7th Grade Team » 7th Grade Team

7th Grade Team

7th GRADE HUMANITIES CORE

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

7th grade Language Arts classes explore fiction and non-fiction literature to form the foundational skills for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Close reading fiction and non-fiction reading strategies are emphasized, coupled with the McDougal Littell Language of Literature series and class novels such as The Outsiders. Students write narratives, argumentative essays, responses to literature, research essays, summaries, and explore poetry. Greek and Latin roots, as well as grammar, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Technology, the AVID curriculum, and research on current events are also integrated into the classroom as supplemental materials that align with the Common Core Standards.

SOCIAL STUDIES

7th grade Social Studies classes explore medieval and early modern cultures and their general history, geography, economics, political systems, and belief systems. The study of medieval and early modern cultures such as Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Meso-America will provide students with a foundation for discussion, writing, note-taking, art, reading, and writing skills.  The curriculum also explores connections between the behavior of past and present civilizations.

 

7TH GRADE MATHEMATICS

 

All 7th grade students will be required to take a math course – Math 7 or Compacted 7-8.  The math offered in the 7th grade builds a strong foundation for future math courses. Upon successful completion of math in the 7th grade, students will be on target to complete all UC/CSU requirements in high school.  Students who are placed in the compacted 7-8 class will have completed the compacted 6-7 class from 6th grade based on test scores and teacher recommendation.

 

7TH GRADE SCIENCE

 

GRADE 7 INTEGRATED SCIENCE

Seventh Grade Integrated Science students continue to employ scientific inquiry and use models to investigate units in Ecosystems, Earth's Systems and Cycles, and Matter and Interactions. Human reproduction, Healthy Relationships, and Tobacco and Drug Use Prevention education are a part of the seventh-grade science curriculum. Students continue to develop proper laboratory techniques in addition to investigation, reading scientific text, technical writing, and study skills.

 

ELECTIVES – FULL YEAR

 

ADVANCED & INTERMEDIATE BAND

(open to 7th and 8th grade students through teacher placement).  These bands offer instrumental music students an opportunity to further develop their performance skills and gain a life-long love and appreciation of music.  Performances include daytime and evening concerts at school as well as performances at Disneyland and the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.  All bands require a commitment for the entire year.

 

INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA

Teacher recommendation needed.  Intermediate Orchestra is our second-level orchestra group for students who have completed Orchestra 1, or who have 2+ years of string instrument playing experience.  Instruments in the class include violin, viola, cello and bass.  This group plays more challenging music than Orchestra 1, and excellent music reading skills on a string instrument and proper string instrument technique are a necessity.  This group also plays a variety of exciting string music, ranging from pop to classical, to movie themes and more.  The group performs at evening concerts, at community events, and may go on performance trips outside of the San Diego area.  Orchestra requires a commitment for the entire year.

 

ADVANCED ORCHESTRA

Teacher recommendation needed.  Advanced Orchestra is designed for the most advanced string players at Black Mountain Middle School.  Instruments include violin, viola, cello, and bass.  The group plays the most challenging music available for middle school orchestra, and the focus is on learning the most advanced string instrument skills.  Fluent music reading and advanced string playing techniques are a necessity.  The group performs a variety of music, ranging from pop to classical, to movie themes, and much more.  This group performs at evening concerts, community events, at orchestra festivals and goes on performance trips outside San Diego.  Orchestra requires a commitment for the entire year.

 

CHORUS – Chorus is a year-long course designed for students who have an interest in being a part of a vocal ensemble. No experience is required. Students will learn and develop upon their existing singing technique, learn music reading skills, and music history. Students will also explore a wide variety of music literature from classical to contemporary/popular pieces. This group will have two to four required evening performances and may go on performance trips to Music Festivals outside of the San Diego area. 

 

AVID 7TH GRADE

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.  The AVID elective class targets students who have earned a 2.0-4.0 GPA and are willing to uphold BMMS's four core values of respect, responsibility, kindness, and hard work as well as a desire to go to college.  Students receive daily instruction in note-taking, time management, organization, reading, writing, and study skills, and receive additional support twice a week through collaborative tutorial groups with peers and AVID-trained college tutors.

 

There is a strong bond between AVID students where students become friends and friends become the BMMS AVID Family. Seventh-grade AVID students who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to go on at least one college field trip and a team building and leadership field trip! They will also engage in team building and motivational activities with local high school AVID students. To be considered, students must complete and submit both an online application and a private Flipgrid interview. Both will be available on March 1st and are due by March 20th. 

 

  

Additionally, AVID must be selected as the #1 elective choice on the Course Request. For more information about the AVID elective class at BMMS, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y8gcx7bb

 

 

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION

Digital Media - Intro to video, web design, and production

  • Web Design – WordPress, Squarespace, Weebly, and Wix are platforms we use to make cloud-based learning fun.
  • Internet SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Through blog posting the students will learn how to be found and stay hidden with proper online etiquette.   Internet security is also stressed
  • Final Cut Pro Editing.  More information:  itech104.com

 

ART

Students in art will learn about the elements of art and the principles of design.  They will experience art-making in various forms including pencil, pen, watercolors, mixed media, and paint. The class is designed to be an introduction to art, art history, and art vocabulary. Students will collaborate with peers and participate in self, peer, and group critiques.

 

EXPLORING SPANISH

In this Introduction to World Language and Culture course, students will explore the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and compare and contrast them through the lens of film, geography, history, music, art, and current events. Students will acquire simple phrases and expressions along with limited vocabulary. This course will enable students to appreciate other cultures and will lead them to higher cultural awareness. Students should develop a lifelong interest and enjoyment of world languages and cultures, which will prepare them as citizens of a global society.

 

MANDARIN 1-2

Mandarin 1-2 is a one-year course designed for an in-depth study of a language other than English. Students wishing to enroll in this course should have strong language skills as well as strong study skills.  Mandarin 1-2 is a high school equivalent class.  Students who complete this course will be eligible for Mandarin 3-4 in 9th grade.