
This ensemble meets daily throughout the year. Rehearsals center around continued musicianship learned in 6th grade, incorporation of solo/small ensemble work, and preparation for various performances. Evaluation of progress is based upon participation, playing tests, and improvement of performance skills demonstrated by the student throughout the grading periods. Attendance at performances is required. Prerequisite is enrollment in 6th grade band or approval of the director.
CHOIR 7
Students who enjoy singing are taught proper rehearsal techniques including voice production, correct posture, and the self-discipline needed for successful performance.  Evaluation includes daily progress in rehearsal skills and performance of individual parts. Attendance at all concerts is required, as is proper attire for these performances.
EXPLORATORY ROTATION (A rotation of Art, Music, French and Spanish as listed below)
ART  (1 Quarter)
Seventh grade art is all about self-expression. We will look at the styles of various artists as inspiration. Students will refine their drawing skills by using contour line and one point perspective. They will delve into color theory while creating with clay, paint, paper- mache', oil pastel, marker, and colored pencil. In class participation, projects, and an end-of-the-quarter quiz are the basis for grading.
MUSIC 7 (1 Quarter)
This course will focus on vocal music, core elements of music, music history, and an opportunity to learn to play the guitar. Students will also learn about American Musical Theatre. In-class participation and presentations are the basis for grading. 
EXPLORATORY FRENCH & SPANISH (1 Quarter of each)
Exploratory French and Spanish are nine week courses offered to 7th grade students to introduce them to the various aspects of world languages.  Basic pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and conversation are covered.  Values and life-styles of the people of the French and Spanish speaking world are also introduced.
INTERATIVE READING 7 (May be required) 
Interactive Reading addresses key concepts in reading literature and informational text. Students read narratives including short stories and novels. They read informational texts including magazine and newspaper articles. Students learn and practice reading skills to improve their overall fluency and comprehension. Test taking techniques help students to prepare for assessments.
ORCHESTRA 7
Rehearsal fundamentals, scales, rhythms, positions, and vibrato are taught to prepare junior high students for the high school orchestras.  A variety of music is performed ranging from pop to the classics.  Concerts are performed throughout the year.  Attendance at performances is required.  Prerequisite is enrollment in 6th grade orchestra or approval of the director. 	

	

Timberstone Junior High Schedule Change Policy	
Many factors are taken into consideration when planning class schedules to create a successful school experience for students. Students should be careful in their initial course selections and adhere to these choices. Changes in schedules can cause many difficulties for the individual student as well as for the master schedule. However, occasionally a change in an individual student’s schedule may become necessary. For a parent-approved schedule change to be considered, you should see your counselor prior to the closing of the current school year or set an appointment for the month of August. Space availability and appropriate balancing of classes may impact these requests. Requests for specific teachers will not be honored.