WELCOME TO COOPER JUNIOR HIGH Entering 8 th

WELCOME TO COOPER JUNIOR HIGH! Entering 8 th Graders

INTRODUCTIONS Administration & Teachers

ADMINISTRATION Dr. Miller, Principal Mrs. Wynne, Assistant Principal Last Names A-Lum Mrs. Jones, Assistant Principal Last Names Lun-Z

WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION This presentation will be uploaded onto Cooper Junior High’s website on Mrs. Ragsdale’s page A Skyward email with links will also be sent to parents You may stop by Cooper’s main office to pick up a hard copy

RESPONSIBILITY Course Load Realistic expectations If you go PAP, choose 1 -3 Homework Nightly Budget Time Academics are important, as are Extracurricular Activities Family Time Social Pressure/Stress

REWARDS AND BENEFITS Grades Plan/Direction Clubs and Teams Less stress Less griping at home Being treated as a young adult

REGISTRATION PROCESS 1. Parent Meeting Feb. 26 2. Student Online Registration 1. Students will register this Thursday and Friday (1 st & 2 nd) in their TX History class 2. Counselor and Registrar will assist in actual registration 3. Parents will log in to the student’s Skyward account to review, make changes, and electronically sign 4. Skyward will close for changes on March 30 th Information will be released later in the summer concerning schedule pick-up, open house, and any other information for the start of the school year.

TH 8 GRADE REQUIRED COURSES ELA (combined Reading/Writing) Math Science U. S. History PE/Athletics/Tennis/Golf + TWO electives

CRITERIA FOR PRE-AP COURSES Students are encouraged to speak with their current academic teachers about Pre-AP recommendations All Pre-AP courses will require extensive outside work and in-depth study Homework and outside projects will occur on a regular basis Time committed to complete work is extensive.

MATH AND ALGEBRA I Mrs. Gauthier

MATH On-Level 8 th Grade Math Algebra I Important foundation for higher level math courses This is an advanced 9 th grade course that affects a student’s GPA for graduation Aligned with 8 th Grade TEKS Teaches the “heart” of Algebra, the fundamentals of Geometry, as well as how to analyze & represent data Based on Algebra I TEKS and not 8 th Grade TEKS (HS grading policy, not JH policy) Spring. Board curriculum Students will take the Algebra I End of Course (EOC) assessment – required to graduate in Texas

ADVANCED MATH 8 This is a class that is set up for our 7 th grade Pre-Algebra students who feel that they are best served waiting to take an advanced Algebra course in 9 th grade. Follows the 8 th Grade TEKS, but moves faster than on-level. Please ask your 7 th grade math teacher for their opinion!! They know exactly where you should go!

ALGEBRA I PREREQUISITES (SUBJECT TO REVISION) Students must meet 2 out of the 3 criteria to be eligible for enrollment in this course: Successful completion (85+) of 7 th Grade Pre-Algebra 2018 Math STAAR Performance at least 80% recommended Teacher recommendation Consider the student’s organizational skills, motivation, desire to learn, and willingness to go above and beyond current expectations

WHAT IF … … it is determined that even though the student has a strong mathematical foundation from 7 th grade, Algebra I is not the best placement for 8 th grade? Ø 1 st – 6 th week of school: Parents may submit a request to the Algebra teacher to change their child’s schedule to onlevel 8 th grade math. As long as parent, teacher, and student are on the same page, counselor will change the class. Ø 6 th – 9 th week of school: Parents may submit a schedule change request which will require Dr. Miller’s approval before change can be made. Ø 10 th week on: No changes will be made. If necessary, credit recovery will be made available at the end of the year/summer.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS Mrs. Pace

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS On-Level 8 th ELA PAP ELA Preparation for STAAR and AP Homework weekly 8 th grade level with 9 th and 10 th skills incorporated into lessons Able to read 20+ pages outside of class per day Homework daily Able to work independently on short term projects Able to work independently on short-and longtem projects No timed reading or writing Timed reading and writing Majority of lessons stand-alone (1 -2 day lessons) Majority of lessons are cumulative Able to read 30+ pages outside of class per day Heavier emphasis on writing

SCIENCE Mrs. Archer

SCIENCE On-Level 8 th Grade Science PAP Science Activities with comprehension questions Laboratory Reports Study guides before tests Notes are taken on students’ own Note taking assistance Makes connections to high school biology, chemistry, physics Stays in grade level Greater Content Depth & Discussion Abbreviated Laboratory Reports Makes connections to current science research No study guides before tests Enrichment tests Extension Projects outside of class

SOCIAL STUDIES Coach Ferguson

SOCIAL STUDIES On-Level 8 th Grade Social Studies PAP Social Studies Effective prep for college success Effective prep for AP exams and precollege enrollment credit Concepts covered effectively in preparation for higher level courses and state assessments Emphasis on comprehension and critical thinking skills, reading and writing applications, integrated technology, research and projects required Allows average-performing student to be successful … as well as AP exams, greater depth, complexity, more concepts Emphasis on higher level reading and writing applications, integrated technology, independent student work on research, projects Increased pace, minimal class time for remedial work or review

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Coach Keen & Coach Van Meter

PHYSICAL EDUCATION It is a state requirement that students take two years of physical education in junior high Students may take PE, Athletics, or Tennis Off Campus PE: applications available Woodbridge Golf Program: applications available

ATHLETICS When you sign up for Athletics, you are signing up to play for CJHS. You are held to a higher standard because you are representing Cooper Junior High. Boys: Girls: Football Volleyball Basketball Track/XC Soccer Designed to push you, make you a better athlete and get you ready to play high school sports. You MUST be trying out for a sport. If you do not make a team, you are placed in off-season (conditioning) 8 th Grade Athletics is in the afternoon. If you make the teams, you will be staying after school, usually until 5: 00 or 5: 30 p

TH 8 GRADE ELECTIVES Art Band Choir GEMS Spanish I – PAP ONLY! STEM (Science Tech Engineering Math) Theatre Video Production (app. only) College & Career Readiness Yearbook (app. only) There are no guarantees that your child will be placed in the elective of their choice (band & choir = good possibilities) Priority is to place your child in the core subjects first, then required courses, then electives

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS Creating Supportive Learning Community Building Relationships and Resolving Conflicts § Applying Student Success Skills § Developing Positive Relationships § Building Rapport with Teachers § Empathizing with Others § Using Active Listening § Responding to Conflict § Collaborating Effectively § Dealing with Gossip § Understanding Mindsets § Managing Social Media and Cyberbullying § Focusing and Prioritizing § Helping Others Developing Self-Awareness and Self-Management § Be Aware of Our Emotions § Recognizing the Power of Thought § Managing Emotions § Coping with Stress § Recognizing Character Strengths § Forging Your Identity § Setting Life Goals Researching Colleges and Careers § Create a personal Achievement Plan § Study a Career Ladder focusing on 16 career clusters and their pathways § Explore Digital Citizenship to help students in professional responsibilities in school and in a career.

G. E. M. S. (GUIDED EFFORT MENTOR SUPPORT) Goal Setting Independent Study Skills • Defining goal setting • How to use technology as a resource to study • How to set attainable goals • Peer tutoring • Strategies for achieving goals. • Independent study time Organizational/Time Management Skills Team Building • Create electronic planners • Collaboration • Use checklists to organize academic responsibilities • Communication • Use time management apps • Weekly grade checks • Conflict Management • Creative/Critical Thinking

THANK YOU FOR COMING! Registration will be March 1 st and 2 nd. Students will be choosing classes through their TX History class Opportunity for parents to review choices in Skyward until March 30 th Mrs. Ragsdale Emily. Ragsdale@Wylie. ISD. net 972. 429. 3259