Wasatch Junior High School
Seventh Grade Course of Study
Required Classes
English 7 Core - Year
Students will gain skills and strategies necessary for proficient communication in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and
language. English students will be expected to participate in class and complete a variety of reading and writing assignments.
English 7 Core Honors
Honors English students are engaged learners who possess beyond- grade- level reading and writing abilities as well as
critical thinking skills, self-motivation, organization and the capability of maintaining a rigorous pace. A history of strong
performance on standardized tests and in Language Arts classes is essential for success in this course. Students will gain
advanced skills and strategies necessary for proficient communication in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.
An Honors Student should expect to have homework on a regular basis which will be graded on a high standard. Students
will read challenging literature along with informational text and will write with increasing complexity.
English 7 Core – Gifted and Talented
Students must qualify for Gifted and Talented English through GSD testing. Classes are taught by teachers who have
received their GT endorsement. The emphasis in the language arts curriculum for GT students is on depth, complexity,
acceleration, novelty, critical analysis and problem-solving. Students should expect more complex regular homework which
will be graded on a GT standard. There is no place to sign up for this class on the registration form. Those who qualify will be
placed automatically in this class.
Integrated Science 7 Core – This course covers the state core curriculum based on the theme of structure. The course
covers basic chemistry, cell biology, heredity, classification, and living things. Emphasis is on vocabulary development and
learning the scientific method. The course is hands-on and lab-oriented, with an average of one to two lab experiences per
week. Students will be required to work cooperatively in groups on hands-on activities. Homework is minimal, with most
coursework being completed in class.
Integrated Science 7 Honors-Seventh grade Honors Science covers the state science core curriculum but in greater depth
than the seventh grade Core Science and through more complex instructional methods. Students should have demonstrated
above average competency in science, mathematics, and literacy regarding writing and reading and have a strong desire to
not only work individually but to collaborate with other students to demonstrate understanding through a variety of
instructional methods. Students should be prepared to show knowledge through the following: original research projects,
reading complex material beyond text, contribute to and lead discussions, laboratory assignments, and science fair. Writing,
critical thinking, and problem solving will be essential skills necessary for demonstrating student knowledge. Students should
be prepared to spend at least 1 hour per week on outside assignments and study beyond classroom. Students should have
adequate organizational skills.
Integrated Science Gifted 7 Gifted & Talented– This course is provided for students who are identified by district
evaluation as gifted and talented. The intent of the course is to cover the state core requirements in depth, with significant
enrichment in areas of life science in addition to the state core. The coursework focuses on creativity, critical thinking and
writing skills, as well as learning laboratory skills and the scientific method. Students are expected to have good oral and
written communication skills and be able to work together cooperatively in groups. This is a lab-oriented class including
teacher-directed and open-inquiry labs, including one field study lab experience. Students will be required to do one major
project each term; these will include a science fair project and a research paper. Students should expect to spend a
minimum of 1 ½ hours per week at home studying and reviewing class material, in addition to time spent on term projects.
There is no place to sign up for this class on the registration form. Those who qualify will be placed automatically in this class.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) - Year
th
CTE is a 7 grade state required core curriculum. The CTE curriculum explores three major areas: Business and Marketing
Education, Family & Consumer Sciences and Technology Education. Students spend one third of the year in each of these
areas.
Utah Studies Regular – ½ Year
The history of Utah is the major focus of the course. Students will study the historical successes and major issues that form
and continue to form the social, economic, and political makeup of the people of Utah. In addition students will be instructed
in county and state government, Utah geography, and law related topics. Students will gain an understanding of their role as
citizens of both Utah and the United States of America. Successful students will be expected to take Cornell Notes, write
essays, analyze primary source history, participate in Socratic Seminars, and produce class projects.
Utah Studies Honors – ½ Year
This course is designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement and IB classes in high school. The course will provide
the same scope and sequence as the regular course but with increased difficulty, depth and complexity. Students who select
the honors course will be expected to apply what they learn to the real world. Students will use advanced learning and
research skills, understand the importance of multiple perspectives in history, use inquiry to solve historical problems,
analyze primary and secondary source history, perform problem based learning, and practice metacognitive thinking.
Students will have increased expectations for reading, essay writing, and participation in Socratic Seminars/classroom
activities.
Utah Studies Gifted and Talented – ½ Year
In order for students to take the Utah Studies GT course they must qualify by district test standards. The Utah Studies Gifted
course will cover the same scope and sequence as the regular and honors classes however with much more complexity and
difficulty in order to challenge those students with high intellectual ability. High level reading, writing, and listening will be
required. Students can expect a rapid pace of instruction with problem based learning and creativity as an expectation for the
Gifted and Talented. Students will be expected to learn like professional Social Studies scholars focusing on higher level
thinking skills, inquiry, research, and metacognition. Students will also be expected to explore multiple perspectives with lines
of evidence and solve authentic Social Studies issues with creative problem solving skills. With the teacher as a facilitator
and guide, students should expect to study independently and produce creative projects that make a substantial contribution
to the well-being of Utah and American society. There is no place to sign up for this class on the registration form. Those
who qualify will be placed automatically in this class.
Physical Education– 1/2 year
Physical education seeks to make students active players in life. It enables students to see the importance of proper nutrition
and exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Mathematics:
Math Placement for incoming 7th graders:
th
In order to continue the transition to the Common Core, there will be three class placement options for the 7 graders .These
courses will be:
Option 1: 7 Grade Mathematics - In 7th Grade Mathematics students will focus on developing understanding of and
applying proportional relationships; developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with
expressions and linear equations; solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and
working with two- and three- dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and drawing
inferences about populations based on samples.
th
Option 2: 7 Grade Mathematics Honors - The Honors course includes extra depth and additional topics.
th th
Option 3: Compacted 7 /8 /Secondary 1 – This option compacts three years of math courses down to two years. It is the
preferred option for students meeting the requirements for academic advancement by the math department. (This option will
th
leave no gaps in learning concepts needed for future math courses.) This class will be entirely made up of 7 graders. Must
pass qualifying exam.
th
ELECTIVE CLASSES
Full Year Electives:
Instrumental Music: Students must own or rent an instrument.
Foundations for Woodwinds and Percussion
This class is designed to help students develop a good foundation on their woodwind (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet,
saxophone) and mallet percussion instruments. Please consult with the teacher before choosing/purchasing an instrument.
Foundations for Brass
This class is designed to help students develop a good foundation on their brass instruments (trumpet, horn in F, trombone,
euphonium, tuba). Please consult with the teacher before choosing/purchasing an instrument.
Cadet Orchestra
This is the foundation string instrument orchestra.
Concert Orchestra
This advanced orchestra course is designed for students who are skilled string players.
Approval of the instructor is required.
World Languages:
French 1
Spanish 1
In both of these classes emphasis is placed on listening and speaking skills, though reading and writing are addressed. The
beginning language courses provide for the learning of dialogues, common words and expressions and basic language
structure as well as oral practice of the language.
Half Year Electives:
Art Foundations 1
This class is a prerequisite for other art classes.
Emphasis is on understanding works of art, color and design theory, and developing basic skills in drawing. Students also
increase their understanding of the ways line, shape, form, texture, value and color are used to apply the principles of art
(unity, balance, contrast, emphasis, variety, movement). Students experiment with such media as pencil, ink, watercolor,
crayon, clay, charcoal and chalk.
Mixed Choir
This is a Choir class for everybody. Students will learn the fundamentals of music and how it applies to choral singing.
Students will be expected to participate in at least one concert each semester.
Keyboarding CTE
In this beginning course, the student will master touch operation on a computer keyboard. Correct fingering by touch
operation and good techniques will receive primary emphasis; speed and accuracy will be given secondary emphasis. The
student will learn to format simple reports, personal and business letters and tables. The acquisition of business
th
th
communication skills will be integrated throughout the course. This course is highly recommended for all students in 7 or 8
grade.
Theatre 1A (Beginning)
The theatre class emphasizes speech techniques and oral presentation. Students are exposed to characterization, acting
techniques and stage production while learning to appreciate the stage and developing interpersonal communication skills.
Dance 1A
This course is a prerequisite for other dance courses.
Students are provided with experience in dance technique and the development of physical strength, flexibility, endurance,
coordination, and total fitness. Students will expand their dance vocabulary and skills, and develop creative abilities through
improvisation, choreography, and performance. Students will also be exposed to the history of dance and its cultural origins.