The outline of courses in this guide will provide students and parents with a
basic description of each of the courses offered in seventh grade at Williams
Intermediate School.
Careful selection of courses at registration time will help make the
student's school year a successful one.
Note: Some of the information in this online course guide may be out of
date. Please refer to your course guide provided at the time of course
signup.
It is the policy of the Davenport Community School District not to
discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, age, marital
status, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment
policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX
of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum
content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial
diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles, and
life styles open to women as well as men in our society.
Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, Title VI, or Section 504 may be
directed to:
or to the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 211 East Maple
Street, 2nd Floor, Des Moines, IA 50319, or to the Director of the Region VII
Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.
Language Arts is a year-long course that focuses
on reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing skills.
Students participate in oral and silent reading
activities as they explore universal themes in literature. These include
fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and folklore selections.
Writing is taught as a process. Writing assignments include descriptive,
narrative, persuasive, and informative essays. A research report has been
added to the curriculum as well. The Pathways model has been adopted for
this particular assignment and is currently being followed.
A focus has also been placed on the integration of focus lessons
(learning strategies) into each week’s lessons.
Learning opportunities include small and large group activities,
teacher-directed instruction, student-selected activities, and
individual/independent student projects.
Health Education
Health Education is a required course in Middle School.
It is offered quarterly to all grade levels 6-8. The course objective is to
promote life skills, knowledge of the human body, positive care techniques
for teens and promotes healthy choices for a lifetime. The coursework
targets the areas of personal hygiene, relationships, nutrition/eating
disorders, puberty, human reproduction, first-aid/safety, disease education,
substance abuse, and positive choice/goal setting skills.
7th Grade Math
Students will develop algebraic concepts and skills
associated with real numbers and their properties. Students must meet the
following DCSD math benchmarks: (1) Use a variety of methods to compute
with integers, (2) Understands basic algebraic terms and symbols, and can
solve multi-step linear equations, (3) Identify rules which describe number
patterns, (4) Use a variety of methods to multiply and divide fractions, and
(5) Understand basic geometric figures. In addition to these benchmarks, students will continue to
develop their understanding of Geometry while maintaining computation
mastery. Students will also learn square roots, probability, a variety of
data displays, and will be introduced to Pythagorean Theorem.
Physical Education
All students shall take an active part in the physical education
program. Classes will meet daily for a semester.
Students who temporarily cannot participate actively in the program must
present a written excuse from a parent or a doctor. In matters of extended
illness written excuse from a doctor is required. If an absence of more
than six weeks is anticipated, the student will be scheduled into adaptive
physical education, if possible. Parents may only excuse their child one
time per quarter from P.E.
Handicapped students who are unable to participate in regular P.E. class
will be assigned to an adaptive (modified) physical education class.
Students are expected to have a change of clothing for participation in the
vigorous physical education activities. Students are also encouraged to
have warm clothing for cool weather conditions. Each student is encouraged to shower after every activity.
Students will participate in varied activities, team sports, leisure
activities, water safety, rhythm and dance, fitness activities.
Science
In seventh grade science, students study living things through investigation
of classification, cells, and systems of the human body. This course
provides students an opportunity to use scientific equipment, science
inquiry, and research current trends in life science. This is a one year
course.
Social Studies
The concept-based curriculum approach allows students to grasp broad
concepts in modern day world culture and geography and integrate the
information they learn. The approach focuses instruction on concepts and
generalizations. Students will see important relationships between otherwise
isolated facts in the various regions of the world.
ART
7th Grade Art is a 71/2 week course. It is a
general art class emphasizing 2D and 3D projects. Students will learn about the
elements and principals of design and apply them to art projects. A variety of
art materials will be used
Art 1
7th Grade Art I is a semester
class. It is a more in depth art class emphasizing 2-D and 3-D projects. Students
will learn about the elements of art and principles of design and apply them to art projects.
Art Advanced
7th Grade Advanced Art is a year long class. It is a more advanced class emphasizing
2-D and 3-D projects. Students will learn about the elements of art and principles of
design and apply them to art projects.
Foreign Language
Exploratory Spanish
Students will be introduced to basic vocabulary, culture, and geography of
the Spanish-speaking world. Vocabulary topics will include: greetings and
farewells, alphabet, numbers, days and months, holidays, classroom
vocabulary, animals, sports, body parts, and colors.
Exploratory French
Students will be introduced to basic vocabulary, culture,
and geography of the French-speaking world. Vocabulary topics will include:
greetings and farewells, alphabet, numbers, days and months, holidays,
classroom vocabulary, animals, sports, body parts, and colors.
Family and Consumer Science
Students will study basic nutrition and introductory cooking
skills including: kitchen safety, equipment and measurement. Students will work
in teams to produce simple baking products. (7 weeks)
Industrial Technology
7th grade students enrolled in Industrial
Technology will expand on their 6th grade Synergistic experience. As in 6th
grade the student directed module is delivered at self-sufficient
workstations that accommodate everything students need to complete their
activities. Activities include hands on as well as cooperative learning
experiences. Activities are curriculum based, but give students an
opportunity to explore on their own. Between each seven-day rotation
students will have a discovery day in which among other things they will
have the opportunity to share with other students activities they
experienced in their previous labs.
Literature
This course provides the students a variety of reading
experiences. There will be whole-class, small group and individual reading
opportunities. Students are expected to be engaged fully in the reading
process, which includes responding to text read. Student responses will
range from student selected to teacher directed and include vocal, written,
and creative projects.
This course is intended to be a rigorous course.
The students in this course have met the ITBS reading comprehension
benchmark. As such they have demonstrated varying degrees of proficiency in
reading. This course will enhance students’ reading comprehension.
Instrumental Music
7th Grade Band
This year-long elective course is a continuation of study
for the students in learning how to play a band instrument, and provides
participation in a more advanced group band experience. The continued
development of the students’ music skills on their band instrument and
participation in their group band experience are the central goals of this
course. Group rehearsals are held daily during school. In addition, each
student receives an individual lesson once a week. All students must be
prepared to provide their own instrument and accessories with the exception
of certain specialty instruments that students may lease from the school
district. Activities include: daily ensemble rehearsals, quarterly concerts,
and city-wide solo and band festivals. Attendance at all concert
presentations is required. Opportunities for select students to audition
for acceptance in Honor Bands and Jazz Band are also available. The
signature of the band director is required to enroll in Band.
7th Grade General Music
General Music meets for a quarter during the school
year. 7th Grade general music will include the study of music
theory and appreciation of music from different eras, cultures, composers as
well as continuing to enrich the student’s music performing skills.
7th Grade Chorus
Seventh grade chorus is a yearlong class that meets
daily. The student will continue to study reading, writing and performing
vocal music, enhanced by the study of the voice and proper vocal
techniques. These students also have the opportunity to audition for select
extra-curricular groups, such as Show Choir and Vocal Jazz Choir. One third
of the chorus grade is based on rehearsal skills, one third is based on
written work and the other third is based on attendance at required choral
performances. Special attire is required for concerts, which are scheduled
during the evenings.
Orchestra
This program is a continuation for all string players who started their
training at the grade school level. The string orchestra meets daily and
all members receive one individual lesson each week. Training includes
individual instruction, string orchestra, full symphonic orchestra, ensemble
training, and solo preparation. Participation includes seasonal strings
and full orchestra public concerts, all city solo and orchestra festivals,
school assemblies and elementary promotion concerts. Even though most
string players start in earlier grades, beginners are welcome at the seventh
or eight grade.
Vocal Music
Exploratory Chorus (Opposite P.E.)
Seventh grade choir is a year long class that meets every other day
opposite P.E. The student will continue with the study of reading and
writing music, enhanced by the study of the voice and proper vocal
techniques. These students also have the opportunity to audition for the
Vocal Jazz Choir, the Show Choir, and The Madrigal Singers, which are two
select extra-curricular groups. One third of the grade is rehearsal
skills, one third is daily written work, and the other one third is from a
required choral performance. Special attire is required for the concert.
(For more information on these and other extracurricular activities available
at Williams, please visit our Activities
page.
MUSIC
Jazz Band
This group meets before school and is open to saxophones, trumpets,
trombones, percussion, piano, and electric bass players. Students must
be enrolled in white or concert band.
Show Choir, Vocal Jazz Choir
Show Choir and Vocal Jazz Choir and various honor choirs are open by
audition for any 7th or 8th grader enrolled in choir. Some costuming requirements
are necessary to be purchased. All selected students are required to
attend out of school rehearsals and performances as scheduled by the
director.
ATHLETICS
Practice for boys an or girls who wish to participate in athletic events
will be held after school. Actual times will be announced by the
coaches. A current physical examination/parent permission card must be
on file with the Activities Director before the student is permitted to
participate in a sport. This examination must be conducted by a licensed physician. You may
contact John Lee, athletic director for more
information and physical examination forms. The sports offered for
intermediate students are:
Basketball
7,8 Boys
and Girls
Football
7,8 Boys
Swimming
7,8 Boys
and Girls
Track
7,8 Boys
and Girls
Volleyball
7,8
Girls
Wrestling
7,8 Boys
English as a Second Language
Williams Intermediate School is the
designated site for ESL instruction for the Davenport Community School
District. ESL instruction is provided for students whose first language is
other than English. The goal of the program is to develop the students' English
skills and therefore facilitate integration into regular education classes.
Classes are offered to students with limited English skills in content areas
such as math and geography. Once an ELL student is exited from the ESL program
the student will be required to return to their home school.
Exceptional Education
Programming is provided for
students who have been evaluated by a multidisciplinary team that has
determined them eligible for instructional services and has determined where
those services will be provided. The decision for placement by the team is
based on specific federal, state, and local criteria. Parental consent is
mandatory prior to testing and placement. Program services are available in
the Davenport Community School District for students identified as having: a
learning disability, a mental disability, a behavior disorder, a physical
disability, a hearing impairment, a visual impairment, a traumatic brain or
head injury, autism, deaf, blindness or a non-categorical disability.
Students may be served primarily in
regular education along with special education classrooms at Williams or at other sites.
TAG Program
The TAG program is designed to meet the unique needs and interests of the
identified gifted and talented students.
Students who qualify for the program will have the opportunity to
participate in enrichment learning opportunities. Options may vary in
individual buildings. Enrichment options will include applications of
critical and creative thinking skills in a variety of student self-selected
learning activities. Curricular offerings may include state or national
competition activities, classes emphasizing advanced course content, and/or
independent study.
Students enrolled in the enrichment option will meet with the TAG a minimum
of one period per week for the duration of any particular activity. No grade of credit will be earned through the
enrichment option.
In buildings offering an accelerated humanities or science/math class for
gifted, teacher recommendation is a prerequisite for student enrollment.
Students who participate in the accelerated option will be scheduled daily and
receive English, science or math credit.