Welcome Eighth
Grade Highlanders of
2011-2012
Chris McCord
• Principal
Goals
• To challenge kids academically
• To keep children safe
• To prepare kids for high school
School Day
• 8:50 a.m. until 3:50 p.m.
• Everything from an operational
perspective remains much the same.
Required Courses – 8th grade
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Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
U.S. History
P.E. (1 semester)
Electives – 5 choices
• Please note the
difference from 7th
grade, which only
provided 4 choices.
8th Schedule
(No fine arts or athletics)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red
Math
Language Arts
PE
Advisory
Elective
Green
Science
Math/Reading
Elective
Advisory
History
The P.E. class is one semester and then replaced by
an elective the other semester. Students will take
five electives total.
8th Schedule
(Athletic Schedule)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red
Elective
Math
Language Arts
Advisory
Elective
Green
Science
History
Math/Reading
Advisory
Athletics
Typically, eighth-grade athletics classes meet in the
afternoon.
8th Schedule
(Band, Choir, Orchestra)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red
Math
P.E.
Language Arts
Advisory
Choir
Green
Elective
History
Reading/Math
Advisory
Science
The actual time slot for the fine-art class will
vary based on the specific class assigned.
Elective/Core Course Requests
• Elective/Core Course Request Sheets will be
sent home with current seventh graders in the
next few weeks.
• The document provides space for elective
requests (5).
• The reverse side provides information for core
class level requests (language arts, science, and
social studies—Pre-AP or regular).
Elective/Core Course Requests
• You may chose the level of the core course choice for
language arts, science, and social studies for your
child. This selection is to be marked on the reverse
side of the elective/core course request sheet.
• In math, students will progress to the next appropriate
course in the math-learning sequence.
– Seventh-grade math to Pre-Algebra
– Pre-Algebra Pre-AP to HS Algebra Pre-AP
– HS Algebra Pre-AP to HS Geometry Pre-AP
Elective Course Request Sheet
• On request sheet:
• Please read all detailed, bulleted information on
the document for specifics.
• Year-round classes occupy two slots and should
be listed as the first requests.
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• Our administration and our counselors will
meet with each incoming eighth-grade student
to discuss his/her elective requests in advisory
class.
• We will review the sheet shown on the
previous slide to ensure accuracy.
• The request will be entered into our MIS
system with the student during advisement
class.
• We use these requests to hire qualified
teachers.
Notification of Student
Elective Requests
• During the spring, we will send home
documents, indicating the requested
elective courses as well as the specific
levels of core academic classes they
chose.
• Please review these closely and let the
Counseling Center know before May 1st
if there are any needed changes.
Factors which affect individual
student’s schedule formation
• Staffing (based on
enrollment)
• Availability of
Course
• Core Course
Selection
• Course selection by
students
• Seniority
Specialty Classes
Athletics
Fine Arts
Algebra
Physical Education
Number of electives
20 unique choices
Will take 5
Adventure into Academics
Core Subject Information
Required Courses – 8th grade
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Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
U.S. History
P.E. (1 semester)
Electives – 5 choices
• Please note the
difference from 7th
grade, which only
provided 4 choices.
Science
• Science
• Pre-AP Science
Science Fair Project
• There is an increased expectation for the
level of the project in eighth grade above
and beyond what was expected in
seventh.
• The students focus on technical writing
with increased research.
• The project requires considerable work
conducted outside of the school day.
History
• U.S. History
• Pre-AP U.S. History
– Students need to be
able to read and
write critically,
perceptively, and
independently.
Language Arts
• Language Arts
• Pre-AP Language
Arts
– Students really need
to be self-motivated
readers and writers.
Eighth Grade Math Courses
• Pre-Algebra
• Algebra (HS)
• Geometry (HS)
Math
Progression (Regular)
• 7th Grade - 7th Math
• 8th Grade - Pre-Algebra
• 9th Grade - Algebra
• 10th Grade - Geometry
• 11th Grade - Algebra II/Pre-Calculus
• 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)
This is also diagrammed in our Course
Description Guide.
Math Progression
(Advanced 1 year)
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7th Grade - Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
8th Grade – HS Algebra Pre-AP
9th Grade – HS Geometry
10th Grade - Algebra II
11th Grade - Pre-Calculus
12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)
Math Progression
(Advanced 2 years)
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7th Grade – HS Algebra Pre-AP
8th Grade – HS Geometry Pre-AP
9th Grade - Algebra II
10th Grade - Pre-Calculus Independent
Study
• 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus
• 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)
Placement Considerations
Moving from Seventh to Eighth Grade
• Students, by default, progress to 8th grade in
the corresponding class from 7th grade.
• Level Science to Level Science
• 7th Pre-AP History to 8th Pre-AP History
• 7th Math to Pre-Algebra
• Pre-Algebra Pre-AP to HS Algebra Pre-AP
• HS Algebra Pre-AP to HS Geometry Pre-AP
Placement Considerations
for Eighth Grade

If a student wishes to move to a regular
class from a Pre-AP class (excluding
math), contact his or her counselor with
the request in writing before the May 1st
deadline.
– Emails and contact information are on our
webpage under Parent Services.
Seventh Grade Level Math to
High School Algebra I Option
• I want my child to go directly
from level seventh grade math
to High-School Algebra.
• Take the next course in math
sequence- Pre-Algebra.
– The student may take a
district summer school class
– The student MUST meet
C.I.S.D. summer school
attendance requirements.
Seventh Grade Level to High
School Algebra I Option
– This class is taught for first-time exposure to
Pre-Algebra.
– The course is intensive and students receive
full class hours and instruction.
– It ensures the student does not miss the
critical year of Pre-Algebra before being
responsible for HS math.
– Check website for information in May.
Going from Pre-Algebra Pre-AP in
seventh grade to HS Algebra Pre-AP in
eighth grade
• To move into eighth-grade, high-school
Algebra I Pre-AP, students must maintain an
80 average or higher in seventh-grade PreAlgebra Pre-AP. If the course average is
between 70 and 79, or if the student is in
seventh-grade math with an 80 or better
average, the student must score an 80 on the
CISD Pre-Algebra Credit by Exam test and
the Algebra Readiness Exam.
Math Note Affecting
HS Math Choices
• Four years of math and
science are required in high
school, beginning with HS
algebra.
• As of now, HS math courses
taken in junior high count
toward those four.
• At least three math courses
must be taken at the high
school campus.
Planner
• PTA is planning to
continue offering
planners as of now.
• Please contact the PTA
if you would like to be
a sponsor.
• 832-592-5100
High-School
Course Considerations
• As a high-school class, the courses are
much more challenging.
• The classes do not figure directly in
G.P.A.
• They do not figure in class rank.
• The are, however, reflected on
transcripts.
• It is not necessary to get your student on
the fast track to get all the courses in the
four years at TWHS.
Electives
A Taste of Adventure
Number of elective choices for
eighth graders
• All eighth-grade students have five
elective choices
– One additional course from the four needed
in the seventh grade since the students are
required to have only one semester of P.E.
Eighth Grade Elective Choices
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Art
Band
Choir
Careers
Career Portals:
Computer Applications
– May be taken twice
Career Portals:
Technology May be
taken twice
Exploring Languages
High School
Communications
High School Health
Career Portals: Human
Services
Music Appreciation
Orchestra
HS Spanish I
Spanish II for Native
Speakers (must
qualify)
Teen Leadership
Theater Arts
High School Spanish I
• The course lasts an entire school year (2
semesters).
• It is similar to taking HS Spanish I at TWHS.
• The class is rigorous, fast-moving, and intense.
• It is a high-school course
• For these reasons, if you choose multiple Pre-AP
core courses, please consider this class on a
similar level as it is an advanced, high-school
course
Spanish II for Native Speakers
• This course is for students who have Spanish
as their first language.
• There is a placement examination to qualify.
• Many existing seventh graders qualified for
this course when they were in sixth grade.
• Students may attempt to qualify again.
• Students must be able to read, listen, speak,
and write Spanish fluently.
• Students will receive credit for HS Spanish I
with successful completion of Spanish II.
HS Health and HS Communications
Applications
• These cover high-school topics and state
TEKS.
• Permission from parent is required to
request Health.
• The grade will appear on high-school
transcript.
• G.P.A. will not be factored based on highschool course scores taken in junior high.
HS Health and HS Communications
Applications
• These may free up space in the student's high-school
schedule to take alternate and/or more rigorous
courses
• Need as a parent/guardian to be prepared for your
child to receive high school level information on health
topics
• McCullough common sense
• Scheduling-wise, it makes sense to take both if the
student is going to take one.
McCullough Athletics
State Eligibility for Participation
• No classes are exempt in junior
high from counting for UIL
eligibility
– Includes Pre-AP courses
– Includes High School Courses
• Students must pass all classes to
be eligible to participate in
games/contests.
• UIL and Progress Report
Schedule is posted online at our
website under athletics and parent
services.
8th Grade Athletics
• Physical dated after
April 15, 2011
• Birth Certificate
• Commitment for the
year
• Boys
– Fourth period green
• Girls
– Fourth period red
• Replaces P.E.
Volleyball
• Tryouts are the first
week of school.
• If a student makes
the team, her
schedule may
change.
• It meets as a class
during the school
day
Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball
Off-season Class
• Placement and
tryout information is
coming soon.
• This is for the class,
not the team.
• If students make the
off-season class,
his/her schedule may
change.
Girls’ and Boys’
Basketball Teams
• Tryouts for the team
are in late October
or early November.
• This requires a
commitment for the
year.
Boys’ and Girls’ Football
• Practice is after
school.
Cross-Country
• The season is in the
fall.
• The students remain
in off-season
throughout the year.
• Most meets are on
Friday evening.
Boys’ and Girls’ Track
• The season begins in
February.
• Everyone makes the
team.
• Practice
– 7th- Morning
– 8th- Afternoon
Club Golf
• This is a spring sport.
• There are tryouts.
• For more information,
contact Coach Lilley.
Club Tennis
• This is a spring sport.
• There are tryouts.
• Practices meet before
and after school.
• For more information,
contact Coach Saltis.
Club Soccer
• Soccer is not a UIL sport in junior
high.
• There are tryouts.
• The team plays other junior-high
teams once within district.
• There are a total of five games.
• Girls- Coach Maddock
• Boys- Coach Texidor
Questions regarding Athletics
• Please contact Lance
Skinner.
– Girls’ and Boys’ Athletic
Coordinator
– cskinner@conroeisd.net
Private P.E.
• Must be an approved facility for 2011-2012
• Individual Olympic event preparations
• Fully completed application and required
form are available online at district
website around mid-April.
Private P.E.
• Completed form will be due by formal
deadline on May 1st
• Students with approved applications will
not be in a P.E. class at McCullough
Private P.E.
• Students can change facility only at semester
• Parents must be able to pickup child promptly
at dismissal time- exactly 2:50 p.m. each day.
• Students will be in a fourth-period class on
campus from 2:26 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.
• The state allows us to dismiss one hour early
each day.
Private P.E.
• Parents and students must be flexible on
the schedule as it will change due to pep
rallies, TAKS, exams, etc.
• Facilities submit records of attendance
and grade for the class.
Level 1 Private P.E.
• 15 hours or more per week at approved
facility are required.
• Students planning to do private P.E.
need to check regular P.E. on Elective
Course request sheet initially.
Level 1 Private P.E.
• Students are assigned to a fourth-period
private P.E. class from 2:26 p.m. until
2:50 p.m. each day.
• Commitment for the entire year is
required.
Level 2 Private P.E.
• This requires 5 hours or more a week at
an approved activity.
• It has very few advantages.
• The student is required to be in band,
choir, or orchestra in place of the
physical education class.
• The student is asking for two extra
classroom classes above and beyond.
• There are no exceptions to this.
For more information
on band, contact
• Susan Meyer
• sbmeyer@conroeisd.net
For more information on
orchestra, contact
• Michelle Reinhardt
– mreinhardt@conroeisd.net
For more information on
choir, contact
• Keith Brumfield
– kbrumfield@conroeisd.net
• Staff members are available to answer
your questions on a wide range of
subjects as we conclude.
• Following are key people who can help
you along with their picture:
Questions
• Department Heads
– Questions about math, language arts,
history, science
• Counselors
– Program questions
• Administrators
– General