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GMS 7th Grade Registration Course Manual


Welcome to 7th Grade!We are so excited to welcome you to another great year at GMS and all we have to offer. We are very proud of GMS for many reasons: our rigorous academic programs; positive connections between students, staff and parents; interventions and support when students need extra assistance; excellent access to 21st century technology; and an outstanding staff that understands and is dedicated to meeting the developmental needs unique to middle school students. Grandview is proud to offer our kids, The Westonka Edge: Small School Advantages, Big School Opportunities, Real-Life Success Stories. What will be your success story?

Everyday CoursesLanguage ArtsLanguage Arts meets every day for 85 minutes. Our reading/language arts curriculum is called, The Reader's Journey. This curriculum is an innovative novel-based Language Arts program dedicated to making students lifelong readers. The philosophy is a common sense approach for connecting curriculum, instruction and assessment so students develop deep understanding every day.

The nature of our language arts instruction is to weave together topics and skills so that students can apply each to one another. In a unit of instruction, topics such as: elements of a genre, writing skills, language conventions, reading skills, themes in literature, types of reading, and techniques of the author may all be covered. The units are united with one Big Idea.

Each unit length is one quarter of the school year. During this time your student will participate in the reading of a class novel, referred to as the anchor book, along with various reading and writing skills, and literature circle work. Everything for the quarter will focus on the unit questions, such as:

Is truth the same for everyone? What can we learn from conflict? How much information is enough? Are we really that different?

Students write in student work texts and techniques to mark the text are taught to the students. The informational texts in the books are real-world connections, short passages, and longer passages to provide a variety of literature for students to apply the skills they are learning. Student work texts are colorful and

captivating and sharpen reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and communication skills.

Expectations for a student in the 7th grade language arts class include:

Participation in the curriculum listed above, which moves at a steady pace progressing through the skills at a rate which demonstrates mastery. The curriculum mentioned is written at an 8th grade level so all students will be challenged.

Reading four class anchor book novels and four literature circle novels per year.

Composing one larger writing assignment (6 - 8 paragraphs) per quarter in addition to regular paragraph writing practice.

Reading three independently chosen novels at his/her reading level and passing three Accelerated Reading Quizzes per quarter.

Expansion of technology skills for creative and expressive projects such as word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Google Apps through the utilization of the Mac mobile labs and Ipad labs at school.

Homework Expectation: Read 20 minutes every evening in order to complete AR requirements, plus occasional homework assignments.

Practice grammar skills daily through the Write Source Daily Language Workouts curriculum

Expectations for a student in the Advanced 7th Grade Language Arts include:

Participation in the curriculum listed above, which moves at a rapid pace. The curriculum mentioned is written at an 8th grade level.

Reading four class anchor novels and four literature circle novel per year.

Writing two larger writing assignments per quarter in addition to regular paragraph writing.

Reading four independently chosen novels at a 6.0 reading level or above and passing four Accelerated Reading Quizzes per quarter.

Expansion of technology skills for creative and expressive projects such as word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Google Apps, blogging, creating Imovies, and Noteworthy News through the utilization of the Mac mobile labs and Ipad lab at school.


If a student falls below a B- average, and/or has a pattern of missing or late work, he/she may be removed from the class.

Read one novel over the summer and complete the required number of blog entries on the online forum.

Practice grammar skills daily through the MUG (mechanics, usage, and grammar) Daily Language Workouts.

Homework Expectation: Read 30 minutes every evening in order to complete AR requirements, plus frequent homework assignments.

Successful Advanced LA Student Profile:

90th percentile on last 3 NWEA tests A average in 6th grade LA Strong Work Habits Mature/ Self-advocate 6th Grade Writing Assessment score of 45/50

MathPre-Algebra Part 1Pre-Algebra Part 1 is designed for students who have struggled in Math 6 and want to take Pre-Algebra at a slower pace to ensure mastery of Pre-Algebra concepts and skills. Pre-Algebra Part 1 will also have time built in to review concepts that students have struggled with in the past to help ensure successful completion of Algebra in high school.

Pre-Algebra7th Grade- Pre-Algebra meets for 85 minutes each day. This course is recommended only for students who have successfully completed 7th grade math (Course 2) in 6th grade. GMS uses the Holt McDougal Math Series and for this class we use the Course 3 Pre-Algebra textbook. The following units will be covered:

Principles of Algebra – Absolute Value, Integers, Solving equations

Rational Numbers – Solving equations with rational numbers

Graphs and Functions – Graphing on the coordinate grid using equations and tables

Exponents and Roots – Square roots, Scientific notation, and Pythagorean Theorem

Ratios, Proportions, and Similarity – Dilations, Indirect measurement, and Rates and Ratios

Percents – Percent of increase and decrease, Percent applications, Interest

Probability – Experimental and Theoretical, Odds, and Permutations and Combinations

Multi-step Equations and Inequalities- Solving multi-step equations and Inequalities, Systems of equations

Graphing Linear Equations – Slope, Direct Variation, Systems of Linear Equations

Perimeter, Area, Volume – Area, Volume, and Surface Area of shapes

Foundations of Geometry – Bisections, Transformations, and Tessellations

Data and Statistics – Histograms, Scatter plots, and Misleading graphs

Sequences and Functions – Quadratic Functions, Exponential Functions, and Linear Functions

Polynomials – Simplifying, Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing polynomials, Binomials

Students taking this course will have homework most nights. There is a great online resource for the text at my.hrw.com. The website offers video lessons, homework help, interactive practice quizzes and more. The book is also accessible with the code your child will be given from their instructor. Homework needs to be completed on the due date otherwise the best a student can earn is ½ credit.

Homework, Quiz and Test dates are posted on the School Fusion webpage well in advance. If your son or daughter misses a day of school or forgets to write down the assignment in their planner you can confirm what the day’s work was by checking the webpage. There are also many, helpful links on the teacher webpage to help students practice or master skills that we are learning each day.

Algebra7th Grade Algebra meets for 85 minutes each day. This course is recommended only for students who have successfully completed Pre-Algebra.. GMS uses the Holt McDougal Math Series. Over the course of the year students will study further into topics such as equations, inequalities, functions, exponents, polynomials, quadratics, data analysis and probability. Students will explore all of these topics through various methods (lecture, group exploration, hands-on activities, individual investigation, technological resources, real-world project investigations, etc.), some more in-depth than others.

Students taking this course will have homework most nights. There is a great online resource for the text at


my.hrw.com. The website offers video lessons, homework help, interactive practice quizzes and more. The book is also accessible with the code your child will be given from their instructor. Homework needs to be completed on the due date otherwise the best a student can earn is ½ credit.

Homework, Quiz and Test dates are posted on the School Fusion webpage well in advance. If your son or daughter misses a day of school or forgets to write down the assignment in their planner you can confirm what the day’s work was by checking the webpage. There are also many, helpful links on the teacher webpage to help students practice or master skills that we are learning each day.Successful Advanced Math Student Profile

Successful completion of Pre-Algebra at a C or better

90th percentile or above on last 3 NWEA tests Strong Work Habits Mature/ Self-advocate

Semester CoursesScienceIn 7th Grade Science, students will explore science in a hands-on manner! They will be engaged in activities, projects, labs and investigations that will lead to a deeper understanding of the interactions of all living things. . Students will complete four modules covering Cells and Heredity, The Diversity of Living Things, The Human Body, and Ecology and the Environment.

Students will work independently and in collaborative peer groups to conduct investigations, design experiments, develop hypotheses and analyze data. Completion of daily tasks and unit tests will be an indicator of students’ understanding of the concepts.

Grading is based on daily work, tests and quizzes. Daily work consisting of workbook lessons, labs, and online activities makes up about 50% of the grade. Lesson Quizzes make up 20% of the grade and are taken after every 2-3 lessons. Tests are done independently and represent the remaining 30% of the science grade. There are no retakes for tests.

US History7th grade US History is a MN Standards based course in which you will learn about important issues and events in

this nation’s history beginning with the writing of the Constitution through the 1800’s. Students also study civics and economic principles, making connections between these disciplines and history to explain the impact of various policies on how people lived, worked and functioned in society. Students will create and use detailed maps of places in the United States and conduct historical inquiry on topics in the nation’s history. This course will incorporate graphically organized note taking, group work, and step-by-step discovery. Students will also use reenactment to “Show What They Know” as we tap into a variety of learning styles so that all can learn and succeed. Creative writing and verbal expression will also be taught and emphasized in this class. The textbook used is, History Alive! The United States Through Industrialism.

Yearlong Alternating Day CoursesPhysical EducationPhysical Education meets every other day for 40 minutes. The purpose of physical education is to provide students an opportunity to participate in selected fitness and physical education activities on a daily basis, learn strategies and skill, gain better fitness through activities, understand and appreciate the total concept of team sports, individual and dual sports, and fitness activities. This course is an activity course, meaning that students are expected to actively participate and are graded upon their level of activity throughout the quarter.

Music (Choose Band or Choir)CHOIR: Choir 7 is a full-year, alternating day course which offers students an opportunity to sing and perform in a mixed chorus setting. We will focus on the rehearsal and performance of both traditional choral literature and modern pop arrangements. Special attention will be given to two- and three-part singing. All Choir members are required to perform in the evening Winter Concert, the All District Concert, and the Spring Concert.

BAND: Band members work on skill improvement on their individual instruments and also work on ensemble skills (playing well together). Students are expected to practice their instruments regularly outside of the class period and to utilize the Smart Music computer program to submit evidence of progress. All Band members are required to perform in the evening Winter Concert, the evening Spring Concert, and the Sunday afternoon All District Concert.

Quarter ClassesThese courses meet for 85 minutes, every other day for one quarter. For most students they meet opposite music


and physical education. Students will each take one quarter of the following classes: Art, Technology, Post-Secondary Skills (PSS) and Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM). In addition, for those students who have participated in GATES at the primary school, or who are taking Advanced Math or Language Arts, may want to consider Future Cities. This class is for one semester and will replace two Quarter Classes.

ArtArt focuses on the elements and principles of art, art history/culture, and production of unique art. Students develop confidence in their art making abilities through self-evaluations/reflection and positive feedback. Major areas of study In 7th grade include a more advanced study about how artists develop their ideas, and how the history of art inspires artwork today. Students complete a realistic self-portrait that gives students plenty of freedom to express their own ideas and feelings, and there is a continued focus on the Elements and Principles, and art history.

Advanced ArtStudents will do an in depth study of a chosen artist, learn advanced ceramic techniques, have a continued focus on observation drawing, work on creating an artist statement to communicate with the viewer, and use technology to share artwork with others.

STEM Among the most critical academic disciplines for success in a 21st century workforce are those involving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In this course, students will become gaming engineers as they develop an original educational video game. Game creations will then be submitted to the National STEM Video Game Challenge (http://stemchallenge.org/). This challenge was launched in partnership with Digital Promise, a new initiative created by the President of the United States and Congress, supported through the Department of Education.

Skills to be mastered ● Evaluate and summarize gaming trends throughout history. ● Use Scratch Animation software to develop animated sprites (characters). ● Use Scratch Animation software to develop multi-level settings. ● Demonstrate, evaluate and revise individual games with marketed audience test group. ● Summarize and justify chosen game elements for judging panel.

TechnologyIn 6th grade Tech, students will learn the TypingWeb keyboarding program, Chromebook basics, and introduction to Schoology, how to create and manage a google document and presentation. Also, they will be reviewing internet safety and how to blog.

PSSThe Post-Secondary Skills course at Grandview is designed to help students prepare for the challenges they will face as individuals, consumers and family members in their changing world. This curriculum offers opportunities to integrate academic skills with problem solving strategies. It combines academic learning and hands-on application as part of the learning process. Students develop life skills specifically related to college and career readiness, financial literacy, nutrition and food preparation, health and wellness, satisfying relationships, and self-awareness.

7th Grade Future CitiesThe Future Cities competition brings science, technology, engineering, and math alive. Students work in teams with an engineering mentor to design a city that is 150 years in the future. As part of the competition students will research an engineering problem, write an essay on their solution, build a tabletop scale model of their city, and present their project to a panel of judges.

Skills to be mastered

Design a future city using SimCity 5 Deluxe software.

Research a specific engineering problem and write an essay on the solution using Google Document.

Write, rehearse, and present a speech on their project to a panel of judges.

Design a tabletop scale model of their city using recycled materials.

Students will be responsible for completing the 7th grade keyboarding requirement at home or afterschool using an online keyboarding program called Edutype. Keyboarding words per minute goal is 30.

Excel/ Math & Reading InterventionIn addition, selected students will also be recommended for Guided Study, Math and/or Reading intervention courses. These courses are designed to help offer support to students who struggle and/or are behind grade-level expectations. Often these courses take the place of a quarter class and/or music. Students will be notified


during registration or as needs arise and recommended for these courses. Some students may be required due to failing grades.

Other Student Information1:1 Chromebook InitiativeThe new reality in preparing student for life in the 21st century focuses on understanding that the workforce they will be entering is global and requires different types of literacy skills. We believe it is critical that all Westonka students be technologically literate-while retaining other essential skills, such as problem solving, leadership and critical thinking-in order to be well-prepared for life after high school.

Westonka Public Schools will address the changing needs of today’s students by transforming the method by which curriculum is delivered to students and personalizing the learning experience for students through EDGE21, a Westonka preschool-grade 12 technonolg integration program. The EDGE21 program includes a 1:1 technology device program in which students in grades 5-12 will use a Google Chromebook at school and outside of school as the primary way to access curriculum.Information, permissions and devices will by deployed in the fall. More information will go home early in the fall but you can go to the Westonka EDGE21 site to learn more http://goo.gl/a21sWg.

Gifted Education Services (GATES)Just as other aspects of the middle school structure evolve, so does programming for our gifted students. Grandview Middle School students have the opportunity to challenge themselves with several advanced class options as well as co-curricular opportunities. Advanced Language Arts and Accelerated Mathematics courses are available in grades 5-7. These courses are designed to meet the needs of highly motivated students who are developmentally and intellectually ready, have a very high ability and have the study habits necessary to be successful. The curriculum provides more rigor and challenge than the general curriculum. Teachers of these, and all courses have also been trained, and have resources for differentiating the curriculum to help meet the needs of students who would benefit from even more challenge. In addition, students have enriched course opportunities during their specialist time which can be found in Course Offerings. In 7th grade this option is Future Cities.Grandview also provides many other enrichment opportunities available to all Westonka students outside of the regular school day, and in some instances, during the school day. Some examples are listed below.

CONTINENTAL MATH LEAGUEAll CML experiences are designed to both maximize student opportunities to participate and to improve their problem solving capabilities. Students will be participating with other students on the same grade level from schools all over the United States. These activities are conducted during regular school hours.

MATH MASTERSThis competition challenges students to use critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities in mathematics, while recognizing academic effort and achievement.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY BEE: Grades 4-8Geography Bee is a nationwide outreach program of the National Geographic society. The winner at each school takes a 70-question written test in order to advance to state competition. The state winner advances to National Bee.www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee

STUDENT CREATIVITY FESTIVAL: Grades 3-7The Creativity Festival is held at the Ted Mann Concert Hall/U of M Music Department. Students sample a variety of engaging, interactive breakout sessions where visual and performing artists, explorers, scientists, innovators and educators introduce students to the creative process through hands-on activities. www.successbeyond.org/SCF.htm

YOUNG SCIENTIST ROUNDTABLE: Grades 2-12The Young Scientist Roundtable allows students with science interests to discuss topics in depth with presenters. The two-hour program is offered monthly at a school in Wayzata. http://www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/page/7074

CommunicationParent, student, and teacher communication is a very important part of middle school. We encourage parents to contact teachers by phone or email whenever there is a question or concern. Conferences during mid- 1st and 3rd quarters will give parents an opportunity to share and receive information about your child’s progress. Grandview also has an Automated Voice Messaging system, which will call parents with information about upcoming events or with a reminder to send a note for an absence.

Family Access is an internet based program that parents can use to check on their student’s grades.


Your code will be provided to you at Fall Orientation.

Website/Schoology By visiting the Grandview Website, you can access your daily assignments. Your Family Access code will also allow you to log in to the web site and subscribe to digests that will enable you to get automatic notifications of newly posted announcements and assignments.

Alert Now messages are sent electronically or over the phone to advise parents of upcoming news and events at GMS. Typically these messages are sent out every other week and take the place of a school newsletter, which parents may be more accustomed to at the primary level.

Events

Open House An Open House will be held for you in August, before school begins. This will give you the opportunity to meet your teachers, practice opening your locker and learn about the curriculum in your new classroom.

Parties and Field Trips! - We have many fun events for kids as well! The PTO sponsored Halloween Party, Winter Blast, Spring Fling, Movie Night, Field Trips and much more!

Parent Pick Up and Drop OffIf parents are transporting children to and from school, please follow the signs and the adults in the parking lot to assist with traffic. Students should get dropped off in the “Drop off Zone” in the alley. Students should get picked up in the parking lot, curbside. We do not allow students to cross the parking to get to their parents. Instead we ask them to wait until their parent advances curbside.

School SuppliesSchool supply lists will be posted on the GMS website in June.

Schedule

In August your child’s schedule will be available on Family Access, although we do periodically make changes throughout the month of August. His/her “official” schedule will be available at open house, along with his/her locker. We do not print class lists because of frequent last-minute changes. However, you are welcome to come and see where your classes are located before school starts. You will also have the opportunity to do this at Orientation.

VolunteeringParents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer at Grandview. You will have many opportunities to sign up throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities include: Book Fair, classroom clerical tasks, field trips, PTO sponsored activities, school socials, and many more

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