1. Future 7th Grade Students
Course Request
Future 7th Grade Students

2. Materials Parent letter PreAP information Course Request Sheet
Course Catalog

3. Course Request Sheet
Due to your Social Studies teacher by Friday, January 27, 2017
If you are moving or planning to move, you still need to complete a course request worksheet
Parent and student must both sign

4. Welcome to 7th Grade! 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

5. How To Request a Course All students must sign up for the following:
*English, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, one
elective, and two Alternate Electives (please number them
1-3 in order of preference)
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

6. Choosing Courses
Consider the following when choosing which class level to sign up for:
Past grades in school and the kind of grades they like to make
Motivation and attitude
Standardized test scores
Study habits
Willingness to complete homework
Outside interests and activities
How quickly they catch on to new material
Independence level

7. Degrees of Difficulty Academic Pre-AP Moves at a faster pace
For everyone
On grade level
More time to review concepts
More tutoring provided
Prepares students for college as well as other post secondary education
Moves at a faster pace
More academically challenging
Requires more independent learning
Requires more homework than academic courses
Recommended 85+ in current core class
If you would like to try Pre-AP for the first time, talk to your current teacher. They can make an honest recommendation on whether they feel you are ready for the challenge of Pre- AP.

8. Choosing Math Level
Concepts taught are the 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
7th grade Pre-AP – second half of 7th grade and most of 8th grade curriculum
- A new concept is learned each day

9. 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 7th grade concepts.
You will be missing instruction on at least 1/3 of 7th grade math concepts but accountable for knowing the missed information.

10. 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

11. 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 8th 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.

12. Science Subjects covered in 7th Grade include: PreAP/GT
- 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 7th graders have to look forward to soon!
PreAP/GT
- moves at a faster pace
- more academically challenging
- requires more independent learning
- requires more homework than academic courses

13. Social Studies
7th grade Academic - Students will focus on major events in the history of Texas.
7th grade Pre-AP - Students will study the same concepts in depth through more complex reading, required essays, higher rigor and enrichment activities.
All 7th 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.

14. 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.

15. Possible Required Courses
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.

16. Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Track, & Tennis
Physical Education & Athletics
Athletics PE
PE cost: $15.00
All students are required to be in PE or 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.
Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Track, & Tennis
NOTE: Boys playing football should sign up for Athletics; all other athletes should sign up for PE and coaches will determine placement.

17. Class is open to 7th & 8th grade only
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 7th & 8th grade only

18. Electives Junior High Art I, II
A study of 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 8th grade must have taken art in either 6th or 7th 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.

19. Electives Career Readiness
Course Fee: $15.00
Grades: 7 - 8
Students explore college and career planning within the 16 career clusters. Students participate in career preparation activities. Students are exposed to basic skills and projects within the career clusters that are essential for independent adult living.
Theater II (7th/8th 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.

20. Electives 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.

21. 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.

22. Electives 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

23. Electives (Not for High School credit)
Independent Study Pre-AP/GT
This course will explore various topics as students learn strategies for long-term research. Students will develop research plans, implement research, and design products to demonstrate their learning. Students will also focus on communication skills to enable them to be successful and confident in delivering their ideas.

24. Electives Spanish Spanish 1- only available in 8th grade.
Spanish 1, Part 1 (one-year course)
This class is the prerequisite to Spanish 1, part 2 (taken in 8th 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 70 or higher is required 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 8th grade
Students enrolled in Spanish 1, part 1 cannot take Spanish 1 in 8th grade, they must take Spanish 1, part 2 to receive High School credit
Spanish 1- only available in 8th 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 7th grade

25. 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 2nd week of school.

26. Verification Process Verification Sheets – given out February 28, 2017
No changes will be made to courses prior to verification sheets being distributed.
Make changes on verification sheet and return to your social studies teacher by March 6, 2017.
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 able to guarantee electives that are listed on the verification sheet.

27. Reminders
Course Sheet due Friday, January 27, 2017 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 February 28, 2017
- this is the only time to make changes to courses

28. Questions?
Please click on the link below to ask the counselors any questions you may have.
We will provide a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) once all questions have been collected.
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