Seventh grade OMS students have an 8-period daily schedule that includes both required and “choice” classes.  Some classes meet every day, while others meet on alternating days. While certain classes meet for the entire school year, others meet for half of the year.  Choice classes (Band, Orchestra, Choir, STEAM) fill 1-1/2 periods.  Students may select up to three (3) choice classes.  Remaining period(s) will be filled with a study hall.

PLEASE NOTE: Once scheduled, choice classes can only be dropped during the first week of school or at the end of each quarter, with approval from a parent/guardian, teacher and administration. If a student is enrolled in two every-other-day music/elective classes and chooses to drop an elective, the remaining music class will switch to everyday – not a study hall.

Questions?  Contact Jan Neumann at 835-4810 or jmneumann@OregonSD.org

1. Review class options (descriptions below).
2. Select the World Language course(s) your student would like to take.
3. Select the English course your student would like to take. 
4. Select up to three (3) "choice" classes (Band, Choir, Orchestra, STEAM).
5. Complete the course selection form (formulario de selección).

You are encouraged to review course descriptions and options below before making your selections.  Additionally, you may notice students have the choice of English 7 or Enriched English 7.  Please read the course descriptions and talk with your student to make the selection you believe to be the best fit.  After course selections are in, there will be a review of data and an interview process component.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 7 
Students in grade 7 will continue to develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.  Preparation and participation is utilized for small group and class discussions.   Overall, students will be able to read and comprehend a variety of complex literacy and informational texts for many purposes (including enjoyment), including texts that reflect one’s experiences and experiences of others.  This includes independently and proficiently understanding grade-level text.

English 7 Course Description:
Students will be independent reading on a daily basis in class with a choice text. Students will engage with a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts.  Students will participate in several intensive book club units fostering critical engagement and discussion of genres such as dystopian. Students will develop and refine their public speaking skills throughout the year. Students will explore a variety of writing methods, such as narrative, informative, persuasive, analytical, creative, and more.  All writing is grounded in the fundamentals of grammar practice and application.

Enriched English 7 Course Description:
Students will be independent reading on a daily basis in class with a choice text. Students will engage with a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts.. Students will participate in several intensive book club units fostering critical engagement and discussion of genres such as dystopian. Students will develop and refine their public speaking skills throughout the year. Students will explore a variety of writing methods, such as narrative, informative, persuasive, analytical, creative, and more.  All writing is grounded in the fundamentals of grammar practice and application. 

Because this is an Enriched English course, there will be additional required reading and active engagement with the writing process. There is increased rigor surrounding the curriculum and there is an increased level of independence expected. A big focus of the class is critical thinking and answering inquiry-focused questions.

Selecting this option does not ensure placement in the class.  All interested students will take part in interviews the week of February 27th.  Student interviews and a data review will be used to make final decisions regarding student placement.  Confirmation letters will be sent to families the week of March 6. 

WORLD LANGUAGE
All 7th grade students are required to take World Language.  Options include German and Spanish; all students must choose at least one. 

German
German meets every other day for a full year. The focus is to introduce students to the German language and culture in a fun and engaging style and to start to build a student’s confidence and ability to communicate in German. There is an emphasis on listening, reading, and speaking as well as cultural understanding.

Students will develop skills by learning topics such as describing self and others, free time interests, and cultural products, practices and perspectives. Students will also create with the language. Students will practice skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking through fun and engaging activities. They will also examine the concept of culture and engage in cultural activities in order to better understand their own experience of culture and be able to compare and contrast cultures.

Spanish
Spanish meets every other day for a full year. The focus of 7th grade Spanish is to increase our vocabulary base as well as to learn about and apply grammar concepts in order to communicate more effectively in Spanish. Students will also have opportunities to practice reading, listening, and speaking skills as well as cultural understanding.

Students will develop skills through a series of unit topics such as introducing oneself, school life, clothing and seasons, and describing one’s family. Each unit will focus on a specific language standard such as: stating personal preferences, asking and answering questions, and composing a letter in Spanish. Students will also engage in cultural activities throughout the year in order to compare and contrast cultures.

Bilingual Spanish
Open to students currently enrolled in the Bilingual Spanish Program.

MUSIC

Band, Choir, and Orchestra
These academic classes offer students the opportunity to learn and collaborate in large and small ensemble settings through the exploration of National and State Music Standards of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. Students will learn and develop technique and expression through the study of voice and/or instruments and build on their understanding of music’s relationships to history and culture.

Students who join band, orchestra or choir are expected to participate in all concerts/performances unless illness or family emergency causes a conflict.

Students who wish to join band or orchestra but have not been previously enrolled must have a home adult contact the music teacher to discuss the curriculum as well as instrument rental. Participation in the summer school band/orchestra small group learning is strongly encouraged.

Music classes meet five days/week; however, students who choose to take two or more music classes will have one or two of their music classes every other day. For example, if Chris selects both choir and orchestra, Chris might have orchestra every day and choir every other day (students will be able to choose which of the music classes they have more frequently).

NOTE: If a student is enrolled in two every-other-day music/elective classes and chooses to drop an elective, the remaining music class will switch to everyday – not a study hall.

STEAM 7
STEAM meets every other day for a full year. This course will introduce students to the interdisciplinary learning framework of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Students will engage in project-based and inquiry-based learning, which will involve productive communication and collaboration.