So you are ready for 8 th grade???

So you are ready for 8th grade??? Course Selection for 8th Grade 2014-2015

TIPS FOR COMPLETING YOUR COURSE SELECTION SHEET • Do take time to read the course guide and carefully chose classes with the help of your parents. • Do consider taking pre-AP courses in your areas of strength. It’s a great preparation for high school! • Do select either regular or pre-AP cores on the left side of your choice sheet. • Do rank your elective choices using numbers, 1 through AT LEAST 9. You can rank further than 9 to ensure that you do not have classes that you did not select if the one of the ones you did is not available for some reason. • If you do not complete a choice sheet or do not choose enough electives, we have no choice but to choose classes to fill your schedule.

TIPS • Do NOT select courses that you are not interested in taking, even if it is one of your lower rankings, you may get it to make your schedule work. • If you choose an elective course that you have already taken, you may be scheduled to that course again. • Do NOT choose elective classes by placing a check mark next to the class. • Do chose either athletics or PE for 8th grade. Two years of PE / athletics is required for middle school. If you have not fulfilled this requirement, choose either PE or athletics for next year. • Do NOT use the same number twice in your rankings. You can include both yearlong and semester classes in your ranking, but you can’t use a ranking number more than one time.

Core Course SelectionEnglish, Science and Social Studies • You will choose either regular or pre-AP core (English, social studies, science and math) courses for 8th grade • Pre-AP Classes • 8th grade Pre-AP classes cover the same concepts as those in 8th grade core courses except presentation is more rigorous and in more detail. Pre-AP classes are advanced courses recommended for students with a strong interest in a subject and good study skills. Out of class time will be necessary for success in course work.

Core Course SelectionMath • Only students who successfully completed 7th grade advanced math can sign up for algebra in 8th grade. • Grade 8 Pre-AP Algebra I includes the basic understanding of the Algebra I curriculum with added rigor, depth, global connections, multiple representations (verbal, algebraic, numerical, graphical, physical), and expectations of sophistication in student work. Algebra is a high school credit course. • Algebra counts for high school credit and will become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript. Algebra will be factored into the student’s high school cumulative grade point average/GPA.

Timelines and Deadlines • You will receive your course selection sheet today • The deadline for turning back in to your advisory teacher is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14th during advisory. • You will receive a course verification form in advisory on April 14th. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ANY CHOICE CHANGES. If you have changed your mind, you can make any changes you want on this form.

Timelines and Deadlines • Course verification forms are due to Ms. Rask’s outer office by APRIL 25th. (Please do not give forms to teachers or the main office.) • If you have signed up for a class that you no longer want or will not be able to participate in, make sure you turn in a change form. You will not be able to make changes at schedule pickup or after the semester has started. • We create classes and move and hire staff based on your course selections so remember that these selections are very important because options for changes are limited.

We want YOU to choose! • We have to have course selections for you! • If you do not choose enough classes or do not turn in a choice sheet, we have to make selections for you. • We want YOU to choose so you are in classes that you will enjoy and get the most out of. • Even if you think you may not be at Barton for the next school year, you have to fill out a course selection sheet.

Should you take athletics or PE?Only 4 semesters of PE/Athletics is required in middle school. • ATHLETICS • Take athletics if you plan to participate in: • Boy’s football and/or basketball • Girl’s volleyball and/or basketball • ATHLETICS IS FOR STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO PARTICIPATE ON THE SCHOOL TEAM, NOT THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING THE SPORT IN A NONCOMPETATIVE SETTING • PE • Hays CISD’s physical education program is intended to increase the health and well being of each student enrolled in the class. A wide variety of recreational activities will be introduced throughout the school year. 8th grade students who have already taken 4 semesters of PE or Athletics are not required to take PE.

Before or After School Sports • Boy’s track, soccer and tennis • Girl’s track, soccer and tennis • If you are going to participate only in these sports, you should not sign up for athletics.

Other Things You Should Know About Athletics… • Athletics is a yearlong course. If you are not playing a sport at any time, you will be in off-season conditioning. • You may not drop athletics at the semester. • Teams practice either before or after school. You will be required to participate one of these times if you are on a team and have to have transportation. • If a student fails one class for the nine weeks, that student will not be able to play in games but is still required to practice until they regain eligibility.

Other Things You Should Know About Athletics… • To participate in athletics the student and parent must read, complete, and sign the athletic forms. These must be returned to Hays High School before August 1, 2014, before a student can participate before or after school. The athletic physical exam must be dated after May 1, 2014 for participation in the 2014-2015 school year. • If you do not meet these deadlines, you may be dropped from the athletics program prior to the beginning of the school year. • Students who do not have a physical turned in to Hays High School by August 1stwill be dropped from the athletics program and will not have an opportunity to participate until the following school year.

Other Things You Should Know About Athletics… • Athletes are expected to dress out in BMS athletic attire everyday without excuses. • Theft or graffiti in locker room will not be tolerated. • Participation in athletics is non-negotiable. If you signed up for athletics, you are expected to participate every day. This includes all of the running and conditioning that comes along with building a better athlete. • Grades and behavior of athletes are at a high standard. If you cannot behave yourself in class, you will be handled swiftly during athletic period. UIL prohibits athletes who are failing from participating in games. • NO OPT OUT is a place where students who don’t finish their school or homework go. It is our expectation that you complete all work on time so that you are not assigned NOO. • If you miss a game or practice do to choosing to attend a select or club game or other event, you hurt the team here at Barton. This will be considered an unexcused absence.

Off-Campus Physical Education Waivers • The Texas Education Agency allows local school districts to substitute regular Physical Education credit with private or commercially sponsored physical activity. A student must complete an application for each semester that credit substitution is requested. Upon approval by the principal one-half credit may be awarded for each semester of off-campus physical activity up to 4 semesters in middle school.

Off-Campus Physical Education Waivers Types CATEGORY I CATEGORY II Physical activities that do not involve Olympic level participation must be certified to be of high quality and well-supervised and appropriately trained instructors. Student participation in this category must entail at least five hours per week and student may not be dismissed from any part of the regular school day. • Physical activity programs that lead to Olympic level participation and require a minimum of 15 hours per week of professionally supervised training. Students qualifying and participating at this level may be dismissed from school for one period per day for such participation.

Off-Campus Physical Education Waiver • Off-Campus PE Waiver applications and more information are available in the Barton main office. • If you are an 8th grader and have already completed 4 semesters of PE, including waivers, you do not need to complete a waiver application. • Deadlines: Fall Waiver : June 6th, 2014 Spring Waiver: December 12, 2014

Choosing Your ELECTIVES!

Elective Scheduling • Not all electives are offered at every middle school campus. • Students will be given their first choice elective if possible. • However, they may be placed in a lower choice, so choose carefully. • If you select a course that you have already taken, you may be scheduled to that course again. • There are nearly 7,000 schedule combinations in a school of this size. All of those combinations have to work together to get every student scheduled. Because of this, you may not get your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. You may get a combination of courses you selected in your rank. • Any student not receiving a passing score on reading and/or math STAAR may be placed in an enrichment course in lieu of an elective.

Yearlong Electives • Band - Band is designed as a progressive learning and skill development course in instrumental music. You will be required to participate in out-of-school activities. There will be additional expenses for this program. • Choir - The purpose of choir is to help students learn vocal techniques and sight-reading skills that will enhance their abilities to enjoy many kinds of music throughout their lives. The class includes out-of-school performances.

Yearlong Electives con’t • Project Lead the Way – Gateway to Technology I - PLTW’s middle school program, Gateway to Technology (GTT), is an activities-oriented course for students who enjoy science, technology, engineering and math. This is the first course in the series. The class is divided into independent modules that include: Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, and Energy and the Environment. Students will learn to use modeling software, improve their problem solving, and work in teams.

Yearlong Electives con’t • Project Lead the Way – Gateway to Technology II - GTT II is an activities-oriented course for students who enjoy science, technology, engineering and math. This is the second course in the series. This class is divided into independent modules that include: Flight and Space, the Magic of Electrons, and Science of Technology. • This course is for students who have already completed GTT I.

Yearlong Electives con’t • Project Lead the Way – Gateway to Technology III - GTT III is an activities-oriented course for students who enjoy science, technology, engineering and math. This is the third course in the series. • The course is for students who have completed GTT I and GTT II.

Scheduling for GTT Classes • Unfortunately, we have more students interested in taking GTT classes than we have spaces available. • Because of that, STAAR scores will be used to place students in GTT courses. • You are strongly encouraged to rank beyond 6 choices on your course selection sheet. If you do not get into GTT, you will need additional electives for your schedule.

Yearlong Electives con’t • Advanced Journalism (Yearbook) - Advanced journalism is a hands-on course designed to produce the middle school yearbook and/or newspaper. Students who take this course need to have completed journalism class previously.

Yearlong High School Credit Courses • Art 1 – High School Credit - This course provides an introduction to drawing, sculpting, color and design techniques. A variety of media will be explored: pencil, charcoal, paint, pastel, cardboard, clay printmaking and other media. • Theatre 1 – High School Credit - Theatre Arts I is a course in which students will explore the world of theatre including history, acting, technical production elements and playwriting. Students will be working on many projects in groups.

Yearlong High School Credit Courses • Spanish 1 – High School Credit - In Spanish I the students will be introduced to current examples of everyday speech in a visual and realistic way. The students will learn to communicate using the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. • Spanish for Native Speakers Levels I - This course is designed to provide an accelerated approach to language instruction for native speakers. By compacting curriculum, students will earn two credits in one year.

Semester High School Credit Courses • Health 1 – High School Credit - This course is a state required course for high school graduation. This course satisfies the health requirement for high school credit. In health education, students acquire the health information and skills necessary to become healthy adults and learn about behaviors in which they should and should not participate. • Foundations of Personal Fitness – High School Credit - This course satisfies .5 credit of the 1 credit requirement of PE for high school credit. Foundations of Personal Fitness represents a new approach in physical education and the concept of personal fitness.

Information about High School Credit Courses • These courses count for high school credit and will become a permanent part of the student’s high school transcript. The grades earned in these courses will be factored into the student’s high school cumulative grade point average/GPA.

Semester Electives • Art - Art is a semester class. There are four basic strands of study--perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation. • Advanced Art - Art students must have completed an Art course in order to take this higher level art class. Students will focus on individual expression, elements and principles of design, and expanding their skill level while studying various artists and art styles.

Semester Elective con’t • Theatre - Students will get to know themselves better and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them by experiencing theatre first hand. Activities will include: pantomime, clowning, improvisation, storytelling, puppetry, role-playing, and set design. • Advanced Theatre - Theatre students must have completed theatre in order to take this higher level theatre class. Activities may include performance nights, competitions and full-scale productions.

Semester Electives con’t • Journalism - Journalism is a one-semester class involved in producing a school newspaper and yearbook. The students learn about types of mass media, and the ethics and responsibilities of the media. Newsgathering and writing techniques are taught, and students conduct surveys and interviews. This course is required to take Yearbook in 8th grade. • Teen Leadership - Teen Leadership is a course in developing leadership and social skills. Students will learn to express themselves and make the best of relationships with others. Students also learn how to make presentations and develop communication skills.

Semester Elective con’t • Exploring Careers - Students will use decision-making and problem-solving skills for college and career planning. Students will explore valid, reliable educational and career information to learn more about themselves and their interests and abilities. • Web Design and Development - In this one-semester course, students will learn basic html skills for troubleshooting as they author and publish web pages. Concepts include user interface, tools, terminology, and web design principles for industry-standard web-authoring software.

Semester Elective con’t • Interactive Media (Gaming) - In this one-semester course, students focus on the Game Design Process from concept to production. Students will be introduced to gaming programming through a drag-and-drop, graphical user interface. • Broadcast Media - In this one-semester course, students will investigate techniques of video production from pre production – planning, to production – videotaping, and post production – editing. Students will learn the concepts and terminology of film production and the power of media through journalism as they study different areas of filmmaking such as PSAs (Public Service Announcements), commercials, news segments, and magazine format stories and documentaries.

Semester High School Credit Courses • Health 1 – High School Credit - This course is a state required course for high school graduation. This course satisfies the health requirement for high school credit. In health education, students acquire the health information and skills necessary to become healthy adults and learn about behaviors in which they should and should not participate. • Foundations of Personal Fitness – High School Credit - This course satisfies .5 credit of the 1 credit requirement of PE for high school credit. Foundations of Personal Fitness represents a new approach in physical education and the concept of personal fitness.

Now you are ready to complete your course selection sheet! • Remember – • Choose carefully, you will not be able to make changes after April 25th. • Your choice sheet is specifically for you. DON’T LOSE IT! • Talk over your selections with your parents. You do need a parent signature on the course selection sheet. • Rank (1,2,3,etc.) your elective selections through at least 9. More is better! • Don’t put classes in your ranking that you are not interested in taking! • Consider taking pre-AP classes! • The deadline for turning in your choice sheet to your advisor is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14th. • EVERY STUDENT MUST TURN IN A COURSE VERIFICATION SHEET WITH A PARENT SIGNATURE BY APRIL 25th.

So you are ready for 8 th grade???