RISING 7

TH

AND 8

TH

REGISTRATION NIGHT

Community House Middle School March 19, 2015

Selecting Academic Courses



Levels of Math

curriculum is the foundation for all higher level courses. Moving up a level between grade levels will result in “missed curriculum.” – All students will follow the Common Core Standards as this

Honors Math 7

– This course will follow the CCSS for 8 th grade standards. Strong mathematical literacy and fluency is necessary as the pacing will be more rapid than the standard course. Honors Math 6 is a recommended pre-requisite course. – –

Math I –

EOG. This course is offered at both 7 th and 8 th grades. In 7 th grade it is by invitation only. This is the high school credit course and the grade will be on your child’s HS transcript. Students in this course must take the EOC and the grade level

Math 7 or 8

– These courses will follow the grade level standards, use a variety of resources and texts to support the curriculum, and supplement as needed based on individual progress within the classroom. Students completing Math 8 in 8 th grade will progress to Math I in 9 th grade and still have the opportunity to complete AP Calculus by graduation** • • • • The current standards require a large amount of critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and written explanation of conceptual understanding in all courses. If your child struggles with reading comprehension and written expression, you may want to consider the standard courses as the pacing will provide ample time for your child to build on these skills.

Schedule changes can rarely be accommodated once the school year begins. If your child completed Math I in grade 7, he/she will register for Math II in grade 8.

Math Trajectory

Math 6 – Math 7 – Math 8 – Math I – Math II – Math III – Discrete or Pre-Calc Honors Math 6 – Honors Math 7 – Math I – Math II – Math III – Pre Calculus – AP Calculus Honors Math 6 – **Math I – Math II – Math III – Pre-Calculus – AP Calculus – AP Statistics Ardrey Kell 10 th High School will permit a child to “double up” on Math in the grade year (under certain guidelines), taking Math II and Math III in one year, in order to enable a child on this trajectory to reach AP Calculus

Selecting Academic Courses

 

Language Arts

standards) (moving between levels from year to year can be done without loss of All of our language arts classes use the full Pre-AP SpringBoard curriculum to supplement the CCSS. Within this program, individual student needs are targeted through changes in content, process and/or product. For example, reading material is differentiated based upon each student’s scale score (EOG) and lexile level. Additionally, all students are immersed in a comprehensive vocabulary program grounded in the study of Greek and Latin roots as they apply to an overall understanding of language. This program is also differentiated according to student need and readiness. All language arts classes are taught at an honors level with the understanding that a portion of our students may need additional support throughout the school year.

 The courses with the “Honors” title use the top tier of lexile levels when assigning novels and other texts. While there is some variance within these tiers, students in an Honors LA course will be assigned more complex and challenging texts that typically fall in the 1000+ lexile range. Please be aware that this can sometimes bring increased maturity in themes**

How Do I Choose Honors or Standard?

   Parent will have final decision as we are using

open access

philosophy…use the data…set your child on the right path.

 Consider your child’s standardized test scores, classroom performance this year, and work ethic.

Talk with your child’s

current teacher

…what does he/she see on a daily basis in the classroom?

Signature on the registration card is acknowledgement of the course you desire and your understanding that there will be

no schedule changes.



**We will permit changes in June should your EOG data indicate the need for a different level. Please email Mr. McHugh if this is the case.

Selecting Elective Courses

•

Foreign Language -

The study of a language can begin in grade 7 or any year in high school but cannot begin in grade 8. It is not necessary to study foreign language in middle school unless you are planning an IB track or the desire to progress to level five (AP) in that language.

• If you took Part I of Spanish or French in grade 7, it is expected that you will register for Part II in grade 8 to complete the HS credit.

• Completion of Part II will result in one HS credit and count towards FL credits for college acceptance.

• Most colleges want to see two consecutive years of a foreign language…some require three years. This leaves plenty of time in HS to cover the college entrance requirement.

• **Many highly selective schools want to see FL in the senior year (a rigorous course load in the senior year)

Selecting Elective Courses

• • •

Arts Courses –

All fine arts courses are now separate and one semester in length. The 7 th and 8 th grade courses are different so a child may take Art, drama, etc. in both grades.

Journalism/Debate –

This course will include both a study of journalism and debate skills within the semester.

Fit for Life –

This course is a study of physical fitness, health and nutrition. Students will be physically active and will make bi-weekly walking trips to the YMCA (weather permitting).

•

All of these courses are offered at both grade levels and can be repeated in grades 7 and 8

Selecting Elective Courses

•

Computer Courses –

These courses CAN NOT be repeated as there is one curriculum and it does not differ in the three grade levels.

Career Decisions –

A study of personal value systems and careers that align to individuals’ interests. A heavy emphasis is placed on STEM careers.

CSA I and II –

Computer Skills and Applications; Level 1 is a study of word processing and presentations while level 2 gets into spreadsheets and databases.

Exploring Marketing, Business & Entrepreneurship

- A study of the nature of business in an international economy and related careers

Microsoft IT Academy Word or Power Point

– For grade 8 only

Other Electives for Grade 8 Only

• • Library Science The primary focus of this course is to introduce students to the study of library and information studies. The course will focus on different aspects of the field through discussion, research,reading, activities and technology.There will be periodic quizzes/test and projects to assess understanding, as well, as opportunities to apply this knowledge through assisting students and teachers who visit the media center. Students must fill out an application and submit two teacher recommendations in order to be considered for this class. Yearbook Here is your chance to CREATE our 2015-2016 yearbook! We begin with online page layout preparation, picture taking and/or cropping, caption and headline writing. We finish by proudly distributing the book to our classmates. Prepare to work diligently (yes, one page can take weeks to become “perfect”), and be an enthusiastic staff member outside the classroom because covering the story of our school year is a great responsibility. Students must fill out an application and submit two teacher recommendations in order to be considered for this class.

An application will be provided to your child IF he/she submits a request for one of these two courses.

How to Complete Course Registration in Powerschool

• • This year all course selection will be completed in Power School You will need to know your PS Login or your child’s login • The window to complete course selection is currently open and will remain open until April 2 • • Students that do not complete the online registration by April 2 will have the school complete it for them There is no benefit to “being the first one done.” It is NOT first come, first served Questions about the online process need to be addressed with Mr. Mark McHugh.

Logon to PowerSchool at https://cms.powerschool.com

. Enter either the parent ID and password or the student ID and password where it says “Parent Sign In.”

Click on the Class Registration icon.

Follow the directions carefully.

You have successfully completed an area when you see a green check mark next to the pencil icon.

a. You will be selecting the courses that you have already chosen on your registration card.

b. Pick the number of classes you are told to pick in each area.

c. The computer will not allow you to leave blanks unless instructed to do so.

When done, click on the submit button at the bottom of the page. If you did everything as instructed, it will accept your requests. If you left something blank that is not supposed to be blank, it will not accept any of your choices.

Course Registration Reminders

• Course sections must be made in Powerschool and course selection cards returned to Homeroom teachers prior to Thursday, April 2 nd . The cards will come home with all students on March 25. • If you are unable to enter your requests in Powerschool, please indicate so by writing a note on the front of the registration card prior to turning it in.

• If you have any questions, please contact Mark McHugh at [email protected]

or your grade level counselor.