1. Welcome to Farmwell! Mrs. Sherryl Loya, Principal Mr. Rodney Farrar, Assistant Principal Ms. Tonya Edwards, Assistant Principal Mr. LaRue, Counselor

2. Required Courses 8 th Grade English 8 English 8 Physical Science Physical Science Civics and Economics Civics and Economics Math: Math: Math 8 Algebra I Geometry Health and PE 8 Health and PE 8

3. 8 th Grade Courses Sample Schedule A Day B Day English 8 Math (Math 8, Algebra I, or Geometry) Physical ScienceResource – includes Spectrum Civics & EconomicsElective* Health & PE 8Elective* Electives (2 full year) Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, Latin, & German) Technology Education Family and Consumer Science Art 8 Chorus 8 Band 8 Strings 8 Guitar 8 Resource (full block) or Half with Spectrum 8

4. Important Considerations –Teacher Recommendations (best predictor of success) –Each math course delivers content that builds on the previous courses’ material –Math moves from the concrete (Math 5) to the abstract (Algebra 1) –Strong understanding and performance of Algebra 1 skills are CRUCIAL to success in all higher levels of math and therefore we want to place our students in Algebra 1 at a time when it will most benefit them and not discourage them!

5. Math Progression Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8Grade 9 CURRENT 6 TH GR: Math 6  Math 7  Algebra I  Geometry Accelerated Math 6/Math 7  Algebra I  Geometry-  Algebra II or Algebra II w/ Trigonometry CURRENT 7 TH GR: Algebra I  Geometry  Algebra II or Alg II with Trig Math 7  Algebra I  Geometry Math 7  Math 8  Algebra I In mathematics, the skills required to be successful are more sequential and developmental than in other courses. Therefore, prerequisites are set for placement in middle school math classes based on a student’s success on standardized tests and class performance.

6. Spanish, French, German, Latin LCPS offers six years of Foreign Languages LCPS offers six years of Foreign Languages It is recommended that a student earn at least a “B” in order to progress to the next level of foreign language study It is recommended that a student earn at least a “B” in order to progress to the next level of foreign language study Foreign Language Electives

7. Foreign Language Important Notes: (1) For an Advanced Studies Diploma, students must successfully complete three years of one language or two years each of two different languages. (1) For an Advanced Studies Diploma, students must successfully complete three years of one language or two years each of two different languages. (2) Some colleges may require more than the minimum number of foreign language credits currently needed for the Advanced Studies Diploma. (2) Some colleges may require more than the minimum number of foreign language credits currently needed for the Advanced Studies Diploma. (3) Colleges are looking for students to continue foreign language through their senior (3) Colleges are looking for students to continue foreign language through their senior year of high school. year of high school.

8. Foreign Language High School Credit Courses what you should know…. The workload will be higher both in classwork and homework The workload will be higher both in classwork and homework You will need to learn a great deal of new vocabulary, spelling and grammar, which will require study time You will need to learn a great deal of new vocabulary, spelling and grammar, which will require study time You will be expected to read, write, speak and listen to your new language every day You will be expected to read, write, speak and listen to your new language every day

9. 2 types of Diplomas Advanced Studies Diploma Advanced Studies Diploma This is what we plan for all students at the middle school level This is what we plan for all students at the middle school level 26 credits with specific number of core courses, etc. 26 credits with specific number of core courses, etc. Standard Studies Diploma Standard Studies Diploma 22 credits with specific number of core courses, etc. 22 credits with specific number of core courses, etc. For specific information please check the High School Program of Studies on the county website

10. Plan of Studies Worksheet

11. A Student in an Honors Class… exhibits excitement/enthusiasm about the subject exhibits excitement/enthusiasm about the subject likes to be challenged likes to be challenged demonstrates self-motivation demonstrates self-motivation goes beyond expectations goes beyond expectations completes assignments on time completes assignments on time has an advanced vocabulary and/or knowledge base in the areas of interest has an advanced vocabulary and/or knowledge base in the areas of interest

12. Teacher Recommendations Honors vs. Academic Honors vs. Academic Reading level Reading level Independent and self advocating Independent and self advocating Higher level thinking Higher level thinking Work habits Work habits Contact specific teacher with questions… Contact specific teacher with questions…

13. In order to select courses that reflect the goal of a balanced academic and extracurricular work load, students and parents should consider the following: What grades in the subject over the past few years? What grades in the subject over the past few years? How much of a time commitment will each course require? How much of a time commitment will each course require? What are the recommendations of my parents, teachers, and counselors who know me? What are the recommendations of my parents, teachers, and counselors who know me? Am I involved in numerous outside activities that will limit the amount of time I have for school work? Am I involved in numerous outside activities that will limit the amount of time I have for school work? Do I like the subject? Do I like the subject? What Should I Take?

14. Family Connections http://familyconnections.com/fsms http://family What is Family Connection? Family Connection is a web-based service designed especially for high school students and their parents. Family Connection is a comprehensive website that helps students as they make decisions about academic plans, colleges, and careers. Family Connection is linked with Counselor's Office, a service used in LCPS school counseling offices to track and analyze data about college and career plans, so it provides up-to-date information that is specific to each student's school. What are some key features of Family Connection? Family Connection provides students the opportunity to explore and record their skills and interests, career and educational plans and allows them to track the activities and goals to create their individual game plan for postsecondary educational and career opportunities. Parents are able to view their students' plans. Students use their student ID for their username and birthdate-2 digits for day, month, & year. Students use their student ID for their username and birthdate-2 digits for day, month, & year. Recent Career Cluster Finder and Road Trip Nation Recent Career Cluster Finder and Road Trip Nation

15. Timeline The ParentVUE portal will be open from February 8 th to February 26th for parents to make elective changes and view course recommendations.

16. Phoenix StudentVUE

17. Phoenix StudentVUE

18. High School Programs LCPS-Academy of Science LCPS-Academy of Science www.lcps.org www.lcps.orgwww.lcps.org Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology (TJHSSST) Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology (TJHSSST) www.TJHSST.edu www.TJHSST.eduwww.TJHSST.edu CAMPUS CAMPUS

19. Before you apply…. Check Websites for calendar Check Websites for calendar August/September-applications are available Open House schedules Oct-Dec-Admissions Test 2 Step Process with Finalist completing a writing prompt/require teacher recommendations April-Acceptance notices Enrollment in Algebra, Geometry or higher during 8 th grade Enrollment in Algebra, Geometry or higher during 8 th grade Geometry must be completed before entrance to schools Geometry must be completed before entrance to schools PSAT-College Board Test with specific rules concerning testing accommodations-Approval by College Board’s Service for Students with Disabilities PSAT-College Board Test with specific rules concerning testing accommodations-Approval by College Board’s Service for Students with Disabilities Students who currently have approved IEP testing accommodations should apply with SSD office of the College Board-Deadline August Students who currently have approved IEP testing accommodations should apply with SSD office of the College Board-Deadline August Detailed information at: http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/ Detailed information at: http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/