Folks Middle School 7th Grade Guide

2021-2022

7th Grade Course Selections

6th graders will enroll in the following courses for 7th grade:

ELA or *ELA Advanced or *ELA GT
Math or Math Accelerated (Must have taken Accelerated Math in 6th grade) or **Math Bridges
Science or Science Advanced or Science GT
Texas History or Texas History Advanced or Texas History GT
PE or Dance 1 or ***Dance 2 or ****Athletics
Elective Course
Elective Course

*Students who select ELA Advanced or ELA GT must complete a summer reading project. (Summer Reading Project Info Attached Below)

**Math Bridges is a course designed for 7th grade students who want to take Algebra 1 (HS) in 8th grade but did NOT take Accelerated Math in 6th grade. This is a 90 minute course and will take the place of ONE elective.

***Students must have already taken Dance 1 in order to be in Dance 2

****Students must have a coach's approval in order to be in Athletics.

Girl's Coach: desirae.villa@nisd.net
Boy's Coach: hank.hennig@nisd.net

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ADVANCED COURSES (Previously called Pre-AP)

Northside offers many Advanced courses to middle school students. Participation in advanced academic courses is a foundation of college readiness. Students who participate in advanced coursework are more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in college and typically have higher grades in college.

Northside ISD recognizes the value of student participation in rigorous academic coursework and encourages students to graduate from high school with at least one advanced academic course credit such as Advanced Placement. Our collective purpose is to ensure

student success in middle school Advanced courses and provide opportunities for higher levels of learning in future grades.

Advanced courses are intended to develop students’ literacy, problem-solving skills, and analysis. These middle school classes are designed to challenge students through rigorous instruction and complex learning tasks in order to prepare them for success in future Advanced classes, AP classes, and college courses.

***If you would like for your student to earn high school Algebra 1 credit in 8th grade, your student must follow the sequence below:

Gifted and Talented

Identified GT students may choose ONE GT content course each year in:

English Language Arts or
Science or
Social Studies.

Each year’s course selection is independent of the previous year. GT courses emphasize strategies such as depth and complexity, creative problem solving, and critical thinking. These strategies are integrated throughout the curriculum in order to foster leadership and maximize opportunities for independent thinking.

In addition to GT content courses, students may also select Math Advanced courses in which both enrichment and acceleration opportunities are available.

Course selection is not guaranteed due to campus enrollment and staffing. Please give careful consideration to GT content selection.

***To request for your child to be GT tested, please contact: margaret.totah@nisd.net

7th Grade Electives

7th graders will have two elective classes and will be in these classes for the entire school year. Due to class sizes and teacher assignments, Folks cannot guarantee a student's first choice. Students will select two alternative courses for this reason.

7th Grade Elective Options:

Beginning Band or Intermediate Band
Beginning Orchestra or Intermediate Orchestra or Advanced Orchestra
Beginning Choir or Intermediate Choir
Beginning Theatre or Intermediate Theatre
Dance 1 or Dance 2 (Must not be in P.E. course)
Beginning Art or Intermediate Art
PBS Future Lab 7
STEM Future Lab 7
Journalism (Morning Announcements) ***CLOSED*** (Application required)
Robotics ***CLOSED*** (Application required)
AVID ***CLOSED (Application required & must be enrolled in 1 advanced academic course)
Spanish 1 (High School Credit)

Elective Descriptions

Beginning Band #6017

Band Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Band concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Instructor: Carolyn Ireland -- carolyn.ireland@nisd.net

Intermediate Band #6024

Band Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments introduced in the beginner level class. Students build skills at their own pace. Band literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem solving skills. Band concerts include music of all styles. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

***Prerequisite: Beginner Band

Instructor: Carolyn Ireland -- carolyn.ireland@nisd.net

Beginning Orchestra #6079

Orchestra Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Orchestra concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Instructor: Rachel Dowdy -- rachel.dowdy@nisd.net

Intermediate Orchestra #6086

Orchestra Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments introduced in

the beginner level class. Orchestra literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Orchestra concerts include music of all styles. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

***Prerequisite: Beginner Band

Instructor: Rachel Dowdy -- rachel.dowdy@nisd.net

Advanced Orchestra #6089

Orchestra Advanced Level is designed for students to apply strong music fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments to music of all styles. Students build skills at their own pace. Orchestra literature is advanced and promotes extensive collaboration, expression, creativity, and problemsolving techniques. Orchestra concerts are extensive. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

***Prerequisite: Intermediate Orchestra

Instructor: Rachel Dowdy -- rachel.dowdy@nisd.net

Beginning Treble Choir #6401 or Beginning Tenor/Bass #6402

This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Intermediate Treble Choir #6411 or Intermediate Tenor/Bass 6412

This course is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals and singing skills introduced in the beginner level class. Students build skills at their own pace. Choral literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, development of vocal tone quality and range, expression, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Choir concerts include music of all styles. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

***Prerequisite: Beginner Treble Choir or Beginner Tenor/Bass Choir

Beginning Theatre #6609

Beginning Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama. No previous theatre or drama experience is required. Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance.

Intermediate Theatre #6610

Intermediate Theatre is a more in-depth study of theatre where students continue to build upon skills learned in Theatre 1. Students are introduced to additional skills that are necessary to become a theatre artist. Dramatic structure, acting, and technical elements are expanded in both production and scene studies.

***Prerequisite: Beginner Theatre

Dance 1 #6810

The first dance course in middle school is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute beginner skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving students’ technique, self-confidence, creative ability, and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities. No prior dance experience is required.

*Middle School Dance may be taken as an elective, or as a fulfillment of the PE requirement. Students who wish to use MS Dance to fulfill the PE requirement should NOT enroll in this course, but should rather enroll in Dance MS 1 PE (#5091)

Instructor: Brittany Valdez --brittany.valdez@nisd.net

Dance 2 #6820

The second of three sequential dance courses, Dance MS 2 is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute intermediate skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving their technique, selfconfidence, creative ability, and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities.

***Prerequisite: Dance MS 1

*Middle School Dance may be taken as an elective, or as a fulfillment of the PE requirement. Students who wish to use MS Dance to fulfill the PE requirement should NOT enroll in this course, but should rather enroll in Dance MS 2 PE (#5092)

Instructor: Brittany Valdez --brittany.valdez@nisd.net

Beginning Art #6910

Beginner Art MS 1 is concept-based. Curriculum units include drawing, painting, printmaking, three-dimensional art forms, fiber, and digital art. Content will include student originality and creativity.

Intermediate Art #6911

Intermediate Art MS 2 is concept-based and curriculum units build student skills developed in Beginner Art 1. Curriculum includes drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber art, three-dimensional art forms, and digital art. Development of artistic originality, creativity, and study of artists and art periods is incorporated.

***Prerequisite: Beginner Art MS 1

PBS Future Lab 7 #8800

(Public & Business Services Related Careers) This is a lab- and project-based course in which students will participate in experiences that model real-world industries. The goal of this course is to create a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers in Business, Industry, and Public Service. Career and Technical Education clusters addressed include Agriculture, Business/Finance, Culinary, Education, Fashion, Health Science, and Marketing. Students will research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and practice professional communication skills. Career and Technical Education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.

***Prerequisite: None

STEM Future Lab 7 #8810

(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Related Careers) This is a lab- and project-based course in which students will participate in experiences that model real-world industries. The goal of this course is to create a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Career and Technical Education clusters addressed include Architecture, Arts & Audio Video, Construction, Engineering, Information Technology (Cyber), Law (Forensics), Manufacturing, and Transportation (Automotive). Students will research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and practice professional communication skills. Career and Technical Education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.

***Prerequisite: None

Journalism #1700 CLOSED

This course is designed to introduce students to mass media, advertising, marketing, and photography. Students study the basic features of journalism and newspaper and/or yearbook production, freedom and responsibility of the press, career opportunities in mass communications, and specialized writing.

***Prerequisite: None

*Application required.

Study Hall #9471

Study Hall is a designated class period during the school day that provides a structured time for students to work on homework, research, projects, or other assignments.

***Prerequisite: None

Robotics #9007 *CLOSED**

Folks Middle School is proud to offer our First Lego League Robotics Competition Team as an elective class! We are an award-winning team of motivated students who design, build, and program LEGO robots, and we work on team-building and leadership skills while collaborating to find innovative solutions to world-wide problems.

Do you like to solve puzzles? Do you like to work with your peers? Are you looking for a challenge? If you have experience with your school's FLL Robotics after school activity, that's a plus.

The Folks Robotics Class may be for you!

*Application required.

Please contact wendy.mueller@nisd.net for inquiries.

AVID 7 #9097 *CLOSED**

AVID 7 is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities, and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth.

***Prerequisite: Application and Interview and must be in one Advanced academic course.

Please contact veronica.herrera@nisd.net for inquires.

Spanish 1 #5714 (High School Credit)

This course focuses on developing speaking and listening comprehension skills. Students are exposed to basic reading and writing skills. Students are introduced to the people, their customs, and other aspects of their culture. Students have the opportunity to work in pairs and small groups to role play real-life situations using the target language.

***Prerequisite: None

Students who successfully complete Spanish 1 will earn 1.0 high school credit.