2013 – 2014 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
7th GRADE
ART
ART, NATURE, & DESIGN: Join this exciting journey into the 21st century classroom where students are encouraged
to be creative problem solvers and solution seekers while discovering their individual talents and creative gifts. Through a
variety of stimulating hands-on art projects that emphasize the elements of art and principles of design students will learn
to perceive and think in new ways, the way artists do. With an emphasis on the creative learning process, self-reflection,
acknowledgement of accomplishments and individual successes, students are free to formulate a lifelong appreciation for
art and to enjoy a positive experience in this innovative class. Students will make new discoveries, learn new skills, and
share ideas as they explore a variety of art media through projects that may include drawing, painting, pastels,
printmaking, photography, sculpting in clay, collage, and computer assisted design. All students are encouraged to take
this class and to share the Art experience!
WORLD ART: Art is everywhere. . . and World Art is for every student! This culturally diverse art class provides
students with broad appreciation for their environment, and a mind-expanding understanding of history and culture,
connecting artistic skills and knowledge to the global 21st century. Daily lessons and hands-on projects that focus on
meaningful and relevant experiences connect students artistically with family, culture, society and the world. Students
will work collaboratively and independently on a variety of exciting projects that connect the elements of art with the
principles of design through an engaging creative process. World Art projects typically include weaving, print making,
drawing, painting, pastels, sculpting clay, plaster masks, environmental/recycled sculptures, and the introduction of mixed
media. Students will be inquisitive and curious learners, studying within their own culture and the larger context of the
World. This class focuses on the creative learning process, self-reflection, acknowledgement of accomplishments and
individual successes. This exciting class is a must for every student eager to explore the amazing World of Art.
FOCUS ON DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Explore the exciting world of Digital Photography as you develop lifelong
skills in the art of creating photographic images. Students will learn about the science and history of photography in
addition to the basic guidelines for composition, lighting, and camera functions. Computers will be used to incorporate
technology with image-making, emphasizing aesthetics and computer skills. Students will be introduced to professional
applications of photography through community connections such as commercial studios and professional photographers.
Join Focus on Digital Photography and expand your creative expression through the lens of a camera. Cameras will be
provided.
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
A TASTE OF ASHWAUBENON (Family and Consumer Sciences): Come and explore your ‘inner-chef’! A Taste of
Ashwaubenon is a class that incorporates several aspects of the culinary arts into every-day, easy cooking. As a matter of
fact, many of the recipes students make in class will be easy enough to prepare at home! In A Taste of Ashwaubenon,
students will learn about food preparation skills, safety and sanitation procedures, the impact that media and technology
has had on the food industry, careers in the culinary arts field, and the roles of employees in food service today.
TEEN LIFE SKILLS (Family and Consumer Sciences): Teen Life Skills is a social, exploratory class where students
work independently and in groups to complete many hands-on projects. In class we will be covering a variety of material
designed to help students meet the challenges of their daily lives with confidence. Students will learn basic information
and practical skills related to interpersonal and family relationships, career preparation, managing money, healthy living,
sewing techniques and will complete a basic sewing project.
KALEIDOSCOPE (Family and Consumer Sciences): Kaleidoscope is an exciting course that offers a combination of
cooking, sewing, service and collaborative projects that expands the learning environment beyond Parkview and into the
community. Students will learn the importance of citizenship and community action as they make connections between
skills and knowledge learned in core classes and Family and Consumer Sciences. Projects may include, but will not be
limited to, sewing items for disadvantaged infants or adults, volunteering in local food pantries or community centers, and
beautification of Parkview Middle School.
MUSIC COURSES: CHOIR, BAND, & GUITAR
7th GRADE BAND: 7th grade band students have the opportunity to perform in one of three ensembles; Concert Band,
Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. Members will be assigned to the band that best fits their musical needs. These yearlong courses provide students with learning and performance opportunities on woodwind, brass and percussion
instruments. Students will be introduced to “comprehensive musicianship” through music performance of challenging
and varied literature. Skills and concepts from the previous year are developed and expanded upon. In addition to
continued refinement of individual performance skills, greater emphasis is placed on ensemble performance skills, which
will be expanded through musical expression and technical accuracy. Students will continue to develop their knowledge
of music theory, begin to analyze and evaluate music, and use critical thinking skills to make refinements in their
performance. Students in these bands will perform in at least two concerts a year, along with receiving individual and
small group lessons. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through participation in adjudicated solo and
ensemble contests, honor bands, and private lessons.
7TH – 8TH GRADE MALE CHOIR: THIS GROUP IS JUST FOR THE GUYS!! This young men’s choir provides
continuing opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through singing in a
choral ensemble. Students will sing a varied repertoire of choral literature of up to three vocal parts. Study will include
the care and cultivation of a beautiful vocal tone, aesthetic sensitivity, music literacy, the building of technical skills, team
spirit, and responsible rehearsal habits. Particular attention will be given to the young men’s changing voice and students
will be guided through their individual voice changing process. Performances for this choir will include at least two
concerts a year. Students in the 7th-8th Grade Male Choir are also eligible and encouraged to participate in solo and
ensemble contest, choir camps, honor choirs, and individual/group lessons to challenge and enhance their musicianship
and vocal skills. The Parkview Male and Female choirs will perform some pieces together as a mixed choir for our
concerts.
7TH GRADE FEMALE CHOIR: This young women’s choir provides continuing opportunities for students to develop
their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through singing in a choral ensemble. Students will sing a varied
repertoire of choral literature in 2 and 3 parts. Study will include the care and cultivation of a beautiful vocal tone,
aesthetic sensitivity, music literacy, the building of technical skills, team spirit, and responsible rehearsal habits.
Performances for this choir will include at least two concerts a year. Students in the 7 th Grade Female Choir are also
eligible and encouraged to participate in solo and ensemble contest, choir camps, honor choirs, and individual/group
lessons to challenge and enhance their musicianship and vocal skills. The Parkview Female and Male choirs will perform
some pieces together as a mixed choir for our concerts.
BEGINNING GUITAR: Designed for students who want to learn to play the guitar and who want to learn the basics of
reading music and music theory. All instruction will be on acoustic (not electric) guitars, but the skills learned can be
transferred to any style. This course is designed for beginning guitarists only, and students do not have to know how to
read music and do not have to have any prior musical experience. This is a non-performance class which will concentrate
on learning to play chords, melodies, and the basics of music notation and theory. Guitars will be provided for the students
to use at school.
GUITAR 2: This is a sequential course offered to students who have successfully completed the Beginning Guitar
course in 7th or 8th grade. All instruction will be on acoustic (not electric) guitars, but the skills learned can be
transferred to any style. This is a non-performance class which will build upon skills learned in Beginning Guitar and will
incorporate the learning of: a variety of chords including power chords, various strumming patterns, playing of melodies
using all six strings, and finger picking. Guitars will be provided for the students.
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
AUTOMATION and ROBOTICS (AR): In this course students trace the history, development, and influence of
automation and robotics. Students will learn about machine automation and computer control systems with hands on
activities using actual robots. Students will also fine tune their skills in problem solving, team work collaboration, and
innovation with a series of robots that are designed, built, and programmed by the students.
DESIGN & MODELING (DM): In this course, students are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems
and understand the influence that creative and innovative design has on our lives. Students use industry standard 3D
modeling software to create a virtual image of their designs, and then use a 3D printer to create a real model of their
design. Students will also design and build a model dragster to race against their classmates.
ENERGY & ELECTRICITY (EE): Students investigate the impact of energy and electricity on our lives and the
environment. They design and model alternative energy sources and participate in an energy expo to demonstrate energy
concepts and innovative ideas. Additionally, through hands-on projects, students explore the science of electricity,
behavior and parts of atoms, and sensing devices. Students will also acquire knowledge and skills in basic circuitry
design.
GREEN ARCHITECTURE (GA): In a world of reduced resources and environmental challenges, it is important to
present the concept of “being green” to the next generation of designers and builders. In this course, students are
introduced to architectural plans, construction styles, alternative materials and processes, dimensioning, measuring and
architectural sustainability. Students use a 3D architectural software program to create an environmentally friendly home
using shipping containers.
WORLD LANGUAGE
Th
7 GRADE GERMAN: This class is for students who have taken 6th Grade German. Wir sprechen Deutsch! The
focus of this course is communication skills. Students will actively engage in conversations surrounding the topics of
going shopping, visiting a German city and hosting a party. Cultural connections and comparisons will be incorporated
throughout the year.
7th GRADE BEGINNING SPANISH: This course is a continuation of 6th Grade Beginning Spanish. Students will
review salutations, greetings, numbers, colors, and other vocabulary learned from 6th Grade beginning Spanish. Students
will build on their vocabulary and grammar base, and will continue to conjugate verbs in the present tense including many
irregular verbs and be introduced to stem changing verbs. The vocabulary emphasis will be on foods, after school
activities, sports, expressing feelings, making comparisons and describing weather. Students will begin to read Spanish
independently. Students will be able to use some tener expressions. Students will be exposed to more of the Hispanic
culture with an emphasis on Mexico and areas of the United States with active Hispanic communities and considerable
Hispanic influence.
7th GRADE SPANISH: This class is for students who have taken 6th Grade Spanish the previous year and in
elementary school. This class will review prior learning and will continue to tackle more complex grammar lessons. The
new grammar will include stem changing verbs, reflexive verbs, tener expressions, acabar de, direct and indirect object
pronouns, prepositional phrases and present progressive tense. Students will also continue to practice writing, speaking
and reading using correct pronunciation and grammar. Again the students’ vocabulary will continue to expand.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS: This course is required for all 7th grade students and will be offered every other
day for a semester. Students in Computer Applications will continue to practice their keyboarding skills while also
strengthening their knowledge of Microsoft Word and other programs in the Microsoft Office Suite. Students will learn
how to format MLA style reports, letters, and tables in Word. They will also have the opportunity to apply their creativity
and imagination while constructing slide shows in PowerPoint, charts in Excel, and a variety of exciting documents in
Publisher. The ability to use these computer programs can enhance current and future coursework as technology becomes
more prevalent in the classroom!
HEALTH
th
HEALTH: This course is required for all 7 grade students and will be offered every other day for a semester.
This will fulfill the Wisconsin DPI requirement which states that a Health course is to be taken between the 7 th and 12th
grades. Students who do not earn a passing grade or who transfer in late will be required to retake Health at the high
school.
The middle school health program covers a variety of topics. They are:
 Personal/Family/Environmental Health
 Alcohol and Other Drugs
 Tobacco
 Shaken Baby Syndrome
 Suicide Prevention
Comprehensive health education develops skills for daily living and prepares individuals for their future roles as parents
and citizens. Quality health education motivates individuals to voluntarily take an active role in protecting, maintaining,
and improving their health. Health education is a basic ingredient in the prevention formula. Most cases of premature
death and infirmity can be prevented by positive health practices and appropriate health care.
GUIDED STUDY
GUIDED STUDY: In a Guided Study, students will have time to complete homework, work on projects,
receive grade updates from PowerSchool, and silent read in a smaller class setting. It is expected that students in
Guided Study will exhibit positive work habits that will benefit them both at Parkview and in the future and
follow all posted Guided Study rules.
REV. 1/29/13