1. Future 8th Grade Course Selection
North Ridge
Middle School
Future 8th Grade Course Selection

2. Required Courses What do I have to take?
English
Math
Social Studies
Science
Elective Choices
8th grade: English/Reading = 1 class
You gain an Elective!!!

3. On-Level v. Pre-Advanced Placement Classes
Pre-Advanced Placement Classes Also called PAP Classes: (All Core Classes Offered)
Courses are more challenging
Take more time
Increased Reading load
Sophisticated writing assignments and projects

4. BLOCKED MATH CLASS
*On level math class will be blocked for the school year for 8th grade students. This means that students will have 2 class periods of math. *PAP math class will be for only one class period.

5. You have to qualify to take PAP math in 7th grade and 8th Grade
PAP Math Class
PAP Math Sequence:
7th PAP Math is a COMPACTED course that COMBINES 7th and 8th grade math
8th is Algebra I (This is a high school credit class)
You have to qualify to take PAP math in 7th grade and 8th Grade

6. Qualifications for PAP Classes
Overview of Qualifications for PAP Classes
*Teachers have to recommend students for all PAP Classes based on
two criteria:
1. Readiness to Learn - Students ability to learn the required content and academic preparation.
2. Task Commitment – Students desire to participate and complete tasks which might require perseverance.
(If the student receives a NO in either category from a teacher, the student is switched over to an on level class)

7. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PAP Math and PAP English Language Arts
Entrance into 8th grade PAP math and English Language Arts will be determined by a combination of 3 data points:
*May STAR Universal Screener
*Final grade in current math course
*Raw score on STAAR test

8. 3 Data Points PAP Algebra I (8th Grade)

9. ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS
8th Grade: English and Reading is combined to ONE class. Students will have only one teacher for this class.

10. 3 Data Points PAP English/Language Arts 8th Grade

11. Electives PE Technology Education Art Theatre Choir Athletics Band
Gateway to
Technology
Tennis or
Gymnastics

12. Principles of Information Mgmt.
Electives
Health
Spanish
Speech
College & Careers
Principles of Information Mgmt.
(PIT) computer class

13. Physical Education in Middle School
Physical Education – Students can sign up for athletics, tennis, gymnastics, or PE class. There is a cost for a PE or athletic uniform. 8th grade – Not required to take physical education class. Student choice.

14. Electives – Year Long Athletics
Competitive team sports requiring time involvement
outside the school day.
Physical is required ($)
Boys – Football, Basketball, Cross Country, and Track
Girls – Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, and Track

15. No off season for Football – Everyone Plays
Boys Athletics
No off season for Football – Everyone Plays
If I only want to play:
Basketball – Everyone is welcome to tryout for basketball. Tryouts will be before/after school. If you make the team a schedule change will be made.
Cross Country – Everyone is welcome to tryout for cross country. Practice is before and after school. No schedule change needed.
Track – Everyone is welcome to tryout for track. If you make the team a schedule change will be made.

16. Electives – Year Long
Gymnastics/ Tennis – Competitive classes offered before 1st period at the Shannon Center for gymnastics and the Richland Tennis Center for tennis. Parents are responsible for transportation to those facilities. Bus service from the facility to campus provided by the district. Tryouts required.

17. Electives – Year Long Band
*Play self-owned or school-rented instruments
*Private lessons are also offered ($)
*Practice time & some extra curricular time is a requirement
*Cost for performance attire
*Students will be placed into a band
*Sectionals before and after school are required
*Concerts are mandatory

18. Electives – Year Long Choir
*Learn fundamental vocal technique and music theory
*Some extracurricular time is required outside the school day for concerts
*Private lessons are also offered ($)
*Cost for performance attire
and choir shirt
*Concerts are mandatory

19. Electives – Year Long
Theatre – Students learn the mechanics of stage production and actually perform in a play.

20. Electives – One Semester
Career Tech Education (Wood Shop) – Students learn to operate machinery. Design and construct projects. Introductory class ($) for materials.

21. Electives – One Semester
Art – Introductory class for those students who have never taken Art before. Small cost for art supplies.

22. Gateway to Technology One Semester ½ credit
Engineering Classes:
Gateway to Tech 1: Design & Modeling/Automation & Robotics – Introduction to the engineering design process and tools used. Model mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems.
Gateway to Tech 2: Science of Technology/Magic of Electrons – Explore science and relevance of chemistry, physics and nanotechnology. Acquire knowledge and skills in the behavior and parts of atoms, basic circuitry design and sensing devices.
Gateway to Tech 3: Energy & the Environment/Flight & Space – Investigate the importance of energy in our lives and explore the history and science behind aeronautics and space flight.
(Any of these classes meets the technology credit for high school graduation)

23. College and Careers – ½ Semester
Requirement for all 8th grade students
Students will take an interest and aptitude assessment to determine areas of interest and academic strength, learn about all of the endorsements and BISD courses that fulfill the endorsement requirements.
Students will develop a personal graduation plan utilizing an electronic system that will be accessible to counselors.
Students will take this course during one semester of each student’s 8th grade year.

24. Electives – Year Long One High School Credit
Spanish
A very intensive class which includes grammatically correct verbal and written assessments. Students are expected to orally communicate in proper Spanish.
(High School graduation requirements: Students need a minimum of 2 years of foreign language for graduation)

25. Electives – One Semester
Principals of Information Technology
Students will study various components of Microsoft Office. The student will develop skills in the areas of word-processing, database, PowerPoint, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing. This class meets the high school graduation requirement for ½ credit of technology.

26. NRMS Semester Classes Semester Classes Are:
*Offered in the fall or spring semester.
Have a “Bank” class to go along with it.
*Bank classes are taught the same class period but different semester.
For Example: A student might take art the fall semester and theatre the spring semester. These two classes are considered “BANK” classes.

27. REMEMBER ELECTIVES ARE…
*Not guaranteed – they are requests *Based on class size *might not fit into your schedule

28. Course Selection Computer Lab Day
7th Grade Students
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
(During Math Class)