1. 8th grade course selection
Crownover Middle School

2. Let’s get started…
At the top of the form, write your teacher’s name and which period you have history. This helps us track forms.
Return your form to your teacher by the FEB 1st due date.
Students who do not return their forms will be placed in open courses with no opportunity for change.
No requests changes will be permitted after the spring deadline so please take this seriously! FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH
You must sign your course request form upon completion.
You must also get your parent’s signature.

3. Being promoted from 7th to 8th grade
First and second semester averages must be 70 or above in 4 of the 5 core classes (English, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
Attendance MUST be acceptable. If you have questions about your attendance, contact Ms. Jimenez.
You must pass the STAAR test or summer school may be required.

4. How is 8th grade like 7th grade?
You will be assigned to team 8-1 or 8-2
You will still have the five core subjects
Reading
English (Pre-AP option)
Math
Science (Pre-AP option)
U.S. History (Pre-AP option)
You will have the same extracurricular opportunities

5. algebra You must take a placement test to be considered for Algebra
The placement test will be administered near the end of the school year
You must maintain an acceptable average to remain in the class

6. Pre-AP courses Taught using advanced materials and strategies
The pace and academic rigor will be above grade level to prepare students for high school Pre-AP and Advanced Placement courses
College Board Advanced Placement Courses provide college level studies for high school students who desire and are ready to do college level work
Pre-AP students have a strong curiosity about the subject, a willingness to work hard, and are task-oriented, proficient readers who are able to organize their time and who have parental/guardian support
Students who are already overextended with academics or extracurricular activities should seriously consider whether they have the time to devote to AP/Pre-AP classes. Outside study time is at least one to two times the amount of time spent in class per week.

7. Pre-AP Transfers
A student may transfer from a Pre-AP class if the following criteria are met:
Must be at end of the first marking period or at semester unless administrative approval is awarded
A Pre-AP course withdrawal form must be filled out completely
A meeting with parent/guardian, teacher, counselor and administrator and the student must take place and all must agree that a course change is in the best interest of the student
It is possible that a schedule change may affect numerous courses

8. Accelerated Math Guidelines
You will be placed in Accelerated Math if you do not pass or score low on the Math portion of the STAAR test
Accelerated math is in addition to your regular math class
The class will take the place of one of your electives
This class offers support and enrichment for those that are in need

9. Accelerated reading Guidelines
You will be placed in Accelerated Reading if you do not pass or score low on the Reading portion of the STAAR test
Accelerated reading is in addition to your regular reading class
The class will take the place of one of your electives
This class offers support and enrichment for those that are in need
Students needing Read 180 or Dyslexia will also have one less elective

10. Elective choices
Semester electives – are one half of the school year. When you have a semester elective, it must have a “buddy” for the remainder of the year. Keep this in mind when you are making your requests.
Year long electives – if you choose a year-long elective, you will not be able to get out of this class at the semester. You are making a commitment for the full year.
Semester and year-long electives will be presented in the next few slides. Feel free to ask questions.

11. Full Year Elective Choices
Spanish – must have taken in 7th grade
Band – must have taken in 7th grade
Orchestra – must have taken in 7th grade
Choir
Principles of Human Services – high school credit
Principles of Information Technology – high school credit
Athletics PE
Study Skills
Desktop Communications/Yearbook (limited seats, application only)

12. ½ Year (semester) Elective Choices
Theatre Arts
Art
Gateway to Technology 1
Gateway to Technology 2
Touch System Data Entry
Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness
College & Career Readiness PE
Tennis

13. Earning High School Credit
The following courses offer high school credit with a passing grade and appropriate seat time:
Full year:
Algebra – must qualify
Spanish – must take 7th & 8th grade Spanish
Principles of Human Services *
Principles of Information Technology
One semester:
Gateway Tech I*
Gateway Tech 2*
Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness*
Touch System Data Entry
*$10 course fee per semester

14. Earning High School Credit
Gateway to Technology 1- Students will design and test ideas in robotics and 3D design using professional software used by industry leaders like Lockheed Martin, Intel, and Sprint. Students will use a project-based curriculum designed to challenge and engage the curiosity and imagination while developing problem-solving skills. ($10 course fee) ONE SEMESTER
Gateway to Technology 2- Students will apply physics, chemistry and nanotechnology concepts in hands-on projects. Students will explore the science of electricity, behavior and parts of atoms. Students will discover circuitry design and examine the impact of electricity on daily life and how technology has changed history. ($10 course fee) ONE SEMESTER

15. Earning High School Credit
Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness - This course allows students to use principles of lifetime wellness and nutrition to help them make informed choices that promote wellness. They will focus on understanding wellness, nutrition, and the use of science and technology in food management. They will also investigate the field of food safety and sanitation practices. Students will also prepare menus, food and explore careers in the field of nutrition and wellness. Items cooked in the previous school year include the following items: Pizza, smoothies, bacon and eggs, carved pumpkins, baked pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, chicken noodle soup, and fish sticks. $10 course fee ONE SEMESTER
Principles of Human Services - Principals of Human Services - This course will enable students to investigate careers in the human services career cluster, including counseling and mental health, early childhood development, family and community, and personal care services. Areas of study will include goal setting, career development, communication skills, fashion design, interior design, family consumer sciences, stress and crisis management, child development, personal care services, and financial literacy. $20 course fee ($10 per semester)
FULL YEAR COURSE

16. Earning High School Credit
Touch System Data Entry - is a high school class that prepares for advanced computer level classes and to be successful in “the real world”. Have fun learning and applying “real world” business skills by learning computer keyboarding, word processing, business documents, desktop publishing, important communication skills, and much more. Here is something to think about…keyboarding skills last for life!
Principles of Information Technology is a high school class that teaches computer knowledge and skills to be successful in “the real world”. Students will learn about word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, Internet skills, web design, exploration of IT careers, coding, and much more.

17. Study Skills Not for high school credit Is a full year elective choice
Allows one day per week for homework completion/study time
Addresses development of the following skills:
Note-taking skills
Organization skills
Character building
Making healthy choices
Basic technology skills
Focus on personal strenths

18. College & Career Readiness
Not for high school credit
Is a one semester elective choice
Introduces students to the process of career investigation
Prepares students for college & career readiness
Students explore careers in the 16 career clusters through group/hands-on projects
Students investigate personal areas on interest and develop a pathway to future career goals.

19. Spanish Elective Guidelines
Requires a two year commitment
Successful completion of BOTH years (grade 7 and grade 8) earns ONE high school credit
Still must take two additional years of Spanish in high school
You may not sign up for Spanish in 8th grade if you did not take it in 7th grade

20. Orchestra and Band Electives
You must have been in Orchestra in 7th grade to participate in 8th grade
You must have participated in 7th grade band in order to sign up for 8th grade band
You must make a year long commitment to participate in Orchestra or Band (no drops at semester will be permitted)
Both classes require you to practice outside the classroom

21. Tennis Guidelines
You may only participate one semester per year unless you have approval from the coach to continue all year
This is not a competitive class
No commitments outside the school day are required
Counts as state required PE credit

22. Athletics Guidelines
For those who wish to participate in competitive volleyball, football, basketball, and/or track/cross country
Practice is REQUIRED until 5 pm and transportation is the responsibility of the parent
Requires a year long commitment
When you are not “in season” you will do off-season workouts
A physical exam is required to be in athletics
You must pass or remain academically eligible in all classes to participate in games and UIL events

23. Course Request Form Please remember….these are your REQUESTS!
There are no guarantees that your requests will be granted
There are times that a student’s requests will not work in the schedule or a class may be full

24. Please remember…
Sign your form & get a parent’s signature on your request form
Course descriptions on the reverse side of your form
A Pre-AP/Enhanced Agreement is required to request Pre-AP/Enhanced courses
Turn in your request form to your history teacher by February 1st
At the top of your request form, write the following information:
Class period you have history
History teacher