Seventh Grade Required Courses

  • Language Arts 7

    Language Arts 7 & Honors Language Arts 7 will follow the Nebraska College and Career Ready Standards and study an English language arts curriculum called Wit & Wisdom®. 

    These classes are designed with the belief that every child is capable of greatness. Students will be challenged, positively and productively. They will build knowledge of the world and strengthen English language arts skills. 

    Wit & Wisdom students read and study award-winning fiction and nonfiction texts, famous works of art, videos, photographs, and more. These texts awaken and expand students’ curiosity. Wit & Wisdom students build strong knowledge and skills while learning about compelling topics such as the Middle Ages, the impact of World War II, the power of language, and epidemics. Through work with these topics and texts, students will hone their abilities to read challenging texts and to write and speak clearly, logically, and effectively.

    Reading Intervention

    WMS offers a continuum of reading support through three research based reading interventions covering a variety of instructional strategies relating to  phonics, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and/or a combination based on a student’s individual needs and screening results.  

    Social Studies 7

    This course studies the relationship between Western European nations and early American history. The goal of this class is to examine such topics as government, perspective, and cultures of early American peoples, exploration, and early American history. First semester students will focus primarily on the development of economic and political systems in Western Europe, early America, and Native American tribes. During second semester students will look at the movement towards American Independence and the early development of the American Republic.

    Science 7

    Seventh Grade Science is a hands-on, lab oriented general science course. Students will gain knowledge in the following areas: the nature of science and technology, matter, interactions of living things, earth structures and processes, and energy in earth’s system.

    Math 7

    Math 7 is a grade level math course with instruction and assessment in the following areas:

    • Number Sense
    • Operations with Rational Numbers
    • Algebraic Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
    • Algebraic Applications
    • Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Probability
    • Geometric Concepts and Measurement
    • Data Representation and Analysis

    Math Skills

    Math 180 provides engaging differentiated math instruction through a combination of teacher-led instruction and adaptive math technology that effectively prepares middle- and high-school students for the transition to algebra.

    Math 7 Honors

    Math 7 Honors is an accelerated math course with instruction and assessment in the following areas:

    • Number Sense
    • Operations and Rational Numbers
    • Algebraic Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
    • Algebraic Applications
    • Rates, Ratios, Proportions, Percents, and Probability
    • Geometry Concepts and Measurement
    • Data Representation and Analysis
    • Graphs and Functions
    • Linear Equations
    • Transformations

    NOTE: Students should maintain a grade of “B” or higher to remain in the class and to be ready for the next course level in the honors math program.

    Honors Algebra 7

    A fast-paced, challenging high school level algebra course for accelerated math students. Continuation on this path places students in Calculus as a junior in high school. Areas of instruction and assessment include the following:

    • Number Sense
    • Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
    • Rates, Ratios, Proportions, and Probability • Graphs and Functions
    • Graphs and Functions
    • Exponents and Exponential Functions
    • Linear and Absolute Value Equations
    • Systems of Equations and Inequalities
    • Polynomials and Factoring
    • Quadratic Equations
    • Radical Expressions and Equations
    • Data Analysis
    • Algebraic Applications

    NOTE: Students should maintain a grade of “B” or higher to remain in the class and to be ready for the next course level in the honors math program.

    Physical Education 7 (A/B Schedule)

    Seventh grade students will participate in Physical Education classes every other day for the year. The course will include team activities with emphasis on skill and interest development for lifetime fitness. Students are required to wear appropriate clothing (shorts, shirts, sweats, and tennis shoes).

    *Leggings and tights are not acceptable PE attire. PE activities include: Soccer – Fitness Activities – Aerobics – Flag Football – Fitness Testing – Indoor Hockey – Basketball – Frisbee Golf – Softball – Volleyball – Tennis – Dance

    Business and Technology 7 (A/B Schedule)

    Business and Technology 7 is a yearlong introductory course that covers business and technology topics. All 7th graders at WMS will complete this course. The following are units covered during the duration of this course:

    • Exploration of Computer Applications (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation)
    • Digital Citizenship
    • Personal Financial Management
    • Computer Science and Computer Programming
    • Robotics
    • Career Education
    • Mastery of keyboarding technique

    Seventh Grade Required Elective Courses

    Family and Consumer Science 7

    Family and Consumer Science is a semester course designed to help students learn life skills that they need to be responsible, productive family and community members. FCS units have been developed to allow students to explore nutrition and food science, human science, careers, textiles, and consumerism. Since Family and Consumer Science covers much of what is fundamental to everyday living, the subject matter is engaging and useful to all students.

    Seventh Grade Full-Year Elective Courses

    Band 7

    This sequential band course meets every day and is open to all seventh graders meeting prerequisites. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of music theory and listening skills through method books and full-band music. Written and playing assessments will be administered throughout the year. Students are given at least a four-week notice and are required to attend all performances. Members have the opportunity to participate in jazz band or other small ensembles that rehearse before or after school.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of a sixth grade Band course or audition for director.

    Band/Music 7

    This course is open to those uniquely talented in both vocal and instrumental music. Since the student will be absent from “Band 7” rehearsals two days each week, it is essential that he/she have above average sixth grade band skills. Woodwind and brass players must be able to play the following scales: concert Bb and a one octave chromatic scale. Percussionists must be able to count quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth note rhythms and must be proficient (at a 6th grade level) on bells. Students will attend Band on M-W-F and Music on T-TH. Chorus students will be singing soprano/alto/tenor/bass music. Students are required to attend all performances, given at least four-weeks notice.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of a 6th Band course and teacher’s recommendation.

    Strings

    Seventh grade strings will meet every day for the full year. In this class students will review the basicsl earned at the elementary level and continue with exploring 3rd position and perform four-part playing. Each student will attend all performances, given four weeks notice.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of a sixth grade Strings course or audition for director

    Strings/Music 7

    This course is open to those uniquely talented in both vocal and instrumental music. Since the student will be absent from “Strings ” rehearsals two days each week, it is essential he/she has above average sixth grade skills. Chorus will include two rehearsals per week on soprano/alto/tenor/bass music. Students are given a four week notice and are required to attend all performances.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of a sixth grade Strings course or audition for director as well as 6th grade Strings teacher’s signature on registration form.

    Seventh Grade Semester Elective Courses

    Art 1

    This course will offer a variety of experiences to the beginning art student. A foundation in drawing is the main building block of the semester. Students will also expand their knowledge of the elements of art: line, shape, color, space, and texture. The focus will include the production of art, art history, and the critical evaluation of one’s own work as well as that of other artists.

    Studio Art

    Students choosing this class will experience a variety of two and three dimensional art units. These might include: sculpture, printing, art history, and pottery. Students opting for this class should want to continue their interest in new art forms. Students

    World Languages 7

    WMS World Language courses for 7th grade are one semester long, and students may take one course per semester. They are helpful, but are a pre-requisite for 8th grade World Language courses.

    Exploratory French

    Students will be introduced to the French language and culture. They will learn basic conversation skills, vocabulary, and structures. We will learn about where French is spoken around the world and where we find it in our everyday lives. Students will work independently and in groups to explore a variety of language and cultural topics.

    Exploratory German

    Students will be introduced to the German language and culture. They will learn basic conversation skills, vocabulary, and structures. We will learn about where German is spoken around the world and where we find it in our everyday lives. Students will work independently and in groups to explore a variety of language and cultural topics.

    Exploratory Spanish

    In this course, students will review and build upon the Spanish that they have learned. They will practice basic conversation skills, vocabulary, and structures. We will learn more about where Spanish is spoken around the world and where we find it in our everyday lives. Students will work independently and in groups to explore a variety of language and cultural topics.

    Music 7

    Students will explore music of varying styles and cultures, by developing listening skills and musical understanding and sensitivity. This course will also emphasize developing good vocal production (with special attention to the changing voice) and the skills necessary to participate in unison, two-part, and three-part choral singing. Students will be involved in at least one public performance a year and attendance is mandatory. Any student planning to audition for show choir must be in a Music 7 class. (Students must take Music 7 to be in Chorus 8).

    Current Events

    This course will expose students to an array of current event topics with an emphasis on national and international issues. Students will research, analyze, and evaluate current events topics, write arguments to develop positions on debatable issues, and engage in discussion and debate to support their arguments. Additionally, students will assess the role that media and bias play in the portrayal of current events.