1. SPERRENG MIDDLE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM NIGHT
7th Grade Thursday, January 24, 2013

2. Goals
 Understand the components of the 7th grade
schedule
 Highlight features of the middle school program
 Discuss specific course offerings with
department representatives

3. Understanding 7th Grade Courses
Core
Challenge
Exploratory
Elective
Specialized

4. Core Classes
 Mandatory courses in which all students must
participate to meet state standards
 English Language Arts (ELA)
 Mathematics
 Science
 Social Studies
 Health and Fitness

5. Challenge Classes
 Core courses offering advanced learners* an
opportunity to explore greater depths of content
knowledge and critical thinking skills
 English Language Arts
 Mathematics
 Science
 Social Studies
 Challenge Appeal Form
*Challenge criteria-Advanced MAP score, reading on grade level or higher,
demonstrate high achievement in content area, successful completion of math
pre-requisite course

6. Exploratory Classes
 Semester-long alternating day courses offering
opportunity to discover and explore specialized
interests, aptitudes, and abilities in the fine and
practical arts
 Art
 Digital Literacy
 Drama
 General Music
 Keyboarding
 Family and Consumer Sciences
 Technology Education

7. Elective Classes
 Year-long daily or alternating day student-selected
courses offering opportunity to pursue special activities
and interests
 Modern Languages-French, German, Spanish
 Pre-requisite for 8th grade ML for high school credit
 Must maintain a grade of “C-” or better to continue in program
 Suggested for students who may wish to participate in AP/IB
programs and 2 years of ML is required by most college programs
 Band
 Choir
 Orchestra

8. 7th Grade Modern Language
Students will concentrate on oral and written communication,
through the use of dialogues and practical drills. They will
learn to apply basic grammar through reading, writing, and
speaking. Students will be assessed with high school level
materials. Students need to be self-motivated in order to be
successful in this class.
 French, German, & Spanish
(Choose one of the three languages)
Academic Elective Class
Every other day for a year
Earn High School Credit*
*upon successful completion of the program

9. Specialized Classes
 Intervention Classes-course offerings designed to
provide supplemental small group instruction for
students who may have gaps in understanding of
essential reading or mathematic skills
 IEP/Resource Classes-course offerings designed to
meet student learning needs as indicated in the
Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)
 LEAP-course offering designed for gifted students
providing enrichment, extension, and curriculum
explorations

10. 7th Grade Schedule Considerations
 7 period day = 5 core + 2 explo/elective
 All 7th grade students participate in 5 core courses
 Students have 2 periods in which to participate in
exploratory, elective, and intervention courses
 Exploratory, elective, and intervention courses vary
from semester-long to year-long and daily to
alternating day

11. The 7th Grade Schedule
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
1. English Language Arts 1. English Language Arts
2. Mathematics 2. Mathematics
3. Science 3. Science
4. Social Studies 4. Social Studies
5. Health and Fitness 5. Health and Fitness
6. A Day Explo/Elective 6. A Day Explo/Elective
B Day Explo/Elective B Day Explo/Elective
7. A Day Explo/Elective 7. A Day Explo/Elective
B Day Explo/Elective B Day Explo/Elective

12. Sample 7th Grade Schedules
Band and Modern Language Explo and Intervention
1. English Language Arts 1. English Language Arts
2. Mathematics 2. Mathematics
3. Science 3. Science
4. Social Studies 4. Social Studies
5. Health and Fitness 5. Health and Fitness
6. Band 6. A-Reading/B-Tech Ed. (Semester 1)
7. A-French/B-FACS (Semester 1) A-Reading/B-Drama (Semester 2)
A-French/B-Art (Semester 2) 7. A-Dig. Lit./B-Art (Semester 1)
A-Keyboard/B-Music (Semester 2)

13. Next Steps
Teachers-
Complete course recommendations for each student based
upon multiple data sources
Counselors-
Present course offerings to students in team meetings
Students & Parents-
Visit with teachers and make elective course selections, and return
recommendation form to school to Social Studies teacher by
January 31, 2013

14. Did your child recently get a new device?
Did you know you can download
BOOKS for FREE
from our elibrary?
 No late fees, huge selection, 24 hour access,
works with any device.
 The Library Media Specialist, Ms. Sears, will be
available in the little gym to show you how.

15. Questions?
Please feel free to visit department representatives in
the small gym for answers to curriculum questions.