Beckendorff Junior High

Course Selection Information

2017-2018

Future 6th Grade Bears!

KISD 2017-2018 Course Catalog

Green course selection packet

Parent letter

Copy of this power point

Course request worksheet

Pre-AP Parent letter

Course Selection Materials

• School starts at 7:25 and ends at 2:35

• Eight periods per day (including advisory)

• Advisory period for homework and

studying

• Locker to keep supplies

• Students change classes independently

• PE every day and students dress out

Welcome to Junior High!

• Elective class meets every day

• Open seating at lunch

• G/T is integrated into the core classes.

Students must qualify for GT classes by

subject.

• Pep Rallies

• More independence and responsibility

Welcome to Junior High!

Each class period is about 45 minutes long

except Advisory which is 25 minutes.

A Typical 6th Grade Day

(A Lunch)

Period Subject Room #

1st English 2007

2nd Reading 2007

3rd PE Gym

4th A Lunch Cafeteria

Advisory 2021

5th Math 2024

6th Trumpet Band Hall

7th Science 2014

8th Social Studies 2010

Each class period is about 45 minutes long

except Advisory which is 25 minutes.

A Typical 6th Grade Day

(B Lunch)

Period Subject Room #

1st English 2007

2nd Reading 2007

3rd PE Gym

4th Advisory 2011

B Lunch Cafeteria

5th Math 2024

6th Choir 1115

7th Social Studies 2012

8th Science 2014

Three Class Formats:

Academic—Challenging work on grade level, prepares students for college, gives more class time to review concepts with teacher support

Pre-AP—Academically advanced work, designed to challenge motivated students, faster paced, more homework, and increased student independence and responsibility

GT–Requires previous identification and screening in accordance with KISD guidelines

Choosing Courses

• Students may choose a combination of class

formats. For example, a student may request

Pre-AP English and Reading, and Academic

Math, Science, and Social Studies.

• Students considering Pre-AP courses should

have earned A’s and B’s in that course in

elementary.

• Class placement should be a decision made

by the parent, student, current teachers, and

elementary school counselor.

Choosing Courses

Things to consider when selecting a course level:

1. Past grades in school and junior high grade expectations

2. Motivation and attitude

3. Standardized test scores

4. Study habits

5. Willingness to complete homework

6. Outside interests and activities

7. Ease at catching on to new material

8. Independence and responsibility level

Choosing Courses

Math

6th, 7th, and 8th grade math classes are the foundations for high school math classes and should not be rushed.

Academic Math – On grade level curriculum

Students will have math homework every night to practice the concepts

Students will learn 6th grade skills/concepts only

Pre-AP Math - Accelerated math class covering all 6th grade curriculum and about a third of 7th grade curriculum

A new concept is learned almost every day

Students will have math homework every night to practice the concepts

Pre-AP math focuses on preparing student for High School Algebra I in 8th grade

Characteristics of a Pre-AP

Math student

Problem solver in everyday situations

Has developed strong learning and study habits

Shows perseverance when challenged

Displays emotional maturity when frustrated

Demonstrates reasoning skills pertaining to mathematical

concepts in everyday life

Shows confidence in their own math abilities

Strong/mastered fast facts skills

Willingness to ask questions in class and seek out help

Strongly values learning- Loves to learn!!

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.

• 6th grade is allowed to choose 1 elective for the year

• Some electives require after school commitments

• Have assignments and receive numeric grades

• Cannot be changed after the second week of school

• 6th grade electives are Fine Arts classes: Art, Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Theater

• Due to the high demand of certain electives, placement in elective courses will be limited based on availability and are not guaranteed.

Electives

Choosing an Elective Class

Do consider… Your interests and what you would like to learn about

How much time outside of school is needed to participate/practice in

the elective class

What do you like to do for fun

What outside time constraints do you have?

Don’t consider… Your friend’s choice

Cool field trips (a field trip is only one day)

• Band directors will meet with students in the Spring to determine

instrument choices

• No prior experience is necessary

• Schedule is determined by the instrument that you select

• Must rent or buy instrument

• Three concerts per year

• Get to play all types of GREAT music

• Some skills you learn in band: self-confidence, teamwork,

problem solving, self-discipline, creativity, communication, and

many more.

Beginning BandWoodwind, Brass, Percussion

Band Instrument choices: flute, clarinet,

oboe, bassoon, saxophone,

trumpet, French horn, euphonium,

tuba, percussion

If you choose band on your course

selection sheet as your 1st elective

choice, the band director will send

you a letter with additional

information

Beginning Choir

Four concerts per year including Pop Show

No prior experience necessary

Perform a variety of music including: classical, movie music, Broadway, folk songs, holiday, and pop

Competitions and fun events

Opportunities for solos and small groups

Expand musical ability, knowledge, and appreciation of music

Choir will provide skills such as teamwork, communication, sight-reading, problem solving, and logical reasoning.

A safe place to be with many friends

Singing, reading music,

and concerts

Beginning Orchestra

Orchestra director will meet with students in the Spring to determine instrument choices

Schedule is determined by the instrument that you select

Must rent or buy instrument

Learn different styles of music (also learn some jazz and fiddling)

Four or five concerts per year

Important facts about orchestra:

Concerts, play at festivals, play classical music, meet new friends, and more

Learn teamwork, cooperation, and problem solving

Violin, Cello, Viola, Bass

Beginning Art Introduction to 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 Theater

Focus on vocabulary and theatrical terms

Building sets, costumes, make-up, and

lighting

Creating scripts and performing

Performing short scenes from published

works

Playing theater games such as

improvisation

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.

Athletics – only for 7th and 8th graders

These courses take the place of your elective class.

Math Lab – designed to refine math concepts and fill in gaps

Read 180– designed to improve reading proficiency and comprehension

Placement may be mandatory as a result of KISD standards and graduation requirements

STAAR results are used to determine placement in the above courses

Possible Required Courses

Advisory is a time to:

1. Work on homework

2. Study for quizzes and tests

3. Review/complete planner

4. Get organized

5. Read or practice extra work

Advisory

• Due to your 5th grade Homeroom

Teacher

• If you are moving or planning to move,

you still must turn in a course selection

sheet

• Must be signed by parent/guardian

and student

Course Selection

Worksheet

How to Complete the

Course Selection Worksheet

• All students must sign up for: English and Reading,

Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, one Elective, and

list 2 alternate electives

• Place a check mark next to the course you are

requesting

Example: ENGLISH

_____ J602 English 6

_____ J604 English 6 Pre-AP

_____ G604 English 6 GT*

Verification Process

All students will receive a verification sheet in March

The verification sheet is not a schedule — it is the list of courses you selected

No changes will be made to courses prior to verification sheets being distributed

Any changes to the student’s courses should be made on the verification sheet and returned to the homeroom teacher with a parent signature

If we do not receive a verification sheet back, we assume no corrections need to be made to your course selections

Questions?

• Please click on the link below to ask the counselors any

questions you may have.

• We will provide a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

once all questions have been collected.

• https://docs.google.com/a/katyisd.org/forms/d/e/1FAI

pQLSdcE_BL5Kx0-

t37Psy6so4WCSlHmJID0FaiA2DBJsAnZEgpaA/viewform

We can’t wait

to see you at

BDJH!