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

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

3. Course Selection Materials
KISD 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 Lunch with split 4th period)
A Typical 6th Grade Day
(A Lunch with split 4th period)
Period
Subject
Room #
1st
English
2007
2nd
Reading
3rd PE
Gym
4th
Social Studies
2021
A Lunch
Cafeteria
5th
Math
2024
6th
Band
Band Hall
7th
Science
2012
8th
Advisory
2014
Each class period is 45 minutes long except Advisory which is 35 minutes.

9. A Typical 6th Grade Day (B Lunch)
Period
Subject
Room #
1st
English
2007
2nd
Reading
3rd PE
Gym
4th
Science
2021
B Lunch
Cafeteria
5th
Math
2024
6th
Band
Band Hall
7th
Social Studies
2012
8th
Advisory
2014
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
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…
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
Don’t consider…
Your friend’s choice
Cool field trips (a field trip is one day)

18. Woodwind, Brass, Percussion
Beginning Band
Woodwind, Brass, Percussion
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. Singing, reading music, and
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. Violin, Cello, Viola, Bass
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 Other Opportunities
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. Course Selection Sheet
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!