8TH GRADE COURSES & LEVELS
• Academic
• PreAP
• GT
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ELA
Mathematics
US History
Science
PE or Athletics
Two elective courses
Advisory
MATH & READING FYI
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Algebra (8th Graders)
• High school credit
• Algebra placement will be decided late in the spring semester
• KISD recommendation- maintain an 80 or above to remain in class
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Math Lab
• Required if you fail STAAR Math
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Reading Elective
• Required if you fail STAAR Reading
PREAP COURSES
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Good grades to stay in
A’s in Academic Courses to get in
• To move to PreAP Math/Algebra additional criteria as determined by Katy ISD
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Positive attitude
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Willing to work and study hard
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Great organizational skills
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Self-starter/Highly motivated
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You must do your homework!
GT COURSES
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Only mark a GT Course if you are currently enrolled in the 7 th grade equivalent of that course
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If you are currently being screened for GT, please sign up for PreAP
PE OR ATHLETICS
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Boys’ PE/Girls’ PE
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Off-Campus PE
• Applications available late spring and due before you leave for the summer
• Individual sports only
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Athletics
• Coaches make the final decision
• Counselors cannot change schedules without coaches approval
• No Pass/No Play
• Team sports include –
• Football
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Track & Field
• Tennis
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Algebra 1 (1 math credit)
Spanish 1B- must have taken Spanish 1A in 7th
grade
Accelerated Spanish (1 foreign language credit)
Art (1 fine art credit)
Principles of Human Service – aka Home Ec (1
elective credit) Public Services Endorsement
Concepts of Engineering & Technology – aka
Woodshop (1 elective credit) STEM Endorsement
Go to the Counselors’ webpage & visit the Katy ISD
Course Catalog for more information about high
school credits!
AND NOW A WORD FROM
YOUR ELECTIVE TEACHERS…
Your elective choices include…
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Band
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Choir
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Band – Mr. Seltzer & Ms. Bailey
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Orchestra
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Choir – Ms. Likos & Mr. Lee
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Theater
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Orchestra – Mr. Whatley & Ms. Laurence
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Art/HS Credit Art
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Theater 1 & 2 – Ms. Becker & Ms. Wood
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Publications (requires application)
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Art – Mr. Escamilla & Ms. Van Hoozer
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Career Portals/Family & Consumer Science (aka
Home Ec)- 7th grade only
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Teen Leadership & Publications – Ms. Frazier
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Teen Leadership (8th grade only)
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Tech Apps (8th grade only)
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Independent Studies PreAP or PreAP/GT (7th & 8th)
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Principles of Human Service (8th grade only & HS
Credit - aka Home Ec) counts toward Public
Services Endorsement in HS
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Concepts of Engineering & Technology (8 th grade
only & HS Credit – aka Woodshop) counts toward
engineering track for STEM endorsement in HS
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Spanish 1, Part 2 (8th grade only & with teacher
recommendation)
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Accelerated Spanish (with teacher
recommendation)
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Student Aide (8th grade only & students will be
screened for good grades are impeccable
behavior)
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Spanish – Ms. Kenney & Ms. Acuna
AKA…HOME ECONOMICS
Career Portals/Family & Consumer Sciences
Principles of Human Services
Grade: 7 Only
Course Fee: See fee schedule + cost of fabric and
sewing supplies for projects
Course Fee: See fee schedule + cost of fabric and
sewing supplies for projects
Students gain skills for living as they explore college
and career planning within specific career
cluster(s). Students use self-knowledge to
explore and set realistic goals. Additionally,
students are exposed to basic homemaking
skills that are essential for successful, selfreliant, independent adult living. Food
preparation, basic sewing and clothing
selection/repair and child development
education are among the topics covered in this
course.
Grade: 8 Only
Credit: One- HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT
In this course for high school credit, students gain
personal life management skills as they investigate
human services careers, including counseling and
mental health, early childhood development, family
and community and personal care services. The
course addresses a broad range of knowledge and
skills related to personal development and
management, promotion of strong families and
preparation for adult roles. Topics include nutrition
and dietary practices, food preparation, budgeting
and management of family housing needs.
Students who successfully complete Principles of
Human Services in eighth grade are awarded one
high school credit and grade points. The course fee
covers food for in class projects.
NOTE: Principles of Human Service is an introductory
course/credit for a Public Services endorsement.
Information from 2015-2016 Course Catalogue:
http://www.katyisd.org/campus/MCJH/Counselor Documents/2015-2016 Course Catalog FINAL.pdf
PUBLICATIONS & TEEN LEADERSHIP
Publications: application required
In this course, students apply writing
skills, photography skills, and
skills related to design layout for
the creation and publication of
the school yearbook.
Students interested in taking the
Publications course must
complete an application and
participation in this course
requires approval of the
publications teacher.
There is a $30 fee for this class to
purchase student materials.
Teen Leadership: 8th grade only
This course will help students develop leadership
and personal and business skills. They learn
to develop healthy self-concept, healthy
relationships, and learn to understand the
concept of personal responsibility. They
develop an understanding of self-awareness,
self-control, self-motivation, and social skills.
They will develop skills in public speaking and
communication. They will acquire an
understanding of personal image and of the
effects of peer pressure. They will develop an
understanding of the need for vision in goalsetting, personally and professionally. This
course is based on the Flip Flippen
curriculum. There is a $12.00 fee for this
course to purchase student materials.
NEW COURSES OFFERED
J873/J877 Technology Applications
J900 Independent Study PreAP
Grade: 8 Only
Grades: 7 - 8
Students in this one semester course learn
basic data entry, storage and retrieval of
information. Topics include instruction in
the use of computer hardware and
software, spreadsheets, word processing,
database, multimedia,
telecommunications and graphic design,
technologically proficient students
extended activity in word processing,
database, spreadsheet, graphic design,
multimedia and telecommunications.
G900 GT Independent Study
Prerequisite: GT identification
Grades: 7 - 8
This course is designed for identified gifted
and talented students who wish to
pursue an area of interest in greater
depth than is possible in the traditional
classroom setting. Students utilize
research skills to create advanced
products in a variety of media to
demonstrate their learning in their
chosen area of interest. This course is
dependent on students’ course requests
and is not available at all campuses.
Information from 2015-2016 Course Catalogue:
http://www.katyisd.org/campus/MCJH/Counselor Documents/2015-2016 Course Catalog FINAL.pdf
THINKING ABOUT A FOREIGN LANGUAGE…
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Don’t rush into it – you have time!
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Spanish 1A/1B versus Accelerated Spanish
• Prerequisite: Completion of 7th grade PreAP or PreAP/GT language arts with minimum 85
average and teacher recommendation
• Co-requisite: Enrollment in 8th grade PreAP or PreAP/GT language arts
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You should be strong in both ELA and Math! There is a strong correlation between good math
students and good foreign language students
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If you are a native speaker – WAIT! There are other ways to earn your high school foreign language
credit – Credit By Exam (CBE), Spanish for Spanish Speakers (earn 2 credits in one year)
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You will have many more language options in high school – French, German, American Sign
Language
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The grade you earn in Spanish will go on your high school transcript and be seen by colleges 5-6
years from now
In Spanish IA, IB, and Accelerated classes we learn to communicate in the Spanish language through
reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the target language. In addition, we learn more about
Spanish-speaking countries and culture. Through daily practice, positive participation, and a
positive attitude, we build confidence in using the language.
All Spanish classes in junior high are high school credit classes so students are earning high school
credit and the grade earned goes toward their high school GPA. The Spanish classes are rigorous
but fun.
COURSE SELECTION WORKSHEET – DUE TO YOUR
SCIENCE TEACHER BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH
• Please be sure the alternate elective choices are different from those circled. Your first choice may not be honored.
• Course Verifications will be printed in April…that is your last opportunity to make changes!
• Be thoughtful about your choices as there will be no changes to electives in the fall.
• Counselors will be in lunches to answer questions and will sit down through Science classes to discuss as well.
• Be sure to ask your questions!!!