Course Request 2014-2015

8th Grade

In order to be promoted to the eighth grade, a couple of things need to occur.

If these things are not in place, you will be required to attend summer school or repeat the seventh grade.

You must have an overall average of 70 or higher in all courses

You must also have an overall average of 70 or higher in three of the four academic courses: math, language arts, social studies, and science.

Course Selection Process1. Course selection presentation in Social Studies classes

2. Take course request sheet home to share with parents-Parents must sign the form!

3. Have teachers initial any choices indicated with an *.

4. Return the signed/initialed course selection sheet to Social Studies teacher by Jan. 31.

5. You will be entering your course selections into the computer before Spring Break.

Choosing Classes for 8th Grade

Choose for 7 periods Choose English, Math, Social Studies,

Science, PE Pick 2 electives and two alternate

electives CHOOSE CAREFULLY!

PREAP CLASSES In order to be in a PreAP class you must meet the following

criteria:1. Have an “A” in the academic class or

have a “B” in the PreAP class2. Have parent approval

PreAP courses are designed to challenge motivated students and prepare them for success in advanced coursework. These courses:

1. typically move at a faster pace2. are more academically challenging3. require more independent learning4. have more homework than academic courses

PREAP Exit Guidelines

May choose to exit during 1st 6 weeks or at the end of the 1st semester. Must have teacher and parent approval.

If the 6 weeks average falls below 70, then you will be taken out of the class at the end of the grading period.

Athletics for 8th Grade

You may not sign yourself up for athletics. See your coach if you are interested in playing a sport next year.

The Coaches will give the counselors a list of students to put into the athletic period.

Reading Elective and Math Lab

If you do not pass the Reading section of STAAR, then you will be placed in the Reading elective.

If you do not pass the Math section of STAAR, then you will be placed in Math Lab.

High School Credit classes will go on a High School Transcript. A high school transcript will impact the rest of your educational career. GPA (Grade Point Average) Class rank Colleges first snapshot of you

You will take a Mid-term and final exam that will count 15%of your semester average.

Algebra (0211)– you must qualify based on screening -1 math credit

Spanish IB (6318)- Prerequisite is Spanish IA-

1 Foreign Language credit

Accelerated Spanish (6319)-1 Foreign Language credit

Art I (7511)-1 Fine Art credit

Principles of Human Services -Home Ec (8353)-1 elective credit

Concepts of Engineering & Tech (8619) – 1 elective credit

Band J860 Choir J867/J868 Girls or Boys Orchestra J859 Theater I (J746)Beginning Theater

Theater II (J846)- Must have taken Theater I

Art I (J850) Not for high school credit

• Teen Leadership J999– learn leadership and personal and business skills. Focus on developing a healthy self-concept, healthy relationships, and personal responsibility through individual and group activities.

• Woodshop J751– introduction to drafting and woodworking. Includes the design, construction, and finishing of a selected project. Students responsible for providing building materials.

• Publications (Yearbook) J855 Application Required

• Technology Applications I & II (Computers) J873/J877 -Not for High School Credit-Spreadsheets, word processing, database, multimedia, telecommunications, & graphic design

Student Aide (Application required) – help in attendance office, front office, library, counselor’s office, and sometimes PE – must be willing to be placed in any of these offices

Must be highly responsible, like filing, organizing, alphabetizing, and doing repetitive tasks.

Must be reliable, helpful and able to keep information confidential Grades and any office referrals will be considered. You will be required to fill out an application and write a short

answer. You will be notified of the topic and deadline. Mr. Roberts and Mrs. Partee will HIGHLY scrutinize these essays

and the individuals applying for these positions. We will choose the BEST students for these positions.

Not everyone applying will be chosen for an Aide position.

• Choose two alternate ElectivesA class may be fullA class may not fit into your scheduleA class may not make the final schedule

Choose Wisely!!

•Course Sheet due by Jan. 31.

•Keep Neat and Clean Take Good Care of It!

•Choose courses carefully

•Choose 2 alternate electives

•Teacher Initials when necessary