Middle School Electives and Extracurriculars 2021-2022

8thGrade Course Selection Howell Middle School 2021-2022 Ms. Walton/Ms. Heitzmann

Magic Number= 70% Must pass each class individually 70% Average Step 1: Successful 7th Grade Year If 65% one Quarter, you can make up for it with a 75% next quarter. 70 + 70 + 70 + 70 = 280 for the year; 140 for the 1st semester Fail a class? Summer School $90 per class Pass the 7thGrade Reading, Math and Writing STAAR

Electives Choices Art- For Serious Art Students (A in art) Introduction to the elements of art and the principals of design. Topics: line, color, shape, form, space, value, & texture; variety, proportion, & emphasis. Variety of media and materials such as pencil, marker, paint, color pencil, textiles and clay. Students analyze artwork and study relevant art works and art styles from historical eras. Foundation of Dance (Co-Ed Class) Introductory dance class Some after-school requirements Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Classical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Cultural Dance & Aerobic Fitness. Investigating Careers (In Computer Lab) Goal: To create a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Business and Industry; Public Service; Arts and Humanities; and Multidisciplinary Studies. Students research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and create documents required for employment.

Band Band No prior musical experience or knowledge required. Mainly 6thgrade students; 7thgraders welcome to join. Instruction includes learning to read music, instrument care & maintenance, proper instrumental playing skills & performance procedures. Participate in concerts and a spring trip. Assigned a band instrument prior to starting beginning band. (May of the prior school year). $40.00 yearly instrument rental fee to the school or recommended list of instruments and supplies to buy. Band II Students audition and are placed in either symphonic band or concert band. Performance opportunities include: pep rallies, parades, football games, concerts, contest, solo and ensemble contest, all region auditions Annual spring trip where students typically perform $40.00 yearly instrument rental fee or recommended list of instruments and supplies to buy.

Choir Choir No prior musical experience is required. Designed to provide the student with fundamental vocal instruction and general musicianship. Instruction includes basic music theory, proper vocal technique and both solo and group performance procedures. Different musical styles as they relate to the history of music will be studied. Skills such as pitching matching tone production, rhythm reading, ear-training and sight-singing. Students will perform in school choir concerts and may also have the opportunity to perform in the community. Choir II & III Performance based course; prerequisite: Choir 1 Includes performances in school events, contests, solo and ensemble contests, all region auditions, and various other community events. Students audition and are placed in the appropriate class

High School Credit *You MUST pass the course (70+) to receive high school credit. A midterm and final exam are required for all high school credit courses. Algebra I (High School Credit: 1) Students choosing to take Algebra as an elective will also be enrolled in 8thgrade Math as a separate course. Students who choose to test out of 8thgrade Math (80% score), may take Algebra in place of 8thgrade Math. The test will be in the middle of May. Information about the test will be sent home. Algebra I includes the study of the structure of algebra including sets, linear equations, inequalities & graphs. Functions, variations & quadratic equations are also introduced. MAPS (High School Credit- 1) Methodology for Academic and Personal Success. High School Credit: 1Goal Setting, Time management, organization, study skills. Exploration of options available in high school, higher education, and the professional world. Identification of individual learning styles and abilities. Focused on self-understanding, decision-making, resiliency, attitude, character education, & leadership. Emphasizes proactive problem solving, self-determination, and independent thinking & learning skills. May complete an outside community service learning experience in addition to class assignments.

New High School Credit Course Fundamentals of Computer Science (High School Credit: 1) o This course is intended as a first course for those students just beginning the study of computer science. o Students will: learn about the computing tools that are used every day. foster their creativity and innovation through opportunities to design, implement, and present solutions to real-world problems. collaborate and use computer science concepts to access, analyze, and evaluate information needed to solve problems. learn the problem-solving and reasoning skills that are the foundation of computer science. select the technology appropriate for the task, synthesize knowledge, create solutions, and evaluate the results. learn digital citizenship by researching current laws and regulations and by practicing integrity and respect. gain an understanding of the principles of computer science through the study of technology operations and concepts.

Spanish Spanish I (High School Credit- 1) Basic concepts of the Spanish language. Listening speaking, reading, and writing. Study of basic grammar and linguistics. Study of culture, geography, and history of the Hispanic world. Spanish II (High School Credit: 1) This course is designed to expand the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the study of advanced grammar and linguistics and further studies of culture and history of the Hispanic world.

Orchestra Orchestra No prior musical experience or knowledge to play an instrument is required. Stringed Instruments violin, viola, cello or string bass. Students will learn music reading, solo and group performance skills, instrument car and maintenance and proper instrumental pedagogy Students will be placed on a stringed instrument prior to starting beginning orchestra. (May)May of the prior school year. $40.00 yearly rental fee or Student owned instrument Orchestra II & III Advanced orchestra students will be auditioned and placed into the appropriate class. Many performance opportunities including, but not limited to: school events, concerts, contests, solo and ensemble contest, all region auditions and various other community events. Advanced orchestra students take an annual spring trip where students typically perform a concert or participate in a contest. $40.00 rental fee or quality student-owned instrument.

Theater Arts Theater Arts Introduction to dramatic play and design theory. Basic foundation of both acting and design concepts Exploration of character building, personal relativity and self-expression. Creative drama techniques Self-discovery activities Competition events may include solo or group record pantomime, oral reading, duet or group record pantomime, oral reading, duet or group improvisation and duet acting. Theater Arts II & III Prerequisite: Theater Arts I Developing an understanding of character development and design techniques Enhancing practical theater terminology and skills. Short acting performances and design assignments. Competition events may include UIL One Act Play, solo or group record pantomime, oral reading, duet or group improvisation and duet or group acting.

PE/Athletics 8thGraders are not required to take PE. Students may take athletics in place of PE. Athletics o Participants must pass all courses to be eligible for competitions; No pass, No play o Students are scheduled into the class for the entire school year and may not change out of class when their sport is over; they will work on off season skills during this time. o All athletes must have a physical exam o Must be completed on the UIL form (www.uiltexas.org). o Will be offered sometime in May at the high school gym o Students may also choose to get a physical from the physician of their choice o Physicals must be completed on the UIL form after April 15thand prior to the first day of participation

Girls and Boys Athletics Athletics (Boys) Boys must play football if enrolled it the Athletics class. Football practice is before school and continues into first period. Transportation by the parent required. The district will provide transportation to competitions. Sometimes competitions are over late in the evening, parents will be responsible for picking up their child after all competitions. Boys who only want to try out for basketball or track do not need to take Athletics as a class. They may try out for these sports and if selected for the team, practice is before or after school. Athletics (Girls) Girls sports include volleyball, basketball and track. Girls in Athletics must try out for at least two out of the three sports offered to be placed in the Athletics class. Athletics is an all year class and students will not be scheduled out of the class if they did not make the sport they were trying out for or when the sport they have played is over. They will work on off season skills and drills during this time.

Pre-Advanced Placement courses are intended to appropriately challenge high- achieving learners and prepare students for future academic pursuits. Rigorous curriculum Pre-AP Courses *Now Open Enrollment Students who enroll in pre-AP courses should expect: Content-related homework to enrich and extend learning Students should consider these requirements and course expectations prior to enrolling in a pre-AP course. Students who choose to exit a pre-AP course during the school year will not be eligible for a pre-AP course in the same content area the following year.

Course Selection Instructions Step 1: Put Science teacher s name and class period in top right corner: Step 2: Under that put due date. Mr. Richards 4th Due 1/14/21 Step 3: Student Name Last First Middle ID#

Course Selection Step 4: ELAR Math Science Social Studies Regular 008032 Regular 008012 Regular 008022 Regular 008052 Pre-AP 008034 Pre-AP Math 008014 Pre-AP 008024 Pre-AP 008054 Pre-AP Algebra 902012 Health (18 wks.) (006000)/Pro. Comm. (001219) (18 wks.) 908072

Course Selection Step 5: 8th grade will choose 2 of the following courses as an elective. Choose carefully as you will be expected to keep the same elective for the entire school year. You must give us three different choices. NO SCHEDULE CHANGES WILL BE MADE. YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE PLACED IN YOUR FIRST CHOICE ELECTIVE. 1. 2. 3. Student Signature (REQUIRED) Parent/Guardian Signature (REQUIRED) Identified GT students will be placed in Advanced Academic Skills and will choose one elective. AVID students will be placed in AVID and will choose one elective. PE is not required in 8th grade. Students may choose boys/girls athletics as an elective. Students who do not pass the 7th grade ELAR STAAR will be placed in power reading as an elective.

Due Date: January 15 On time forms will be entered first Late forms will be entered last Improved chances of getting requested courses Classes may fill up; may not get requested courses