7^th Grade Related Arts Choices

2008-2009

Physical Education (Semester)

Students participate in physical activities along with group and individual games.  Positive sportsmanship is stressed during competitive games.  The Presidential Physical Fitness test is administered to give students the opportunity to work on their weaknesses in a positive way.  Other class activities include:  basketball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, flag football, and kickball.

 Band (Year)

Open to all seventh grade students with at least on year prior instrumental experience on the instrument chosen to play in band.  (Special permission must be granted by the director if a student wishes to join the ensemble with no previous experience on the chosen band instrument.)  This class will concentrate on developing tone production, rhythmic proficiency, individual and ensemble intonation and technical accuracy, as well as preparation and performance of intermediate band literature.  This ensemble will perform at least four performances—one in December, two in April, and one at the annual M.T.S.B.O.A.* Adjudicated Concert Festival held in March.  During a year with a band trip planned, this ensemble will also perform at the Festival site for adjudication.  There will be a minimum of four extracurricular afternoon rehearsals in preparation for festival performances.

 General Music (9 Weeks)

The goal of all levels of general music is to broaden the student’s bas of knowledge and appreciation for a variety of styles of music through singing, listening, playing, moving, reading and creating music.  In the seventh grade, musicianship and note-reading skills are continued with Orff instruments and beginning handbells.  Students study American music styles including ragtime, blues, jazz, and pop.

 Art (9 Weeks)

In seventh grade art, students delve into the mysteries of linear perspective, start their first look at graphic arts, experiment with watercolor, pencil, oil and regular pastels, and work with a variety of sculptural media.  Students also begin serious critiques of art through different art periods, not only describing what they see, but how the artists’ choices of media influence what the artist has expressed. 

Computer Technology (9 Weeks)

In seventh grade computer technology, students will understand basic operations and concepts of technology including file management, software types, and network capabilities.  Using Microtype, Word, and Excel students will have opportunities to create documents and improve their keyboarding techniques.  Students will come to understand the importance of social, ethical, and human issues associated with technology and be able select and use appropriate technology research tools.  Connecting peripheral devices, troubleshooting general user errors, integrating technology tools and software will also be covered in this class.

Drama (9 Weeks)

The seventh grade dramatic presentations class will study voice and diction, speech presentation skills, oral interpretation, and storytelling.  The main objective of this class is for students to develop presentation skills, allowing for more self-confidence in preparing and delivering a speech.  During the class students will understand the basics of speech presentation including organization, presentation skills, and types of speeches.  They will also study voice and diction topics including, projection and volume; pitch and tone; enunciation and articulation; and rate of speech.  Throughout the class students will give impromptu speeches, entertaining speeches, oral interpretations, and tell a variety of stories.