Welcome to Middle School and Beyond www. todaysmeet Welcome to Middle School and Beyond www.todaysmeet.com/5thgradeparentmeeting

Planning the 6th Grade Year 2 Math (same math double-blocked) 1 ELA 1 Science 1 Social Studies 1 P.E. (All 6th graders take P.E.) 1 Fine Art Elective (Band, Choir, or Orchestra) 1 other elective which could include a second fine art Band, Choir, Orchestra, Intro. to Art, Intro. to Theatre, Technology Apps, & Teen Leadership

Choices for 6th Grade Core Courses Language Arts, Pre-AP Language Arts, or GT Language Arts (for identified GT students) Math, Pre-AP Math, or GT Math (for identified GT students) Science or Pre-AP Science Contemporary World Cultures & Geography or Pre-AP Contemporary World Cultures & Geography Applied core courses are also available for students who require the courses as determined by an ARD committee.

Math Curriculum and STAAR/EOC Pre-AP Math/GT Math 6 6th and 7th TEKS 6th Grade STAAR Pre-AP Math/GT Math 7 7th and 8th TEKS 8th grade STAAR Pre-AP Algebra 1 Algebra 1 TEKS Algebra 1 EOC Pre-AP Geometry Geometry TEKS

Selecting 6th Grade Courses Advanced Academics Students are encouraged to enroll in Pre-AP (Pre-Advanced Placement) courses in middle school whenever possible to best prepare for future academic opportunities. Pre-AP courses will prepare students for success in AP and other rigorous courses.

Math Sequence Through High School 6th Grade Math 7th Grade Math 8th Grade Math Algebra I or PreAP Algebra I Geometry or PreAP Geometry Algebra II or PreAP Algebra II Precalculusor PreAP Precalculus PreAP 6th Grade Math PreAP 7th Grade Math PreAP Algebra I PreAP Geometry PreAP Algebra II PreAP Precalculus AP Calculus

Courses Available for High School Credit in 8th Grade Pre-AP Algebra I* Art I* Professional Communications (.5)* PreAP Spanish I* *Required for high school graduation – Algebra I, one high school fine art (i.e. Art I), two years of the same world language (i.e. Spanish), Professional Communications (Speech)

Factors to consider when choosing courses: College and career readiness Challenging classes Classes preparing students for rigorous high school courses Students are encouraged to take at least ONE Pre-AP course.

How many Pre-AP courses should my child take? Consider… Your child’s academic strengths Teacher input Reviewing past grades and test performances Personal goals Extra-curricular activities Most importantly…motivation, effort, & attitude!

Why all the talk about advanced academics? Opportunities will come before we know it--- Endorsements Academies AP courses and exams Dual credit courses Rigorous courses in middle school will help maximize a student’s efforts in preparing for these opportunities.

Beginning with the End in Mind While in high school, students will have the opportunity to earn college credit through AP courses and Dual Credit college courses. AP courses are college-level courses reflecting what is taught in introductory college courses. The AP course culminates at the end of the school year with a national AP exam. Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely then their peers to complete a college degree on time.

Preparing for high school, college, and a career By 7th or 8th grade, students will be provided instruction in the following: The creation of a high school personal graduation plan Endorsements The distinguished level of achievement College readiness standards Potential career choices and the education needed to enter those careers

Just a Glimpse: the Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) in the Home Access Center (HAC)

Just a Glimpse: the Five High School Endorsements Initiated by the State in 2014-15

Just a Glimpse: NISD High School Academies Academy of Aeronautics & Aviation Sciences (AAAS) – Eaton HS Academy of Biomedical Sciences (ABS) – BNHS Academy of Business Management and Entrepreneurship (BME) – Eaton HS NISD Collegiate Academy – SAHS Academy of Cosmetology – SAHS Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality – BNHS Academy of Media Arts and Technology (AMAT) – NHS Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – NHS

Just a Glimpse: Each middle school student will have his/her own Naviance (a.k.a. Family Connections) account. Through Naviance, our middle school students have the opportunity to research colleges and careers, track his/her community service, build a resume’, and take personality and career assessments.

Just a Glimpse: As a student enters high school, he/she will continue to use Naviance/Family Connections to: Indicate colleges he/she is thinking about or applying to Request transcripts Request teacher and staff letter of recommendations Track college applications/view deadlines Utilize the personalized TestPrep course for SAT and/or ACT

Partnering in Planning We share all of this not to overwhelm you, however, to give you a glimpse of the opportunities your child will have over the next several years. We invite you to partner with us as your child begins to plan for his/her future and the path he/she will take to get there. -NISD Counselors