8 th grade Course selection 2019 2020 TEX

8 th grade Course selection 2019 -2020 TEX HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tex Hill Leadership Team Dr. Charles Reininger Jonathan Campbell Principal Asst. Principal Christina Pelletier-Rotto Asst. Principal Joana Richards Academic Dean Tiffany Johnson Counselor Lesley Reichert Jenna Ross Counselor 6 th grade A-L and 7 th grade 6 th grade M-Z and 8 th grade 6 th grade A-L and 8 th grade 6 th grade M-Z and 7 th grade Special Education Coordinator As questions arise regarding the selection of courses for next year, please contact the Tex Hill Counselors. Students who do not complete the registration process will have a schedule created for them by their assigned counselor. Please call or e-mail us, we will be glad to assist you in making these important decisions. Tex Hill Middle School Counseling Office: 210 -356 -8030 Mrs. Choni Carranza - Counseling Clerk Mrs. Jane Murray- Data Processor

College & Career Readiness NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter: ØA four-year college or university ØA junior or community college ØA trade or technical school ØThe military ØThe workforce

Success In High School Requires Planning Preparation for high school success and rigor requires students to ØTake rigorous middle school courses ØDevelop meaningful goals ØLearn and utilize strong study habits ØPlan for the future

STUDENT SCHEDULE 8 th grade student will take the following courses: 1. . /2. English/Reading Block 3. Math Regular or 4. Science Regular or 5. History Regular or 6. P. E. or 7. Elective 8. Elective Athletics Regular grade level, Pre. AP or GT Algebra I (ONLY if you were in Pre. AP math in 7 th)/ or GT Science Pre-AP History Pre-AP or P. E. /Dance or P. E. /High School Health

PRE-AP COURSES English/Reading Pre-AP, and Math Pre-AP are offered to all 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade students. Science Pre-AP and History Pre-AP are only offered to 8 th grade students. **Important for all students registering for a Pre-AP course: the exit point for a Pre-AP course is either at the end of the first three weeks or the end of the nine-week grading period. If these exit points are missed then the student will remain in the course for the remainder of the semester. Documentation for these level change requests will be found with the Tex Hill Counselors. The form must be turned in to the student’s counselor the week prior to the exit point. ** A parent/guardian and student signature will be required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form that will be given out on the first day of class.

ENGLISH/READING PRE-AP • English Pre-AP is a challenging course that requires a parent and student signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form • Any student may enroll in this course, but it is strongly advised that you scored well in the subject area • Level III on STAAR • 80 or above in previous Reading course A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.

MATH Pre-AP In 8 th grade, Math Pre-AP is Algebra I Students must have be in Pre-Algebra in 7 th grade to be in 8 th grade Algebra I. Students enrolled in Algebra I will take the state mandated Algebra I end of course (EOC). A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. **Students who successfully complete Algebra I will receive one unit of math credit on their high school transcript.

SCIENCE Pre-AP and HISTORY Pre-AP In 8 th grade, any student can take Science Pre-AP and/or History Pre-AP. --A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form

Middle School Fine Arts Requirement • All students are required to take two semesters or one year of a Fine Arts course or courses throughout middle school. This could include: • Art • Band • Choir • Dance • Orchestra • Theatre Arts

Academic Individual Motivation (A. I. M. ) The focus of AIM is to enhance the curriculum by providing enrichment and/or support to the core academic subjects. AIM may also provide students with critical skills such as study habits, note-taking, test taking strategies, organizational skills, time management, goal setting, and character education. If time allows, students may also receive study hall support.

ART • Art is offered in both 7 th and 8 th grade as a full year elective. • Art is designed for the student to learn the fundamentals of art.

BAND • All Band courses are only offered as a year long elective • Students must be willing to commit to outside of school practice sessions/performances and to remain in the program for the entire year. • The Band teacher’s recommendation is necessary for Band II, Band III, Symphonic, and Honors Band.

CHOIR • Choir is offered as a year long course. • Students must be willing to commit to outside of school practice sessions/performances.

DEBATE • In this course, the topics covered are: logic, persuasion, and speaking and debate formats. Competitive events covered in the course include impromptu speaking, modern oratory, Student Congress, Public Forum debate, and Lincoln Douglas debate. Students will research, write, and present original works as well as critically evaluate works from others. • Excellent reading and writing skills are necessary. • Debate is offered as a year long course.

PALS-Peer Assistance Leaders • The Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program is a year long course that trains selected 8 th grade students to work as peer helpers, peer mediators, and community service learners with students either on their own campus or from feeder elementary schools. • Sign up for another elective now and, if chosen, your schedule will be changed. • An application is required

OFFICE AIDES/Teacher Aides • Offered only to 8 th grade students • Office Aide is a year long course • The areas students will serve are Main Office, Counseling Office, Nurse’s Office, and Library. • Teacher Aide is a year long course • You will use the same course number as Office aide and be assigned to a teacher.

STRING ORCHESTRA • All Orchestra courses are only offered as a year long elective. • Students must be willing to commit to outside of school practice sessions/performances and to remain in the program for the entire year. • Teacher recommendation is necessary for Orchestra II and Orchestra III.

YEARBOOK • Students will hold editorial positions and gain laboratory experience, along with interpersonal communication skills. • Instruction in magazine production procedures. • Students in 7 th and 8 th grade may enroll in this course. • An application is required from Ms. Semik.

THEATER ARTS • Theater Arts is for the student learning the fundamentals of theater performance. • Theater Arts I , Theater Arts II and Theater Arts III are offered as full year courses. • Theater Arts I is a pre-requisite for Theater Arts II. • Theater Arts II is a pre-requisite for Theater Arts III. • Theater Arts II and III need teacher recommendation.

Dance This introductory/intermediate course is designed to focus on various mediums of dance, including ballet, modern ja and folk/ethnic. Emphasis is on training the student to coordinate elements of dance and to enhance student confidence, poise and collaborative skills. Aerobic activities and fitness activities will be incorporated.

SSI Courses If you don’t meet the minimum passing requirements for STAAR test, electives courses will be substituted with enrichment courses. http: //www. duncanvilleisdnews. org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/staar. jpg

PHYSICAL EDUCATION • All 8 th grade students must take either a semester of P. E. , a full year of P. E. , P. E. /Dance or a full year of Athletics. **4 semesters of PE/Athletics are required throughout middle school and, at least, one semester per school year. **

ATHLETICS • All students who participate in the Athletics course must play a minimum of two sports. • The options are football, basketball, or track (boys) or must be volleyball, basketball, or track(girls). • This course can be taken in place of Physical Education and is a yearlong commitment. • After school participation is required • A physical is required PRIOR to tryouts and participation

HEALTH EDUCATION • Only 8 th grade students may enroll in this course • 1 semester (. 5) of High School Health Credit will be earned. • This course must be taken with a semester of P. E. . Or a semester of AIM

Principles of Art/AV/Communication This course develops a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong academic foundation, and a proficiency in oral and written communication. The student applies information technology applications when completing Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications projects. The student is expected to use information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation and spreadsheet or database applications. This course is offered for the entire year and 1. 0 Career and Technology High School Credit will be earned.

Principles of Information Technology • Students develop computer literacy skills to adapt to emerging technologies used in the global marketplace. Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace environment. • Students enhance reading, writing, computing, communication and reasoning skills and apply them to the information technology environment. • This course is 1. 0 high school credit.

Principles of Applied Engineering This course provides an overview of the various fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematic and their interrelationships. Students will use a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects. Upon completing this course, students will have an understanding of the various fields and will be able to make informed decisions regarding a coherent sequence of subsequent courses. This course is 1. 0 high school credit. .

Computer Science Fundamentals of Computer Science is intended as a first course for those students just beginning the study of computer science. Students will learn about the computing tools that are used every day. Students will foster their creativity and innovation through opportunities to design, implement, and present solutions to real-world computer programming problems. This course is 1. 0 high school credit and for 8 th grade only. .

SPANISH IB • Spanish 1 B is the second part of the middle school two-year language program where a student will receive high school credit. This course is offered to 8 th graders only. • Spanish 1 A must be taken and completed in the 7 th grade PRIOR to enrolling in Spanish 1 B. • Students who successfully complete both Spanish 1 A and Spanish 1 B will receive one unit of a language credit on their high school transcript.

SPANISH I • A one year accelerated course designed for those 8 th grade students who have the interest, motivation, and study skills to take Spanish I. The development of oral language skills will be emphasized along with pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The culture of the Spanish-speaking world will be integrated into the learning of the language. • Pre-requisite: Successful Completion of 6 th/7 th grade Pre-AP classes, Regular Attendance, and Good Study Skills • 1 High School Language Credit will be earned

Choose your electives wisely… • Students and parents will have opportunities to carefully examine course offerings and course descriptions. All Electives are a full year commitment. • Fill out your course card and use it to reference while you register your classes on line. Then turn your course cards in to your science teachers. • The deadline to submit your course selection sheet is Friday, February 8, 2018.

Things to Remember • • Students can switch into a Pre-AP class within the first two weeks of school Course cards and Course Descriptions are posted on the Tex Hill Website • All Electives are a full year commitment. • Elective changes will not be made after June 6, 2019 • *** NEW this year - students will return a course card AND enter course selection online through Skyward ***

Course Card Directions • • Be sure to write your name & ID number Place an “X” by your selection of either Regular or Pre AP for your Core Classes • Number your top 5 choices for electives 1 - 5. This will help when you are registering online. Choices 1 and 2 will be with your requested classes. Choices 3 -5 will be your alternates. • • Be sure to have required signatures Return to your School Counselors by Friday, February 8 th

Skyward Course Selection

Students will have: 4 core classes, 1 PE/health or athletics or PE/Dance and their top two elective choices.

Tex Hill Counselors are here to help: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Tex Hill Counselor by email or phone. Mrs. Johnson (6 th A-L/8 th grade) tjohns 29@neisd. net (210) 356 -8032 Mrs. Reichert (6 th M-Z/7 th grade) lreich@neisd. net 210) 356 -8033 Please refer to the Tex Hill MS course catalog for course descriptions on the Tex Hill Guidance and Counseling website at www. neisd. net/hill/guidance.