The Middle of Middle School

At the seventh grade, students take on more responsibility as they move from class to class, but they have the support of teachers who work together to meet their needs.  Students also learn to budget their time both in and out of the classroom and to balance their activities between school and home.  Special programs with special education, seminar, cluster, English Learner classes help students meet state standards.

Seventh Grade Course Offerings

English Language Arts
All students are required to take a full year of English.  English is presented in a Readers' Writers' Workshop allowing students to become proficient readers and writers.

World History/Geography
All students are required to take a full-year of social studies.  Students explore social, cultural and technological changes in ancient civilizations such as Europe, Asia and Africa.

Pre-Algebra
All students in grade seven are required to take Pre-Algebra, a full-year course.  (Students having successfully completed Pre-Algebra in grade 6 will be enrolled in Algebra 1-2).  Students will manipulate numbers, equations and understand general principles.

Science 7
This one-year science course is required for all seventh grade students.  The class includes one semester of a lab science and one semester of technology studies.

Physical Education
All students are required to take physical education for a full year.

Elective
The elective program of band, advance band, art, AVID, drama, ASB, orchestra, woodshop, Spanish 1-2 and technology classes is offered to provide students an enriching education to meet their needs and interests.

Course Descriptions for Core Classes

English 7
Seventh Grade English offers a student-centered, project-oriented curriculum which integrates the skill areas of reading, writing, and oral communication.  Students will be exposed to the English Literature textbook as well as a variety of novels.  Along with technology, spelling and vocabulary development are also a primary focus in this class.  Through modifications in content, process, product, and learning environment, opportunities are provided to meet the intellectual needs of GATE Cluster students, English Learners and Special Education students.

Students scoring below grade level on the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test are required to take a two-hour English course.  Similar to the one hour English course, students will experience English in a Readers' Writers' Workshop structure focusing on reading strategies in order to meet grade level standards.

English 7 Seminar
The class is for GATE students who scored 99.9 or above on the Raven Test for Gifted and Talented Education.  The class size is limited to twenty students.  This course fulfills the seventh grade English requirement.  The concepts from the standard seventh grade curriculum are tailored to meet the unique individual needs of highly gifted students.   Curriculum and assignments are differentiated in terms of depth, complexity, acceleration, pacing, and novelty.  Students' reading, writing, and speaking activities involve very in depth and critical thinking and reasoning.

Pre-Algebra
This class is required for all seventh grade students.  The pre-algebra course has one integrated curriculum with a broad range of topics that are taught, including number concepts, computation, estimation, function, statistics, probability, geometry and measurement.  Basic skills as well as problem solving and applications are emphasized to prepare students for Algebra 1-2 in grade eight.

Algebra 1-2
This is a challenging first-year algebra course that will provide students the opportunity to move away from a rule-applying approach to a rule-generating approach.  Students will learn to use scientific and graphing calculators effectively while they develop confidence in creating their own mathematical approaches to problems.  In addition, students will become more aware of their own thinking about problems and describe their efforts both orally and in writing.  The Accelerated Math program will help support students' achievement of standards through individualized achievement of specific objectives.  Enrollment is based on successful completion of Pre-Algebra in sixth grade.

Science 7
This year-long course combines science and technology.  The exploration of physical, life, earth, and space science concepts are taught through the use of laboratory experiments, classroom demonstrations, scientific writing, and homework.  The technology curriculum supports the science concepts and uses learning modules that allow each child to interact with high-tech equipment such as robots, lasers, computers, and computer-controlled machines. The science and technology curriculums are in alignment with the content and performance standards of the State of California.  Emphasis is on critical thinking, unifying concepts, scientific writing, and the scientific method.  Seventh grade students may take part in an enrichment field trip.  Students will begin to learn the scientific method through a modified science fair project.

World History and Geography 7
World History offers students the opportunity to explore world history and geography with a focus on the great civilizations during the years 500 - 1780.  The curriculum is broken into six units of study which include:  The Rise of Islam/Middle East; The Empires of Africa; China; Japan; The Middle Ages in Europe; Civilizations in the Americas:  Maya, Aztec, Inca.

The students gain insight into the main world cultures, philosophies and religions.  They also experience the art and literature of the civilizations.  They learn to identify the geographical features of each area and understand the role geography plays when creating a civilization.  Throughout the year the students make connections between the places they study and begin to realize how cultures influence each other.  They also link the past to the present.  World History is also offered for our GATE identified students.  The curriculum is modified to challenge the abilities of GATE students.

World History and Geography Seminar
7th Grade World History Seminar offers the same course outline as 7th Grade World History with instruction and activities designed to meet the needs of our Seminar students.  The curriculum is modified to challenge the abilities of our  Seminar students including those students who have scored 99.9% or above on the Raven test.

Physical Education
A full year of Physical Education is required in 7th and 8th grades.  The class is aligned with the state standards and includes components in fitness, skill building activities and knowledge such as sports and health.  Students participate in a variety of activities that involve problem solving techniques and cooperative skills.  Physical education is designed to contribute to the mental, physical, social and emotional growth of each child.  Teachers emphasize sportsmanship, fair play, physical fitness and social interaction.

Special Education
Special Education is designed for students with a learning disability.  In the Resource Specialist Program, academic support is given to students who receive instruction in the regular education classroom for the majority of the school day.  Those students who qualify for the Special Day Class Program receive instruction from special education teachers in Readers'/Writers' Workshop, social studies, math, and science.  A variety of teaching strategies are utilized to accommodate the different learning needs of these students.

Course Descriptions for Elective Classes

Advanced Band
This one-year advanced band class is offered to 7th grade students with the approval of the director.

Beginning Band
A one-year course for 7th grade students desiring to learn a band instrument.  No experience is necessary.

Publications (Yearbook)
The yearbook staff has the responsibility of producing the award winning Lewis Yearbook.  Students are selected for this year-long elective class by an application process.  Students are responsible for designing and laying out pages, photography, writing copy and artwork for the annual.  The yearbook is designed on the computer, using the latest desktop publishing software. 

AVID 7
(Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a one-year course for preparing student for admission to four-year universities.  Students work on study skills, note taking, and preparation for college entrance exams.  Field trips to colleges, career guest speakers, and class tutors are provided to help students to set goals and improve grades.  Students with academic potential are recommended by teachers and counselors for AVID.

Art 1/Woodshop
This is a one-year elective course combining both of the following semester courses:

Art 1
This course offers students a chance to learn the basic skills of drawing and painting, collage, some crafts and 3-D design.  Students in this class will study art terms and techniques and use those techniques to create weekly projects. 

Woodshop
This is a one-period semester course open to students in grades 7 and 8.  The students gain skills in the operation and safe use of hand and power tools.  Emphasis is placed on developing safe work habits in the shop as well as participating actively in the operation and maintenance of the shop.  The class covers the basic skills and fundamentals for hand and power machines used in working with wood.  Students learn the names and uses of the various tools and gain an appreciation for the broad application of this knowledge in the home and industry.  Various projects are assigned that allow students hands-on experience from planning, construction, and the completion of projects.

Spanish 1-2
Spanish 1-2 is a one-year course in modern foreign language open to all students who meet the qualifications established by the school district.  This course is intended to develop a limited facility in each of the four skills - in listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Major emphasis is placed upon development of the ability to speak fluently with accurate pronunciation and intonation.

Student Government (A.S.B.)
This is a one-year elective course.  Students from 7th and 8th grades are elected by the student body.  Students learn and practice parliamentary procedure in a formal group setting.  Students use their public speaking, organizational and leadership skills to provide activities for the student body throughout the school year.  A.S.B. students are encouraged to work together in group settings as well as independently.

Orchestra
This one-year orchestra class is offered to 7th grade students with previous stringed orchestral instrument experience and recommendation of the director.

Drama
This one-year course involves the study of drama vocabulary, the history of theatre, and the instruction of drama techniques.  The first semester concentrates more on student-written skits and performances and further development of drama skills.  In the second semester, selected plays will be read and scenes will be performed from those plays in class.  Course requires solo and group performances.

Web Design/Computer Art
This is a one-year course divided into two semesters, one semester will focus on Computer Art, and the adjacent semester will focus on Web Design. In Computer Art students use Art Software to create projects, use the Internet to explore and research art topics, and learn the elements and principles of Art Design. In Web Design students will be introduced to HTML, create web sites using Web Editing Software, and enhance web sites using Flash 5 adding animation and interactivity to their projects.

Woodshop
This is a one-year course open to students in grades 7 and 8.  The students gain skills in the operation and safe use of hand and power tools.  Emphasis is placed on developing safe work habits in the shop as well as participating actively in the operation and maintenance of the shop.  The class covers the basic skills and fundamentals for hand and power machines used in working with wood.  Students learn the names and uses of the various tools and gain an appreciation for the broad application of this knowledge in the home and industry.  Various projects are assigned that allow students hands-on experience from planning, construction, and the completion of projects.