7^th Grade Non-core & Elective Course Introductions

M/J 3-D Studio Art  – Year, 01010350

Students explore media and techniques used to create a variety of 3-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the structural elements of art. Investigation of artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provide a means for students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of art in global culture. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials. This course has a $40 fee for the purchase of an art kit and art supplies used throughout the year. Students will need to provide a 12”x12” scrapbooking bin (from Michael’s), and  a pair of new,  inexpensive white flip-flops.

M/J Band 1 (Beginning) – Year, 13020000

Students with little or no instrumental experience develop foundational instrumental technique, foundational music literacy, and aesthetic musical awareness through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists work on the fundamentals of music notation, sound production, instrument care and maintenance, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source. There is a $25 fee for this course plus $20 uniform costs.

M/J Band 2 (Concert) – Year, 1302010C

Students with previous band experience build on instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists expand their knowledge of music notation, music theory, sound production, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source. There is a $25 fee for this course plus $58 uniform costs for girls and $55 uniform costs for boys.

M/J Band 3 (Symphonic – Audition Required-email Ms. Haley ) – Year, 1302020S

Students with previous band experience expand on their instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of intermediate-level, high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists extend their knowledge of music notation and theory, sound production, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source. There is a $25 fee for this course plus $58 uniform costs for girls and $55 uniform costs for boys.

M/J Chorus 1 (Beginning, Girls) – Year, 13030000

Students with little or no choral experience develop beginning vocal technique and skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and an appreciation of music from around the world and through time. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. There is a $15 fee plus uniform rental for this course.

M/J Chorus 2 (Intermediate, Girls) – Year, 13030100

Students build on previous choral experience to expand vocal, technical, musical, and ensemble skills through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality choral literature. Singers focus on increasing knowledge of music theory, music literacy, and aesthetic response. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. There is a $15 fee for this course plus uniform rental.

M/J Chorus (Boys 6-8) – Year, 1303010B

This course is for beginning, second, and third year male vocalists. Students with little or no choral experience develop beginning vocal technique and skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and an appreciation of music from around the world and through time. Returning students build on previous choral experience to expand vocal, technical, musical, and ensemble skills through rehearsal, performance, and study of high-quality choral literature. Singers focus on increasing knowledge of music theory, music literacy, and aesthetic response. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. There is a $15 fee for this course plus uniform rental.

SCMS Orchestra - Year, 13020400

The Swift Creek Middle School Orchestra offers instruction on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term success.  Fundamentals stressed include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy.  The SCMS orchestra is made up of students in grades 6-8.  Orchestra will meet every day, during the regular school day, for the entire year and students receive grades for their work.  The SCMS orchestra will perform with the Lincoln High School Orchestras in the winter and Spring Orchestra Concerts.  No audition is required for placement in the SCMS orchestra.

M/J Chorus 3 (Advanced, Girls) – Year, 13030200 (Audition Required-email Mr. Curry)

Students with previous choral experience build advanced middle school-level knowledge of vocal technique, musical literacy, ensemble skills, and related musical knowledge through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of high-quality 2-part, 3-part, and 4-part choral literature. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. Audition is required. There is a $15 fee for this course plus uniform rental.

Spanish 1 (High School Credit) – Year, 07083400

Prerequisite: All A’s or A/B’s in Language Arts and a 3.0 minimum score on most recent FSA Reading. Spanish 1 introduces students to the target language and its culture. The student will develop communicative skills in all 3 modes of communication and cross-cultural understanding. Emphasis is placed on proficient communication in the language. An introduction to reading and writing is also included as well as culture, connections, comparisons, and communities. Current Language Arts teacher signature is required. There is a $5 lab fee for this course.

M/J Guitar 1 – Year, 13010600

Students with little or no experience develop basic guitar skills and knowledge, including simple and full-strum chords, strumming patterns, playing/singing simple melodies, foundational music theory, parts of the guitar, and ensemble skills. Beginning guitarists explore the careers and music of significant performers in pop/rock, jazz, blues, classical, country, bluegrass, and hard rock/metal genres. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. There is a $20 fee for this course. We have a class set of 27 guitars to use on a first come first served basis.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), M/J Critical Thinking – Year, 17001000

This STEM course integrates the skills used in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to solve real-world problems. Students will develop their teamwork, collaboration, logical reasoning, and communication skills in a project-based learning environment. Students will work in groups of 2 to 4 depending on the project. Cooperation is extremely important.

M/J Team Sports Grade 7 (PE) – Full Year, 15082000

This course is designed for 7th grade students and is intended to be 18 weeks in length. The purpose of this course is to develop the physical skills necessary to be competent in many forms of movement, knowledge of team sports concepts such as offensive and defensive strategies and tactics, and appropriate social behaviors within a team or group setting. The integration of fitness concepts throughout the content is critical to the success of this course. This course is the first half of a year-long pairing of semester-length PE courses – see below. There is a $20 optional uniform fee that covers both semesters. This course is designed for 6th and 7th grade students and intended to be 18 weeks in length. The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the development of a physically active lifestyle. The course content provides exposure to a variety of movement opportunities and experiences which includes, but is not limited to: Fitness Activities, Educational Gymnastics and Dance, and Team Sports. The integration of fitness concepts throughout the content is critical to student success in this course and in the development of a healthy and physically active lifestyle. This course is the second half of a year-long pairing of semester-length PE courses – see above.

M/J Library/Multimedia Aide – Year, 11000000 (A confirmation email of acceptance from Mrs. Clary to Mr. Wetherington required)

Video/Media Aides produce video clips for the school news show.  They take photos and videos around the school and edit them using a video editing program. Other duties include being part of the News Anchor team, or being a camera person, or editor.  Video/Media Aides also type the scroll, assist teachers with equipment and run errands. They are responsible for assisting in the daily operation of the Media Center, checking out books, shelving books, helping students to log on to computers, find books, & to create bulletin boards. Video/Media Aides must be able to work well independently and enjoy working with computers.

M/J Theater 1 – Year, 04000000

Students learn the basics of building a character through such activities as pantomime, improvisation, and effective speaking using articulation, projection, and breathing. Students also learn the importance of technical theatre and explore the use of such elements as costumes, props, and scenery. Students practice writing for the theatre and explore various theatre roles and functions. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. There is a $25 fee for this course.

Musical Theater 1 – Year, 04007000

This advanced performance-based class will be offered to 7^th and 8^th grade students only and enrollment in this class will be by vocal audition. Enrollment in 1 year of a performing art is a pre-requisite, but you will be expected to sing for the audition. Students will combine skills in the disciplines of acting, singing, and dancing and have an opportunity to showcase their talents and discover new ones. This course will familiarize students with the tools needed to build key musical theater arts skills. A $40 course fee will cover costume rental, performance rights & scripts, and a field trip to a local musical performance.  A class production of a musical and other public performances will serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students will be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.  (This could conflict with other school activities.)  Auditions for the class will take place after course request forms have been submitted. Contact Mrs. Curry or Ms. Long with questions.

M/J Dance 1 – Year, 03000000

Students develop dance technique and movement vocabulary in two or more dance forms. In the process, dancers demonstrate use of class and performance etiquette, analytical and problem-solving skills, and studio practices in a safe dance environment. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. The required dance performance uniform for this course consists of a black tank or cap-sleeved leotard, black tights, black jazz pants, and black ballet shoes. For those students who wish to purchase a uniform through SCMS, the $68 uniform fee covers the dance performance uniform and shoe fitting.

M/J Dance 2 – Year, 03000100

Dance 2 is available to students who have successfully completed Dance 1 or students with at least one year of outside studio dance training. Students must receive permission from Ms. Long to sign up for this course. Students attend to alignment, acquisition of complex technical skills, collaborative problem solving, dance conditioning, and safe studio practices. They learn about dance in its cultural and historical contexts through research and physical experiences, explore exemplary modern works, employ dance as a healthy life skill, and use dance terminology appropriately to describe the expressive and aesthetic qualities of performance. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. The required dance performance uniform for this course consists of a black tank or cap-sleeved leotard, black tights, black jazz pants, and black ballet shoes. For those students who wish to purchase a uniform through SCMS, the $68 uniform fee covers the dance performance uniform and shoe fitting.

Culinary Careers/Culinary Careers and Career Planning – Year, 88092000/88093000

The purpose of this course is to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster. The content includes but is not limited to the development of leadership skills, communication skills, and employability skills; resource management; exploration of careers in the culinary; food safety and sanitation; safe, proper use of culinary tools/equipment; interpreting recipes and developing menus; basic food preparation skills; front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house responsibilities; artistic presentation of food; and the use of technology in the culinary field. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices. There is a one-time fee of $50 and the purchase of a cut glove.

Math Competitions, grades 6-8 - M/J Critical Thinking - Year, 1700100M 

Students must have a cumulative grade average of B or higher and be accepted into at least Bridge level pre-algebra, Algebra I or Geometry to register for this elective course.  This is an intensive course in math competitions designed for students to expand their math awareness while representing our school in local, state, and regional competitions.  A variety of materials such as Math Counts, AMC 8, Math League, quiz-doms and Mu Alpha Theta competition materials will be part of the curriculum.  Students must maintain a “B” average in the their core math class.  Students in this course will need to dedicate many evenings, weekends, and extra hours in preparation for these academic activities.  The signature of your 6^th grade Math Club Sponsor is required and students may be selected during the spring or summer.  Transportation and registration fees may be required.