2023-24 Gr. 7 Scheduling Newsletter
Course Request Form located at the bottom of the newsletter
YOU CAN TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER TO OTHER LANGUAGES.
Rising 7th Students Welcome to Next Academic Year's Information
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School year.
It is our hope that this newsletter will give you all of the information needed to make informed decisions with your student regarding classes for the next school year.
In the following sections, you will find important information regarding course selections.
Please take some time to read through everything. You will find the following:
- Requirements for Extended Classes in 7th Grade
- Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science Middle School Curriculum Links
- Elective Courses
- Math and Science Program Information
- Academic Advising Form (Course Requests) **LOCATED AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER**
Requirements for Extended Classes
Language Arts 7 or Extended Language Arts 7
Student's SOL scores in Language Arts play a large part in whether or not students are placed in extended level courses. In addition to reviewing SOL scores, recommendations will be given by 6th grade teachers based on academic performance.
Student placement will be determined by a student's ability to:
- work independently and at an accelerated pace
- accept challenges
- use critical thinking skills
- actively participate in class
*If you are choosing an Extended class in Language Arts, we want you to know that we will be consulting with your son/daughter's 6th-grade teachers.
Math 7 OR MATH 7 EXTENDED
Understanding Math Sequences for 7th Graders
Understanding the Math Sequences for 7th graders
Please remember Math courses are sequential, and students cannot skip to a higher level math course. Please see the progressions below to help select the proper math class:
We will be utilizing students’ SOL Scores, academic grades, teacher recommendations, and guidance from PWCS Math office to ensure the appropriate placement for students.
Math and Science Specialty Program Students: What to fill out on the Course Form
7th Graders
- Math 7 Extended (or Advanced Algebra if you took Math 7x during your 6th grade year)
- Science 7 Enrichment (states it is a section for Math and Science Students)
- Ext. LA is optional for the Math and Science Students
- Social Studies: Same course for all students
Classes in 7th grade.
Elective Courses: Are on the Quarter system. Each Quarter (every 9 weeks), your student will be able to change into a new related arts class.
Core Classes: Math, Science, Social Studies, Language arts do not rotate. Students will see these classes every day.
Music and PE: Will alternate on the A day/B day rotation.
Music Selection: Your student must choose a music class: Band, Chorus, or Orchestra.
Gifted Education: Gifted will be automatically added to gifted students' schedules during electives. They will take 2 quarters of gifted.
7th Grade Elective Descriptions
Career Investigations (7th grade)** Mandatory class
This course allows students to explore career options and begin investigating career opportunities. Students assess their roles in society, identify their roles as workers, analyze their personal assets, complete a basic exploration of career clusters, select career pathways or occupations for further study, and create an Academic and Career Plan based on the their academic and career interests. This course also helps students identify and demonstrate the workplace skills that employers desire in their future employees.ART/DIGITAL ART
The Prince William County visual art instructors educate students to develop an awareness and appreciation of art. Through their study of visual art, students will develop fluency in visual, oral, and written communication using the language of art. While developing aesthetic and critical thinking skills, students will become risk takers and creative problem solvers. Students learn about visual communication while making original artwork. Students are expected to embrace art as a visual language to express and communicate their ideas and feelings while utilizing safe and ethical practices in the creative process.
**We have Multiple ART TEACHERS at Rippon. They cover the same grade level objectives but do different projects. Each teacher will have an emphasis on either: Painting/Drawing or Digital Art.
INTRO TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Intro to Foreign Language students become familiar with the basics of Latin, Spanish, French and Japanese languages, histories, and cultures through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will also learn through listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. Students will also learn through art, games, multimedia resources, singing, videos and the internet to become better informed when deciding which Foreign Language they will study in High School. If time permits we may also cover German or Italian.
LIFE MANAGEMENT (FACS)
Life Management Skills emphasizes personal responsibility for the demands of multiple life roles through hands-on, project-based instruction. Students focus on individual development, maintain their personal environments, apply nutrition and wellness practices, manage consumer and family resources, create textile, fashion, and apparel products, and explore careers related to Family and Consumer Sciences such as child care.
Lang and Lit: Language and Literature is designed to reinforce grade level standards of learning through the application of skills via authentic literacy experiences. During this course, students will demonstrate their understanding of a variety of forms, genres, and techniques through the examination of models and exemplars from contemporary sources and the creation of their own products. The topics of journalism, public speaking, digital composition, and an inquiry-based project are designed as standalone quarterly courses which may be taken individually or in sequence throughout the year. This course will support learners of all abilities in grades 6,7, and 8.
Reading Strategies: Reading Strategies is designed to guide middle school students to improve their reading comprehension, along with writing, listening, fluency, and decoding skills, as needed. This is achieved as students read, write, and collaborate with their peers, in a small-group setting of up to 12 students, using authentic text and direct instruction. Students will learn and use strategies for comprehending both nonfiction and fiction text, as well as strategies for vocabulary development. These skills are vital as the students gain confidence to become independent readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers which improves comprehension across curriculum This course is designed to support students reading well below grade level.
Creative Writing: Creative Writing is a project-based course that engages students in a recursive writing process. Students explore methods for generating and developing ideas, adapting ideas for different audiences and formats, cultivating their voice, and editing their work for publication. In addition to supporting the English Standards of Learning in grades 6-8, this course develops students’ creativity, ownership of writing strategies, and metacognitive thinking. This course will support the eager writer wanting to expand their skillsets and creativity.
Music Class Information (Mandatory in 7th Grade)
Band:
Band is a wonderful opportunity for you to build new skills and develop relationships with other students! Joining 7th or 8th grade band requires no experience to join, Mrs. Bryk will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know! The instruments available in band include: Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. The Rippon Middle School Band Director is Mrs. Bryk. If you have any questions you can email her at bryksj@pwcs.edu!
Chorus:
"In 7th grade General Chorus, we will sing altogether as a group to improve and advance our overall musicianship and singing skills. In our rehearsals throughout the school year, we'll continuously practice and work toward performing in various chorus concerts. With our singing, we will also gain knowledge pertaining to music history, music literacy (reading music), music appreciation, and listening skills. This class will focus on singing mainly unison and possibly 2 part choral music. This class is suitable for 7th grade students that are new to chorus, or returning 7th grade chorus students that are continuing to improve their musicianship overall."
7th Grade Beginner/Intermediate Orchestra:
This class is geared towards continuing to develop our musical skills and mastering musical techniques. Students will play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Get ready to make new friends and play some awesome music together! Questions? Email Mrs. Rushing at rushinam@pwcs.edu.
7th Grade Advanced Orchestra:
This is our advanced 7th grade ensemble. We will focus on higher-level techniques such as articulation, bow patterns, creativity, and working together. Get ready to play some exciting and interesting music together! Questions? Email Mrs. Rushing at rushinam@pwcs.edu.
COURSE REQUEST FORM (LINKED BELOW)
PARENTS AND STUDENTS: WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HONOR YOUR SELECTION ON THE ACADEMIC ADVISING FORM (COURSE REQUESTS), BUT DUE TO CLASS RESTRICTIONS AND AVAILABLE SPACING, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HONOR ALL OF THEM.
If you have already completed a course request form please do not duplicate your selections.
If you need to change a course, please use the form below as well.
You can print this, or scan it and send it back to hernanal@pwcs.edu
Schedules will be made available through ParentVue and StudentVue in early August 2023