John J Pershing Middle School
Academic Information Guide
2015-2016
Welcome to Pershing Middle School. The intent of this guide is to
help parents and students plan for an optimal middle school
experience. Being in middle school is both an exciting and
challenging time in a student’s life. Pershing offers a wide array of
programs that are designed to meet the academic needs of middle
school students and to prepare them for high school. You will find
a wide range of high quality and diverse learning opportunities for
your student in this guide. This guide along with our staff should
assist you in making plans for your child’s education. We stand
ready to answer your questions and work with you to design the best
educational program available in Houston.
Administrative Staff
Principal
Assistant Principal (A-L)
Assistant Principal (M-Z)
Counselor (A-L)
Counselor (M-Z)
Kim Heckman
Dr. Irma Galloway
Hope Goodson-Richardson
Yvonne Epps-Stubbins
Mayra Suarez
General Curriculum Information and Promotion Standards
Each class carefully adheres to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
guidelines to assure that all instruction is based on the state mandated, grade-level
appropriate curriculum goals used in all Texas school districts.
The state requires that middle schools offer instruction in English, mathematics, science,
social studies, physical education, and fine arts. To be promoted, students must earn a 70
or above average in all subject areas and a 70 or above in three of the following four
classes: English, science, mathematics, or social studies. They must also be in attendance
90% of the school days.
STAAR – State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness - is the state’s testing
program. Over the course of their public school career, students will be tested in the core
subject areas; reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Middle School
tests include the following:
Grade 6- reading and mathematics
Grade 7 – reading, writing, mathematics
Grade 8 – reading, mathematics, science and social studies
In addition, students in grades 7-8 who are enrolled in a high school course with an Endof-Course (EOC) assessment will be required to take the EOC as required for graduation.
It is very important that a student be placed as accurately as possible in the appropriate
classes. Pershing has created 4 different academic levels in order to meet the individual
needs of students.
On Level
Students in each grade level are taught using the HISD curriculum. Math and ELA for on
level students are double blocked to ensure that all students have the necessary skills
needed to be successful at the next grade level.
Pre-AP
This level of academics are taught using the HISD curriculum utilizing Pre-AP
methodologies that include higher level questioning and problem solving skills. To
qualify for this level, students must score between 60%-84% on Math and Reading
Stanford and earn a satisfactory level score on STAAR.
Vanguard/GT
The GT program is a rigorous program designed to meet the academic needs of the gifted
learner. GT courses teach the same content, but in a more in-depth, condensed format.
To qualify for this level, students must score above 85% on Math and Reading Stanford
and earn an Advanced level score on STAAR.
Accelerated Vanguard/GT
An advanced Pre-Algebra math class is offered for sixth grade students who have scored
above 95% on Math and Reading Stanford and have earned a satisfactory score on the
math and science placement tests. These students will complete the sixth through eighth
grade math curriculums and move to Algebra in seventh grade and Geometry in eighth
grade. The science curriculum covers the sixth in sixth grade, 7th and 8th grade
curriculum with the 8th grade STAAR in 7th grade and Biology in 8th grade with the EOC.
Grading System
Grades are reported on a six weeks basis. Report cards will be sent home by students
each six weeks. If a student earns a grade of less than 70 in any class, the parents should
request to schedule a conference with the teacher of that class. Progress reports are sent
home every 3 weeks.
Parents are encouraged to register with the HISD parent student connect. This is a web
based program where parents can see assignments and grades posted by the teacher. This
tool enables parents to have access to student’s grades in real time.
Grades are reported on a numerical basis. The grading scale is as follows:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
75-79
D
74-70
F
Below 70
Special Education and Section 504
Special Education and related services are designed to meet the unique needs of students
with disabilities. For detailed information regarding Special Education please contact our
Special Education Chair, Ms. Ross at 713-295-5240 x 373. For Section 504 information,
contact your grade level counselor.
Schedule Changes
We determine the master schedule and staffing needs based on the initial student requests
for electives. Classes fill and may not be offered during all class periods, so transfers
may be difficult once a student’s schedule is made. Therefore, we encourage students
and parents to gather information and make informed choices when selecting classes.
After the 10th day of each semester, administrative approval is necessary for any schedule
change.
High school Credit Courses
Eligible students can take a number of high school credit courses. The course content
and work load are equivalent of a high school course and students enrolled in these
courses should expect extensive outside-of-class preparation and homework. Whenever a
student takes a high school credit course, the course will be reflected on their high school
transcript. Students in high school credit courses must meet the 90% attendance
requirement to earn credit for the course.
Sample Student Schedule
6th Grade
English
Reading (double block for grade level students only)
Math (double block)
Science (double block for accelerated students only)
World Culture Studies
Physical Education
Think through Math or GT Research
Elective
Elective or Academic Support Class
7th Grade
English
Reading (double block for grade level students only)
Math (double block)
Science (double block for accelerated students only)
Texas History
Physical Education
Think through Math or GT Research
Elective or Academic Support class
Elective or Foreign Language
8th Grade
English (double block for grade level students only)
Math (double block)
Science (double block)
US History (double block)
Elective or Foreign Language
Elective or Academic Support class
Elective or GT Research
Spanish (Double black)
Math Sequence
6th Math
7th Math
8th PreAlgebra
Science
6th PreAP
Math
*7th Pre AP
Math
*8th Pre-AP
Pre-Algebra
6th GT Math
6th Accelerated
Math
*7th Pre-AP
Pre-Algebra
*Algebra
*Algebra
Geometry
Science Sequence
6th Science
6th PreAP
Science
7th Science
*7th Pre AP
Science
*7th GT
Science
*8th GT
Science
8th Science
*8th Pre AP
Science
*8th GT
Science
Biology
6th GT
Science
6th Accelerated
Science
* Moving of academic levels require an overall average of 85, teacher recommendation
and successfully passing of any standardized test and/or placement exam.
ELECTIVE CLASSES 2015-2016
ART
Beginning Art
Students will learn fundamental skills needed to create art in a variety of media including
drawing, painting, ceramic, collage, and printmaking. Students will learn art vocabulary
and be introduced to the elements of design (line, shape, form, value, texture, color,
space) and principals of design (balance, unity variety, emphasis, rhythm & movement,
proportion, pattern). Students will be exposed to art from different cultures and begin
studying art history.
6th Grade Magnet Art Class
Open to students by audition only. Students who have had prior art experience will
continue to develop their draftsmanship and their skills to express themselves in a variety
of art media including drawing, painting, ceramic, collage, and printmaking. Students
will begin exploring the elements and principles of design and use vocabulary correctly
while responding to and analyzing visual artworks. Students will be exposed to art from
different cultures and develop and appreciation for artists throughout history.
7th and 8th Grade Advanced Art Class
Open to students by audition only. This class requires 1 year of beginning art. Advanced
students will build on skills already learned and continue to develop their draftsmanship
to produce art that demonstrates refined observational skills, reflection, and sustained
attention to complex problems using a variety of art media. Students will understand and
apply art elements and principles effectively to express their thoughts and ideas
creatively. Students will use appropriate vocabulary while responding to analyzing visual
artworks. Auditions for this class take place in April.
BAND
Beginning Band Woodwind
This class is open to all students that complete an interview with the director for
instrument selection (clarinet, flute, saxophone, and oboe). Students learn music theory
and foundational technique on their particular woodwind instrument. Performances
include Winter Concert and Spring Concert.
Beginning Band Brass
This class is open to all students that complete an interview with the director for
instrument selection (trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, and tuba). Students learn
music theory and foundational technique on their particular brass instrument.
Performances include Winter Concert and Spring Concert.
Beginning Band Percussion
This class is open to all students that complete an interview with the director for
instrument selection. Students learn music theory and foundational technique on all
percussion instruments. Performances include Winter Concert and Spring Concert.
Jazz Band
This class is available through auditions only. In this course students learn jazz history
and how to perform different styles of jazz (Bebop, Latin, Blues, and Funk) through
music in a Big Band setting. Performances include local contests/ festivals and Spring
Concert.
Symphonic Band
This course is available through auditions only. The Symphonic Band is an Intermediate
Band. Student will learn to perform different styles of wind ensemble literature. This
course will extend the music theory and foundational technique that has been learned in
beginning band. Performances include Pep Band, winter concert, spring concert, Waltrip
Concert and Sight-Reading festival, Band Trip contest, All-city Auditions, Region
Auditions, Solo & Ensemble Try-outs.
Wind Ensemble
This course is available through auditions only. The Award Winning Wind Ensemble is
the Band Program’s Advanced Band. Student will learn to perform different styles of
wind ensemble literature. This course will extend the music theory and foundational
technique that has been learned in beginning band. Performances include Pep Band,
Winter concert, Spring concert, Waltrip Concert and Sight-Reading festival, UIL Concert
and Sight-Reading, Blinn Music Meet, Band Trip contest, All-city Auditions, Region
Auditions, Solo & Ensemble Try-outs.
CHOIR
Beginning Choir
Learn beginning theory and basic tenets of performance. This group participates in 6th
grade competitions.
Advanced Choir
This choir is open to students who have been in choir the previous year and have audition
with the choir instructor. This choir consists of 7th and 8th graders. No new 8th graders
accepted (unless coming from another school and can audition). This choir performs
outside of school, participates in UIL activities (Region, Solo and Ensemble, etc) sight
reading and is expected to make all rehearsals and performances. The Girls /Boys
ensembles are chosen from this choir.
CREATIVE WRITING
Students will explore writing by learning to create imaginatively constructed fiction and
poetry. They will also read and critique fiction and poetry by published writers.
DANCE (Students are responsible to purchase specific dance clothes and shoes)
Beginning Dance
Open to all students at Pershing Middle School. Students will learn Ballet, Modern, and
Jazz techniques. Students participate in a minimum of two performances each school
year.
Intermediate and Advanced Dance
Available by audition only with the dance teacher. Students are evaluated at the end of
each year for placement in the next year’s class. New students must audition for
placement. In these classes, students learn more advanced skills in ballet, modern and
jazz dance techniques. Students may have extra opportunities for performance in these
classes.
Dance Company
Open to students only through audition. Students continue to work on advancing skill
level and participate in a variety of performances and workshops. This students are
encouraged to take dance courses outside of school.
Improvisation Dance
This audition only class is open to students who are interested in studying less traditional
forms of dance. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph and participate in a
variety of performances.
DEBATE
Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills along with logic and impromptu
speaking techniques to defend opposing sides of social issues. Students will participate in
district level competitions.
DRAMA
Beginning Drama
The student will learn theatre terminology and how to be a successful actor. Other
subjects covered are improvisation and set design. After completing a beginning class,
the student is eligible to audition for an advanced class.
7th and 8th Grade Advanced Drama
By audition only. This class requires 1 year of beginning drama. The students in this
class perform four plays, two of which will be preformed in the auditorium. One of the
plays is Shakespeare in the spring.
Musical Theatre Class
This class is by audition only and requires 1-2 years of drama. This class also requires a
good deal of after school rehearsals, especially during January and February. The
musical is usually in February. The students also perform a Shakespeare play in the
spring. This is for 7th and 8th grade only.
Drama Tech
Open to 7th and 8th graders only. Technical theatre encompasses costume, box office, set
construction and design and lighting design. Students get hands on experience working
on various shows through out the year.
GARDENING
This semester class involves working in the Pershing garden, planting, cultivating,
harvesting and cooking organic vegetables for our community farmer’s market. Open to
sixth and seventh graders.
GUITAR
Beginning Guitar Class
This class is open to any student with little or no musical experience. Students will learn
basic music theory, music appreciation, and how to play their guitar in the 1st and 2nd
positions. Students will perform two concerts: one in December and one in May.
Intermediate Guitar Class
This class is open to any student who has successfully taken beginning guitar, has at least
one year experience playing their guitar/reading music or by audition. Students will learn
how to play their instruments in the 1st through 4th positions, intermediate music theory,
and music history. Students will perform major concerts and have opportunities for other
small performances through out the school year.
GYMNASTICS
Beginning Gymnastics
Open to 6th and 7th graders. There is no tryout for this class. This class is for students
with little or no previous gymnastics experience and wants to learn gymnastics. You will
learn the gymnastics safety rules, terminology, and learn the following skills; various
rolls, handstands, cartwheels, back bends and kick-overs on the mats. Various beginning
vaults, swings and hip circles on the bars, and beginning beam and dance steps.
Intermediate Gymnastics
Students must tryout for this class. This class is for students who have learned the
gymnastics safety rules, terminology, and accomplished the beginning gymnastic skills
mentioned above. You will learn the following skills: Front and back
limbers/walkovers, headsprings and handsprings, flip flops if capable, mill circles, front
hip circles, glide kips, mushroom circles, various vaults, and other intermediate
equipment skills.
Advanced Gymnastics
Students must tryout for this class. This is for level 6 and up gymnasts. These gymnasts
can perform advanced routines on all the equipment and can perform round off-flip flopback flip. You will perform/improve skills from competition routines. You will have an
opportunity to perform in a show.
JOURNALISM - Newspaper
This is an audition class for seventh and eighth graders who will become reporters, news
writers and photographers on the school newspaper. This is an audition based class.
INTRO TO CHINESE
Students are introduced to the Chinese language. Students will learn the alphabet and
beginning words. The lessons will involve the written and spoken word.
MUSIC PRODUCTION
This is a class that uses professional music production software, Abelton™, to create or
manipulate original music. This incorporates electronic sounds, recorded sounds, picture,
and video. Year-long class.
NAME THAT BOOK
Students in this class read approximately 35 books, discuss and analyze them. In the
spring students participate in a competition of comprehension and literary analysis of the
novels read.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
Student work in teams to creatively solve problems that range from building mechanical
devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their
solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. (Experience required)
ORCHESTRA
Beginning
This class is open to any 6th, 7th or 8th grader with little to no music experience. Students
will learn basic music theory, music appreciation, and how to play their instruments in 1st
position. Students will perform two concerts; one in December and one in May.
Intermediate Orchestra
This class is open to any student who has taken beginning orchestra, has at least one-year
experience playing their violin\viola, or by audition. Students will perform three major
concerts, participate in U.I.L. Solo/Ensemble Competition, and have opportunities for
other small performances through out the school year.
Advanced Orchestra
This class is by audition only. Students must have a minimum of one-year experience on
their instrument. Students will learn advanced music theory, history and technique. They
will perform four major concerts, participate in Region Orchestra, U.I.L. Solo and
Ensemble Competition, U.I.L. Concert and Sight-Reading Competition, and participate in
the spring Schlitterbahn Soundwaves or other out of state music festival.
Chamber Orchestra
This class is by audition only. Students must have a minimum of two years experience
on their instrument. Students will learn advanced music theory, history and technique.
They will perform four major concerts, participate in Region Orchestra, U.I.L. Solo and
Ensemble Competition, U.I.L. Concert and Sight-Reading Competition, and participate in
the spring Schlitterbahn Soundwaves or other out of state music festival.
PIANO
This class is designed to teach the concepts and fundamentals needed to perform on the
piano. Students will learn proper technique, reading music, and vocabulary of chords and
keys. Classes range from beginner to advance.
ROPES
Open to all 6th. This course is the combination of Low and High Ropes Courses that
challenge participants to grow at both the team and individual levels through properly
sequenced games, initiatives, activities and elements.
SECME / ROBOTICS
This class is designed for 7th and 8th grade students interested in engineering, math,
science and robotics. We will program and build robots, bridges and water rockets.
TEEN LEADERSHIP
Teen Leadership is a program in which students develop leadership, personal, and
business skills. They will learn to develop the following: a healthy self-concept, healthy
relationships, an understanding of personal responsibility and other skills.
YEARBOOK
Yearbook provides opportunities for both 7th and 8th graders to participate. Students must
apply and be accepted to this class. In this elective, you will create the spreads for the
yearbook. This creation includes taking digital photos, writing summaries and lead-ins,
getting teacher and student quotes, developing and arranging the layouts using a software
program and completing your assigned spreads. You may need to stay after school a time
or two to take photos or attend an event or two for the same purpose. Yearbook is fun but
a lot of work! Only focused students need apply!
HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT ELECTIVE CLASSES
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
7th grade: Learn the basics of Chinese or French including greetings, numbers, the
calendar, classroom items, food, and basic verb conjugations. Prerequisite is a score of
85% on the sixth grade Stanford reading test.
8th grade: Expand your vocabulary and knowledge of Chinese, Spanish or French
including more complex grammatical structures and the past tense. Successful
completion of this class earns high school credit for Chinese 1, Spanish 1, or French 1.
Native Speakers: Students must take and pass an entrance exam to be eligible for this
class.
AP Native Speakers: Students must take and pass an entrance exam to be eligible for
this class.
JOURNALISM
Eighth grade only. Students will learn how to research, interview and report in this
course. They will fulfill 1credit for high school graduation.
PRINCIPLES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
This class is open to 8th grade students. Students will develop computer literacy skills to
adapt to emerging technologies used in the global marketplace. This class will enhance
reading, writing, computing, communication and reasoning skills and apply them to the
information technology environment. When a student completes the year with an
average of 70 or above, he/she will receive 1 high school credit.
HIGH SCHOOL ART
Students will learn fundamental skills needed to create art in a variety of media including
drawing, painting, ceramic, collage, and printmaking. Students will learn art vocabulary
and be introduced to the elements of design (line, shape, form, value, texture, color,
space) and principals of design (balance, unity variety, emphasis, rhythm & movement,
proportion, pattern). Students will be exposed to art from different cultures and begin
studying art history. Students will earn one credit
8th GRADE ADVANCED ART
Open to students by audition only. This class requires 2 year of beginning art. Students
will continue to develop their draftsmanship to produce art that demonstrates refined
observational skills, reflection, and sustained attention to complex problems using a
variety of art media. Students will understand and apply art elements and principles
effectively to communicate personal meanings and solve challenging visual problems,
demonstrating skill and in-depth understanding of media and processes. Students will
use appropriate vocabulary while responding to and analyzing visual artworks. Works
produced in this class will lead to the creation of portfolio quality work. Auditions for
this class take place in April. Students will earn one credit.
CONCEPTS OF ENGINEERING
This class will provide an introduction of the various fields of engineering. Students will
create products and develop critical thinking skills through the design cycle. This year
long class is for 8th students only.
GEOMETRY
Geometry is a rigorous course that covers all of the TEKS designated for Geometry by
the state of Texas. It is intended for students who think critically and wish to pursue
advanced mathematics. Students will build on the foundations from K-8 and Algebra I to
strengthen their mathematical reasoning skills in geometric contexts.
Prerequisites: Students must have taken and successfully passed Algebra.
BIOLOGY
High School Biology is the study of the structure and function of life systems. This is a
laboratory oriented course which will include observations made on living organisms in
the environment and on prepared specimens. It will include studies of various
ecosystems and inherited traits. Student investigations emphasize accurate observations,
collection of data, data analysis, and the safe manipulation of laboratory apparatus and
materials in the field and the laboratory.
Prerequisites: Must be concurrently taking either Algebra or Geometry AND pass a
placement test covering 6th and 7th grade Science objectives with an 80% or higher.