North Richland Middle School

NORTH RICHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL 2012-2013 EIGHTHGRADE SCHEDULE REQUEST FORM

NAME PHONE ______GENDER _____ Last First

SECTION I- REQUIRED COURSES-Eighth graders are required to take the following courses and may choose to take the on-level or Pre Advanced Placement (PreAP) level of each.

NOTE: If choosing Pre AP classes, the reverse side must be completed and signed.

Please circle your choices.

On-level: Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies PreAP: Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies NOTE: If a student does NOT pass TAKS Math and/or Reading, they will be placed in a Math Enrichment and/or Reading Improvement class. If this happens, they will lose an elective.

SECTION II - ELECTIVES -Students must choose a total of eight (8) semesters of any combination of credit (IIA) and non-credit (IIB) electives.

IMPORTANT: Please number (1, 2, 3, etc.) your elective choices in priority order. Also, choose 2 (two) alternative electives; please mark them A1 and A2 to indicate your preference order. Failure to number your choices will result in your schedule being completed with the classes that are available and possibly not your preference.

II A. - for HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT ELECTIVE COURSES

______Business Information Management I – 2 semesters – 1 credit ______Principles of Manufacturing (Technology Systems) – 2 semesters – 1 credit ______Gateway to Technology (Pre-Engineering Course) – 2 semesters – 1 credit ______Spanish – 2 semesters – 1credit ______Touch System Data Entry -- .5 credit ______Health – 1 semester -- .5 credit

II B. – Non-Credit ELECTIVE COURSES

Athletics-2 semesters -or- _____Tennis-2 semesters* -or- Gymnastics-2 semesters *

*Parents are responsible for providing transportation to the off-campus athletic facility. Try-out sport.

______Band-2 semesters ______Theatre I -1 semester Choir -2 semesters ______Theatre II - 1 semester Art - 1 semester ______Career Portals (Tech Ed)-1 semester

______Student Assistant - 1 semester (Teacher and Administrator approval required) **If selected, please drop ______(choose a 1 semester course)

______Select Art-2 semesters (Teacher Recommendation Required) ______Teacher Initials ______Select Theatre-2 semesters (Teacher Recommendation Required) ______Teacher Initials

Signature of Student Signature of Parent/Guardian NORTH RICHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE GUIDELINES FOR PRE-AP COURSES FOR 2012-2013

The benefits of Pre-AP courses are numerous! Students and parents should expect courses to be more challenging, take more time, and require a different type of work than regular courses. Students of these courses should expect teachers to require an increased reading load, sophisticated writing assignments and projects, and complex problem solving. Students involved in extra-curricular activities should keep this in mind when designing their schedule. Pre-AP courses require energetic, involved and motivated students.

Please read the following requirements. Your signatures at the bottom indicate that you understand and agree.

 Schedule change requests from Pre-AP to on level will require the following: parent/teacher conference, a note signed by the parent and approval by Principal Valamides.

 Students who withdraw from the course at semester will not receive the weighted calculation for that semester. In order to receive the weighted calculation for rank and GPA purposes, the student must remain in the course for the entire year.

 Students must understand that tutorials may be required in order to be successful in the course.

 Students should generally expect homework in each course every day. Up to ½ -1 hour per course per day may be required. Some assignments may take more time for some students.

 There are summer reading assignments for all Pre-AP English courses. Schedule changes will not be granted due to failure to complete the summer reading assignment!

Please check the PreAP classes you are requesting:

_____English _____Math* _____Science _____Soc. Studies

______Student Signature Parent Signature *STUDENTS MUST CURRENTLY BE ENROLLED AND PASSING 7TH GRADE PREAP MATH.

NORTH RICHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Elective Courses: Athleticscompetitive team sports requiring time involvement outside the school day. Physical ($) is required. Full year course

Gymnastics/TennisClasses start at 7:00 a.m. at the Shannon Learning Center for gymnastics and the Richland High School for tennis. Parents are responsible for transportation to the class, BISD busses will return the students to North Richland Middle. Full year course

Art Students combine their creative talents with instruction in a variety of media. Art supplies are required ($). 1 semester course

Select Art—Extended instruction in art-Teacher recommendation required. Full year course

BandStudents play self-owned or school-rented instruments. Private lessons are also offered ($). Practice time as well as some extra- curricular time is a requirement. Cost for performance attire ($). Full year course

Choir Students learn musical skills and perform during the year. Private lessons are offered ($). Cost for uniforms ($). Attendance at after-school rehearsals and performances is required. Full year course

Career Portals (Tech Ed)-Students will be doing hands-on activities which might include Road Transportation; Aerospace; Mechanisms; Power and Energy; Engineering Structures; Construction and CAD; Manufacturing and Automation; Electronics and Control Production; Electronic Communications; Waste Management; Environmental Management; Human Growth and Development; Weather Monitoring and more. Materials cost ($8) for projects. 1 semester course

Student Assistant-Students work in the office or library to assist staff members with daily activities. An application must be completed. Teacher recommendations and administration approval are required. 1 semester course

Theatre I & II- Students will get a basic understanding of several theatre techniques including: acting, directing, playwriting, improvisation, pantomime, and performance. 1 semester each may be selected.

Select Theatre-Extended instruction in theatre- Teacher recommendation required. Full year course

**High School Credit Courses** Business Information Management I-Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to strengthen individual performance in the workplace and in society and make successful transitions to the workforce and post secondary education. Students will apply technical skills through word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and electronic presentation software. Full year course, 1 high school credit awarded for successful completion

Principles of Manufacturing (Tech Systems)-Provides exploration which addresses the knowledge and skills important in manufacturing technology and related careers in manufacturing. Students study common manufacturing tools, machines, materials and processes in the laboratory. Projects allow students to explore robotics, quality control, electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics. Full year course-1 high school credit awarded for successful completion

Spanish-This introductory course enables the student to learn Spanish pronunciation, to acquire a vocabulary sufficient for simple conversations, to practice basic structure patterns, and to become aware of Spanish culture. Full year course-1 high school credit awarded for successful completion

Touch System Data Entry-Students apply technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies. Students enhance reading, writing, computing, communication, and reasoning skills through use of proper keyboarding technique while developing speed and accuracy. 1 semester earns .5 high school credit awarded for successful completion

Health- Health – This course, a study of the physical, mental and emotional functions of the body, emphasizes teenage decisions concerning the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Also includes such units as fitness, first aid, and nutrition. (This class meets the high school graduation requirement for one-half credit of health.) 1 semester course earns .5 high school credit awarded for successful completion Gateway to Technology (Project Lead the Way) – A math, science, and technology pre-engineering activities-oriented program designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity and imagination of students. The program is divided into six independent units: design and modeling, automation and robotics, energy and the environment, flight and space, science of technology, and the magic of electrons. Full year course-1 high school credit awarded for successful completion

NORTH RICHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL EIGHTH GRADE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Pre AP Courses:

Pre AP English – This class lays the foundation needed for success in high school Pre AP and Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This involves a comprehensive analysis of literature using terminology specific to AP courses along with SAT and AP vocabulary work. Individualized and group projects will concentrate on participation, research, writing skills, and higher-order-thinking skills. Students will improve their speaking, listening, evaluating, and writing skills.

Pre AP Math – Eighth grade Pre AP mathematics is the beginning of algebra. Algebra is a more abstract mathematics and deals with solving, writing, and graphing equations and inequalities. Students will also work with quadratic functions and polynomials. One (1) high school credit is awarded for successful completion of this course. Successful completion of seventh grade PreAP mathematics is strongly encouraged. 1 high school credit awarded for successful completion.

Pre AP Science – Students in eighth grade PreAP science are required to move at a quicker pace and thus should be self-motivated and responsible. Lab activities are at a higher level than regular science labs; good math skills are a definite plus for Pre AP science.

Pre AP Social Studies – This course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems and materials in American History. Students will use an advanced textbook, participate in independent reading and writing assignments, and complete one major project each six weeks. Schedule Worksheet Student Name: ______

Fall Semester Spring Semester

4. 4. Elective: Elective: 5. 5. Elective: Elective: 6. 6. Elective: Elective: 7. 7. Elective: Elective: 8. 8.

All 8th graders are required to take English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. If you do NOT pass TAKS Reading or Math, you will lose an elective and be placed in Reading Improvement and/or Math Enrichment.

Band, Choir, Select Art, Select Theatre, Business Info Management (BIM), and Gateway to Technology are taken BOTH Fall and Spring semesters. ALL boxes must be filled!

Select your ALTERNATE elective choices and put them below in the order of your preference: A1.______A2. ______A3. ______