Indian Prairie School District 204

• Seventh grade Required Exploratory Courses
• Seventh Grade Elective Exploratory Courses 
• Eighth Grade Elective Exploratory Courses 

Seventh Grade Required Exploratory Courses

Through a variety of athletic activities, the physical education curriculum emphasizes sportsmanship, physical fitness, health knowledge, and sports-related skills and strategies. (Year Long Course)

Connections
Students will be assigned to a Core Teacher for Connections, an advocacy program to create an environment that fosters emotional, social, and academic growth. (Year Long Course)

This course covers the different aspects of physical, mental, and social health, and how they affect each persons overall well being. Some areas covered are The Body Systems, Nutrition, Non-Communicable Diseases, Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, and Consumer Health. The subject of AIDS will be reviewed. (Semester Course)

Those students not selecting Band, Orchestra, or Chorus will be scheduled for either: (2) semester classes and (2) quarter classes; OR (1) semester class and (4) quarter classes.

Please Note: Assessments will be conducted in the spring to determine eligibility for our Reading Improvement Program. Qualifying students will be required to take a strategic reading course in lieu of an elective choice or choices. Parents/students who qualify will be contacted in the spring to make adjustments in their elective choices.

Brief introductions to some of the elements of art/design are discussed. A sampling of different medium and art techniques also occurs. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects are produced.

The course includes design, drawing, planning of projects and procedures to work with co-workers in an industrial setting. Also covered will be safety for home and shop, hand-tool operations during this 9-week course and machine operations. Students will also be introduced to three computer units related to industry. (A lab fee is required.)

Seventh grade music is perfomance-oriented classes in which students play recorders, choir-chimes, and rhythm instruments. Using the computer, the elements of music are explored in composition. Musical theater and current musical styles are covered.

7th Grade Sewing is a hands-on class that introduces students to machine sewing. Three useful projects will be completed in this course. (A materials fee is required.)

Intermediate word processing, spreadsheets, and graphs are addressed. In addition, desktop publishing, scanning, animations in PowerPoint and graphic computer drawing for an iron-on T-shirt design will be produced.

Seventh Grade students are introduced to French, German, and Spanish through general vocabulary acquisition, cultural explorations, and geographical study. Specific areas addressed are greetings, classroom objects, commands, numbers, food, time, colors, weather, seasons, months and days of the week.

Band is a performance class in which students hone their skills on the wind and percussion instruments and further develop their ability to read music. A variety of music from different time period and styles are introduced and performed. Historical connections are made based on the literature studies. Students must have completed 6th grade band!

The choral curriculum provides opportunities for students to experience quality pieces of choral music while building their own individual vocal skill and gaining knowledge about music. Students will sing a wide variety of quality choral music, and will participate in at least four performances a year (Fall, Winter, Spring Concerts and the Fine Arts Festival.). Please contact the Choral Department if you have any questions.

Orchestra is a performance class in which students hone their skills on the string instruments and further develop their ability to read music. A variety of music from different time period and styles are introduced and performed. Historical connections are made based on the literature studies. Students must have completed 6th grade orchestra!

Brief introductions to some of the elements of art/design are discussed. A sampling of different medium and art techniques also occurs. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects are produced.

This is a study of industrial technology using computer modules. Modules involve pre-test, quizzes, post-test and career information. At the conclusion of each module, the student will be guided, by computer instruction, through the steps of building a hands-on project related to that module. Examples of module projects are Robotics, Aerodynamics and Bridge Building. (A lab fee is required.)

Technology is used as a tool for students to improve their writing in this class. All work is done in the computer lab making editing and revisions easy. Various types of writing will be explored and practiced. Students produce and publish a book for children in other countries.

In this class you will learn to communicate via photography, computer presentations, public speaking, and audiovisual productions. Recording, speaking, and production techniques will be taught. Projects may include videotapes, slide shows, Reader's Theater and advertisements. Digital cameras and computers are used to produce albums.

The eighth grade course will concentrate on these areas of study: Word processing, spreadsheets, designs, electronic presentations, databases, and scanning. Students will demonstrate a mastery of these programs through small individual projects. They will also create a business and use their skills to produce: a business logo, slogan, and flyer; business cards and letterhead; and employee and customer database; and a financial spreadsheet.

The semester design and crafts course will focus on three-dimensional pieces of art. Students will be studying a variety of techniques which will include - ceramics, paper projects, soft sculpture, and quilling.

The drawing and painting course will focus on two-dimensional pieces of art. Students will be studying the techniques of drawing and painting, which will include - sketching, shading, perspective, line, color, composition, symmetry, balance, and tone.

This semester long course takes a closer look at the food pyramid by incorporating cooking experiences in each category. We build on the skills introduced in 6th grade FACS and prepare the students for future success in the kitchen. (A fee is required.)

The semester long course builds on skills introduced in 7th grade sewing. Students will also learn how to read commercial patterns and shop for sewing supplies. Projects may include aprons, p.j. bottoms, pillow cases, decorative pillows, and more. (Materials fee required.)

Eighth grade band is for students who have completed band through the seventh grade. Any student who has not completed seventh grade band in District 204 must have approval from the director before enrolling in band. The class meets daily and performs approximately five times each year. Special activities are scheduled throughout the school year. In addition to the daily band rehearsal, technique classes are scheduled on a rotational basis allowing for small group instruction to improve individual instrument performance techniques. Band students will be scheduled into a technique class once per week in lieu of another class on their schedule. The rotation will insure that no subject is missed more than once every four weeks. Students enrolled in band may also audition to participate in Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble, which meet before school.

In eighth grade chorus, the singers study a variety of music from different styles and cultures. Through performance, these students further develop their knowledge of the elements of music, proper vocal technique, and music reading skills. All participants will perform a minimum of four times a year (Fall Concert, Winter Concert, Spring Concert, and Fine Arts Festival); there are also many opportunities for students to attend other musical events such as: Solo/Ensemble Contest, District Choral Contest, field trips, clinics, and festivals. If you were not enrolled in Chorus as a seventh grader, please contact a faculty member of the Choral Department before completing the form.

This year-long course is designed to introduce the study of Spanish which includes listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary development, conversation, and culture. To be successful in this class, it is suggested that interested students demonstrate strong language arts skills, and/or have a strong background in Spanish as their primary language. Because of time constraints, the curriculum in this course is not equivalent to a level one high school course. For students who aspire to placement in a level two high school class, additional course-work may be required, along with demonstrated proficiency.