McDonald Junior High
Course Selection
2016-2017
Who are we?
• Students come primarily from 6 different elementary
schools
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Franz Elementary
Golbow Elementary
King Elementary
McRoberts Elementary
Morton Ranch Elementary
Stephens Elementary
• Mascot - Panther
• Colors - Purple & Silver
• Principal – Dr. Kenneth Cummings
• Assistant Principals (4)
• Counselors (3)
Administration
School Head Principal
Dr. Ken Cummings
Administration Staff
Mr. Farr, Mr. Mclaughlin, Dr. Cummings, Mrs. Daniels Mr. Serna
Differences
• Eight classes per day
• Advisory Period (homeroom/study hall)
• PE – every day
• Go from class to class, restroom, and PE by yourself
• Challenge/GT- Not one day a week, but every day in
certain subjects
• Pep rallies
• Class choices
• Tardies-need to get to class on time
• No recess
• More homework than in elementary
• Test or quiz weekly in all subjects
• Snack bar
Junior High Schedule
Begin day at 7:30am
School is out at 2:35
Advisory
8 class periods
30 minute lunch
3-minute passing time between classes
Typical 6th Grade Day
Period
Subject
Room #
1
Advisory
139
2
Math
154
3
Social Studies
157
4
Band
Band Hall
Lunch
Lunch
Cafeteria
5
Science
155
6
PE
Gym
7
English
145
8
Reading
157
6th Grade Required Course of Study
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•
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Language Arts- English
Language Arts- Reading
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Physical Education
Advisory
Format for Classes
• Academic
– For everyone
– College prep
– On level
• Pre-AP
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–
–
–
Academically advanced
College prep
Prep for HS AP classes
Designed to challenge the highly
motivated learner
– Fast paced
– Requires independent learning
• Pre-AP/GT
– Screening required
• ESL
– Recommended by
LPAC committee
• Resource
– Recommended by
ARD committee
Pre-AP: Making a Wise Choice
• Are you self-motivated, organized, and independent?
• Do you need daily help with your organizational skills?
• Are you involved in many activities? Are you interested
enough to complete outside extra work?
• How much sleep do you require to be productive?
• How well do you handle a demanding academic
workload? Are you realistic about your performance
expectations?
Pre AP Language Arts
• Faster pace
• Advanced critical thinking
• More independent reading
• Reading and English must be the same level- either
Pre AP for both or academic for both
Language Arts Vocabulary
Academic
• disturb, instinct, debate,
doubtless, furious, justify
• The magazine will be
inexpensive because our
costs are low.
• Flammable is to gasoline as
absorbent is to cotton.
PreAP
• affliction, melancholy,
paradox, quibble,
recompense
• The public’s indifference to
government may be
measured in the number of
citizens who do not bother
to vote..
• paradox is to bewilder as
mishap is to fluster
What Students Say About Pre AP/GT Language Arts
•
Still have spelling but have to define them, too.
•
If you do not like to read and write, then this is definitely not for you.
•
The test are impossible if you don’t study.
•
You have to annotate and that is hard!
•
There are lots of vocabulary words and not words which junior high students
normally use.
Pre AP Math
• Large difference in # of objectives covered
– 5th grade
• approximately 60 objectives
– 6th grade Academic
• approximately 64 objectives
– 6th grade PreAP
• over 90 objectives with some being 7th grade objectives
• PreAP level of instruction will focus on preparation for
taking Algebra 1 in the 8th grade.
What Students Say About Pre AP/GT Math
• Need to enjoy math a lot and like to learn
• You will learn something new everyday so you better be used to
going fast
• Better know your basic math facts and know them well
• Expect homework everyday

You must be able to take good notes.

You have homework in which you have to think.
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Test are really difficult if you don’t study a lot.

The instructions you will get will go fast.
What Students Say About Pre AP/Gt Social Studies

The test don't have a lot of word banks.
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You have to read your book for homework rather than during class time.
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You need good geography skills.
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You need to listen closely in class and be a good note taker.
Physical Education
• User fee $15.00 per year
• Encourages students to work toward achieving a basic level of
fitness and wellness and a beginning or intermediate level of skill
in each sport or activity through daily curriculum.
• Other Option
• Off-Campus PE Option
• Pe waiver is online
• Has to be approved by the
• 6th graders must be in Pep Squad in order to try out
• for Mascot or Cheerleader
Advisory Period
• Academic time for all students
• Opportunity to receive individual
help from teachers
• Opportunity to visit library
• Specialized academic class
One Fine Art Elective Choice
Fine Art Elective Choice
• Band
• Orchestra
• Choir (Boys, Girls)
• Theater 1
• Art 1
You can only sign up for 1
6th grade Electives
• Art
• Course fee: $10.00
• An introduction to the study of visual arts
• Use a variety of art materials and tools as they employ drawing,
painting, three dimensional and mixed media processes.
including painting, sculpture and architecture
• Theater Arts
• An introduction to and development of expression and acting
skills with an emphasis on theatre production and the history and
application of theatrical events.
Beginning
Band, Choir and Orchestra
• Band
•
Course fee: $50.00 per year, Does NOT include instrument fees, optional entry fees and social events.
•
Band students are required to furnish their own musical instruments or may obtain a Katy ISD provided
instrument requiring payment of a minimal yearly usage/maintenance fee.
• Choir
•
Course fee: $50.00 per year, Does NOT include instrument fees, optional entry fees and social events.
• Orchestra
•
Course fee: $50.00 per year, Does NOT include instrument fees, optional entry fees and social events
•
Orchestra students are required to furnish their own musical instruments or may obtain a Katy ISD
provided instrument requiring payment of a minimal yearly usage/maintenance fee.
Please note Band and Orchestra students are required to turn in a weekly practice sheet.
Band
Euphonium
Tuba
Oboe
Flute
Trombone
Clarinet
Trumpet
Saxophone
Bassoon
Orchestra
Viola
Violin
Cello
Bass
Choir
Don’t forget
You will need to sign up for Band and Orchestra
instrument auditions this year. Do not wait until the
first of the school year.
Cafeteria
• Snack bar
• Hot tray
• Lots of choices
Library
Course Selection Sheet
Student Name: Last
First
Parent/Guardian Name: Last
KISD Student ID:
First
Birthdate:
Parent Email:
Address: Street
City/Zip:
Parent/Guardian Home Phone:
Parent/Guardian Cell Phone:
Parent/GuardianWork Phone:
DIRECTIONS: Choose courses from each of the required areas of English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies and PE, and one
elective. Mark selections with a check mark in the space next to the course titles. Two (2) alternate electives should be listed in case a
course has insufficeint enrollment or if the student's schedule cannot accommodate a particular elective choice. Student and parent
signatures confirm that all course guidelines have been reviewed and course selections have been made based on the student's
individual strengths, interests and commitment. Final placement into courses is contingent upon campus approval. GT placement
requires the student to have met specific Katy ISD screening criteria.
REQUIRED COURSES
ELECTIVE COURSES**
ENGLISH AND READING
Each course does require a fee.
English and Reading must be taken at the same level.
_____
_____
J602
J607
English 6
Reading 6
_____
_____
J604
J609
English 6 PreAP
Reading 6 PreAP
_____
_____
G604
G609
English 6 GT*
Reading 6 GT*
_____
_____
J602L
J607L
English 6 ESOL
Reading 6 ESOL
MATH
_____
_____
_____
J611
J612
G612
Math 6
Math 6 PreAP
Math 6 GT*
_____ J648
Theatre 1 †
_____ J650
Beginning Art †
_____ J653
Beginning Orchestra 1 †
Placement based on Director approval. Director will
contact the student regarding instrument assignment.
_____ J660
SCIENCE
_____
J630
_____
J632
_____
G632
Science 6
Science 6 PreAP
Science 6 GT*
SOCIAL
_____
_____
_____
Social Studies 6
Social Studies 6 PreAP
Social Studies 6 GT*
STUDIES
J620
J622
G622
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
_____
J680
PE 6 - Boys †
_____
J681
PE 6 - Girls †
Beginning Band 1 †
Placement based on Director approval. Director will
contact the student regarding instrument assignment.
_____ J667
_____ J668
Choir 1 - Girls †
Choir 1 - Boys †
LIST 2 ALTERNATE ELECTIVES BELOW
1)_________________________
2) __________________________
**Elective change requests made after the last day of the school year June 2,
2016 will be considered on a space available basis only. Please be advised that
scheduling conflicts may prevent your student from getting his/her first
elective choice. Please list alternate elective choices.
Required placement for students who did not pass the STAAR and/or based
upon documented reading or math levels.
_____ J605 Reading Elective
_____ J608 Math 6 Lab
J688
Lunch
J695 Advisory
_____ J636 Strategic Reading
* All GT courses are based on PreAP curriculum, differentiated for GT student. GT course placement requires the students to
meet specifi Katy ISD screening criteria.
† Course fees apply. See fee schedule on page 64 and course descriptions in the 2016 - 2017 Course Catalog for more information.
Student and parent signatures are required as confirmation that all course guidelines and course selections have been reviewed.
All Course Requests Sheets
are due back to your teacher
February 19th.
Staying in the Loop
• All teachers have websites that may
be accessed via the McDonald Jr.
High School web site.
• www.katyisd.org
– click on “Junior Highs”
Parent Night for incoming 6th graders
th
16
February
7:00 pm
MDJH Cafeteria
SEE YOU LATER!
• Cub Camp will be held in August
– Time to look around school
– Meet new friends