Download Required Courses - Cullman Middle School

7th Grade Course Descriptions
Required Courses
English Grade 7-This course covers writing, grammar, and literature. The modes
of writing that will be taught are narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive.
Grammar will include the eight parts of speech, sentence structure, kinds of
sentences, mechanics, idioms, compound-blended words, prefix/suffix/base/root
words, homophones/homographs, phrases, phrases/clauses, denotation/connotation,
vocabulary, library studies, active/passive voice, dictionary usage, research and
library skills, public speaking, study skills, and sentence diagramming. Recreational
and textural reading, short stories, fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry, mythology,
folk tales, fables, novel studies, and accelerated reading will also be included in
this course. Math
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Math Grade 7-This course covers number sense, patterns, algebraic thinking,
decimal operations, data and statistics, number patterns and fractions, integers,
equations, inequalities, functions, ratios, proportions, percent problems , geometric
figures, measurement and area, surface area and volume, Pythagorean Theorem,
and probability.
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Advanced Math Grade 7- (course requirement-score on the math
placement test given in the spring of 6th grade)This is a pre-algebra
course that covers basic arithmetic review, decimal operations, powers and
exponents, properties and operations, factors and primes factorization, fractions
and operations with fractions, ratios, rate, scale, percentages, variables,
expressions and equations, advanced equations, inequalities, coordinate plane,
relations and functions, linear equations, systems of equations, Pythagorean
Theorem, triangles, polygons, area, surface area, volume, similarity, angles,
transformations, symmetry, probability, data displays, disjoint, overlapping,
independent, and dependent events, and trigonometric identities
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Math Team Grade 7-(course requirement-placement on the math
team after tryouts during the spring of 6th grade) This is a prealgebra course that covers data analysis, variables, expressions, integers, factors,
fractions, exponents, rational numbers, equations, ratio, proportions, probability,
percent problems, solving equations, graphing and the coordinate plane, linear
functions, Pythagorean Theorem, measurement, area, volume, angle relationships
and transformations, permutations, combinations, and probability, and ARMT+
practice problems. Other math team topics such as changing bases, factorials, etc.
will be covered. Students will also be required to work tournament tests and
ciphering.
Life Science-This course covers the characteristics of living things, functions
of organelles in eukaryotic cells, relating the major tissues and organs to the
human body systems, the six-kingdom classification system, natural selection,
species variation, interspecies interaction, genetic mutation, biotic and abiotic
factors, mitosis, chromosome reduction in meiosis, DNA, RNA, and Mendel’s laws of
genetics.
Civics- This course is an 18 week, one semester course. Its counterpart is
Geography. This course covers the influences of ancient Greece, the Magna Carta,
and the Mayflower Compact on the government of the United States, essential
characteristics of state and local governments in the United States, comparing the
government of the United States with other governmental systems, comparing
duties and functions of members of legislative, executive, and judicial branches of
local, state, and national governments, explaining the importance of juvenile, adult,
civil, and criminal laws within the judicial system of the United States, organization
of economic systems for production, distribution, and consumption of goods and
services, the relationship between the consumer and the marketplace in the
economy of the United States, applying principals of money management to the
preparation of a personal budget, and identifying individual and civil responsibilities
of a U.S. citizen.
Geography- This course is an 18 week, one semester course. It's counterpart is
Civics. This course covers the use of maps, globes, and other tools of geography,
describing the world in spatial terms, describing the process that shape the
physical environment, identifying and analyzing the physical, economic, political, and
cultural characteristics of regions in the Eastern Hemisphere, factors that
contribute to conflict between countries and regions of the Eastern Hemisphere,
dealing with natural disasters in the Eastern Hemisphere, analysis of environmental
consequences of human activities, and comparing the distribution of natural
resources in different areas of the world.
Computer Grade 7-This course is an 18 week, one semester class. It allows
students to learn basic through advanced computer concepts with emphasis on both
the personal computer and enterprise computing. Topics include hardware,
application and system software, the Internet and World Wide Web,
communications, e-commerce, societal issues, database management, systems
analysis and design, programming, information systems, career opportunities,
certifications in the computer field, and computer trends.
Visual Art Grade 7- This course is an 18 week, one semester class. It allows
students to develop basic drawing skills. It will focus on the elements and
principles of design and develop the ability to think abstractly by using
visualization. Techniques in pencil and color will be reinforced. Students will work
through drawing, painting, and some graphic design exercises. Students will also be
introduced to some artists and art styles.
Physical Education-This course covers applying coordinated movements,
strategies, and rules to achieve success in a variety of sports and activities; learn
strategic positioning for offense and defense in game situations, drills and
repetitions to improve performance, demonstrate offensive skills including pick,
fake, and screen for a variety of sports; demonstrate dances used for social and
recreational enjoyment and for physical fitness enhancement, relaxation and stress
reduction exercises, explaining the difference between legal and illegal behaviors
in sports, explain correlations of nutrition, exercise, and rest in a healthy lifestyle.
Elective Courses
Piano-This course is for students of all musical levels interested in learning piano.
It emphasizes the fundamentals of music as well as listening skills and the study of
various styles of music along with piano technique. Students work independently
beginning on their current level of musical ability from beginning piano to advanced
skills.
Beginner Band-This course is for students of all musical levels interested in
learning to play a musical instrument. The fundamentals of music will be
emphasized along with listening skills and the study of various styles of music along
with instrumental technique. The instrument families to be studied include the
woodwind, brass, and percussion classifications.
Intermediate Band-This course is for band members who have had at least one
year (or equivalent) of training on a band instrument. It emphasizes the
fundamentals of music as well as listening skills and the study of various styles of
music along with sound production. This course introduces marching techniques in
order to prepare students for the CHS marching band.
Violin-This course is for students of all musical levels interested in learning to
play the violin. The fundamentals of music will be emphasized along with ear
training, through the Suzuki Method, and bowing technique.
Choir- This course is for students who are interested in singing and performing
with the CMS chorus.
Music Appreciation-This course is for students who enjoy music, but do not
want to sing or play an instrument. Students will study and listen to various
genera's of music.
Agriscience I-This course allows students to gain a better understanding of
agriculture through work in the classroom and also through hands on activities
outside the classroom, and in the shop/lab.
Yearbook Staff-This course is for students who have applied for and been
selected to the yearbook staff. Students design and produce the 128 page Cullman
Middle School yearbook using a web-based program called Studio Works. Students
are instructed on photography, layout and design, photo editing, etc. They also plan,
write, and publish the CMS school newspaper. See Mrs. Meyer for an application.