McKinney Independent School District 7th and 8th Grade Registration March 2, 2010

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1 McKinney Independent School District 7th and 8th Grade Registration March 2, 2010 Registration Instructions 1. Attend the parent information meetings. All presentations will be identical and applicable regardless of which middle school your child will be attending. 2. Complete the student information portion of the course request sheet. Phone numbers are important in case we need to contact you this summer. 3. Review the course descriptions attached and determine which level of Required Core Classes (Academic or Pre-AP) to take. 4. Review the course descriptions attached and determine which electives to take. Be sure your choices are clearly marked. UIL physicals are REQUIRED for athletics, drill team, and cheerleading prior to a student being placed in athletics. Physicals must be on or after April 1, 2010 and completed on the official UIL form. Forms will be given out to students in PE or Athletics. 5. Mark your choices on the course request sheet. Both parent and student should sign the form. 6. Forms are due March 8th, to their English teacher. MISD will provide physicals at McKinney Boyd High School on May 22, 2009 for the school year.

2 General Information Required Academic Classes Students in 7 th and 8 th grade are required to take the following classes: language arts, math, science, and social studies. Electives Students may select from: art, athletics, band, cheerleading, choir, drama, drill team, journalism, orchestra, physical education, teen leadership, technology, Spanish and yearbook. Physical Education Requirement Students are required to have four semesters of physical education during their three years at middle school. Students who attended a McKinney middle school in 6th grade already have completed two semesters. Academic The middle school academic courses provide strong curricula that prepare students for success in future courses in middle school and high school. These courses provide appropriately-paced instruction that covers the Texas Essential Skills and Knowledge. Students in Academic courses are held to high expectations and are required to exhibit selfdiscipline and time management skills as important components of the courses. Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) Pre-AP courses are core academic courses that are aligned with the Advanced Placement courses offered at the high school level. Pre-AP courses are designed to challenge motivated students to understand academically rigorous material and are open to all students willing to accept that challenge. Both Pre-AP and Academic courses teach the Texas state curriculum known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Typically, successful Pre-AP students maintained an average of 90 or greater in related content areas in previous grade levels, mastered all TAKS objectives, and can simultaneously manage multiple tasks. Pre-AP courses are offered in math, language arts, science, and social studies. Special Education MISD Middle Schools offer a continuum of services for students identified as Special Education through the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process in accordance with state and federal law. Special Education classes are offered in language arts and math. Students in Special Education will be scheduled according to their Individual Education Plan (IEP). English as a Second Language (ESL) Students whose first language is not English may be included in ESL classes. The emphasis in ESL classes is to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. The Language Proficiency Assessment Committee, or LPAC, will make course recommendations for students in ESL. GT Program Students who are identified as Gifted and Talented (GT) through the MISD identification process are served through the GT Program s classes in language arts, math and science. Students will be individually scheduled for the GT courses in which they meet district qualifications. Elective Choices Art 1(7/8) Art I is a full-year course that is based on the TEKS basic strands: perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation. This art course is designed to expose students to a variety of art media (drawing, design, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture). Students will develop technical, expressive and creative thinking skills as they produce works of art. Art I is a study and application of the basic fundamentals of visual art. Students who had Art 1 in 6th grade must sign up for Art 2. Art 2 Prerequisite: Student must have successfully completed Art I at either 6th or 7th grade level. Art II is a full-year course based on the TEKS basic strands: perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation.

3 This art course is designed to expose students to a variety of art media (drawing, design, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture). Art II is a continuation of the study and applications of the basic fundamentals of visual art started in Art I. Art 3 Prerequisite: Student must have successfully completed Art II. Art III is a full-year course based on the TEKS basic strands: perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation. This art course is designed to expose students to a variety of art media (drawing, design, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture). Art III is a continuation of the study and applications of the basic fundamentals of visual art started in Art I and prepares the student for high school art. Advanced Art Prerequisite: Instructor recommendation from 7th Grade Art I-3 and/or portfolio review. This course is a rigorous, sequential program for students with a serious interest in pursuing a college level portfolio. The focus of this course will be an advanced curriculum designed to strengthen 2D and 3D studio interests. The focus of this course will be the production of multiple images through advancing drawing, painting, and composition skills. Still life, landscape, portraits, value studies and experimental abstractions will serve as the basis for exploration. Students must have teacher recommendation; completed 6th Grade Art and Art I. Portfolio from this course will give the students an opportunity to move into Pre AP Art I in High School. Athletics Athletics is designed for students interested in playing competitive sports. Students must be able to attend practices and games after school and on Saturdays. Boys may participate in cross-country, football, tennis, basketball and track. Girls may participate in cross-country, volleyball, tennis, basketball and track. A physical is required for this class. AVID A college preparatory elective class for 7 th and 8 th grade students, the AVID curriculum emphasizes strong academic and personal skills necessary for college or university success. Enrollment is by teacher nomination only. Band Multiple levels exist for 7th and 8th grade band. Students will be placed in the appropriate level band based on previous experience and auditions. Students will perform at each of the major band concerts throughout the year. They may also participate in extra-curricular activities such as solo and ensemble contests, clinics, and social events. Depending on the level of band, attendance at extra rehearsals outside of the school day and participation in the UIL concert and sight-reading contest is required. Choir Multiple levels exist for 7th and 8th grade choir. Students will be placed in the appropriate level choir based on previous experience and auditions. Depending on the level of choir, participation in the UIL concert and sight reading contest is required. Cheerleading This course is designed for students interested in supporting school activities through cheerleading. There are no tryouts for cheerleading and students must attend a skills camp to be eligible to register for cheerleading. Instruction may consist of tumbling, fitness, dance, cheerleading routines, and leadership. Students are expected to cheer at a pre-determined number of events in the evenings. All practices and performances are required and are outside of the school day. There is a financial cost associated with cheerleading. A physical is required for this class. Drill Team Drill Team performs at sporting events and other pre-determined school events. There are no try-outs. Students must attend a skills camp to register for drill team. Students and parent/guardian must attend a mandatory meeting in the spring semester of the preceding school year. All practices and performances are required and outside of the school day. There is a financial cost associated with drill team. A physical is required for this class. Drama Drama is designed for students with an interest in and an ability for the performing arts. Students will examine scripts, learn basic acting techniques, and explore aspects of technical theatre. Students will also prepare for a class production. Advanced Drama This Drama class is designed for students that want to participate in the UIL one act play. Students will participate with other drama classes in fall and spring plays. Students will examine scripts, learn basic acting techniques, and explore aspects of technical theatre.

4 Journalism Broadcast and Media journalism is the main focus of this class. Students learn all aspects of producing a video including storyboarding, capturing video footage, and digital editing. Students will plan, organize, write, and produce the school newspaper and PTV. Orchestra Orchestra meets during the school day and is part of the daily curriculum, with an emphasis on performing. Students will perform at Orchestra Concerts throughout the year and have the opportunity to participate in festivals, clinics, and social events. Multiple levels exist for 7 th and 8 th grade Orchestra. Students will be placed in the appropriate level based on previous experience, audition, and director discretion. Physical Education Students will learn a variety of cooperative games and activities to enhance eye-hand/eye-foot coordination, spatial awareness, and cardiovascular fitness. They will also learn the major muscle groups of the body and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle for a healthier, more productive future. There is a required health component that is taught during physical education class Technology Microsoft Office Students learn computer components, history of computing, ethics, terminology, and the use of the Microsoft Office suite of software in real-world problem solving settings. Web Based Students learn issues surrounding the Internet including networking, searching, evaluating sites, fair use and copyright. Students also learn to create items for publication including web pages and animations. Teen Leadership/Spanish 7/8 This is an interactive course designed to foster personal growth and develop relationship skills. Students will learn habits for highly effective teens as well as listening and peer mediation/conflict resolution skills. This course is an introduction to modern Spanish and the four basic communicative skills. The course seeks to develop language skills and learning techniques and achieve a novice-mid to novice-high level in the ACT-FL scale in the four basic communicative skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. spanish 1 is for high school credit. Yearbook Students will plan, organize, write and produce the school yearbook. Enrollment is limited in this class.. The Following Electives will be offered to 8th Graders only for High School Credit BIM Grade Level: 8 1 High School Elective Credits Course#:8850 Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to strengthen individual performances in the workplace and in society and make a successful transition to the workforce and postsecondary education. Students apply technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies, create word-processing document, develop a spreadsheet, formulate a database, and make an electronic presentation using appropriate software. Communications Applications Grade Level: credit Course #: 8861 This course investigates a variety of aspects of communication. Some of the areas studied are interpersonal communication, business communication, intracultural communication, group dynamics, leadership, and presentation styles. This course is required for graduation. Health Education Grade Level: credit Course #: 8871 This course focuses attention on the aspects of good physical, social, and mental/emotional health. Topics will include proper body functioning, safety and first aid, awareness of health problems, and the development of healthful attitudes and habits. Health Education is required for high school graduation. Spanish I Grade Level: 8 Course#: Credit

5 This course is an introduction to modern Spanish and the four basic communicative skills. The course seeks to develop language skills and learning techniques and achieve a novice-mid to novice-high level on the ACTFL scale in the four basic communicative skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.