Fall Creek Junior High - Fishers Junior High - Hamilton Southeastern Junior High - Riverside Junior High School Junior High Scheduling Information Incoming 8 th Graders 2015-2016 In February, a guidance counselor will be visiting with seventh graders during the school day to make course selections. In order to begin our scheduling process, we need an accurate count of enrollees for the elective classes. Students have a one elective choice. They will choose between the Fine Arts Option, the Tech Ed Option or the Family Consumer Science Option for eighth grade. Students who choose a Fine Arts Option for eighth grade have a choice between art, band, choir or orchestra. Participation in band or orchestra will require the rental of an instrument. If your child has already participated in band or orchestra in seventh grade, the junior high band and orchestra teachers will recommend placement in the appropriate level of eighth grade band or orchestra if your child chooses to continue with these programs for next year. Students who choose the semester Tech Ed Option or the semester Family Consumer Science Option for eighth grade will also have a semester of Art Survey and a semester of General Music. Seventh grade math, science, and English teachers will be asked to make recommendations for placement for the eighth grade. Students currently in Advanced Math 7 will be recommended for Math 8 (Pre Algebra), Algebra I or Honors Algebra I. Students currently in Honors Algebra I will take Honors Geometry next year (pending teacher recommendation). Students currently in Math 7 will take Math 8 (Pre Algebra). English and science teachers will recommend students for placement in the advanced sections of eighth grade English and science as well as Honors Biology for eligible students. Students will receive high school credit in Algebra, Honors Algebra, Honors Geometry and Honors Biology. If you have questions concerning how your child will be recommended for math, science and English, please contact your child's math, science or English teacher. An Honors Prep World Language Level I course is offered to those students who are eligible. In order to qualify for the Honors Prep World Language course, a student must have achieved a B or higher grade in both semesters of seventh grade Advanced English (A- required if in regular English). Students must have received at least a Pass on the language arts portion of ISTEP. Those students who are eligible for Honors Prep World Language in eighth grade, will have a choice between French, German and Spanish. The class will be taught and graded as a high school world language class. The Honors Prep World Language class is rigorous and involves significant homework and study time. Honors Prep World Language classes are aimed toward preparing students to enter the Honors/AP World Language track in ninth grade. Students who elect to begin their world language study in eighth grade should anticipate taking world language during all four years of high school, culminating in Advanced Placement World Language as a senior. Successful completion of the class in eighth grade qualifies students for the next level of their chosen language in ninth grade. The current world language requirements for the Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma require that students earn 6 or 8 credits in world language. Students will receive high school credit for the World Language course taken in eighth grade. Once your child has made their course selections, they will have a copy of their selections to bring home. If you have questions, or would like to make changes to your child s course requests for eighth grade, please contact the guidance office. Please remember that you are choosing these courses for the entire school year. Schedule changes will not be made after June 1, 2015. Sample Schedules Attached
Fall Creek Junior high Hamilton Southeastern Junior High Fishers Junior High Riverside Junior High 8 TH GRADE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 2015-2016 English 8 The three major areas studied in English 8 are literature, writing, and oral communication. Grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary are integrated throughout the course in all areas. Students will delve into the world of poetry, novels, short stories, and drama. Students will participate in debates, drama, historical fiction studies, oral presentations, essays, creative writing, reader response, research papers and long-term projects. Advanced English 8 The three major areas studied are literature, writing, and oral communication. Students will delve into the world of poetry, novels, short stories and classic studies. Students will participate in debates, drama, historical fiction studies, oral presentations, analytical essays, creative writing, reader response, research papers and long-term projects. The reading level of the material in Advanced English is higher than that of regular English and the curriculum is, in general, more demanding. Placement is through teacher recommendation. Composition 8 The writing process is the major area of focus in this course. Grammar, mechanics and oral communication are integrated throughout the course. Students will engage in a study of journalism, literature circles, essay writing, a research paper, and presenting oral essays. Students enrolled in Honors Prep World Language will not take composition. This is a one semester class. Honors Prep World Language Students eligible for Honors Prep World Language will have a choice between French, German and Spanish. This course will be taught and graded as a high school world language course with students having the option to receive high school credit. It is a rigorous class and involves significant homework and study time. Successful completion of world language classes in 8 th grade qualifies the student for the next level of their chosen language at the 9 th grade level. Students in Advanced 7 th grade English much achieve a B or better in both semesters of their English class. Students in regular English 7 must achieve an A- or better in both semesters of their English class. Science 8 In eighth grade science, students will study chemistry and physics. Students will gain a better understanding of the different concepts involving chemistry and physics through a hands-on approach. Major projects include the egg-drop project, the Rube Goldberg project, an element database project, an element brochure, and a formula spreadsheet project. Advanced Science 8 In eighth grade science, students will study chemistry and physics. Students will gain a better understanding of the different concepts involving chemistry and physics through a hands-on approach. Major projects include the egg-drop project and the Rube Goldberg project. A student in this class should have a strong interest in science, be willing to work daily in preparation for the next day, be a critical thinker in the science world, be able to apply concepts and skills being taught, and utilize higher level thinking skills while acquiring knowledge. Placement is based on grades and teacher recommendation. Social Studies 8 Eighth grade social studies will focus on United States history from the original inhabitants of North America through the reconstruction of the South after the civil war. As we chronologically work our way through history, we pause to look a little more in depth at our Constitution and election process. Geography is incorporated throughout the year. Art 8 Students will have the opportunity to work with painting and drawing, as well as plaster cast masks and sculpture, clay sculpting, using the potter s wheel, printmaking and other creative experiences. Students will also learn about a variety of artists and their art. Sketchbook assignments will be used to supplement art projects. Students choosing this class will also have nine weeks of General Music. Art Survey This is a nine week course for students who are enrolled in band, choir, orchestra or a semester for those students opting for the Tech Ed Option instead of the Fine Arts Option. Students will create both two and three dimensional projects. Drawing, painting and papier-mâché are some of the media explored. Band Symphonic Band is for advanced seventh and eighth grade band students who display leadership qualities through practice habits, playing skill, and daily class work ethic. Performances include Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts as well as band contest and solo and ensemble contest. The junior high school directors select membership. Concert & Varsity Band are intermediate level groups for seventh and eighth grade students. Performances include Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts as well as band contest and solo and ensemble contest. The junior high school
directors select membership. Beginning Band: Eighth grade students should consider taking this course only if they have a strong desire to learn to play an instrument. The first two to three weeks will consist of instrument try outs and selection of instruments. Students will learn the fundamentals of playing instruments and will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts. Students enrolled in band, will have nine weeks of Art Survey. Choir Eighth grade choir opportunities consist of but are not limited to mixed boys and girls chorus, honors girls chorus and an honors mixed chorus. Evening performances may be required for all performing choirs as well as ISSMA large group contest, and opportunities to sing the National Anthem at athletic events. Enrollment in some groups is through audition. Students enrolled in Choir will have nine weeks of Art Survey. Orchestra There are two orchestra classes one class that will include second-year students as well as beginning orchestra students. They will play regular concerts and participate in string activities outside of school (Contest, Regional Orchestra Festival, etc.) The second orchestra class consists of the most advanced string group. It is comprised of students who have three or more years of playing experience. They will play regular concerts and participate in string activities outside of school (Contest, Regional Orchestra Festival, etc.). Students enrolled in orchestra will have nine weeks of Art Survey. The junior high school director will determine placement in the appropriate level. General Music This is a nine week course for students who are enrolled in Art 8 or a semester course for those students opting for the Tech Ed Option instead of the Fine Arts Option. This class provides the student with opportunities to sample hand chimes, keyboards, and guitars. Music history will also be visited. Wellness This year-long course will attempt to improve the health of the whole person physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. All Wellness students must wear a P.E. uniform for the physical education component of Wellness. Wellness will cover units on consumer health, personal wellness, growth and development, the body systems, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and AIDS prevention. Wellness lessons will also include abstinence and substance abuse. Students enrolled in Honors Prep World Language will have a semester of Wellness. Technology Education This is a semester class for 8 th graders choosing the Tech Ed Option. It is a nine week course for students choosing a Fine Arts Option. Tech Ed studies the following technological systems: transportation, manufacturing, construction and communications systems. Major projects include a truss bridge, a transportation vehicle, and a cutting board. The materials utilized in the lab include wood, plastic, and spray and brush paints. Family and Consumer Science This is a semester class. Topics included are kitchen safety and sanitation, food preparation skills, nutrition, food guide pyramid and clothing care. This class also covers topics associated with child care, including babysitting skills. Regular Math 7 This course prepares students for Regular Math 8. The curriculum includes the following: operations of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers, applications of each set of numbers, using problemsolving strategies, number theory, algebraic expressions and equations, geometry, percent and their applications, statistics and graphing, probability, and coordinate graphing and equations with two variables. Advanced Math 7 This course prepares students for either Algebra I or Honors Algebra I and requires a teacher recommendation. The curriculum includes the following: graphing functions, unit rates, proportional relationships, the Pythagorean Theorem, geometry and problem solving. Regular Math 8- This course prepares students for Algebra I. The curriculum includes the following: graphing functions, unit rates, proportional relationships, the Pythagorean Theorem, percent, geometry, and problem solving. Algebra I- This course prepares students for Geometry. It is a high school Algebra 1 class for 8 th graders, and placement is based on grades and teacher recommendation. After successful completion of this course, students go directly into Geometry as freshman. The curriculum includes the following: variable expressions, linear equations, inequalities, polynomials, Real numbers, factoring, functions, systems of linear equations, and probability and statistics. Students will receive high school credit for this course. Honors Algebra I- This course prepares students for Honors Geometry. It is a high school Honors Algebra 1 course, and placement is based on grades and teacher recommendation. After successful completion of this course, students go directly into Honors Geometry. The curriculum topics are the same as Algebra I but are covered more in depth and at a faster pace. Students will receive high school credit for this course. Honors Geometry- This is a high school Honors Geometry course, and placement is based on grades and teacher recommendation. This course primarily covers plane geometry with some solid geometry topics. There is focus on the geometry concepts of proof and problem solving. The course stresses logical, mathematically sound principles to prove new concepts. Properties and relationships of geometric figures, coordinate geometry, trigonometric ratios, polygons, and spatial drawing are all included. Students will receive high school credit for this course.
REGULAR TRACK Regular Math 6 (6 th grade) Regular Math 7 (7 th grade) Regular Math 8 (8 th grade) Algebra I (freshman) Geometry (sophomore) Algebra II (junior) Advanced Modeling or Probability/Statistics or Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry (senior) NOTE: it is possible to double-up sophomore year and take both Geometry and Algebra II at the same time. Should this occur, Calculus, Statistics or Finite Math would be an option senior year. ONE-YEAR ADVANCED TRACK Advanced Math 6 (7 th grade curriculum)(6 th grade) Advanced Math 7 (8 th grade curriculum)(7 th grade) Honors Algebra I (8 th grade) Honors Geometry (freshman) Honors Algebra II (sophomore) Honors Pre-Calculus (junior) A.P. Calculus or A.P. Stats or Finite Math (senior) Algebra I (8 th grade) Geometry (honors possible) (freshman) Algebra II (honors possible) (sophomore) Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry (honors possible) (junior) Calculus (AP possible) (senior) TWO-YEAR ADVANCED TRACK Double Advanced 6 (8 th grade curriculum)(6 th grade) Honors Algebra I (7 th grade) Honors Geometry(8 th grade) Honors Algebra II (freshman) Honors Pre-Calculus (sophomore) AP Calculus or AP Stats or Finite Math (junior) Finite Math Multi-Variable Calculus Differential Equations (senior) (senior) (senior) NOTE: College credit can be earned by earning at least a 4 out of 5 on the AP test in AP Stats or AP Calculus. College credit can also be earned for ANY of the Calculus courses or Finite Math by taking it for dual credit through Indiana University Bloomington.
Scheduling Options 8 th Grade Sample Only (Courses will not be in this order.) I. Without Honors Prep World Language: With Tech Ed Option 5. Wellness (Full Year) 6. Composition (Sem.) / Technology Ed (Sem) / or FACS (Sem.) 7. General Music (Sem) / Art Survey (Sem) With Fine Arts Option 5. Wellness (Full Year) 6. Composition (Sem.) / Tech Ed (9 Weeks) / FACS (Sem) AND Art (9 Weeks) or General Music (9 Weeks) (Depending on your fine arts choice) 7. Fine Arts Electives: (Choose One) Band/Choir/Orchestra/Art (Full Year) II. With Honors Prep World Language -must meet prerequisite grade requirements & maintain through June. (Choice of French, German, or Spanish) With Tech Ed Option 5. Honors Prep World Language 6. Wellness (Sem) / Tech Ed (Sem) or FACS (Sem) 7. General Music (Sem) / Art Survey (Sem) With Fine Arts Option 5.Wellness (Sem.) / Technology Ed (9 Weeks) AND Art (9 Weeks) or General Music (9 Weeks) or FACS (Sem) (Depending on your fine arts choice) 6. Honors Prep World Language 7. Fine Arts Elective: (Choose One) Band/Choir/Orchestra/Art (Full Year) Special Notes 1. Advanced courses by teacher recommendation. 2. English/Math/RTI (May be required based on the NWEA and ISTEP Scores) 3. Resource Classes (determined at case conferences) 4. FACS is only offered to those who DID NOT take it during their 7 th grade year.