Moving On Up!! Class of 2024 7 th to 8 th Grade Course Selection Meeting

1. Moving On Up!!Class of 20247th to 8th Grade Course Selection Meeting

2. Today’s Objectives • Discuss classes offered in 2019-2020 • Learn how to qualify for LOTE • Review PE credits • Demonstrate and learn how to register • Recognize personal responsibility in creating your coursework Counselor:Heather Youngquist Assistant Principal: Theresa Taylor Principal: Matt Russell

3. 8th Grade Core Classes • Math 8 ORAlgebra 1 Pre-AP/IB (must qualify) • US History 8 OR US History 8 Pre-AP/IB (self select) • Science 8 OR Science 8 Pre-AP/IB (self select) OR Science GT/Pre-AP/IB (GT students only) • English 8 OREnglish 8 Pre-AP/IB (self select)

4. ALGEBRA 1Pre-AP/IB • Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 7 Pre-AP • Students will be expected to take four years of math in grades 9-12. • Students earn 1 high school credit (for successful completion) • Grade not included in high school GPA • Course Content and workload are the equivalent of a high school course • Students must take and pass an end of course exam (EOC)- one of 5 required for HS graduation

5. G/T HUMANITIES • Qualification based on GT identification • Students currently enrolled in G/T Humanities will automatically be enrolled for 8th grade. • G/T Humanities classes consist of English and US History • G/T students who wish not to be enrolled in G/T Humanities must apply for a furlough through Learner Services. • Those interested in G/T Humanities program, contact Learner Services.

6. G/T Science • Qualification based on GT identification • Course is self-select (only available to students who are identified GT) • If student furloughs GT Humanities (English & History), they may still self-select GT Science • If student furloughed in 7th grade and wants to furlough 8th grade, they will be exited from GT (will not qualify for GT science)

7. ELECTIVE COURSES FOR 8TH ONLY

8. Leadership • A course whose goal is to help students realize their greatest potential by developing better critical- thinking, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.

9. Business Information Management 1 • Students earn 1 high school credit (for successful completion) • Grade not included in high school GPA • Course Content and workload are equivalent of a high school course • Course includes extensive outside-of-class preparation • Full year elective

10. Principles of Hospitality and Tourism • Students earn 1 high school credit (for successful completion) • Grade not included in high school GPA • Course Content and workload are equivalent of a high school course • Course includes extensive outside-of-class preparation • Students will explore the various facets of the Hospitality and Tourism industry. • Full Year elective

11. Languages Other Than English Spanish 1 Pre-AP/IB & French 1 Pre-AP/IB • Prerequisite: Must have a 7th grade Fall semester grade of at least 85 in both math and English. • Students earn 1 high school credit (for successful completion) • Grade not included in high school GPA • Course Content and workload are equivalent of a high school course • Course includes extensive outside-of-class preparation

12. APPLICATION CLASSES FULL-YEAR HALF-YEAR • Yearbook • PALS • Peer Helper • Teacher Aide • Office Aide

13. Yearbook Application Required • Students will learn to take quality pictures, to design and organize the pages, and to cooperate with fellow classmates • Must be self-disciplined, responsible, and able to meet deadlines • Limited class size • Applications are on the FMS websiteApplication deadline: February 25th

14. PALSPeer Assistance and Leadership Application and Interview Process Required The PALS program consist of students who are selected and trained to serve as peer helpers with younger students. PALS participate in community service, acclimating new students to campus, etc. Application available: February 4th Application deadline: February 25th

15. Peer Helpers Application Required Students accepted into this program are trained in the causes and characteristics of disabilities. Students are paired with special need students to help them succeed in educational settings. (1 semester or Full Year course)

16. Office Aide/Teacher Aide Application Required • Work with office staff / teacher • Assist in alphabetizing, organizing, or distributing items • Must be able to work without constant supervision • Must be able to follow directions • Must have a pleasant attitude • Must like to help others, both peers and adults • Good Attendance, Behavior, and Grades required ** Application deadline: February 25th

17. PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT Students are required to take 2 semesters of PE credit during Middle School You can take more but you can’t take less! Cheer, Boys/Girls Athletics, Tennis, Golf, Coed PE, Partner PE and Off-Campus PE are all considered Physical Education

18. ATHLETICS • Boys’ Athletics include football, basketball, and off-season. • Girls’ Athletics include volleyball, basketball, track and off-season. • Boys wanting to play basketball only should enroll in PE Fall & PE Spring, NOT Boys’ Athletics.

19. ATHLETICS ** If students did not participate in athletics or make a team in 7th grade, they will need an Athletic Coordinator’s approval to enroll into the athletic period for 8th grade and to try out for a team. ** If they are not enrolled in the athletic class period, they still have the opportunity to try out for a team before or after school.

20. TRY-OUT SPORTS You must try-out to make these teams: • Boy’s Basketball (full-year) • Girl’s Volleyball (full-year) • Girl’s Basketball (full-year) • Cheerleading (full-year) • Golf (full-year) • Tennis (full-year) • Girls Track- ½ year, Spring only ** Golf and Tennis may be selected. If you do not make the team, your schedule will be changed to PE if available. You must have your own equipment for golf and tennis. .

21. Track, Cross Country& Wrestling • Boys do not need to be in Athletics or PE to participate in track, cross country, or wrestling • Practices take place before or after school • If a boy only wants to participate in track, cross country, or wrestling, do not sign up for athletics • These sports do not count towards PE credit

22. WARNING Students who have not completed their PE requirements during 7th grade, must take PE during the 8th grade.

23. Sports Physicals • A completed physical and rank one forms arerequired each year for all students enrolled in athletics. • Sports physical paperwork should be given to the students’ coach. • Sports physical forms and information are kept with the athletic department. Forms and information can also be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page. • http://allenisd.rankonesport.com

24. Electives One Semester Electives: • Investigating Careers in Human Services • Investigating Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) • Investigating Careers in Communications and Media Arts Science • Investigating Careers in Health Science • Investigating Careers in Business • Investigating Careers in Finance • College and Career Readiness • Technology Applications in Computer Graphics • Introduction to Art • Intermediate Art (Prerequisite: Introduction to Art) • Advanced Art (Prerequisite: Intermediate to Art) • Introduction to Theatre Arts • Advanced Theatre Arts (Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre Arts) • Leadership • Introduction to Robotics

25. Fine Arts Electives (Full year) Band Orchestra Choir You must be in Band or Orchestra in 7th grade to be in Band or Orchestra in 8th grade. Students will be placed in the appropriate level of class based on individual audition with the director and a balance of instruments within the ensemble.

26. 8th GRADERS SELECT THREE ELECTIVES PER SEMESTER 3 in the Fall + 3 in the Spring = a total of 6 for the year

27. WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Schedules will not be changed for: Teacher change Lunch time change Elective change if you received your requested elective “ I don’t like the class.” “It’s not my thing.” No drops, adds, or schedule changes will be allowed after the fifth instructional day of the semester. Read the Academic Planning Guide and Course Descriptions very closely when making class selections FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES. Elective Choices

28. A complete description of Elective and Core Classes can be found in the Academic Planning Guide (link is on the FMS website)

29. HOW TO REGISTER FOR 8TH GRADE COURSES

30. Course Selection for 8th Grade • ALL incoming 8th Graders will register on-line at school with assistance from the Counselors. • On-line registration will be during your Historyclass. • To register, course selection form must have a parents’ signature • Students need to return their course selection sheets to their history teachers no later than Feb. 25th • We will be registering in the computer lab March 1-8. * *

31. How to complete the Course Selection Form • Write full legal name on form 2. Write parents name and phone number 3. Under CORE COURSES select what level courses you would like to take…. Pre-AP or On-level ( Students can drop Pre-AP courses at the end of the first grading period or at semester.) Select English, History and Science either on-level or Pre-AP. All students will sign up for on level math 8 and the counselors will move the students that qualify into Algebra later.

32. How to complete the Green Course Selection Form 4. Select a total of 6 boxes from any of the Elective Categories. A semester course is one box, a full year course is two boxes. 5. Alternate Courses are any courses you did not select in step 4. These are the courses you did not sign up for , but would not mind taking. There must be 2 courses written on the lines. 6. Do not list application courses as an alternate. 7. A parent signature is required before any registration will be allowed.

33. ALL COURSE SELECTION FORMS ARE DUE TO YOUR HISTORYTEACHER BY FEBRUARY 25TH. FORMS MUST HAVE A PARENT SIGNATURE!