2020 - 2021

8th grade course selection

PROMOTION to 8th GRADE

To be promoted to 8th grade:

You must also have an overall average of 70 or higher in 3 of the 4 core subject areas: English/Reading BlockMathScienceSocial Studies

Students who do not meet these requirements must eitherattend summer school or repeat the 7th grade.

Course Selection Process

1. After watching this presentation your Advisory Teacher will handout your Course Selection sheet. Take your course selection sheet home to share with your parents. Both you and your parent must sign the form!

2. Return your completed, signed course selection sheet to your Advisory teacher by January 17th.

3. The Counselors will be meeting with you to discuss your course selections.

Course Requests Overview

Course sheets must be turned in to your Advisory teacher by Jan. 17th. 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. English2. Math or Algebra3. Social Studies4. Science5. PE or Athletics6. Two electives and three alternate electives

KAP PROGRAM INFORMATIONFormerly known as PreAP

KAP courses are designed to challenge motivated students and prepare them for success in college level course work in high school and beyond. Classes tend to move at a faster pace. More academically challenging It is okay to earn a C

Exit processes are in place to assist students in making sound course selection decisions. Students and parents must be aware that, depending on timeline, grades earned in a KAP course follow the student to the corresponding academic course.

The KAP Course Commitment form is included on the back of the course selection sheet.

In reviewing the broad range of possible courses, students must keep in mind career and personal goals. Students and parents should consider information in this planning guide about high school requirements (pages 8-16 Course Catalog). Students who might pursue college athletic opportunities should read page 26, “NCAA requirements,” and visit the NCAA website, www. ncaa.org. A successful Junior High School course of study also allows time for involvement in extracurricular and community activities and interests.

NCAA INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS TAKING High school credit courses

8th Grade Physical EducationChoices

Athletics PE Dance

• based on availability of staffing and students.

8th Grade Athletics

Boys – You can signed up for Athletics ONLY IF you are going to play Football. If you are only planning on playing Basketball you will need to choose PE as your choice. If you make the Basketball team we will do our best to add you to the Athletic period.

Girls – Coaches will give the counselors a list of students to be scheduled into the athletic period. Please see the coach if you are interested in playing a sport in 8th grade.

Sports offered:Football

VolleyballBasketball

TrackTennisSoccer

8th Grade ELECTIVES – Not High School Credit

Band – Beginning (1st Year), 2nd Year or 3rd Year

Choir, Boys or Girls – Beginning (1st Year), 2nd Year or 3rd Year

Orchestra – Beginning (1st Year), 2nd Year or 3rd Year

Theater Arts – Beginning (1st Year), 2nd Year or 3rd Year

Art – Beginning (1st Year), 2nd Year or 3rd Year Publications – Yearbook or Panther TV

*Application required

Student Aide

Career Investigations – can’t take if you took in 7th grade.

High school credit coursesContinued

Principles of Human Services (J8353)• An introductory CTE course supporting the Public Services endorsement.

• In this high school credit course, students gain personal life management skills as they investigate human services careers, including counseling and mental health, early childhood development, family and community and personal care services. The course addresses a broad range of knowledge and skills related to personal development and management, promotion of strong families and preparation for adult roles. Topics include nutrition and dietary practices, food preparation, budgeting and management of family housing needs. Students who successfully complete Principles of Human Services in eighth grade are awarded one high school credit and grade points. The course fee covers food for in-class projects.

All semester grades and grade points earned in high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript and are factored into the student’s grade point average and class rank.

High school credit coursesContinued

Principles of Info Tech (J8644) An introductory CTE course supporting Business and Industry - Information

Technology endorsement

an introductory course into Information Technology Program of Study designed to help students develop computer literacy skills to adapt to emerging technologies used in the global marketplace. Students will implement personal and interpersonal skills to prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace environment. Students will enhance reading, writing, computing, communication, and reasoning skills and apply them to the information technology environment.

All semester grades and grade points earned in high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript and are factored into the student’s grade point average and class rank.

High school credit coursesContinued

Principles of Applied Engineering (J8616) The first course in the Engineering pathway for the STEM endorsement.

Students who complete this course in 8th grade may enroll in the second course in this pathway, Engineering Design & Presentation, in 9th grade.

Principles of Manufacturing (J8043) The first course in the Manufacturing pathway for the Business & Industry

endorsement.

All semester grades and grade points earned in high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript and are factored into the student’s grade point average and class rank.

High school credit coursesContinued

Web Communications (J2026) semester• This high school credit course will provide students with the necessary skills to

navigate the world wide web, use digital technology to work collaboratively with others, and learn to create a positive on-line footprint.

Touch System Data Entry (J8560) semester• This high school credit course provides students with technical skills to

address business applications of emerging technologies. Students enhance reading, writing, computing, communication, and reasoning skills and apply them to the business environment. Students will need to apply touch system data entry for production of business documents using correct formatting.

All semester grades and grade points earned in high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript and are factored into the student’s grade point average and class rank.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES

• If you take a high school credit course in 8th

grade, you MUST NOT request the same course in high school.

• You CANNOT repeat a course for which you have already earned credit.

• No credit is awarded for a duplicated course.

All semester grades and grade points earned in high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript and are factored into the student’s grade point average and class rank.

High school courses that you can take during JH to receive credit.

Algebra I (J0211)

Art I (J7511) – you must have had either Art as a 6th or 7th grader.

Spanish I (J6319)

Spanish for Spanish Speakers I (J6361) – fall semester, 1 credit

Spanish for Spanish Speakers II (J6362) – spring semester, 1 credit

Semester grades and grade points earned in all high school credit courses become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript.

Other Courses

Math lab - 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 7th

grade STAAR test. This class will replace your elective.

How To Fill Out Your Course Selection Sheet

Choose 2 from the right side.

Electives

REMEMBER!

Course selection sheets are due your Advisory Teacher by Jan. 17th.

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 KAP placement.

Choose the elective that’s most interesting to you.

List three alternate electives.

Sign and return the course sheet on time!

Final notes

HAVE Fun Choosing your courses for next year.