Beckendorff Junior High Course Selection Information 2015-2016

1. Beckendorff Junior High Course Selection Information 2015-2016 Future 6th Grade Bears!

2. Welcome to Junior High! It’s All About Those BEARS! Get ready for some fun changes!

3. Course Selection Materials KISD 2015-2016 Course Catalog Green course selection packet • Parent letter • PreAP information • Copy of this power point • Course request worksheet

4. Differences between Elementary and Junior High • Eight periods per day (including advisory) with different teachers • Advisory period, instead of homeroom, for homework, tutorials and clubs • Locker to keep supplies • Students change classes independently — no lines! • G/T is a class that meets every day instead of only one day a week. Students must qualify for GT classes by subject.

5. Differences between Elementary and Junior High • Expect at least 20 minutes of homework in each subject every night • Expect a quiz (minor grade) weekly and a test (major grade) every other week in every subject • More organization needed to keep up with supplies, homework, etc. for every subject • More independence and responsibility

6. Differences between Elementary and Junior High • Lunch • PE • Pep rallies • Intramurals • Class choices • Lockers • Dismissal

7. Differences between Elementary and Junior High cont. School Starts -7:30 (1st bell rings at 7:20) School Ends -2:35

8. A Typical 6th Grade Day (A Lunch with split 4th period) Each class period is 45 minutes long except Advisory which is 35 minutes.

9. A Typical 6th Grade Day (B Lunch) Each class period is 45 minutes long except Advisory which is 35 minutes.

10. Choosing Courses Three Class Formats: Academic—Challenging work on grade level, prepares students for college, gives more class time to review concepts with teacher support PreAP—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

11. Choosing Courses • Students may have a combination of class formats. For example, a student may request PreAP English and Reading, and Academic Math, Science, and Social Studies. • Factors to consider: student interests, strengths, outside commitments, work ethic, and grade expectations • Class placement should be a decision made by the parent, student, current teachers, and school counselor

12. Choosing Courses Things to consider when selecting a course level: • Past grades in school and junior high grade expectations • Motivation and attitude • Standardized test scores • Study habits • Willingness to complete homework • Outside interests and activities • Ease at catching on to new material • Independence and responsibility level

13. 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 • Pre-AP Math - Accelerated math class covering 6th grade curriculum and almost half of the 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 All students MUST know multiplication and division facts before entering 6th grade math. Students should have number sense and reasoning skills as well.

14. Characteristics of a PreAP Math student • Problem solver in everyday situations • Primarily an independent learner • Has developed strong learning/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 • Strongly values learning- Loves to learn!!

15. Language Arts Academic Pre-AP grasp concepts quickly with little to no repetition complete more work independently and on time comprehend above grade level text and material independently enjoys reading and writing across genres • receive more time to grasp and review concepts • practice skills longer before completing tasks independently • receive more guided instruction while reading

16. Electives • 6th grade is allowed to choose 1 elective for the year • Meet every day • Some electives require after school commitments • Have assignments and receive numerical grades • Cannot be changed after the second week of school • 6th grade electives are Fine Arts classes • Art, Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Theater Arts • Due to the high demand of certain electives, placement in elective course will be limited based on availability.

17. Choosing an Elective Class Do consider… Don’t consider… Your friend’s choice Cool field trips (a field trip is one day) • Your interests • How much time outside of school is needed to participate/practice • What you like to do for fun • What outside activities are you involved in

18. Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Beginning Band • Band directors will meet with students before the end of school 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.

19. 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

20. Beginning Choir Singing, reading music, and concerts • 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

21. Beginning Orchestra Violin, Cello, Viola, Bass • Orchestra director will meet with students in May 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

22. 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

23. Beginning Theater • Focus on vocabulary and theatrical terms • Building sets, costume and make-up, lighting • Creating scripts and performing • Performing short scenes from published works • Playing theater games such as improvisation

24. Possible Required Courses These courses take the place of your elective class. • Math Block – designed to refine math concepts and improve STAAR skills • Reading Improvement – designed to improve reading proficiency and help with STAAR skills • Placement may be mandatory as a result of KISD standards and graduation requirements • STAAR results are used to determine this placement

25. Physical Education • PE – students pay a $15 fee at the beginning of the year for their PE uniform and laundry services— this is the uniform you change into every day Other Opportunities • Intramurals – sports competitions held during advisory class • Does not count as a grade • Optional for all 6th grade students • Sports offered: volleyball, basketball, and track • Athletics– only for 7th and 8th graders

26. Advisory • Advisory (the last class period of the day) is a time to: • Work on homework or read • Attend tutorials • Review planner • Get organized • Participate in clubs or intramurals • See the counselor • *Advisory classes will change during the year due to clubs, tutorial, and teacher recommendations. NOTE: Students are responsible for utilizing this time WISELY!!!

27. Course Selection Sheet • 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

28. How to Complete the Course Selection Sheet • All students must sign up for: English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, one Elective, and 2 alternate electives • Place a check mark next to the course you are requesting • Example: ENGLISH • _____ J602 English 6 • _____ J604 English 6 PreAP • _____ G604 English 6 GT*

29. Verification Process • All students will receive a verification sheet in May • 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

30. Get Involved! • 6th graders have the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of campus life. Clubs currently offered include: • Student Council • Bear Buddies • Theatre Club • Pep Squad • Destination Imagination • Math and Science Team • Book Club • Art Club • Lego Club

31. Easing The Transition • In the Spring, elementary campuses come and eat lunch at BDJH • Summer Cub Camp–fun orientation to BDJH! • At the Beckendorff Blast (before school starts): pick up schedule and locker assignment and walk your schedule • We make an effort to keep 6th graders separate from 7th and 8th graders • No “tardies” are counted the first few weeks of school • Principals, teachers, and the security guard are in the halls to help with lockers and answer questions • Counselors will visit with students early in the year

32. Communication • On-line newsletter: “Bear Tracks” • “Phone Master” messages • School website • Canvas • Announcements during advisory • Mailings • Daily planner • “First Day” packets • eNEWS: Be sure to sign up!

33. Grade Notification • Progress reports are given out at the 3 week mark during each 6 weeks period • Report cards are given out each six weeks • The first and last report cards for the year are mailed home • Home Access Center for the most up to date grades and attendance record • These grades “count” for promotion standards, UIL standing, and extra- curricular activities

34. We can’t wait to see you at BDJH!