8th grade course selection presentation

8th Grade Course Selection Presentation

As an Eighth Grader, you will be required to take:

• ELAR (English, Language, and Reading) – 1 year

• Math 8 or Algebra I – 1 year

• Science – 1 year

• American History – 1 year

• Digital Literacy III – 1 semester• 8th grade College and Career Readiness – 1 semester

• Physical Education - 1 semester or 1 year, or Athletics - 1 year

• Fine Arts (if not completed in 6th or 7th grade) – 1 year

ATHLETICS or Physical EducationAthletics:

• Volleyball

• Football

• Basketball

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• Tennis – spring semester – students who participate in tennis only will be placed in 2nd semester Athletics after tryouts are held and they make the team.

• Cross Country / Track – students who will be participating in only track or cross country will not sign up for athletics.

(cross country, track, and tennis are before and/or after school)

Required ClassesREQUIRED: (1 semester)

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESSCollege and Career Readiness has students integrate academic skills and real-life events by investigating high school CTE Clusters, graduation endorsements, and postsecondary options through self-assessment and planning linked to personal interests. Field trips and guest speakers are an integral part of the course.

DIGITAL LITERACY III DL III is a project-based course promoting creativity and innovation through a variety of productivity tools. This course will teach how to use technology in a proficient and responsible manner in school, in the workforce, and in everyday life. Students will collaborate, design, implement, and present products for personal and professional purpose.

Classes to Consider that offer a HS CreditForeign Language Options – 1 credit

• Spanish I

• Spanish I Honors

• German I Honors

• American Sign Language I or II

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CTE HS Credit Option – 1 Credit

• Principles of Human Services – A lab course that will enable students to investigate careers in the Human Services Cluster, including counseling and mental health, early childhood development, family and community, personal care and consumer services.

If you take a High School Credit course in 8th grade, the grade you earn in the class will go towards your High School GPA.

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Career and Technology Classes (not HS Credit)ELECTIVES: (1 semester each)

INVESTIGATING CAREERS: STEM I – Introductory class that includes safety practices, basic drafting and the fundamental skills involved in working with wood and finishes. The emphasis is on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Sample units of study include – Flight, Rocketry, Power and Transportation, Engineering, and Manufacturing with emphasis on wood working.

INVESTIGATING CAREERS: STEM II – PRE-REQUISITE – STEM I – This class reviews safety practices, mechanical drawing, and the fundamental skills involved in working with wood and finishes. The emphasis is on STEM software utilizing engineering and manufacturing which consists of a planned sequence of projects leading the student to an understanding of how consumer goods are made.

FINE ARTS• Art

• Band

• Choir

• Orchestra

• Theater Arts

JOURNALISM ELECTIVES

• Creative Writing (SEM) – students write pieces in multiple genres and study selected published works, as well as writing from class members. By the end of the course, each student will have a fuller understanding of his/her own relationship as an artist to the characters, voices, and stories he/she creates.

• Yearbook – requires application (1 year) – This is an 8th grade only course and an application is required. Applications will go out after Spring Break and selections will be made in May. You will be notified in May if you get selected for the class.

STUDENT AIDE•May be assigned to the library or the office.

•Application is REQUIRED and can be picked up in the front office. Applications are DUE to Mrs. Boerner by March 4th.

•If you select Student Aide, you must list an alternative semester elective on your course card in case you do not get selected as Student Aide.

•Application is REQUIRED! Applications can be picked up in the front office.

• If you select PE PALS, you must list an alternative semester elective on your course card in case you do not get selected as a PE PAL.

INDEPENDENT STUDY MENTORSHIP GT students only

1 year or 1 SEM

Independent Study Mentorship Middle School (ISM-MS) is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Gifted/Talented students.

The course follows the Texas Performance Standards Project (TSPS) curriculum. Students have the opportunity to explore an area of interest in depth through the use of sophisticated and advanced research methods and contact with a mentor in their chosen field of study. The year-long project will result in a polished, public presentation of the product with a question and answer session.

Be sure to discuss your course choiceswith your parents and have them sign the card.

Turn in your course card to your science teacher by February 19th!

Signing up for one or more Honors courses?

You and your parents MUSTcomplete and sign the HonorsCourse Agreement on theBack of the course card!

PLEASE REMEMBER•Your course card is due to your science

teacher by Friday, February 19th with parent

signatures!!

•If you have any questions, see or email your

counselor!