1. 8 th Grade Course Selection For the 2011-2012 School Year

2. You will choose one from each of the following sets of courses:

3. Language Arts or Pre-AP Language Arts Language Arts or Pre-AP Language Arts Mathematics or Pre-AP Mathematics Mathematics or Pre-AP Mathematics

4. Social Studies or Pre-AP Social Studies Social Studies or Pre-AP Social Studies Science or Pre-AP Science Science or Pre-AP Science

5. And you will choose courses from the list of electives to fill six semesters of classes.

6. BISD MIDDLE SCHOOL (8th grade) GUIDELINES FOR PRE- AP COURSES FOR 2011-2012

7. “Pre-AP” stands for pre-Advanced Placement courses. These courses prepare students for Advanced Placement courses later in high school which can give the student college credit. “Pre-AP” stands for pre-Advanced Placement courses. These courses prepare students for Advanced Placement courses later in high school which can give the student college credit.

8. Pre-AP Classes are honors-level classes for students capable of handling the following: Pre-AP Classes are honors-level classes for students capable of handling the following: An increased reading load Sophisticated writing assignments and projects Complex problem solving

9. Why should you take a pre-AP class? Why should you take a pre-AP class? To be challenged in your learning To be prepared to take AP classes in high school To be better prepared for college

10. Pre-AP students should be: Pre-AP students should be:EnergeticInvolvedSelf-motivated Passionate about learning Committed for the year Prepared to do ½ to 1 hour of homework per class nightly

11. Remember your choices for Pre-AP classes are in the four core areas. Remember your choices for Pre-AP classes are in the four core areas.

12. For the electives, you will have courses that count strictly for middle school and another set of courses that also receive high school credit. You can choose any combination of courses to fill six semesters of classes. For the electives, you will have courses that count strictly for middle school and another set of courses that also receive high school credit. You can choose any combination of courses to fill six semesters of classes.

13. For example, a student may choose the following: Athletics – 2 semesters Choir – 2 semesters Health – 1 semester (.5 credit for high school) Information Technology – 1 semester (.5 credit for high school) 6 total semesters

14. Another example: Band – 2 semesters LOTE Spanish – 2 semesters (1 credit for high school) Art – 1 semester Touch System Data Entry – 1 semester (.5 credit for high school 6 total semesters

15. And one more: Art – 1 semester Exploratory Languages – 1 semester Health - 1 semester (.5 credit for high school) Information Technology – 1 semester (.5 credit for high school) Business Information Management – 2 semesters (1 credit for high school) 6 total semesters

16. You will also need to select an alternate elective or two in case one of your main choices doesn’t fit into your schedule. The directions for this will be on your card and on the counseling website.

17. Before you start to select your courses, you and your parents should look at the 8 th grade course selection kit found on the Smithfield Middle School website. Before you start to select your courses, you and your parents should look at the 8 th grade course selection kit found on the Smithfield Middle School website.

18. After going to the Smithfield Middle School website, click on the “6 th, 7 th, and 8 th Grade Course Selection Kits” link under “Quick Links” on the left side of the screen. After going to the Smithfield Middle School website, click on the “6 th, 7 th, and 8 th Grade Course Selection Kits” link under “Quick Links” on the left side of the screen.

20. Since you will be in 8 th grade next year, click on the 8 th grade course selection kit to see a description of the courses, a worksheet to help you make your choices, and the directions for making your selections online.

21. The Red Card

22. The login and password are for you and you alone! The login and password are for you and you alone! Follow the directions found on this form. Directions are also available on my web page. Follow the directions found on this form. Directions are also available on my web page.

23. To Review: You and your parents will go to the Smithfield Middle School web page and click on the “6 th, 7 th, and 8 th Grade Course Selection Kits” link under the “Quick Links.” You and your parents will go to the Smithfield Middle School web page and click on the “6 th, 7 th, and 8 th Grade Course Selection Kits” link under the “Quick Links.” Together, you’ll look at the course descriptions and the worksheet in the 8 th grade course selection kit. Together, you’ll look at the course descriptions and the worksheet in the 8 th grade course selection kit.

24. Then together you will follow the directions found on the red card to select your course selections in Skyward. Then together you will follow the directions found on the red card to select your course selections in Skyward.

25. If you have any questions after looking at the course selection kit and talking to your parents, you and/or your parents can email me (Mr. Sparkman). My email address is on the SMS website.

26. To select your courses you must finish online by December 31 st. After that date, Mr. Sparkman will select courses for you. (Since he doesn’t know what you want, you don’t want that to happen!!!)

27. THANKS, True Blue Raiders, True Blue Raiders, For your attention! For your attention!