7th GRADE ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTION NOTES


ART I – AR73 introduces students to color, design, drawing, painting, and various media such as pen and ink, charcoal and watercolor. May be taken only once in grade 7 or 8.

BAND – BD731- Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of music and playing techniques for brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. All band students participate in several concerts each year. Students must provide their own instruments in most cases. All band students are required to attend after school rehearsal two times per week. Students are expected to take home their instruments daily and practice for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. You and your parents must sign a contract with the band director. You may also be interviewed along with your parents to find out if the band program is what you want. Instruments are very expensive, so we want you and your parents to make the right choice. Instrument selection once made is final.

BAND – BD732 is available for more skilled players. The band director determines final placement. All band students participate in several concerts each year. Students must provide their own instruments in most cases. Prerequisite: One or more years of Band. These band students may be used to enhance the “Cavalier Band” performances. Students are required to take home their instruments and practice for a minimum of 1 hour per day.

BAND – BD733 Students will be given opportunities to continue the development of their musicianship and playing technique through performance in an advanced instrumental ensemble. Participation in sectional rehearsals, concerts, football games, pep rallies, and UIL contests is required for members of this organization. Prerequisite: One or more years of band and departmental screening. Advanced band students are required to purchase a uniform consisting of Jeans, a band shirt, tennis shoes, and a windbreaker in school colors. They must be able to memorize music for football games, pep rallies, parades, etc. You are required to be present for after school sectionals two times per week. We always have a very busy performance schedule, so rehearsals are very important for great musicianship. Your instrument must be taken home each day to practice two hours per day.

CHOIR - CF734 Select Girls’ Choir (Varsity); by audition/director’s placement only. Students will read and write in music notation, participate and evaluate performances, and sing both individually and with the group. Events include UIL Concert/Sight-Reading Contest, Solo/Ensemble Contest, All-City Choir auditions and Clinic/Concert, All-Region Choir auditions and Clinic/Concert and multiple concerts throughout the year. At least one year of music experience (Band, Choir, or Private Lessons) is preferred. Eligibility is a must. Additionally, all concerts are required (20% of the nine weeks grades/co-curricular course.) Maximum required cost for the year: $70 (uniforms & t-shirts.)

CHOIR - CF732 Non-Auditioned Girls’ Choir (Non-Varsity); open to any female wishing to be in choir. Students will read and write in music notation, participate in and evaluate performances, and sing both individually and with the group. Events include UIL Concert/Sight-Reading Contest, Solo/Ensemble Contest, All-City Choir auditions and Clinic/Concert, All-Region Choir auditions and Clinic/Concert and multiple concerts throughout the year. Additionally, all concerts are required (20% of the nine weeks grades/co-curricular course.)

Maximum required cost for the year: $70 (uniforms & t-shirts.)

CHOIR – CM732/734 Boys Choir: May be Varsity or Non-Varsity based on membership. Students will read and write in music notation, participate in and evaluate performances, and sing both individually and with the
group. Events include UIL Concert/Sight-Reading Contest, Solo/Ensemble Contest, All-City Choir auditions and Clinic/Concert. All-Region Choir auditions and Clinic/Concert and multiple concerts throughout the year are part of the class. Additionally, all concerts are required (20% of the nine weeks’ grades/co-curricular course.)

Maximum required cost for the year: $70 (uniforms & t-shirts.)

PRE- JOURNALISM – PJ73 Pre-Journalism is intended to provide a general overview of journalism while providing specific skills that students need to continue in Journalism I at the high school level. Students will be responsible for completing performance based assignments to include interviewing, journalistic writing, graphics, design, layout, printing, advertising, desktop publishing, newspaper production and yearbook production. Special emphasis is given on meeting deadlines with quality performance. Afterschool requirements include extracurricular activities such as covering sporting events and choir and band concerts.

7th GRADE ELECTIVE COURSE DESCRIPTION NOTES CONTINUED
SPANISH MYP – SN16 – Students will be exposed to the Spanish language to increase their readiness and build a language foundation. Emphasis will be placed on pronunciation, phrasing, and accumulation of vocabulary.

TEEN LEADERSHIP – TN73 Teen Leadership is a program in which students develop leadership, personal, and business skills. They learn to develop a healthy self-concept, healthy relationships, and learn to understand the concept of personal responsibility. Students will develop skill in public speaking, communication, and an understanding of personal image. They will also develop an understanding of the need for vision in goal setting, personally and professionally.

THEATER ARTS I – TA73 Introduces students to theatrical terms and skills including pantomime, improvisation and interpretation, stage craft, make-up and costuming. May be taken only once in grade 7 or 8.

7th GRADE ELECTIVES WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

These courses will be scheduled after the student is selected for the program based on review of application, test scores, interviews, and/or state and local qualifications.

AVID – AV73 An academic elective class based on writing as a tool for learning using the inquiry method, and collaborative grouping. The three main components for the program are academic instruction, tutorial support, and motivational activities. The AVID committee must approve the student’s application and essay. You must qualify for at least one Pre-AP class; the AVID program prefers that you sign up for two Pre-AP classes. If you have any questions, please call the AVID coordinator at (254)336-7100.

ACC. LANGUAGE ARTS –LR77 - Students will be enrolled in this course in place of an elective based upon how well they perform on the 6th grade STAARS Reading test.

ACC. MATH – TM73 - Students will be enrolled in this course in place of an elective based upon how well they perform on the 6th grade STAARS Math test.

7th GRADE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL EDCUATION – PH73 Students will be involved in various activities that are designed to acquaint students with basic knowledge, understanding and values of physical education. These activities will range from major seasonal sports to conditioning, rhythms or aerobics and will include many recreational games. Physical fitness, as it relates to optimal healthful living and lifetime carry-over, will be emphasized.

Please note: PHYSICAL EDUCATION

No special clothing, except for tennis or athletics shoes, is required for PE classes.

ATHLETICS – (Girls) and (Boys) is an alternate choice to PE for students who are interested in competitive sports. Athletics are organized athletic competitions in a variety of sports (football, volleyball, basketball, and track,) functioning under the guidelines established by the University Interscholastic League. Boys will participate in football and track. Girls will participate in volleyball or basketball and track. All athletes will participate in district mandated off-season strength and condition programs. In seventh grade, athletics is a substitute for physical education. In eighth grade, athletics is an elective. Before and/or after school practice is involved. Parents must provide transportation for practice and games. Athletics is a no pass/no play UIL competition.

A physical examination is required – please turn in a physical before the first week of school in August. A physical is valid for two years.

Note: Tennis, swimming and golf do not require students to be in the athletics period.