7th Grade

7th Grade Courses

The following classes are required for all 7th Graders. Full course descriptions can be read in the Mountain Trail Curriculum Guide from your counselor.

MATH (classes based on placement exams or success in a previous course)

• Math 7 - To prepare students for Pre-Algebra, students study problem-solving, decimals, statistics, patterns, fractions, measurements, Pre-Algebra, integers, geometry, ratios, percent and probability.

• Pre-Algebra - To prepare students for Algebra, topics covered include problem-solving, integers, statistics, geometry, patterns, rational and real numbers, proportions, percent, functions, graphing, probability and polynomials.

• Algebra - High School equivalent class.  This class includes a study of sets of real numbers, solutions of first and second degree equations, graphing on the coordinate plane, applications of algebra to data analysis and probability, patterns and functions and their applications, measurement and discrete mathematics and basic mathematical structures.  (Pre-requisite: Demonstrated competency in Pre-Algebra material and teacher recommendation)

ENGLISH

• 7th Gr. English - Block periods of Reading and Writing that provides students a varied exposure to the world of great literature, multiple writing experiences and enriched vocabulary.  Specific content includes reading novels such as The Call of the Wild, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the play Cyrano de Bergerac.  In addition, various other novels, short stories and speeches add to the diversity of the curriculum.  Writing experiences include functional writing; both friendly and business letter forms, expressive writing, literary response, and expository, argumentative, and research essays.  Students are required to demonstrate the application of the six traits of good writing: Organization, Ideas and Content, Sentence Fluency, appropriate Word Choice, Voice and Conventions.  The curriculum aligns with the Arizona College and Career-Ready Standards in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting.

• Honors English - Single periods of Reading and Writing (similar to the above but with accelerated and more in-depth study)

SCIENCE

• 7th grade - Student investigations focus on collecting and making sense of observational data and measurements using the science and engineering practices: ask questions and define problems, develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, use mathematics and computational thinking, construct explanations and design solutions, engage in argument from evidence, and obtain, evaluate, and communicate information. Focus will be on patterns, cause and effect, structure and function. Topics include: Dynamic Earth Science, Cells and Life Body Systems, and Forces and Motion. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

• 7th Gr. Social Studies - The seventh grade curriculum encompasses US History focusing on the Civil War, Spanish-American War, WW1, Russian Revolution, the 1920s (Great Depression, Dust Bowl era) along with the geography of Europe and the United States.

• Honors Social Studies - Same as above with accelerated and more in-depth study.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• Various activities relating to particular fitness aspects as well as specific sports. Students work cooperatively, as well as individually, to develop their own fitness levels and to learn specific rules and skills involved with each sport presented. Team work, safety, and sportsmanship are emphasized throughout the course. PE uniforms can be purchased from the MTMS PTSO.

7th Grade Electives

The exploratory strand in 7th grade provides all students with the opportunity to experience learning activities in art, technology, foreign language, and culinary arts.  Below are the choices for 7th grade.  Each class is one semester long.  See the curriculum guide for descriptions.

• Art

• Choir (One Semester or Full Year)

• Concert Band

• Concert Strings

• Culinary Arts

• Drama

• Engineering

• Environmental Adventures

• Guitar

• Intro to Computer Science

• Intro to American Sign Language

• Medical Detectives

• PE Boys/Girls (Semester or Full Year)

• Percussion Ensemble

• Piano (One Semester)

• Spanish

• Strings (Full Year)