1. Let’s Get Ready to Pick Classes for 8th Grade

2. What do I need to know?
Starting February 13th , all resource and spectrum classes will begin to visit with me (Mrs. Burnett) in the computer lab to choose electives for 8th grade. Before you meet with me, you need to know what your choices are!
Starting February 9th -your teacher’s recommendations for Math, Science, English and Social Studies will be loaded into your StudentVue in the Course Requests tab

3. So what does that mean for me?
For core courses, you will not be able to make changes to the teacher’s recommendation unless your parent talks with that teacher. So talk to your PARENTS about those classes, and make sure you are ok with them.
For electives, you must decide what you want to take in 8th grade BEFORE you meet with me (Mrs. Burnett), so today you are going to learn what your choices are!

4. Required 8th Grade Courses:
All 8th Graders will take:
Math, Physical Science, Civics (this is the 8th grade Social Studies class), English and PE
All 8th Graders will have a 90 minute Resource, UNLESS you are in Spectrum in which case you will have 45 minutes of Resource and 45 minutes of Spectrum
Look in StudentVue after February 9th to see your Core Course Recommendations

5. Now the fun part! Each 8th grader can choose two electives:
Choices:
World Languages:
Art 8
Technology Education 8
FACS 8
Chorus 8
Guitar 8-Level 1(if enough sign up) or Level 2 –must have taken Level 1
Strings 8-must have taken Strings 6 and 7
Band 8-must have taken Band 6 and 7
Robotics* See next slides
Spanish, French, German or Latin 1 or 2 – you have to complete level 1 before you can go to 2
World Languages DO count as an elective, so if you are taking a Language, you can choose ONE from the first column

6. robotics This is a new elective for 8th graders
What you need to know about this course: extremely rigorous, upper level course that will require extra course work and higher level thinking for problem solving. More information to come….we are in the beginning stages of developing the curriculum. There could possibly be a GPA requirement- decision has not been made yet.
This is a high school credit course so the grade will be included in students’ transcripts and factored into their GPA-like world language courses and Algebra 1 and higher math courses.
Students will be selected by lottery to take this class. All students that choose this elective should also choose an alternate elective in case they aren’t chosen.

7. Technology of robotic design 803000 Grade(s):8 Credit: 1
Students engage in the study of computers and microprocessors and their applications to manufacturing, transportation, and communication systems. Topics include computer equipment and operating systems, robotics, programming, control systems and social/cultural impact of these technologies. Problem-solving activities challenge students to design, program, and interface devices with computer systems. Learning activities include robotics, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing and design, and control of electromechanical devices.

8. Not sure what each elective is all about?
We have some video clips that might help! Just go to:
The School Counseling tab on the Harper Park website, Course Selection on the left hand side
Scroll down to see the Rising 8th Grade Course Selection Information and videos-click on any course to see the video

9. Next Steps……………
Talk to your parents to decide what electives you will take
Look at your teacher’s recommendations in StudentVue starting February 9th, in the Course Request tab
If you or your parents disagree with a recommendation, have your parents contact that teacher
Sign up for your electives when Mrs. Burnett meets with your Resource/Spectrum class in a couple of weeks!