1. 8th Grade Academic Success
Welcome! Please pull a piece of paper out and setup your Cornell Notes for today’s lesson! We will get started in just a minute.
Mrs. Gardner and Mr. Caro,
School Counselors

2. Lesson objectives Calculate Grade Point Averages (GPA)
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
Calculate Grade Point Averages (GPA)
Read and Understand a Transcript
Learn about Ways to Manage Time Better
Create an Academic SMART Goal

3. Essential Question
In what ways can setting goals and managing time wisely contribute to your academic success?

4. Calculating G.P.A. A= 4 points B= 3 points C= 2 points D=1 point
G.P.A. stands for Grade Point Average
It is a formula to calculate grades from all your classes
A= 4 points
B= 3 points
C= 2 points
D=1 point
F= NOTHING

5. The Formula Step 1 Add up all of your classes Figure out your points
Divide your total points by the number of classes
Example- A+B+B+A+C+A= 20 points
20 points / 6 classes= 3.33
Your GPA

6. Activity #1—GPA Team Race
You will be divided into a team of 4
Each team will be given 6 cards
Each card has a letter grade on it (ex: “A”, “C”, etc.)
Your team task is to Calculate the total GPA
Winning team gets to present

7. Caro vs. Gardner

8. Understanding your Transcript
Your transcript is a document that shows all the grades you have received in middle school
Shows your Class Ranking
Used for Class Placement
View your Transcript on Student Portal!

9. Activity #2--Putting it All Together
Read the following transcript. In your notes,
Answer the following in your groups:
1. Calculate the student’s GPA
2. How many students have a better ranking? How many students are behind?
3. Student wants to play basketball. Can she? Why or why not? Provide evidence to support
B in ELA Support
C in Science
D in PE
D in Social Studies
F in English Language Arts
D in Math
Class Rank: 317 of 342

10. A-G Requirement review
A-G classes are taken and passed with a C or better in high school to be eligible for a 4-year university in California
Not all classes in high school are A-G so choose wisely (ex: PE

11. Are you A-G ready?? Quiz challenge
Letter A stands for ______
At SJHS, the 3 foreign languages offered are __________, ___________ and ____________
3 years of math are required but ___ are recommended.
Classes like theatre, dance, and ceramics are examples of the __________requirement
Two universities I can go to if I am A-G ready are ________ and ____________

12. Time Management

13. Start with the assignments that are the hardest
This sounds backwards, but we feel better about our work if it progressively gets easier.
Look at your to-do list and do those things you dread first.
Your list will get easier and by the time you finish, you will have an overall positive feeling about the experience. We prefer when things get better over time, not worse.

14. Assignment activity
Listed here are a few different assignments. Based off of what we have discussed and your personal preferences and tastes, put these assignments in the order you think you should work on them.
1-page math worksheet (due tomorrow)
Reading log (due at the end of the week)
Big science project (due in three weeks)
Read a newspaper article and write a one paragraph reaction (due tomorrow)

15. Self-advocacy Student Success If you need help, speak up
Where can I get help?
Teachers
School
Counselors
Family support
Student Success
Students

16. Setting Goals Setting goals is something you can do to
Challenge yourself
Get something you want
Boost your self-esteem
Think about what goals you have reached since you have been in school?

17. How to contact us School Counselor Appointment Form Email Online form
Online form
Go to school website under “counseling”
Follow us on Instagram
nmms_school_counselors

18. S.M.A.R.T. Goals
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable/Action
R Realistic
T Timely

19. SMART GOALS Specific *Better grade in math *Read 20 AR books
Measurable
*My math grade improves
*My AR level increases
Achievable/Action
*I will study at home
*I will attend tutoring
Realistic
*I can read 10 books in a month
*I can go from an C to an A
Timely
*By the end of week
*End of February

20. Activity #4--Write an academic smart goal
Think about an area or class you want to do better at (PE mile time, math grade, AR points, etc.)
Think about what steps are necessary to reach your goal (get missing homework, attend tutoring, practice)
Who can help you reach your goal? (parents, school counselors, teachers, older siblings)
What behavior or thoughts do you have to change to reach your goal? (stop being tardy to class, find better friends, self-control)

21. So Now What… You have control over what grades you earn
Plan NOW for success TOMORROW
Use these skills to have a great semester!
THANK YOU! Any Questions?