1. Transition Night 2015

2. Course Selections 7th grade –4 core classes –1 PE (or Athletics) –1 Fine Art –1 other elective 8th grade –4 core classes –3 other electives

3. Transition Night 2015 Core Classes English Math Science Social Studies

4. Transition Night 2015 Honors Classes Advance track - prepares students for high school advanced courses 90 or better in academic courses 80 or better in honors courses Teacher Recommendation

5. Transition Night 2015 High School Credit Courses Algebra I Spanish I World History Art Studio (If portfolio is completed and accepted).

6. Transition Night 2015 Electives PE/Athletics Fine Arts –Band –Choir –Theatre –Theatre Design –Art Futures Spanish World History Technology Applications Robotics/Body Systems Student Aide Library Aide Destination Imagination

7. Transition Night 2015 Grade Weights Daily grades include but are not limited to in-class assignments, homework, quizzes, class discussions, group work and participation. Assessments include but are not limited to major exams, CScope assessments, essays, research papers, quizzes, reports and projects. Category5 th Grade6 th Grade7 th Grade8 th Grade Daily/ Homework 70%65%60%55% Assessments/ Major Grades 30%35%40%45%

8. Transition Night 2015 English - Laura Fitzgerald Honors vs. Regular –Honors are more individually driven and there is a high emphasis on time management –Assignments are at the Synthesis and Analysis level Outside work/Homework Summer reading Journals

9. Transition Night 2015 Math - Cami Mackey Algebra I expectations Pre-Algebra (7 th /8 th ) Grading Homework

10. Transition Night 2015 Math Grading Standards Student A GradeTests/Quizzes (at School) Homework (at home) Average 8090 6th grade35%65%87 7th grade Pre-Algebra 60%40%84 8th grade Algebra 90%10%81

11. Transition Night 2015 Math Grading Standard Student B GradeTests/Quizzes (at School) Homework (at home) Average 72 (doesn’t test well) 90 6th grade30%70%85 7th grade Pre-Algebra 60%40%79 8th grade Algebra 90%10%74

12. Transition Night 2015 Science - Wiessner 7 th & 8 th grade Honors More independent assignments and an expectation of higher quality work Greater attention to detail and ability to use deductive reasoning skills Group work in labs

13. Transition Night 2015 Science - Wiessner 7 th & 8 th grade Honors Several outside group/individual projects assigned throughout the school year Honors classes will work beyond grade level expectations

14. Transition Night 2015 Social Studies – Holland HonorsRegular Asked to consider multiple perspectives Asked to consider one perspective More freedom but greater responsibility Content and format specified May choose technology toolsAssigned a specific tool to use Projects are more complexProjects are more straightforward Interactive discussion & collaborative learning More challenging evaluationsEvaluation with concessions like word banks

15. Transition Night 2015 Band – Jana Crosslin No experience is necessary to be in Band! Yes, you can be in Band, Choir and Athletics. Coaches and Sponsors work together to allow for student participation in many areas. Three concerts per year Several contests and a festival Many social activities and celebrations

16. Transition Night 2015 Choir - Sandy Shelley Yes, you CAN do Choir and Athletics Evening concerts/Test grade Minimal cost for uniform UIL contests/field trips Hurricane Harbor Contest/field trip

17. Transition Night 2015 Athletics - Flanery What sports are offered? What sports are offered outside the school day? Do you get credit? Where do we play? Can you do Band and be in Athletics? When is the first day of practice?

18. Transition Night 2015 7 th and 8 th Grade Lady Raider Athletics

19. Transition Night 2015 What sports are offered? Volleyball Basketball Track

20. Transition Night 2015 Do I need to participate in every sport? We think that as Lady Raiders it is important to be willing to help your team in any way possible. You must play either basketball or volleyball, and everyone runs track. Participating in ALL sports is HIGHLY encouraged.

21. Transition Night 2015 What period is girls athletics? First Period During basketball and volleyball we will have morning practices before school and during the period.

22. Transition Night 2015 Athletics vs. P.E. When asking yourself if you should do athletics or P.E. consider the following: Athletics is for people that love to compete. If you really are only doing it for the credit, P.E. may be the way to go. There are expectations held for student athletes. For example, being at practice on time, and participating in every workout.

23. Transition Night 2015 What We believe We believe that athletics at the middle school level is to obviously get better at each sport, but to also develop the students ability to work together as a team, and improve their confidence level, as well as respect for others.

24. Transition Night 2015 Lady Raider Coaches We are lucky enough to have the help of the high school coaches at the middle school. This is awesome because the student athletes are prepared when they get to high school, and know the expectations for the sports that they participate in. *Volleyball- Ashley Broom (HS) Ashlee Baker (MS) Lance Simmons (HS) Autumn Softley (HS) *Basketball- Jill McDill (HS) Casey Reeves (HS & MS) Ashlee Baker (MS) Autumn Sofley (HS) *Track- Ashley Broom (HS) Ashlee Baker (MS) Lance Simmons (HS) Autumn Softley (HS) Casey Reeves ( MS & HS)

25. Transition Night 2015 Art - Melanie Phelps Use a variety of Media and Techniques: Pencil, colored pencils, paint, paper mache, clay, etc. Learn about artist and periods of art. Supply list required for class. Art classes available for 7th/8th: Art 1, Art II, Art III, and Art Studio JR VASE UIL competition in May

26. Transition Night 2015 Theatre Arts-Rae Harvill Theatre Design (Tech Theatre) class –Set Design –Costume & Makeup Design –Light & Sound Design –Publicity Design –Prop Design Theatre Arts class: –Acting, Characterization, Movement, Vocal Production –Theatre History –Plot Development, Storytelling –Class Play performed in Spring

27. Transition Night 2015 Futures Interest & Skills Inventory Budgeting – house, car, daycare, food, clothing, health insurance, vacations, entertainment & savings Banking – savings, checking, deposits, withdrawals, writing checks, earning interest Research Career Fields College Search –Admission process –Application deadlines –ACT, SAT –Tuition, Room & Board –Financial Aid –Student Life –Intercollegiate Sports Public Speaking – Presentations Interviewing & Job Applications Debates Field Trip – SMU and/or UTD Little to no homework and does not interfere with extracurricular activities

28. Transition Night 2015 Destination Imagination Student teams solve open- ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments Teams learn important life skills like time management, collaboration, conflict resolution, and creative and critical thinking

29. Transition Night 2015 How to stay involved as a parent? Parent Portal E-Alerts Website Email teachers

30. Transition Night 2015 Registration Selection sheets are due Friday, March 6th Student will register online at school March 19 th & 20 th