8th grade Registration

Today, we will….

• Discuss promotion requirements for 8th grade• Discuss curriculum & options for 8th grade

core classes• Discuss options for 8th grade electives• Reflect on our current grades (time

permitting!)

Promotion Requirements

• To be promoted, students must• pass Language Arts• pass Math• pass Social Studies or Science• pass half of remaining classes• pass BOTH the Reading EOG & the Math

EOG with a Level 3 or 4

8th Grade Core Classes

• Science• Social Studies• Language Arts*• Math*

*TEACHERS RECOMMEND YOU FOR CLUSTER/PLACEMENT IN LANGUAGE ARTS

AND MATH!

Science

• Curriculum covers• Scientific Inquiry• Technological Design• Hydrosphere• Chemistry• Evolution Theory• Cellular Biology

Social Studies

• Curriculum examines the roles of people, events, and issues in North Carolina history.

• Emphasizes revolutionary times through today.

• Stresses the importance of geography, civics, and economics.

Language Arts

• Focus for 8th grade is on “informational expression.”

• Students work to increase comprehension strategies, vocabulary, and an understanding of language structure and grammar rules.

• Students write for a variety of audiences and purposes.

7th GradeAlgebraic Thinking II

8th GradeAlgebraic Thinking III Algebra I

Math

Your math teacher will recommend you for one of these classes!

Pre-Algebra7th Grade

8th Grade

MathAlgebraic Thinking III• The student must have mastered the 7th grade

curriculum. • Curriculum will focus on applications in:

– Skills– Problem Solving– Extension and Enrichment– Appropriate Use of Technology

MathAlgebra I• The student must have successfully completed Pre-

Algebra and demonstrate a desire and ability to accelerate in mathematics.

• Major principles & concepts include:– Operations with polynomials and matrices– Creation and application of linear functions and relations– Algebraic representations of geometric relationships– Introduction to nonlinear functions

• Students must pass the Algebra EOC (counts 25% of the final grade) to receive high school credit for Algebra.

Healthful Living

• REQUIRED for 8th graders!• Health education & physical education• Health education

– Proper exercise in your daily life– Communication and stress management– Dangers associated with harmful and illegal drugs– Nutrition, dietary guidelines, and weight management– Positive health and fitness goals – Peer Pressure

ELECTIVES!!!Spanis

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ElectivesYear-Long Electives• Concert Chorus**• Advanced Band**• Jazz Band**• Spanish B**• Curriculum Assistance***

*For students in Special Programs

**Requires Teacher Approval

Semester Electives• Drama• Drawing• Pottery/Sculpture• Visual Composition**• Exploring Life Skills I• Exploring Technology Systems• Computer Keyboarding• Business Computer Tech I**• Exploring Business Technologies**

Concert Chorus• This course provides a variety of singing

opportunities for students. • Audition required! • Year-long!• Vocal techniques and music reading are

emphasized.

Advanced or Jazz Band

• Only 8th graders can take Advanced Band or Jazz Band.

• Pre-requisite = Intermediate Band• Please ask Mr. Hopkins to initial your selection.

If you are not in band this year, you cannot sign up for Advanced Band or

Jazz Band!

Spanish B

• Year-long!• Pre-requisite – Spanish A.• Focus and emphasis on

• Grammar• Listening• Speaking• Reading• Writing• Culture

Students who complete Spanish A and B and

who pass a final exam after Spanish B will

receive a high schoolcredit for Spanish I.

Drama• Semester class• Students develop specific skills that allow

them to study and create characters for the stage.

• Activities include • stage directions• simple set/costume design• prop collection• play production

Art Classes• Drawing

• Semester class• Students are taught drawing techniques using various

media.

• Pottery/Sculpture• Semester class• Students have the opportunity to use a wide variety of

media such as paper, wood, clay, plaster, papier mâché, and/or fabric to create three-dimensional forms.

• Visual Composition• Semester class• Students who have already taken Visual Arts may take

this advanced course with teacher approval.

Exploring Life Skills I

• This course explores life skills essential for teens, now and in the future.

• Units include • Nutrition and wellness • Resource management/budgeting• Sewing skills• Decision-making skills• Relationships• Child care

Exploring Technology Systems

• Introduces students to basic technological principles, processes, and skills such as safety, design and problem solving, team decision making, and information gathering.

• Students explore • sketching• technical drawing• model rocket & bridge building• computer-assisted graphics• computer-aided design• electronic devices

Computer Keyboarding

• General keyboarding instruction • Students learn basic keying skills & word

processing concepts• Students MUST take Computer Keyboarding

before other computer-based electives!

Business Computer Tech I**

• Prerequisite = Keyboarding– Teacher Recommendation Required! (Have your

keyboarding teacher initial your registration sheet!)• Basic computer hardware concepts, computer

ethics, and software applications • Gain experience with

• Word processing• Database• Spreadsheets• Desktop Publishing• Multimedia• Telecommunication applications

Exploring Business Technologies**

• Prerequisite = Keyboarding AND Business Computer Technology I– Teacher Recommendation Required!

• Explore the nature of business • Study careers and computer applications used in

• financial services• information technology• marketing management• entrepreneurship

Registration Sheet

On the front . . .

3. Ask your parent to write comments

as necessary.

2. Review your teachers’

recommendations.

1. Please check to be sure contact information is

correct.

On the back….• In the Upper Right Hand Corner

• Please list electives taken in 6th and 7th grades if you have not already done so!

• Please rank your top 6 choices • 1 = top pick ↓• 6 = lowest pick (you still want your #6, but not as much as #1 – 5)

If you select an elective on your registration sheet, and you get that elective next year, you WILL NOT be allowed to switch!

• You AND your parent/guardian need to sign the registration sheet!

RETURN YOUR REGISTRATION SHEETS, WITH PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE

by Track 1: April 8th

Track 3: April 13th

Track 4: TBA

Now to review . . .

Semester Electives: ______ Drama______ Drawing______ Pottery/Sculpture______ Visual Composition*______ Exploring Life Skills I______ Exploring Tech. Systems______ Computer Keyboarding______ Business Computer Tech. I*______ Exploring Business Tech.*______ ESL IV (Language of Sci. and Soc. Studies-requires

ESL teacher approval)*

* Requires teacher’s initials

***Please note that students who do not demonstrate grade level proficiency on the 7th grade EOG tests may be placed in Reading and/or Math remediation in place of their elective.***

Year-Long Electives: ______ Concert Chorus*______ Advanced Band (Prerequisite:

Intermediate Band)*______ Jazz Band*______ Spanish B*______ Curriculum Assistance (Special Programs class and must be

specified on the student’s IEP)*

* Requires teacher’s initials

Please list electives taken. 6th Grade: ______________________________7th Grade: ______________________________

Name __________________________________

NCWISE ID # ___________ Track _______All eighth graders will take Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Healthful Living. In addition, they will take two semester-long electives or one year-long elective. Refer to the 2010-2011 Middle School Planning Guide (http://www.wcpss.net/curriculum-instruction/docs_downloads/planning-guides/) for a description of electives. Final decisions regarding elective class offerings are subject to change based on student interest and staff availability.Please rank your top 6 elective choices (1-highest through 6-lowest).

Parent signature ______________________ Student signature ______________________Current East Cary students should return completed and signed registration forms to their homeroomteacher by (varies by track).Students who currently attend another middle school may bring their registration form to the New Student Orientation or mail it to: East Cary Middle School Student Services Department

1111 SE Maynard RoadCary, NC 27511

List electives

Rank choices: 1-6

Sign

Return

Middle School Program Planning Guide

• www.wcpss.net

• Type in “Middle School Program Planning Guide”

Questions??