The following courses make up the KMS 7th Grade Curriculum: Literacy/ELA, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education.

Students also have the opportunity to take coordinated arts courses for two periods per day in Music, Art, Wellness, Foreign Language, Family & Consumer Education, and Technology Education.

BAND: This is an instrumental music experience for students in Grade 7. Band meets five days a week, all year long, and students are expected to commit to the full year. Students also receive small group instruction once a week in a lesson format. Included in the curriculum is a field trip to perform at the elementary schools. Band students also have the option to participate in an after school jazz ensemble and the yearly Solo and Ensemble Festival. The prerequisite is participation in sixth grade band and/or consent of the instructor.

CHOIR: This is a vocal music experience for students in Grade 7. Choir meets five days a week, all year long, and students are expected to commit to the full year. 7th Grade Choir will give two or three concerts during the year, exploring a variety of different musical styles and themes. Choir students have the option of participating in the yearly Solo and Ensemble Festival. The prerequisite is participation in sixth grade choir and/or consent of the instructor.

Seventh grade students will begin to develop their art skills and be introduced to past and present artists. All courses include drawing and design elements.  Self and peer evaluation will complete the learning process, giving the student an opportunity to reflect on their work.  Each course is one semester in length, meeting every other day. Any number of courses may be selected.  All students should bring a small bag with a thin sharpie, pencil, and eraser to class which they will leave in their cabinets. A 9x12” Sketchbook is recommended but not required.

DRAWING AND PAINTING: This two-dimensional class is an introduction to drawing various subject matter such as landscapes, observational drawings, contour line drawings, perspective, and artwork in the style and technique of different artists. Artwork will be explored in several types of media which may include: pencil, pen, pastel, colored pencil, watercolor and acrylic paint. This class emphasizes composition, value and color to create art that demonstrates a better understanding of various techniques and subject matter.

DESIGN AND COLOR: This two-dimensional class includes an introduction to how color is used in design.  Students will use various subject matter to explore different types of media which may include: paint, paper, pastels, and pencil. This class uses color theory, composition, and the elements of design to develop their skills in the various techniques introduced.

SCULPTURE: This three-dimensional course offers students an opportunity to explore how artists create three dimensional forms utilizing materials that range from clay (ceramics), fibers, and paper mache to everyday items such as wire, paper, recycled materials and cardboard. Students must be willing to take direction, experiment, and adapt, using their imaginations to explore sculpture-in-the-round as well as both additive and subtractive sculptural methods.

CRAFTS: This course incorporates a variety of media in two and three-dimensional form. There will be an emphasis on the elements and principles of design as well as color theory and craftsmanship.  Artwork may include various media such as painting, felt work, weaving and clay to create a comprehensive work of art with visual balance and detail.

F.I.T. – FRIENDS IN TRAINING: This wellness course in 7th grade (F.I.T. – Friends In Training) will include physical activity, personal wellness, and information about everyday routines that can prevent disease. Students will learn how maintaining a good wellness plan can reduce blood pressure, maintain a healthy body composition, and improve flexibility/strength. The ultimate outcome is to increase self-esteem and energy, which improves one’s mood and decreases stress. The course will include physical activity and information regarding the areas of cardiovascular endurance, stress management, and relaxation techniques. This course will take place in classroom, gym, and outside settings.

Students MUST take Spanish in both Seventh and Eighth Grade to be eligible for Spanish II at Germantown High School. Because, Spanish is a full year course students are expected to commit to the full year. Successful completion of the two year middle school Spanish program allows students to enroll in the high school Spanish II course preparing students to enter into the Spanish III program as sophomores. (Note: Enrollment in the Spanish II course requires middle school Spanish instructor recommendation.) Completion of seventh and eighth grade Spanish does not earn a high school credit.

SPANISH 7A: In this course, students will learn to speak in situations involving greetings and introductions, classes, school, likes and dislikes. Through these speaking situations, students will also be introduced to the basic sounds and structure of the language. Students will become acquainted with Hispanic countries and participate in special holiday traditions focusing on Spain and Mexico. Spanish is an academic class; therefore, assessments will be used to evaluate student performance.

7TH GRADE FOODS:  This course students will learn the food preparation skills while gaining confidence in the kitchen. Students will experience and learn about the importance of food safety, practice and introduction to kitchen equipment and cooking techniques, understanding recipes, kitchen math, and the importance of proper measuring. This class will provide students with hands-on learning experiences in the areas of seasonal foods, appetizers, fruits/vegetables, and pasta/grains. Students will work in cooperative groups as they prepare recipes that involve following directions and team work. Practice at home is encouraged? Information will also be gained through classroom instruction investigation of specific computer web sites, and projects. This is a delicious selection!

Each Tech. Ed. Course may be taken only once in 7th grade. Technology Education courses are one semester in length, meeting every other day. These courses give students numerous learning experiences using hands-on activities, with exposure to practical technological concepts.

COMMUNICATIONS: Begin the course by using an advanced page design program (Publisher) to create products used in the business world. Start a basic foundation of graphic design and how it relates to the advertising and marketing industry and careers that are available.  Along the way, you will learn the basics of ASL (American Sign Language) that allows you to start communicating with people on a whole new level. At the same time, you will be working in groups to deliver a portion of the KMS Daily Announcements. Students will work together in a small group to develop a radio commercial and understand all the behind the scenes steps involved in creating an effective message. Finally, you will put your graphic design skills back to work and create T-shirts using the heat transfer and screen printing methods and each process's role in today’s global marketplace.

TRANSPORTATION/POWER/ENERGY: This class emphasizes a project based engineering style approach to problem solving.  Students will learn about spaceflight & aerodynamics by building and testing a flying model rocket. Air, rubber band and solid fuel are built both individually and in small groups. Drones and hovercrafts allow you to discover alternative modes of transportation through hands-on experience. Test your knowledge and skills on making a rubber band powered vehicle. You design, build and problem solve all the components for the test track.

CONSTRUCTION:  Students will design a “Dream” home, including interior decorating and exterior furnishing and landscaping, utilizing 3-D imaging software. Students will build a wooden model bridge, with material and weight limitations and perform a strength test. Students will build a 3/32” scaled model of a residential home wall and floor system. Six weeks of Construction, 4 weeks of Pre-Engineering (PLTW) and 8 weeks of Architectural Home Design.

MANUFACTURING: Begin by building a basic foundation of shop safety, hand and power tools along with understanding measurement before choosing one of three projects to make (candy dispenser, bluebird house, tote box). Similar to real world manufacturing, students can work together to problem solve and help each other but everyone will build their own project. Without creating any sparks, you’ll get a chance to understand welding with a virtual welding machine. See what it takes to build and repair using metal. Experience the fabric printing process using the screen printing process as you make shirts and print on other substrates as well. Get a basic understanding of CNC manufacturing in your next project. Creativity will also play a role in your individual design. Take a look at some of the careers that may lie ahead for you and if you want to further pursue any courses offered at the High School.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY: DESIGN & MODELING – (A): The semester will focus heavily on the design process and working through open ended projects to solve the problems.  We will start the semester by designing and ‘creating a shoe’.  They will also design an advertisement to go along with it.  Students will then learn to draw from perspectives and use that to create a puzzle cube.  We will then move to the 3D design side of things and do work in TinkerCAD to design our projects.  They will design projects like a birdhouse and a playground. 

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY: AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS – (A): In this course, students will learn the skills needed to construct a smooth-running, reliable machine that can follow instructions.  The class will start in the lab where students build various mechanisms to learn the many different ways mechanical energy is transferred.  They will learn how to transfer motion from wheels to other moving parts via building a float. Students then combine multiple mechanisms and electric motors into a project of their own design to race other student designs.