Courses

7th Grade Course List
8th Grade Course List

7th Grade Course List

Course (click on the link for course essential standards and proficiency scales)	Description
AT (Advisory Time)	As a home room concept, each student has AT at the beginning of the day Monday -Thursday. Most days, students will engage in CharacterStrong curriculum with the following intended outcomes: increase a sense of belonging for all students, improve skills that support student well-being, and deepen student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community. On Mondays, this time is also used to communicate important school-wide information such as policy reminders, upcoming events, and celebrations.
7 ELA*	7th Grade ELA meets for two periods (in a row) each day. During this time, students will read and analyze both literature and informational texts (including multimedia), write a variety of text types, and sharpen their language, speaking, and listening skills. Class assignments and assessments will include projects, presentations, papers, and discussions.
7 Math*	Many topics are covered which include: ratio and proportion, number system, writing and solving equations, probability, and geometry. We do many activities and work with an online program (Buzzmath) throughout the year.
7 Science*	In science, you’ll explore real-world questions, work with others, and use evidence to solve problems. You’ll think like a scientist—asking questions, finding patterns, and making sense of the world around you. Your teachers will help you stay curious, try new things, and connect what you learn to your life.
7 Social Studies	Students utilize geography skills as they explore the physical and cultural aspects of major continents. The acquired geography skills are then put to use as we shift our learning to global studies. Students will explore global perspectives on contemporary issues and worldwide interdependence. Students will examine challenges facing our world including topics such as world governments, global economics, immigration, global health, war and conflict, environmental challenges, and financial literacy.
7 Physical Education	The focus of this course is the application of movement skills and knowledge to individual and dual physical activities; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance, and the knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles and strategies; and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity. This is a year-long course that meets every other day.
7-8 Unified P.E	Unified PE is a smaller PE class that includes students with intellectual disabilities. This class will do many of the same activities as the other PE classes, but with some modifications. Practicing for Special Olympic sports will also be included. This class allows you to be a role model for students with special needs.
7th & 8th Choir (Classes made up of 7th and 8th grade students)	This is an every-other-day year-long course. All 7th grade students at North Scott Jr. High will be required to take one music course in 7th Grade. The options are choir, band, and orchestra. In choir, music will be sung in 2-4 parts. Students will also be introduced to Solfege, Solfege Hand Signs and the TaKaDiMi rhythm counting method. A number of concerts are scheduled throughout the year for students interested in public performance opportunities to show growth of skill and technique. Students not interested in public performance will have non performance opportunities to show growth of skill and technique. Students may also be considered for numerous small groups and/or honor choirs that perform during the school year. 7th and 8th grade students will be intermixed in this course.
7 Art	This course is an opportunity to explore the artistic thinking process, and to use different parts of the brain to create art. We focus on ways to generate creative ideas, how to develop art skills with a variety of media, and how to make art that has meaning. This class meets one semester every other day.
7 Band	Students in 7th grade have the opportunity to join the North Scott Band program where they will learn how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument, as well as learn about teamwork, creativity, communication, individual responsibility, and goal-setting. 7th Grade Band meets as a class every day and will have four performances outside of the school day each year. Band is the perfect way to learn a new skill, make new friends, and maybe even find a new passion in life. There is NO prior music training necessary, we will teach you everything you need to know!
7 Orchestra	All 7th grade students are welcome to join the Orchestra program at North Scott! Our 7th Grade Orchestra class meets every day and also includes small group lessons throughout the school year. Students can choose to learn the violin, viola, cello or bass with no previous playing experience. Orchestra students learn a variety of musical techniques and types of music. The 7th grade orchestra performs three concerts during the school year and works on different projects during class! This class also focuses on self motivation, positive thinking, overcoming obstacles and social skills.
Ag Tech I	This fun, hands-on course invites 7th grade students to explore the exciting world of agriculture! From learning about animals and natural resources to discovering careers in the field, students will solve real-world problems and collaborate with classmates. The class meets every other day for one semester and offers engaging, interactive experiences. As a bonus, all students become FFA members and can take part in exciting activities like leadership conferences and contests throughout the school year!
Industrial Tech	This class meets every other day and introduces students to shop safety, tool use, and accurate measurement. Students will complete multiple hands-on woodshop projects that build skills and encourage creativity. The course also includes career exploration with a focus on opportunities in the skilled trades.
Computer Applications	Computer Applications implements the Computer Science Curriculum from Code.org. According to their website, Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory course that empowers students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun!
7th Grade Spanish 1	In this course, students will develop foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Learning will be enriched through engaging lessons that incorporate culture, music, games, videos, and readings. By the end of the year, students will be able to ask and answer simple questions on familiar, everyday topics using a combination of practiced or memorized words, phrases, and basic sentences. Successful completion of Novice Mid A (7th Grade) is required to advance to Novice Mid B (8th Grade Spanish).
Structured Study Hall (No grade assigned for this course)	SSH is a small (no more than 8), structured time to work on coursework with support of a teacher, organize materials, check grades, and set and monitor goals. If the class is not needed, as the year goes on, schedules can change, but that is a team decision (teacher, student, etc.) This placement is a team decision between Administration, 7th grade counselors, and possibly 7th grade teachers if placed in the course during the school year. Some students have SSH every day, some every other.
Study Hall (No grade assigned for this course)	A quiet time for students to work on schoolwork or read independently. Most students enrolled in study hall attend every other day while some attend every day.
7 TAG (Talented and Gifted)	Gifted Services are offered during the school day in a pull out format. Students will be pulled once a week for half a class period. Students are enrolled in this service based on elementary achievement data.
Math Intervention	Math Intervention is designed to help students build a solid foundation in numeracy and fluency. The Numeracy Project is an evidence-based tool used to collect data and provide research-based, targeted instruction. It is a framework that identifies gaps in mathematical learning and provides intervention activities. The intervention activities are authentic tasks to promote long term transfer through building conceptual and procedural understanding. The goal is to build number sense and have students using numbers flexibly across all contexts.
Comprehension Focus Group (listed as CIM )	The CFG intervention is a daily lesson that uses a structured framework with procedural steps to scaffold students’ learning. The framework is designed to promote students’ knowledge of genre and text structures through in-depth units of study. CIM Interventionists use explicit teaching and concrete examples to assist students in building connections between the reading and writing processes. The CFG intervention is designed to help struggling readers acquire effective strategies for problem solving in texts, while maintaining a focus on deep comprehension and writing.
Resource	Resource classes are designed to provide specially designed instruction to help students who have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) make progress in their goal areas. Additionally, depending on the individual student’s goal area(s), various resource classes provide differentiated support so that students can demonstrate their learning in general education classes.
7th Language Arts Strategies	Students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) participate in this course, which meets for two periods each day. The focus is on decoding, comprehension, writing, speaking and listening strategies in connection with grade level standards.
Math Strategies	Students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) participate in this course. This class provides support for skills and computation that need reteaching so that students can work on grade level standards. Skills we will be reviewing are ratio and proportion, number system, writing and solving equations, probability, and geometry in connection with grade level standards.
Level 3 MD	All academic subjects are taught with a focus on learning how to learn and increasing independence. Functional and social skills are embedded throughout the day. Community Based Learning is incorporated 2-3 times a month to work on generalizing skills and building social skills. AVBA and TEACH methods are used as needed. Direct instruction curriculum is utilized.
Boost	Each student attends this 30-minute intervention period where students can ask teachers for help and teachers can assign students. During this time teachers assist students with learning skills and concepts and provide them with additional opportunities to demonstrate proficiency towards grade level standards. Boost groups are assigned for three weeks at a time based upon student achievement data. Teachers are able to assign additional students during weeks 2 & weeks 3 to get support in other classes as needed. Students are able to request help from additional classes during the 2nd & 3rd week of the rotation.
	*Honors sections offered. Students qualify for Honors courses based on achievement data.

8th Grade Course List

Course (click on the link for course essential standards and proficiency scales)	Description
AT (Advisory Time)	As a home room concept, each student has AT at the beginning of the day Monday -Thursday. Most days, students will engage in CharacterStrong curriculum with the following intended outcomes: increase a sense of belonging for all students, improve skills that support student well-being, and deepen student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community. On Mondays, this time is also used to communicate important school-wide information such as policy reminders, upcoming events, and celebrations.
8 ELA*	In 8 ELA, students build off what has been previously learned in English classes. Based around the eighth grade standards, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, students will use a variety of formats to think critically about their lives and the world around us as well as how to communicate effectively in many different settings and situations. This course meets for two periods each day.
8 Math* Algebra	In 8 Math, many building blocks of algebra are investigated during this course. Units include: Congruence and Similarity, Linear Relationships and Equations, Understand and Analyze Functions, Patterns of Association, Angles, Triangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem, Volume, Systems of Linear Equations, and Irrational Numbers, Exponents and Scientific Notations. Many of our activities are done in groups to improve collaborative problem solving. For more information about Reveal Math, please click this Family Letter. Algebra: This course investigates Linear Relationships, Solving Equations and Inequalities, Systems of Equations, Statistics, Pythagorean Theorem, and Quadratics. Many of our activities are done in groups to improve collaborative problem solving. Students in this section will receive high school credit for Algebra 1.
8 Science*	The Next Generation Science Standards is a multi-state effort to create new education standards that are "rich in content and practice, arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education. The standards are written as three-dimensional performance expectations that integrate science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts. This year we will concentrate on Newton's third law of motion, biological evolution, weather and the effects humans are having on the environment.
8 Social Studies	8th Grade Social Studies begins with the colonization of North America and progresses through the American Civil War. We will read a variety of primary source documents, take part in multiple hands-on simulations, debate the actions of key figures in History, and make multiple connections between key events in early American History.
8 Physical Education	In 8th grade, the content standards emphasize working as a team to solve problems. The focus of this course is the application of movement skills and knowledge (including defensive and offensive strategies) to team physical activities; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance; the knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles and strategies to improve health and performance; and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity. This is a year-long course that meets every other day.
7-8 Unified PE	Unified PE is a smaller PE class that includes students with intellectual disabilities. This class will do many of the same activities as the other PE classes, but with some modifications. Practicing for Special Olympic sports will also be included. This class allows you to be a role model for students with special needs.
7th & 8th Choir (Classes made up of 7th & 8th grade students)	This is a year-long every-other-day course. Music will be sung in 3-4 parts. Students will be reviewing/expanding on Solfege, Solfege Hand Signs and the TaKaDiMi rhythm counting method. A number of concerts are scheduled throughout the year for students to show growth of skill and technique. Students may also be considered for numerous small groups and/or honor choirs that perform during the school year.
8 Art	In this elective course, students set their own creative goals for each unit. After opportunities to learn and practice new skills, students design their own art projects and document their creative process. This is a year-long course that meets every other day. Students who earn an “A” or “B” in this course may, with teacher recommendation, enroll directly in advanced level art courses in high school.
8 Band	This is a continuation of 7th Grade Band. This group will continue to expand our musical learning while improving skill on our instruments and playing more challenging music. We will perform at 3 concerts and one contest per year outside of the school day. Students also have the opportunity to participate in honor bands and other performance opportunities throughout the year.
8 Orchestra	This is a continuation of 7th grade orchestra. Eighth grade orchestra focuses on new techniques that involves higher level of playing while still refining skills developed in 7th grade. There are 4 concerts during the school year and orchestra students will learn a variety of new music. This class meets daily and students have individual lessons throughout the year.
Ag Tech II	This year-long course is perfect for 8th grade students ready to dig deeper into the world of agriculture! Through hands-on projects and real-world problem solving, students will explore topics like plants, agricultural mechanics, biotechnology, and food products. Working together with classmates, they'll gain valuable skills and a better understanding of how agriculture impacts our daily lives. The class meets every other day, and all students are automatically enrolled as FFA members, giving them access to fun and rewarding activities all year long.
PLTW (Project Lead The Way)	PLTW is a pre-engineering course that is divided into 3 main categories: Coding, App Creation, and Automation & Robotics. Students will build a background knowledge in coding and put that to use building apps for iOS and Android devices, and automating different devices. PLTW has an emphasis in computer coding and prepares 8th grade students for computer courses at the high school level. This course meets daily for one semester.
Jazz Band	This is a course offered to 8th graders currently in band or orchestra that will introduce the medium of jazz music. Students will learn basic improvisation techniques on their instrument, and how to play in the swing, rock, and latin musical styles.
FACS (Family and Consumer Science)	FACS is a class that offers a unique focus on families and their interrelationships, career and technology, and provides skills for success for all students. The class is divided into three main categories: Clothing and Textiles, Food Preparation/Nutrition and Wellness, and Skills for Adolescence(Human Growth and Development.) Parents have the option to opt-out their students during the Human Growth & Development lessons. Please contact the front office if you would like your student to opt out of those lessons. A reminder will be sent two weeks prior to the human growth & development lessons being delivered in FACs class. Students participate in cooperative learning activities, hands-on projects, and lab experiences. FACS meets daily for one semester.
8th Grade Spanish 1	In this course, students will continue to develop their Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through meaningful lessons that include culture, music, games, videos, readings, novels, and presentations. Students will expand their ability to communicate by asking and answering a variety of questions, expressing preferences, and engaging in brief conversations using familiar vocabulary and sentence structures. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have met the requirements for Novice Mid proficiency, which is the equivalent of one year of High School Spanish (Spanish I) and may earn high school credit.
Structured Study Hall (No grade assigned for this course)	SSH is a small (no more than 10), structured time to work on coursework with support of a teacher, organize materials, check grades, and set and monitor goals. If the class is not needed, as the year goes on, schedules can change, but that is a team decision (teacher, student, etc.) This placement is a team decision between Administration, 8th grade counselors, and possibly 8th grade teachers if placed in the course during the school year. Some students have SSH every day, some every other.
Study Hall	A quiet time for students to work on schoolwork or read independently. Most students enrolled in study hall attend every other day while some attend every day.
8 TAG (Talented and Gifted)	Gifted Services are offered during the school day as a pull out format. Students will be pulled once a week for half a class period. Students are enrolled in this class based on 7th-grade achievement data. Eighth Grade Gifted Students are eligible for gifted field trips.
Math Intervention	Math Intervention is designed to help students build a solid foundation in numeracy and fluency. The Numeracy Project is an evidence-based tool used to collect data and provide research-based, targeted instruction. It is a framework that identifies gaps in mathematical learning and provides intervention activities. The intervention activities are authentic tasks to promote long term transfer through building conceptual and procedural understanding. The goal is to build number sense and have students using numbers flexibly across all contexts.
Comprehension Focus Group (Listed as CIM )	The CFG intervention is a daily lesson that uses a structured framework with procedural steps to scaffold students’ learning. The framework is designed to promote students’ knowledge of genre and text structures through in-depth units of study. CIM Interventionists use explicit teaching and concrete examples to assist students in building connections between the reading and writing processes. The CFG intervention is designed to help struggling readers acquire effective strategies for problem solving in texts, while maintaining a focus on deep comprehension and writing.
Resource	Resource classes are designed to provide specially designed instruction to help students who have Individual Education Plans make progress in their goal areas. Additionally, depending on the individual student’s goal area(s), various resource classes provide differentiated support so that students can demonstrate their learning in general education classes.
8th Language Arts Strategies	Students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) participate in this course. The focus is on decoding, comprehension, writing, speaking and listening strategies in connection with grade level standards.
8th Math Strategies	This course provides support for previously taught skills and computations that need reteaching. It also supports seventh grade skills identified in the Common Core, including but not limited to: ratio and proportion, number system, writing and solving equations, probability, and geometry in connection with grade level standards.
Level 3 MD	All academic subjects are taught with a focus on learning to learn and increasing independence. Functional and social skills are embedded throughout the day. Community Based Learning is incorporated 2-3 times a month to work on generalizing skills and building social skills. AVBA and TEACH methods are used as needed. Direct instruction curriculum is utilized.
Boost	Each student attends this 30-minute intervention period where students can ask teachers for help and teachers can assign students. During this time teachers assist students with learning skills and concepts and provide them with additional opportunities to demonstrate proficiency towards grade level standards. Boost groups are assigned for three weeks at a time based upon student achievement data. Teachers are able to assign additional students during weeks 2 & weeks 3 to get support in other classes as needed. Students are able to request help from additional classes during the 2nd & 3rd week of the rotation.
	*Honors sections offered. Students qualify for Honors courses based on achievement data.

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7th Grade Course List

Course

Description

*Honors sections offered. Students qualify for Honors courses based on achievement data.

8th Grade Course List

Course

Description

*Honors sections offered. Students qualify for Honors courses based on achievement data.