Required Course Descriptions
Courses in red may not carry depending on enrollment and teacher availability.
7th GRADE REQUIRED COURSES
LANGUAGE ARTS
7th Grade Language Arts – Designed for grade-level instruction in reading comprehension, writing, methods of inquiry, and the process, skills, and strategies of effective communication.
MATH
The 7th Grade Math 7th Grade Math goes a little bit slower, there are peer tutors and an adult aide in each class to help students, and there is time built into the calendar to help students who may have struggled in the past. This class is designed so that students who need and want help can get help. Students who achieve a 95% test average in 7th Grade Math can qualify for honors math in 8th grade.
8th Grade Math Honors is taken by students who did exceptionally well on the placement test in their elementary school. This course covers all the topics of 8th Grade Math along with a few honors topics that prepare students for future math classes. Students who take 8th Grade Math Honors are usually motivated to do well, they enjoy math, and they do not require much assistance. Students in honors math need to maintain a 90% test average to qualify for honors math the next year. The district may also provide a highly suggested week-long review course to prepare for this class.
SOCIAL STUDIES
7th Grade Utah Studies (Year Long) – This is a year-long class that combines Utah Studies with Literacy Skills in combination with their Language Arts class. Students will explore the complex history of Utah, with examples of creativity, sacrifice, conflict, innovation, inequity, compromise, and leadership. Students will also learn about Utah’s diverse physical geography, encounter Utah’s economic systems and dynamics, and explore local and statewide political systems. The reason this class is a year instead of one semester is because we spend more time focusing on strengthening students reading and literacy skills. We will read 2 novels during the year. Many of the assignments focus on building their literacy skills. Students need a strong literacy background to succeed in all of their classes, and this course will help to do that.
SCIENCE
7th Grade Integrated Science – This class will focus on the theme of “structure.” Life, physical, and earth science contents are integrated into a core curriculum. The standards to be taught relate to matter, the structure of earth’s crust and interior, structure of cells and organisms, reproduction and heredity of organisms, and classification schemes.
FITNESS
7th Grade Fitness – This physical education course develops a solid foundation in skills and competencies. Students are still mastering basic manipulative skills and are ready to engage in lead-up games and drills that provide a progression toward participation in regulation or advanced play. Students will apply skills in modified games and may be introduced to regulation rules and gameplay. Instruction includes an introduction to training principles and activities that can enhance health-related fitness as students pursue personal fitness goals. Students must provide their own lock or may be able to purchase one at the main office.
Yoga – This class focuses on structural alignment, an increase of strength and flexibility. It will deepen a student’s awareness of breath and the role it has in generating energy and stamina in one’s mind and body. The course will also incorporate techniques for stress relief, and enhance one’s physical performance by teaching students how to connect breath, organ systems, physiology and anatomy altogether.
COLLEGE AND CAREER AWARENESS
CCA/CTE – 7th Grade students will take 4 quarter classes of CTE (career and technical education). Information, Technology, Business, and Family and Consumer Science classes allow students to be involved in activity-centered lessons, which utilize technology, develop beginning skills, and explore careers.
8th GRADE REQUIRED COURSES
LANGUAGE ARTS
8th Grade Language Arts – Designed for grade-level instruction in reading comprehension, writing, methods of inquiry, and the process, skills, and strategies of effective communication
MATH
8th Grade Math is taken by most students who took 7th Grade Math. 8th Grade Math is similar to 8th Grade Math Honors but it does NOT include honors topics. 8th Grade Math goes a little bit slower and focuses on essential skills. Students who achieve a 95% test average in 8th Grade Math can qualify for honors math in 9th grade, but they may need to study a few additional topics over the summer.
8th Grade Math Honors is taken by students who did exceptionally well in 7th Grade Math (regular or honors). This course covers all the topics of 8th Grade Math and a few honors topics that prepare students for future math classes. Students who take 8th Grade Math Honors are usually motivated to do well, they enjoy math, and they do not require much assistance. Students in honors math need to maintain a 90% test average to qualify for honors math the next year.
Secondary Math 1 Honors is only for very advanced 8th graders. Students who take this class did exceptionally well in 8th Grade Math Honors as a 7th grader. Students who take this class love math and they enjoy working hard to figure things out. Students in Secondary Math 1 Honors as an 8th grader need to maintain a 95% test average to qualify for Secondary Math 2 Honors in 9th grade.
SOCIAL STUDIES
US History – This course includes events and issues in the United States history from the Age of Exploration through Reconstruction, emphasizing the 18th and 19th centuries. Topics include, but are not limited to, American Indian life, European exploration and colonization, the Revolutionary War, constitutional issues, nation building, expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of each period’s key historic, geographic, economic, and civic concepts by applying those concepts to complete cognitively rigorous tasks.
SCIENCE
8th Grade Integrated Science – This class focuses on the interaction of matter and energy in nature. This is explored through an integration of chemistry, physics, biology, and geology The standards to be taught relate to chemical and physical changes, energy and waves, matter and energy cycles, and geological processes.
FITNESS
8th Grade Fitness – This physical education course continues developing a solid foundation in skills and competencies. Students are still mastering basic manipulative skills, and are ready to engage in lead-up games and drills that progress toward participation in regulation or advanced play. Students will apply skills in modified games and may be introduced to regulation rules and gameplay. Instruction includes introducing training principles and activities that can enhance health-related fitness as students pursue personal fitness goals. Students must provide their own lock or may be able to purchase one at the main office.
Yoga – This class focuses on structural alignment, an increase of strength and flexibility. It will deepen a student’s awareness of breath and the role it has in generating energy and stamina in one’s mind and body. The course will also incorporate techniques for stress relief, and enhance one’s physical performance by teaching students how to connect breath, organ systems, physiology and anatomy all together. If choosing 8th Grade Fitness as your approved Fitness class, you can still opt to also have Yoga, as an elective.
HEALTH
Health – This course develops the skills necessary to improve the quality of life by helping students to cope with and solve problems, develop a positive self-image, and make healthy decisions. Students will explore positive lifestyles, disease prevention, emergency procedures, media literacy, and alcohol and drug abuse prevention.