2. Course Request 2015-16 Future 7 th Grade Students

3. Parent letter PreAP information Copy of PowerPoint Course Request Sheet Course Catalog http://tinyurl.com/coursecatalog16-17 Materials

4. Due to your Social Studies teacher by Friday, February 5, 2015 If you are moving or planning to move, please fill out and turn one in anyway Parent and student must both sign Make wise choices Course Request Sheet

5. Higher expectations More responsibility More independence for your own learning More homework More juggling with extra curricular activities - No Pass, No Play Curriculum is challenging and demanding You must learn how to study Organization is a key to success Welcome to 7 th Grade!

6. All students must sign up for the following: – English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, one Elective, and two Alternate Elective GT Language Arts- choose 2 electives and 2 alternates Select your courses by placing a check on the line Before deciding about PreAP placement, you should talk to your teacher (see info on back of parent letter) Example: MATH ____J711 Math 7 ____ J712 PREAP Math 7 ____G712 GT Math 7 How To Request a Course

7. You will most likely sign up for courses similar to what you had in 6 th grade. Steps to use when considering which class level to sign up for: 1.Past grades in school and the kind of grades they like to make 2.Motivation and attitude 3.Standardized test scores 4.Study habits 5.Willingness to complete homework 6.Outside interests and activities 7.How quickly they catch on to new material 8.Independence level Choosing Courses

8. PreAP If you would like to try PreAP for the first time, talk to your current teacher. –Most teachers teach both Academic and PreAP. They know the curriculum, the pace, and they know your work habits. They can make an honest recommendation on whether they feel you are ready for the challenge of Pre-AP.

9. Choosing Math Level Concepts are a foundation for all higher level math courses and therefore should not be rushed 7th grade Academic - on grade level curriculum –Math homework is given each night to practice concepts –Will have the opportunity to take a placement test into Algebra 1 7th grade Pre-AP – second half of 7 th grade and most of 8th grade curriculum –A new concept is learned each day –Math homework is given each night to practice concepts

10. Advancing Math Levels If you choose to advance from 6th grade Academic math to 7th grade Pre-AP math you will be advancing from 6th grade concepts to second semester 7 th grade concepts You will be loosing instruction on at least 1/3 of 7 th grade math concepts

11. Selecting PreAP Math Must have a strong foundation in fractions, decimals, and integer operations as well as proportion solving Level of instruction/curriculum will focus on preparing students for Algebra I in 8th grade Must work at an accelerated pace, engage in independent learning, and persevere through challenging material Longer and tougher exams

12. Characteristics of a PreAP Math student Problem solver in everyday situations Primarily an independent learner Has developed strong learning/study habits Shows perseverance when challenged Displays emotional maturity when frustrated Demonstrates reasoning skills pertaining to mathematical concepts in everyday life Shows confidence in their own math abilities Strong/mastered fast facts skills Strongly values learning- Loves to learn!!

13. Language Arts In Pre-AP Reading, students will be required to read more novels than in Academic. –There is also higher rigor, more complex reading, and higher expectations for writing. If you enroll in Pre-AP or G/T Reading you will have a summer reading assignment. Since Reading and English are a combined class in 8 th grade, students enrolling in PreAP Reading must also enroll in PreAP English. Students who qualify for G/T Language Arts will enroll in a combined Reading/English class and therefore will sign up for two electives instead of one.

14. Science Subjects covered in 7 th Grade include: Lab safety and procedure Living Systems: cell parts and function, body systems, molecular compounds, genetics and adaptations Physics: calculating work, energy transformations within organisms Chemistry: physical and chemical changes, composting & biomass Earth and Space: space exploration, catastrophic events, watersheds, and erosion & weathering Energy: food chains and pyramids, photosynthesis, internal & external stimuli, and survival instincts *This is NOT a complete list, just a taste of what our future 7 th graders have to look forward to soon! PreAP/GT –move at a faster pace –are more academically challenging –require more independent learning –require more homework than academic courses

15. Social Studies 7 th grade Academic - students will focus on major events in the history of Texas. 7 th grade Pre-AP - students will study the same concepts in depth through more complex reading, required essays, higher rigor and enrichment activities. All 7 th graders will participate in CollegeEd through their social studies class. CollegeEd presents information to students about exploring their future, as well as choosing, applying, and paying for college.

16. Gifted and Talented Program Students who are currently being screened should not request GT classes. You can only sign up for the ones for which you have qualified. – the counselors will get a list of who qualifies and make those changes. You will not need to request a change—it will happen. If you HAVE qualified for GT classes, you must sign up for them or you will be exited. –To get back in later would require another screening.

17. Math Lab – designed to help refine basic math skills and help with preparation for STAAR Read 180 – designed to help improve reading level and help with STAAR skills You will be required to attend one or both of these if you do not pass that portion of STAAR. The class will take the place of an elective. If you are struggling with a subject, these courses may also be recommended. Possible Required Courses

18. Physical Education 7 th grade PE cost: $15.00 All students are required to be in PE or Athletics Intramurals –Offered during advisory class –Volleyball, basketball, track –Optional and carries no grade

19. Athletics Athletics Cost: $25.00 Athletics is only for football, volleyball, and basketball No one is exclusively in athletics for the other 3 sports. Remember: UIL “No Pass, No Play” is in effect – any grade below 70 on the report card will prevent participation. NOTE: NO student may sign up for Athletics. Coaches will determine placement and notify the Counselor’s office. Boys signing up for Football may choose Athletics and write in Football next to it. Football Volleyball Basketball Soccer Track Tennis

20. Electives Teen Leadership What will I learn? About yourself – how to develop your strengths & overcome personal constraints Decision making skills that will help you make healthy choices Create better relationships with friends/family/teachers/coaches Become an effective communicator How to serve others To work effectively with a group How will I learn? Teen Leadership – Flip Flippen curriculum Service project/fundraising opportunities Class discussion, role plays and team building games Class is open to 7 th & 8 th grade only

21. Electives Art I – an introduction to art in the areas of drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, technology. Students will explore many exciting projects in both 2D and 3D formats, as well as many different mediums like colored pencil, acrylic paint, paper mache and more. All students will have the opportunity to develop both their artistic and creative skills. Prerequisite: Students interested in taking the High School credit art in 8 th grade must have taken art in either 6 th or 7 th grade. Publications I – Application and interview required –Students will learn how to work as part of a team as a staff member in the process of building a yearbook. Basic photography and journalism techniques will be explored, as well as building leadership and communication skills.

22. Electives Family Consumer Science/Career Portals – Activities include cooking labs, nutrition and wellness labs, home and interior design, sewing projects & labs, baby & childcare, money management and self development Theater II (7 th /8 th grade theater)- Focus on vocabulary and theatrical terms, building sets, creating scripts and performing, creating Greek masks, performing short scenes from published works, and playing theater games such as improvisation.

23. Band – Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Students are grouped by audition into a performing band. Auditions will be held at the end of this school year. Performances and fun social events include: Football Game, Fall Party, Instrument Clubs, Band Socials Three concerts per year Contests and festivals throughout the year Perform a variety of music. Classical, pop, movie music, jazz Designed to enhance skills of self-confidence, team work, problem solving, creativity and communication through the art of music performance. Electives

24. Choir – Vocal Development, Music Literacy, and Performance Music literacy in preparation for lifelong enjoyment of music ABC’s of vocal sight-reading and auditory skills Learning to use the voice appropriately as a musical instrument Development of necessary skills for musical theater Use of skills related to language, math, science, history, and social studies Perform a variety of music including: classical, movie music, Broadway, folk songs, holiday, pop, and foreign language Four concerts per year including pop show Opportunities for solos and small groups Preparation for participation in high school choir, show choir, and the All-State Process

25. Electives Orchestra – Stringed instruments (violin, cello, viola and bass) Students are divided into 4 separate orchestras based on ability and experience. Auditions are held at the end of the previous school year and at the beginning of the current school year for “move in” students. Violins and violas are student owned. Students playing the cello and bass are encouraged to have a “home” rental instrument and use a school instrument during the day ($100 maintenance fee) Students will learn and practice skills necessary for playing in large and small ensemble performance. Among those skills are teamwork, responsibility, and persistence. Music played is from a wide variety of resources; classical, jazz, fiddling, contemporary, baroque, etc. Private lessons encouraged but not required.

26. Electives Independent Study PreAP or GT Independent Study (Not for High School credit) This course is designed for students who wish to pursue an area of interest in greater depth than is possible in the traditional classroom setting. Students utilize research skills to create advanced products in a variety of media to demonstrate their learning in their chosen area of interest.

27. Electives Spanish – Spanish 1, part 1 (one-year course) This class is the prerequisite to Spanish 1, part 2 (taken in 8 th grade) A baseline assessment of English grammar will be administered to all students who request this course to help determine potential success An end of year grade of 80 or higher is recommended to take Spanish 1, part 2 No High School credit will be given for Spanish 1, part 1 High School credit will be given after completion of Spanish 1, part 2 in 8 th grade Students enrolled in Spanish 1, part 1 cannot take Spanish 1 in 8 th grade, they must take Spanish 1, part 2 to receive High School credit – Spanish 1 - only available in 8 th grade. One credit in one year Ideal for students wanting to continue Band, Orchestra or Choir AND take a foreign language Recommended for students to be in Pre-AP ELA in 7 th grade

28. High School Credit Courses Grades earned (by semester) for any high school credit course will be applied to your GPA (Grade Point Average). A = 4 points B = 3 points C = 2 points D = 1 point F = 0 points Class rank and GPA will be recorded on the high school transcript which is used for college admission

29. High School Credit Courses Please consider carefully before selecting courses Starting credits early can be an advantage only if you are capable and willing to keep a 3.0 (B) or higher Another academic class with as much homework or more than other classes These classes have the same curriculum and requirements as the actual courses taught in high school Taking at least one high school credit course in junior high is recommended, but not required

30. Alternate Electives Choose 2 Alternate Electives –A class may be full –A class may not fit into your schedule –A class may not make the master schedule NOTE: Elective changes will not be made after the 2 nd week of school. CHOOSE WISELY!

31. Verification Process Verification Sheets – given out in March – A list of courses chosen (not a schedule) –The only time students can make any changes or corrections - no changes will be made to courses prior to verification sheets being distributed –Make changes on verification sheet and return –If we do not receive it back, we assume no corrections need to be made to classes –The verification sheet is only a list of courses requested. We are not always able to guarantee electives that are listed on the verification sheet.

32. Reminders!! Course Sheet due Friday, February 5 th to your Social Studies teacher Think carefully about classes and choose wisely Talk to teachers about PreAP placement Choose 2 alternate electives Verification sheet given out in March – this is the ONLY time to make changes to courses