welcome class of 2018! · select introductory ap concepts concepts are covered in greater depth...
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to Johnson High
School Class of 2021!
This is the first step in your
journey through High School!
9th Grade Recommended Schedule
• Language Arts: English I
• Math: Algebra I or Geometry
• Science: Biology
• Social Studies: Geography (Regular, Pre-AP, or AP)
• LOTE: Foreign Language of student’s choice
• PE/Health: Semester of PE and/or Health
(PE Equivalents: Athletics, Pep, ROTC, Band)
(Health Equivalents: Principles of Health Science)
• Elective: Based upon endorsement
Should I take Pre-AP or
Regular Courses?
Pre-AP Courses require students to be:
● Self motivated with a strong work ethic
● Time management skills
● Willingness to seek help
● Strong STAAR/EOC scores
• Summer reading assignment
What are the Benefits of Taking
Pre-AP Courses?
● Better prepare students for Advanced
Placement and/or Dual Credit classes
● Promote college readiness
● Offer a weighted grade system
- grades are multiplied by 1.15 for Pre-AP and
1.29 for AP when they are calculated in your GPA
(i.e., a 75 in Pre-AP class would calculate as an 86 in your GPA)
● Enhance students’ resumes and applications- Colleges look for rigorous coursework
How Many Pre-AP Classes
Should I Take?
• Individual decision
• Consider extra-curricular commitments
• Impacts rank in class
• Better to make an A in regular class than a C
in a Pre-AP class
• Seek balance
Social Studies Options
Texas only requires 3 credits, but many colleges require 4 credits. So the recommended sequence is:
1- Geography (1 year)
2- World History (1 year)
3 - US History EOC (1 year)
4 - Government (1 sem) / Economics (1 sem)
The Benefits of following this recommended sequence:
• They will have opportunities to improve language skills
• They will be well prepared for STAAR US History EOC.
• They will be VERY well prepared for AP classes.
• They will qualify for multiple endorsements.
English I: Regular or Pre-AP?
Two Major DifferencesRigor● More Complex Questioning and
Discourse
● Higher Expectations for Skill Attainment to Prepare for AP Courses
Responsibility● CONSIDERABLE Outside Reading
● More Long-term Projects
● The Expectation that Struggling Students Will Attend Tutoring
This course is STAAR-assessed.
Biology I: Regular or Pre-AP?
Regular Pre-AP
Purpose prepare students for the
STAAR End-of-Course
assessment
primarily prepare students
academically and personally for the
rigors of AP Biology as well as the
STAAR End-of Course assessment
Homework 20 - 25 minutes per night 30 - 40 minutes per night
Content State TEKS State TEKS + enrichment based on
select introductory AP concepts
Concepts are covered in greater depth
Pace District pace Faster paced
Weighting
of Grades
Assessments may be weighted more heavily.
This course is STAAR-assessed.
Algebra I: for current students who took 8th grade
math
Pre-AP Algebra I is not offered
in high school
This course is STAAR-assessed.
Homework 15-20 minutes per night
Content State TEKS; District pace;
Review time in-class
Weighting of Grades Assessments weighted less
heavily in this course
Geometry: Regular or Pre-AP?
Regular Pre-AP
Homework 15-20 minutes per night 20-30 minutes per night
Projects 1-2 per year; time allocated
in class to work on project
2-4 per year; completed outside of
class
Content State TEKS; District pace;
Review time in-class
State TEKS + enrichment; faster
paced covering a wider variety of
concepts in more depth; little in-
class review
Weighting
of Grades
Assessments may be weighted
more heavily.
How Many Pre-AP Classes
Should I Take?
• Individual decision
• Consider extra-curricular commitments
• Impacts rank in class
• Better to make an A in regular class than a C
in a Pre-AP class
• Seek balance
Important things to know. . .
• Students can drop a Pre-AP/AP class to a regular level
equivalent course within the first 9 week grading period
of the 1st semester
• Students can only add a Pre-AP class within the first
two weeks of school, or they must wait till semester
• Extra-curricular activities can be very time consuming
and students will miss classes
• Course cards and NEISD Course Catalog posted on
Johnson website
• Elective changes will not be made after June 1, 2017
Course Card Directions
• Be sure to write your name & ID number
• Circle course number in bottom section
• Write course number & name in top section
• Select 7 courses & list 2 alternates
• Be sure to list Endorsement in bottom section
• Be sure to have required signatures
• Return to Middle School Counselors by Friday,
February 3rd
The Graduation Plan
for your Class of 2021
Foundation with Distinguished Level of Achievement
Students must complete:• Curriculum requirements for an endorsement• Four credits in English• Four credits in Math (includes Algebra II)• Four credits in Science• Three credits in Social Studies• Two credits in languages other than English• One credit in Fine Arts• One credit in Physical Education• 0.5 Health credit• Six and 0.5 Electives (Endorsement)
Foundation with Distinguished Level of Achievement + Endorsements = 26 credits
Graduation Requirements
•26 credits•Endorsement
Foundation with Distinguished
Level of Achievement (DLOA)
STAAR Testing – 5 EOC
Exams
• English I
• English II
• Algebra I
• Biology
• US History
Endorsements
● Found on back of course card
● Must choose a Pathway within the five
Endorsement Options:
● STEM
● Multidisciplinary
● Arts/Humanities
● Public Service
● Business/Industry
Selecting Endorsements
● Students select their endorsement on their course card
● Students are required to select at least one endorsement,
but may have more than one
● Students can change endorsements based upon
interests and course selections
● All 9th grade students will complete an Interactive
Graduation Plan (IGP) online to plan their courses and
track the Endorsements they will qualify for
Johnson Course Fair will
be on January 23rd
• Course Fair will be 6:30pm-8:00pm
• Course Fair located in cafeteria area & gym- Electives arranged by Endorsements
• Electives available for 9th graders are on 9th
grade course card/ Endorsements listed on
back of course card
• Coaches will be available in the small gym for
required signatures for Athletics
Remember:
• Must have coach signature for Athletics• Middle School Coaches can sign for their sports
• High School Coaches need to sign for sports not offered
in Middle School (soccer, swimming, diving, softball,
wrestling)
• Must have alternate electives on course card
• Must have Endorsement Pathway listed on card
• Last day to make changes to courses with
your Johnson Counselor is June 1, 2017
Final Date for Course Changes:
June 1, 2017
Ways to Change a Course:
• E-mail your assigned Johnson Counselor any
change request
o Include student name, ID number, course to drop,
course to add
• All students will receive a form in the mail in
mid-May. Only send the form to Johnson if you
are requesting a change.
JOHNSON COUNSELORS
Courtney Tarbox A - [email protected]
Rebecca Hudkins Bl - [email protected]
Patti Snider E - [email protected]
Julie Metcalf Het – [email protected]
Richard Boeger Mar - [email protected]
Taylor Ditto Per - [email protected]
Desiree Meza So - [email protected]
Lisa Williams STAN Counselor [email protected]