Incoming 8 th Grade Course Selection Information for 2018-2019 Beckendorff Junior High
Course Selection Materials Blue course selection packet Course Selection Worksheet Pre-AP Parent Commitment Letter Parent Letter Copy of Power Point Presentation
Course Requests Overview Course sheets must be turned in to Social Studies Teachers by January 29 th. If you are moving or planning to move, you must still fill out and turn in a course selection sheet. Both the student and parent must sign the course sheet. If you are signing up for Pre-AP classes, both student and parent must also sign the Pre-AP commitment letter on the back of the course selection sheet. Counselors will meet individually with every student through Social Studies classes the week of February 12 th -16 th. All students must sign up for the following courses: 1. English 2. Math 3. Social Studies 4. Science 5. PE or Athletics 6. Two electives and three alternate electives
Choosing Courses Class formats: Academic- Challenging work- for everyone, on grade level, more time to review concepts Pre-AP- More challenging courses, fast-paced, and more homework Students must maintain a 70% or higher each 6 weeks to remain in the Pre-AP class. Must demonstrate mastery on course-related state-mandated performance assessments including STAAR ( Meets grade level or Masters grade level ) GT- Students must be screened and identified to be eligible for GT courses.
Gifted and Talented Program Students who are currently being screened should not request GT classes. You can only sign up for the ones for which you have qualified. Counselors will get a list of who qualifies and make those changes. You will not need to request a change it will happen. If you HAVE qualified for GT classes, you must sign up for them or you will be exited. To get back in later would require another screening.
Choosing Courses You will most likely sign up for courses similar to what you had in 7 th grade. Consider the following when choosing which class level to sign up for: Past grades in school and the kind of grades you would like to make Motivation and attitude Standardized test scores Study habits Willingness to complete homework Outside interests and activities How quickly you catch on to new material Independence level
Choosing a Math Level Concepts taught are the foundation for all higher level math courses and therefore should not be rushed 8th grade Academic - on grade level curriculum Math homework is given each night to practice concepts 8 th grade Pre-AP- on grade level curriculum with more rigor and higher performance expectations A new concept is learned each day Math homework is given each night to practice concepts Algebra 1 Must complete 7 th grade Math Pre-AP with a year average of 75 or higher High school credit course Math homework is given each night to practice concepts Geometry- Must successfully complete Algebra 1 in 7 th grade High school credit course Math homework is given each night to practice concepts
Language Arts, 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.
Possible Required Courses Math Lab 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 You will be required to attend one or both of these if you do not pass that portion of STAAR. The class will take the place of an elective.
Physical Education Students pay a $15 fee at the beginning of the year for their PE uniform, lock for locker, and laundry service. Students will dress out daily in their PE uniform. Students will receive a numeric grade for this course. Students will develop a basic level of fitness and wellness along with learning the skill of each sport. All students are required to be in PE or Athletics
Off-Campus PE Due to the number of off-campus PE participants and limited space in elective courses, students will no longer be able to replace their PE with an alternate elective course. Students who are participating in 5-14 hours of approved off-campus PE training will have their PE class replaced with a study hall. If you participate in 15 or more hours, you may be released from campus after 7 th period. All PE waiver applications can be turned into the BDJH Counseling Office starting May 14-18 or at the beginning of August, 2018.
Athletics Cost: $25.00 Athletics Football Volleyball Basketball Soccer Track Tennis Physical must be on file before participation in an Athletics activity. Athletics is only for football, volleyball, and basketball No one is exclusively in athletics 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: Students may not sign up for Athletics. Coaches will determine placement and notify the Counselor s office. Boys signing up for Football may choose Athletics and write in Football next to it.
Teen Leadership $20 course fee applies What will I learn? About yourself how to develop your strengths & overcome personal constraints Decision making skills that will help you make healthy choices Create better relationships with friends/family/teachers/coaches Become an effective 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 7 th & 8 th grade only
Teen Leadership 2 (Application required) If you liked Teen Leadership this year, you will love Teen Leadership 2! Our class is focused on bringing hope by serving our school and community. We do this by: Creating meaningful friendships with our students with special needs Facilitating the BDJH counseling department by helping students who are new to our campus Helping our BDJH PTA with special projects Planning every aspect of Ready to Roll Day at BDJH
Student Aide Help in an office setting (attendance, counselor, front office, etc.) Student is assigned to an office. Must be highly responsible, enjoy filing, organizing, alphabetizing, and doing repetitive tasks. Must be reliable, helpful, and able to keep information confidential. There are very slow times and very busy times. Student aides are not allowed to roam the halls and socialize. Application Required
Art in the areas of drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, and technology Exciting projects in both 2D and 3D Explore different mediums like colored pencils, acrylic paint, paper mache, and more Develop both artistic and creative skills Beginning Art 1 is a prerequisite to Art 2 Beginning Art 1 and Art 2 are prerequisites for Art 3 Course fees apply Art 1,2, and 3
Art 1 for High School Credit Students interested in taking the Art 1 for High School credit art in 8 th grade must have taken art in either 6 th or 7 th grade. Meets the Fine Arts High School Graduation Requirement Semester grades and grade points earned in all high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student s high school transcript. Course fees apply
Publications I & 2 Application and interview required Publications 1 is a prerequisite for Publications 2 Students will learn how to work as part of a team as a staff member in the process of building a yearbook. Basic photography and journalism techniques will be explored, as well as building leadership and communication skills.
Theatre 2 (7 th and 8 th grade) Theatre 3 (8 th grade only) Focus on vocabulary and theatrical terms Creating scripts and performing Performing short scenes from published works or self written Playing theater games such as improvisation Course fees apply
Career Readiness Students explore college and career planning within the 16 career clusters. Students participate in career preparation activities. Students are exposed to basic skills and projects within the career clusters that are essential for independent adult living. Course fee of $15.00 applies Class for 7 th and 8 th graders
Technology Applications Students in this course learn basic data entry, storage, and retrieval of information, as well as extended activities in word processing, database, spreadsheet, graphic design, multimedia and telecommunications.
Course fees apply Students are grouped by audition into a performing band. Designed to enhance skills of self-confidence, team work, problem solving, creativity and communication through the art of music performance. Auditions will be held at the end of this school year. Perform a variety of music: Classical, pop, movie music, and jazz Performances and social events include: Football Game Instrument Clubs Band Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Three concerts per year Contests and festivals throughout the year
Choir Singing, Reading music, and Concerts Music literacy in preparation for lifelong enjoyment of music Learning to use the voice appropriately as a musical instrument Development of necessary skills for musical theater Performances and social events include: Three or four concerts per year, including pop show Choir socials Perform a variety of music including: classical, movie music, Broadway, folk songs, holiday, pop, and foreign language Opportunities for solos and small groups Preparation for participation in high school choir, show choir, and the All-State Process Course fees apply
Orchestra 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. Four or five concerts per year Course fees apply
Spanish Semester grades and grade points earned in all high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student s high school transcript. Spanish 1, Part 2 Requires completion of Spanish 1, Part 1 in 7 th grade High school credit comes from grade made in Spanish 1, Part 2 Meets 1 credit of LOTE High School Graduation requirement Spanish 1 Accelerated One credit in one year Recommended for students to be in Pre-AP ELA in 7 th grade Meets 1 credit of LOTE High School Graduation requirement Spanish for Spanish Speakers For native Spanish speakers- must read, write, and speak Spanish fluently Must meet standard on placement test to be enrolled in class Successful completion meets both LOTE credits needed for High School Graduation
Other High School Credit Courses Principles of Human Services (J8353) An introductory CTE course supporting the Public Services endorsement. Course fees apply Principles of Applied Engineering (J8616) The first course in the Engineering pathway for the STEM endorsement. Students who complete this course in 8 th grade may enroll in the second course in this pathway, Engineering Design & Presentation, in 9 th grade. Course fees apply Principles of Manufacturing (J8043) The first course in the Manufacturing pathway for the Business & Industry endorsement. Course fees apply Semester grades and grade points earned in all high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student s high school transcript.
How To Request a Course All students must sign up for: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, two Electives, and list 3 alternate electives Select your courses by placing a check on the line Before deciding about PreAP placement, you should talk to your teacher (see info on back of parent letter) Example: MATH J811 Math 8 J812 PRE-AP Math 8 J0211 Algebra 1 G0214 Algebra 1 GT
Verification Process Verification Sheets go home March 6, 2018 No changes will be made to courses prior to verification sheets being distributed. Changes to course selection will be made on the verification sheet and returned to your Social Studies teacher by March 9, 2018. If we do not receive a verification sheet back, we assume no corrections need to be made to classes. The verification sheet is only a list of courses requested. We are not able to guarantee electives that are listed on the verification sheet.
REMEMBER! Course selection sheets are due to Social Studies teachers by January 29 th. 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 Pre-AP placement. Choose the elective that s most interesting to you. List three alternate electives. Sign and return the course sheet on time! Any changes to course selections are made on the verification sheets. Attach applications for Student aide, Teen Leadership 2 or Publications 1 or 2 to course selection sheet.
Course Catalog 2018-2019 http://www.katyisd.org/dept/campusadmin/documents/graduation%20 Requirements/2018-2019%20Course%20Catalog_FINAL_8x10.pdf