Course Request 2013-14

1. Course Request 2013-14 Future 7th Grade Students

2. Materials • Parent letter • PreAPinformation • Copy of PowerPoint • Course Request Sheet • Course Catalog

3. Course Request Sheet • Due to your Social Studies teacher by Thursday, February 14, 2013 • If you are moving or planning to move, please fill out and turn one in anyway • Parent and student must both sign • Make wise choices

4. Welcome to 7th Grade! • Higher expectations • More responsibility • More independence for your own learning • More homework • More juggling with extra curricular activities - No Pass, No Play • Curriculum is difficult and demanding • You must learn how to study • Organization is a key to success

5. How To Request A Course • All students must sign up for the following: English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, oneElective, and one Alternate Elective • GT Language arts- choose 2 electives and 2 alternates • Select your courses by placing a check on the line • Before deciding about PreAP placement, you should talk to your child’s teacher (see info on back of parent letter) Example: MATH ____J711 Math 7 ____ J712 PREAP Math 7 ____G712 GT Math 7

6. Choosing Courses • Your child will most likely sign up for courses similar to what he/she had in 6th grade. • Steps to use when considering which class level to sign up for: • Past grades in school and the kind of grades they like to make • Motivation and attitude • Standardized test scores • Study habits • Willingness to complete homework • Outside interests and activities • How quickly they catch on to new material • Independence level

7. PreAP • If you would like to try PreAP for the first time, talk to your current teacher. Most teachers teach both Academic and PreAP. They know the curriculum, the pace, and they know your work habits. They can make an honest recommendation on whether they feel you are ready.

8. Choosing Math Level • Concepts are a foundation for all higher level math courses and therefore should not be rushed • 7th grade Academic – 90 objectives (7th grade on-level curriculum) • Math homework is given each night to practice concepts • 7th grade Pre-AP – 120 objectives (second half of 7th and all of 8th grade curriculum) • A new concept is learned each day • Math homework is given each night to practice concepts

9. Selecting PreAP Math • Must have a strong foundation in fractions, decimals, and integer operations as well as proportion solving • Level of instruction/curriculum will focus on preparing students for Algebra I in 8th grade • Must work at an accelerated pace, engage in independent learning, and persevere through challenging material • Longer and tougher exams

10. Advancing Math Levels • If you choose to advance from 6th grade Academicmath to 7th grade Pre-APmath you will be advancing from 6th grade concepts to second semester 7thgrade concepts, skipping over 45 objectives (first semester of 7th grade) learned in 6th grade PreAP. • Maintaining success in the course could require additional outside support (outside tutoring, etc.)

11. Language Arts • In Pre-AP Reading, students will be required to read more novels than in Academic. • If you enroll in Pre-AP or G/T Reading you will have a summer reading assignment. • Since Reading and English are a combined class in 8th grade, students enrolling in PreAP Reading must also enroll in PreAP English. • Students who qualify for G/T Language Artswill enroll in a combined Reading/English class and therefore will sign up for two electives instead of one.

12. Social Studies • 7th grade Academic - students will focus on major events in the history of Texas. • 7th grade Pre-AP - students will study the same concepts in depth through advanced readings and enrichment activities. • All 7th graders will participate in CollegeEd through their social studies class. CollegeEd presents information to students about exploring their future, as well as choosing, applying, and paying for college.

13. Possible Required Courses • Math Block– designed to help refine basic math skills and help with preparation for STAAR • Read 180– designed to help improve reading level and help with STAAR skills • Your child will be requiredto attend one or both of these if he/she does not passthat portion of STAAR. The class will take the place of an elective. • If you are struggling with a subject, these courses may also be recommended.

14. Athletics Football Volleyball Basketball Track Tennis Athletics is only for football, volleyball, and basketball No one is in athletics exclusively for the other 3 sports. Remember: UIL “No Pass, No Play” is in effect – any grade below 70 on the report card will prevent participation. NOTE: NO student may sign up for Athletics. Coaches will determine placement and notify the Counselor’s office. Boys signing up for Football may choose PE and write in Football next to it.

15. Electives • Art I– A drawing intensive class focusing on the basics of art. Students will explore various exciting 2D and 3D mediums. All students will see an improvement in their artistic skills. • Theater I - Focus on vocabulary and theatrical terms, building sets, creating scripts and performing, creating Greek masks, performing short scenes from published works, and playing theater games such as improvisation

16. Elective - Teen Leadership What will I learn? •        About yourself – how to develop your strengths •        Decision making skills that will help you make positive choices •        Create better relationships with friends/family/teachers •        Becoming an effective listener/communicator •        How to serve others •        To work effectively with a group How will I learn? •        Teen Leadership – Flip Flippen curriculum •        Service project/fundraising opportunities •        Class discussion, role plays and team building games   Class is open to 7th & 8th grade

17. Electives • Publications I- Application Required– available in the counselor’s office; due March 15th Applying writing skills to the school newspaper and other publications. Learn how to work as part of a team and as a staff member. Basic photography and journalism techniques will be explored. *In the event that this class is not implemented, those students who would like to be involved with Publications will participate during the Advisory period. • Career Portals/Family Consumer Science –Activities include cooking, clothing design and construction, nutrition, home and interior design, and childcare

18. Electives • Band – Woodwind, Brass, Percussion • Students are grouped by audition into a performing band. • Auditions will be held at the end of this school year. • Performance opportunities include: • Football games • Pep rallies • Three concerts per year • Contests and festivals throughout the year • Perform a variety of music. • Classical, popular, movie music, jazz • Designed to enhance skills of self-confidence, team work, problem solving, and communication through the art of music performance.

19. Electives • Choir – Singing, Reading Music, and Concerts • Four concerts per year including pop show • Opportunities for solos and small groups • Perform a variety of music including: classical, movie music, Broadway, folk songs, holiday, pop, and cultural • Designed to enhance a student’s musical ability, knowledge, and appreciation of music • Competitions and fun events • Skills and activities learned in choir: • Teamwork, communication, sight-reading, problem solving, logical reasoning, public performing, responsibility, and self-expression

20. Electives • Orchestra – Stringed instruments (violin, cello, viola and bass) • Students are divided into 4 separate orchestras based on ability and experience. • Auditions are held at the end of the previous school year and at the beginning of the current school year for “move in” students.  • Violins and violas are student owned. Students playing the cello and bass are encouraged to have a “home” rental instrument and use a school instrument during the day ($100 maintenance fee) • Students will learn and practice skills necessary for playing in large and small ensemble performance. Among those skills are teamwork, responsibility, and persistence. • Music played is from a wide variety of resources; classical, jazz, fiddling, contemporary, baroque, etc. • Private lessons encouraged but not required.

21. Electives – Foreign Language • 7th grade is the first opportunity for students to begin their foreign language credits that are required for High School graduation • Spanish 1A (one-year course) – Will count for the first semesteronly of high school Spanish I • If you complete 1A in 7th grade you must take 1B in 8th grade. This will complete one credit of foreign language. • Other Option: Accelerated Spanishwill be available in 8th grade. • One credit in one year • Ideal for students wanting to continue Band, Orchestra or Choir AND take a foreign language • Prerequisite for this course is to be in Pre-AP/GT Language Arts • Must maintain an average of 85 in Language Arts classes

22. High School Credit Courses • Grades earned (by semester) for any high school credit course will be applied to your child’s GPA (Grade Point Average). • A = 4 points • B = 3 points • C = 2 points • D = 1 point • F = 0 points • Class rank and GPA will be recorded on the high school transcript which is used for college admission

23. High School Credit Courses • Please consider carefully before selecting courses • Starting credits early can be an advantage only if you are capable and willing to keep a 3.0 (B) or higher • Another academic class with as much homework or more than other classes • These classes have the same curriculum and requirements as the actual courses taught in high school • Taking at least one high school credit course in junior high is recommended, but not required

24. Alternate Electives • Choose 1 Alternate Elective • A class may be full • A class may not fit into your schedule • A class may not make the master schedule **NOTE: Elective changes will not be made after the 2nd week of school. CHOOSE WISELY!**

25. Verification Process • Verification Sheets – given out in early May • A list of courses chosen (not a schedule) • The only time students can make any changes or corrections - no changes will be made to courses prior to verification sheets being distributed • Make changes on verification sheet and return • If we do not receive it back, we assume no corrections need to be made to classes • The verification sheet is only a list of courses requested. We are not always able to guarantee electives that are listed on the verification sheet.

26. Reminders!! • Course Sheet due Thursday, February 14thto your Social Studies teacher • Think carefully about classes and choose wisely • Talk to teachers about PreAP placement • Choose 1 alternate elective • Verification sheet given out in May – ONLY time to make changes to courses