6th Grade Course Selection Information

1. 2019-20206th grade course selection INFORMATION

2. Differences between Elementary and Junior High • Students have 7 separate classes with different teachers. • All classes meet every day. • An Advisory (ISP) period is built in to allow students time to do homework, study, or see a teacher for extra help. • A locker with a combination lock is assigned to students only if requested. • Backpacks are allowed to be carried to classes.

3. Differences continued… • Students go between classes, to the restroom, lunch, and PE by themselves, not escorted by teachers. • Tardies! - Students must get to class on time every period. There is a 4 minute passing period between each class. • Expect more homework than elementary school. • Lunch – You will be assigned a table to sit at. LOTS of choices to eat. • Student planner/tracker – It is encouraged. • Responsibilities – Expect more responsibilities.

4. WEIGHT OF grades

5. Grade reporting • 6 week grading period versus 9 week • UIL implications is Junior High • Team Sports start in 7th grade

6. A Typical 6th Grade Day

7. School Day • Each class period is approximately 45-50 minutes long. • Lunch is 30 minutes. • There is a 4 minute passing period between classes. • The school day is 8:45-3:55. • Tutoring is available both before school. • Advisory or Instructional Support Period (ISP) meets every day for 45 minutes: this is a time to study/homework, get extra help and retake tests. • Most classes will be close together. • Lockers will be near most classes. • Principals and teachers will be available in the hallways between classes to help. • Counselors will be available to help you during the year.

8. Course Requests Overview • Course sheets must be turned in to Your Counselor by Feb. 1st. • If you are moving or planning to move, you must fill it out anyway. • Both the student and parent must sign the course sheet. All students must sign up for the following courses: 1. English / Reading Block 2. Math 3. Social Studies 4. Science 5. PE 6. One Elective and two alternate electives

9. Choosing CoursesClass formats: • Academic- Challenging work- for everyone, on grade level, more time to review concepts. • PreAP- More challenging courses, fast-paced, and more homework. If you choose English PreAP, you must also take Reading PreAP. • GT- Students must be screened and identified to be eligible for GT courses.

10. Choosing Courses The decision to take academic or PreAP should be made between you, your parents and your teachers. Think about: • Your interests and strengths. • How hard you are willing to work. • The grades you have earned in school and the kind of grades you like to make. • Motivation and attitude. • Standardized test scores. • Study habits. • Extracurricular activities and time commitments. • How quickly you catch on to new material.

11. Math 6 th, 7th, and 8th grade math classes are the foundations for high school math classes and should not be rushed. • Academic Math – On grade level curriculum • Students will have math homework every night to practice the concepts • Students will learn 6th grade skills/concepts only • Pre-AP Math - Accelerated math class covering all 6th grade curriculum and about 50%-60% of 7th grade curriculum • A new concept is learned almost every day. • Students will have math homework every night to practice the concepts. • Pre-AP math focuses on preparing student for High School Algebra I in 8th grade.

12. Characteristics of a pre-ap Math student • Problem solver in everyday situations • Has developed strong learning and study habits • Shows perseverance when challenged ➢ • to mathematical concepts in everyday life • Shows confidence in their own math abilities • Strong/mastered fast facts skills • Willingness to ask questions in class and seek out help • Strongly values learning- Loves to learn!!

13. Pre –Ap math considerations • Pre-AP Math is the compacting of the junior high curriculum from 3 years to 2 years so that your child would be able to take Algebra I (a high school credit class) by 8th grade. • Taking your first high school math class in junior high frees up your child’s senior year, to choose to take AP calculus, AP statistics, or other dual credit college credit math class

14. Ela, science and social studies • The difference in academic and Pre-AP for language arts, science, and social studies comes in the resources/materials used and performance expectations. • Pre-AP is built upon the core academic curriculum and is designed to build student capacity to understand more rigorous content. • Pre-AP is designed to help prepare students for advanced courses in high school.

15. PREAP PROGRAM INFORMATION Students must meet the following criteria for PreAP classes: 1. Have an “A” average in the academic class, or a “B” average in the PreAPclass. 2. Have parent approval. 3. Students taking PreAP English must also take PreAP Reading. 4. PreAP Social Studies is recommended for students taking PreAP English and PreAP Reading. 5. If your child “Masters Math” on the 5th Grade Math STAAR test we will HIGHLY recommend PreAP for Math. The PreAP Course Commitment form is included on the back of the course selection sheet.

16. PREAP Program Information PreAP courses are designed to challenge motivated students and prepare them for success in advanced coursework. These courses: • typically move at a faster pace, • are academically challenging, • require more independent learning, and • require more homework than academic courses. The PreAP Course Commitment form is included on the back of the course selection sheet.

17. PREAP Program Information • Students may exit a PreAP course during the first 6-weeks grading period or at the end of the 1st semester. • The student must have teacher and parent approval to exit. • If the student’s 6-weeks average falls below 70, it is recommended to exit the class at the end of the grading period. The PreAP Course Commitment form is included on the back of the course selection sheet.

18. GT Students • Students must be screened and identified to be eligible for GT courses. • The combined GT English/Reading class will allow you to sign up for an additional elective.

19. P.E. and Electives P.E. is a graded class that meets daily. • You must dress out. • You will be assigned a locker and a combination lock. Electives are specialty classes in various areas of interest. • DO- consider your interests carefully and choose the elective that interests you most. • DON’T- Let your friends influence your choice! • You will be in the elective you choose for the entire school year.

20. Electives • 6 th grade is allowed to choose 1 elective for the year. • Some electives require after school commitments. • Have assignments and receive numeric grades • 6 th grade electives are Fine Arts classes: Art, Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Theater • Due to the high demand of certain electives, placement in elective courses will be limited based on availability and are not guaranteed.

21. Electives • Band- Woodwind, Brass, Percussion- Band directors will meet with the student to determine the best instrument. Plan to practice 30 min. a day outside of the regular classroom. Must rent or buy an instrument. There will be two or three concerts per year. • Orchestra- Stringed instruments, violin, cello, viola and bass. Plan to practice 30 min. per day outside of the regular classroom. There will be two or three concerts per year. • Choir- Singing, music reading, and concerts. There will be three or four performances per year.

22. DATES to REMEMBER BAND Instrument Selection Night February 26, 2019 5:30 – 8:30 PM joebyoung@katyisd.org ORCHESTRA Instrument Selection Night February 6, 2019 OR February 20, 2019 4:30 – 8:00 PM emorywdaniel@katyisd.org

23. Electives • Art-painting, drawing, mixing colors to create contrast, drawing from imagination, art vocabulary and art history, ceramics • Theater-introduction and development of expression, acting skills, and theater production Choose an alternate elective. CHOOSE WISELY!

24. Other Courses • Math Block - designed to help refine and review math skills in preparation for the STAAR test. • Reading Elective - designed to help improve reading level and basic reading skills in preparation for the STAAR test. • You will be recommended to take these classes if you do not pass the Math or Reading section of the 5th grade STAAR test. This class will replace your elective.

25. REMEMBER! • Course selection sheets are due to Your 5th grade teacher by February 1st. • Keep your course selection sheet neat and clean. Take good care of it! • Choose your courses wisely – think carefully about your choices. • Talk to your teachers about PreAP placement. • Choose the elective that’s most interesting to you. • Choose an alternate elective. • Sign and return the course sheet on time! • All course verification sheets are to be turned back in with any changes to elementary school.

26. How to Complete the Course Selection Worksheet • All students must sign up for: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, one Elective, and list 2 alternate electives • Place a checkmark next to the course you are requesting • Example: Social Studies • ____ J620 Social Studies 6 • ____ J622 Social Studies 6 Pre-AP • ____ G622 Social Studies 6 GT*

27. Verification process • All students will receive a verification sheet the last week of February. • The verification sheet is not a schedule — it is the list of courses you selected. No changes will be made to courses prior to verification sheets being distributed. • Any changes to the student’s courses should be made on the verification sheet and returned to the homeroom teacher with a parent signature. • ➢ If we do not receive a verification sheet back, we assume no corrections need to be made to your course selections.

28. Final notes http://www.katyisd.org/dept/campusadmin/Documents/Course_Catalog_2019-2020.pdf

29. PTO PLEASE Join and be involved

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