alvin junior high

24 Pages·2015·0.82 MB·English

Alvin Independent School District

Course Guide
Junior High (6-8)

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Alvin ISD
Junior High Schools

Alvin Junior High School
281-245-2770
2300 South Street
Alvin, TX 77511

Fairview Junior High School
281-245-3100
2600 CR 190

Alvin, TX 77511

Harby Junior High School
281-585-6626
1500 Heights Road

Alvin, TX 77511

Manvel Junior High School
281-388-1130
7302 McCoy
Manvel, TX 77578

Nolan Ryan Junior High School
281-245-3210
15000 Shadow Creek Parkway
Pearland, TX 77584

Rodeo Palms Junior High School
281-245-2078

101 Palm Desert Drive
General Information
Manvel, TX 77578

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General Information

The Student/Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct is located on the Alvin ISD website. Updates to this document will be provided
on the first day of school. It includes information about district procedures, district services, student dress code, behavioral
expectations, and student consequences for rule violations.
Class Information
Required classes are offered in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Fine Arts.
The Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) program is offered in the core courses, and it is designed to stimulate and challenge students to
perform at an advanced academic level. Junior high Pre-AP courses are great preparation for the Dual Credit and Advanced Placement
(AP) courses that are offered at the high school campuses.
Students who register for Pre-AP courses need to carefully consider the demands of these classes and their personal schedules outside
of school. Please carefully review the expectations located in the Pre-AP Contract on page 13.
On selected campuses, students who do not pass STAAR assessments may be placed in a STAAR intervention class.

Course Requirements

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

1 language arts 1 language arts 1 language arts
1 math 1 math 1 math
1 science 1 science 1 science
1 social studies 1 social studies 1 social studies
1 physical education/wellness 1 physical education OR 3 electives
1 elective wellness/athletics
*1 advisory or AVID 2 electives
*requirement varies by campus

8th graders please note: specific electives may be counted as a high school level course. These courses will be
marked as ***HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT in the course guide. Please be aware that your grade in a high school
credit course will count toward your high school grade point average (GPA). If you have questions please
contact your campus counselor.

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COURSE SELECTION CARD INSTRUCTIONS

1. Complete your course selection card using a pencil.
2. PRINT NEATLY your name, student ID#, Parent Name, and Parent Phone/Email in the TOP RIGHT
CORNER of the course card.
3. In the TOP LEFT corner, print your CURRENT SCHOOL in the blank.
4. LANGUAGE ARTS: Check one course in the box. Be sure to ask for your teacher’s initials for
recommendation if you are requesting to take the Pre-AP level. Ask your teacher if you are unsure of the
appropriate course. Be aware that Pre-AP language arts requires a summer reading assignment that must
be completed prior to the first day of school.
5. MATH: Check Math in the box*.
*Placement in 6th grade Math Pre-AP will be based on recommendation.
*Placement in 7th grade Math Pre-AP and 8th grade Algebra I will be based on recommendation.
6. SCIENCE: Check one course in the box. Be sure to ask for your teacher’s initials for recommendation
if you are requesting to take the Pre-AP level. Ask your teacher if you are unsure of the appropriate
course.
7. SOCIAL STUDIES: Check one course in the box. Be sure to ask for your teacher’s initials for
recommendation if you are requesting to take the Pre-AP level. Ask your teacher if you are unsure of the
appropriate course.

An asterisk (*) indicates that a teacher’s initials are required to recommend you for the course. Without
those initials, you will NOT be placed in that class. Teachers will consider your grades, work habits,
conduct, test scores, etc., and are NOT required to sign your card!

8. PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Check one course in the box. All students will be placed in the required
P.E./Wellness class.
9. ELECTIVE CHOICES: Choose four (6th & 7th grade) and six (8th grade) electives and list them in
RANK order of importance to you with number one (#1) representing your first choice and number
four (#4) or six (#6) representing your last choice. (Although every effort will be made to give you
your first preferences, substitutions may be necessary.)
10. Sign the student signature blank and write the date.
11. Have your parent or guardian sign and date the card, too.
12. Give your completed course selection card to your teacher by the deadline! If you do not complete a
card, we will choose your electives for you.
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Language Arts
1600 LANGUAGE ARTS 6

In this course, students will focus on strengthening their academic skills in listening and speaking, reading, spelling, grammar and
writing. Students will develop English proficiency in writing compositions that demonstrate competency in word identification,
vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, literary concepts, and grammar. By the end of their sixth-grade year, students will have explored
literary topics involving “Family Traditions,” “Other Cultures,” the “World of Fantasy, Fables, and Fairytales,” and “Technology and
the Changing World.”

1630 LANGUAGE ARTS 6 PRE-AP
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation
Required: Summer reading assignment
Students who are interested in taking this course must demonstrate willingness, as well as the ability, to meet the academic challenges.
Students will be required to use the higher level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to demonstrate understanding of
content. Language Arts Pre-AP 6 is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement courses in high school.
Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A research
project is required. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

1640 MAP HUMANITIES LANGUAGE ARTS 6 (Available on selected campuses)
Pre-requisite: MAP Selection
Required: Summer reading assignment
MAP Humanities is an interdisciplinary program designed to integrate the curriculum of sixth-grade language arts and sixth-grade
social studies. Students will be required to use the higher level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to demonstrate
understanding of content. MAP Humanities 6 is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement courses in high
school. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student
is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course. ONLY students who are selected for MAP Humanities may participate
in this class.
Placement will be dependent upon a district assessment based on analysis of student data. Analysis will include test data, grades, and
teacher report. Grades in these classes are based on student performance. If a student is not successful in MAP, he/she may be moved
to other classes.

1700 LANGUAGE ARTS 7
In Language Arts 7, students are expected to integrate skills from the previous grades to improve their reading, writing and speaking
abilities. Reading and English concepts are taught through an integrated curriculum which stresses basic reading and STAAR skills, as
well as the elements of usage, mechanics, and sentence structure. Written and oral communication is an integral part of this
curriculum. Word processing is taught to the students to enhance the quality of their written work and to further advance their
knowledge of this essential technology. Students are expected to prepare at least one major paper on the computer. To enhance their
oral communication skills, students are required to present at least one major project to their peers.

1730 LANGUAGE ARTS PRE-AP 7
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation
Required: Summer reading assignment
This course stresses Advanced Placement concepts and strategies concerning writing, grammar and analytical skills. Questioning
strategies are taught to stimulate thinking about a piece of literature and to lead students into analyzing literature carefully and
intelligently. Students who are interested in taking this course must demonstrate willingness, as well as the ability, to meet the
academic challenges. Pre-AP is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement courses in high school. Students
and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A research project is
required. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.
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1740 MAP HUMANITIES LANGUAGE ARTS 7 (Available on selected campuses)
Pre-requisite: 1640 MAP HUMANITIES LANGUAGE ARTS 6
Note: Summer reading assignment

MAP Humanities is an interdisciplinary program designed to integrate the curriculum of seventh-grade language arts and seventh-
grade social studies. Students will be required to use the higher level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to
demonstrate understanding of content. MAP Humanities 7 is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement
courses in high school. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course
requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course. ONLY students who are selected for MAP
Humanities may participate in this class.

Placement will be dependent upon a district assessment based on analysis of student data. Analysis will include test data, grades, and
teacher report. Grades in these classes are based on student performance. If a student is not successful in MAP, he/she may be moved
to other classes.

1800 LANGUAGE ARTS 8

In Language Arts 8, students are expected to integrate skills from the previous grades to improve their reading, writing, and speaking
abilities. Literature and interpretive reading skills are used to develop writing and speaking skills. Proofreading skills for mechanics,
usage, and sentence structure are extended. The computer is used continually in the writing process. By the end of the eighth-grade
year, the student should be able to demonstrate comprehensive English proficiency skills in usage, mechanics, and sentence structure,
research a given topic, interpret literature, and write in various modes using word processing skills on the computer.

1830 LANGUAGE ARTS PRE-AP 8
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation
Required: Summer reading assignment
This course stresses Advanced Placement concepts and strategies concerning writing, grammar, and analytical skills. Questioning
strategies are taught to stimulate thinking about a piece of literature and to lead students into analyzing literature carefully and
intelligently. A research project is required. Students who are interested in taking this course must demonstrate willingness as well as
the ability to meet the academic challenges. Pre-AP is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement courses in
high school. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A
student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

Mathematics

2600 MATH 6

In this course, students will develop proficiency in whole numbers and patterns, understanding decimals, number theory, fraction
operations, adding and subtracting fractions. The concepts of proportional relationships, percents, probability, geometric relationships,
patterns, variables, and expressions will be introduced. By the end of their sixth-grade year, students will have developed academic
skills in collecting and displaying data and geometric measurement.

2630 MATH PRE-AP 6
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation

In this course, students will develop proficiency in whole numbers and patterns, understanding decimals, number theory, fraction
operations, adding and subtracting fractions. The concepts of proportional relationships, percents, probability, geometric relationships,
patterns, variables, and expressions will be introduced. Students will use the higher-level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and
evaluation to demonstrate understanding of the content. By the end of their sixth-grade year, students will have developed academic
skills in collecting and displaying data and geometric measurement. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their
willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

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2640 MATH MAP 6 (Available on selected campuses)
Pre-requisite: MAP Selection, summer assignment is required
Math MAP 6 is an accelerated, fast-paced course designed to prepare mathematically strong students for Algebra I in the seventh
grade. It covers all the regular seventh- and eighth-grade math curricula including STAAR preparation and an emphasis on critical
thinking and problem solving. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course
requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course. ONLY students who are selected for MAP
math and science may participate in this class.
Placement will be dependent upon a district assessment based on analysis of student data. Analysis will include test data, grades, and
teacher report. Grades in these classes are based on student performance. If a student is not successful in MAP, he/she may be moved
to other classes.
If a student takes high school mathematics courses at the junior high level, he/she will be required to complete an additional three
credits of mathematics at the high school level.

2700 MATH 7
This course includes major units on fractions and geometry along with other units on percentages and their applications, probability,
statistics, and equations. Problem solving and critical thinking are emphasized throughout the year. Another major component of the
math curriculum is preparation for the STAAR test. Test-taking strategies and skills are emphasized throughout the year. Units are
presented with a hands-on approach.

2730 MATH PAP 7 (Pre-Algebra)
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation & Matrix, summer assignment is required

This course is an accelerated, fast-paced course designed to prepare the mathematically strong student for Algebra I in the eighth
grade. It covers all the seventh and eighth grade math curricula and an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving. Students
and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student is required to
maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.
If a student takes a high school mathematics course at the junior high level, he/she will be required to complete an additional three
credits of mathematics at the high school level (Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus).
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2800 MATH 8
Pre-Algebra reinforces and expands upon math skills taught in seventh grade. Emphasis is placed on proficiency with fractions,
integers, ratio, proportion, and percent. Sophisticated numeric and geometric concepts, such as the laws of exponents, scientific
notations, and the Pythagorean Theorem are introduced. Manipulatives are used to promote an understanding of patterns and the use
of algebra to generalize patterns. Students graph simple linear equations along the coordinate plane to demonstrate the true connection
between algebra and geometry.

2830 MATH PAP 8
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation & Matrix

Pre-Algebra Pre-AP reinforces and expands upon math skills taught in seventh grade Pre-AP math. Emphasis is placed on proficiency
with fractions, integers, ratio, proportion, and percent. Manipulatives are used to promote an understanding of patterns and the use of
algebra to generalize patterns. Students graph simple linear equations along the coordinate plane to demonstrate the true connection
between algebra and geometry. This course includes extensions from 7th grade Pre-AP learnings.

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2060 ALGEBRA I PAP*** Grade 7 (MAP students on selected campuses) or Grade 8 (eligible students)
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation
Credit: 1 year/1 high school math credit

Algebraic concepts and skills covered include properties of real numbers, linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables,
operations with polynomials, and solving and graphing quadratic equations. Graphing calculators are used throughout the year as an
aid in promoting the understanding of the connections between algebra and geometry. To take this course, students must have
successfully completed Pre-Algebra as seventh graders. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to
comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. Students who successfully complete this course will receive one credit toward fulfilling
the math requirement for high school graduation. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

Placement will be dependent upon a campus recommendation based on analysis of student data. If a student takes a high school
mathematics course at the junior high level, he/she will be required to complete an additional three credits of mathematics at the
high school level.

0221 GEOMETRY*** Grade 8 (Available on selected campuses – MAP)
Pre-requisite: Algebra I, Campus Recommendation
Credit: 1 year/1 high school math credit

This course is the study of geometric relationships through analytical and logical thinking. Exploration and questioning methods allow
students to discover geometric relationships and apply them in problem solving and real-world situations. The essential knowledge
and skills mandated by the TEKS form the basis of this course. An overview of formal proofs and multiple hands-on projects will be
included. To take this course, students must have successfully completed Algebra I as seventh graders. Students who successfully
complete this course based upon grades earned and attendance will receive one credit toward fulfilling the math requirement for high
school graduation. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course
requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

Placement will be dependent upon a campus recommendation based on analysis of student data. If a student takes high school
mathematics courses at the junior high level, he/she will be required to complete an additional three credits of mathematics at the
high school level.

Social Studies

4600 SOCIAL STUDIES 6 (World Cultures)

In this course, students will explore the geography, history, culture, government, and economy of the United States, Canada, South
America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Realm. Students will discover the important influence of economics, government,
geography, history, society and culture on a country. A survey of the world’s geography and patterns of life including population and
settlement, currencies, and societies will also be introduced.

4630 SOCIAL STUDIES PRE-AP 6 (World Cultures)
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation

In this course, students will explore the geography, history, culture, government, and economy of the United States, Canada, South
America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Realm. Students will discover the important influence of economics, government,
geography, history, society and culture on a country. A survey of the world’s geography and patterns of life including population and
settlement, currencies, and societies will also be introduced. Students will be required to use the higher-level thinking skills of analysis,
synthesis and evaluation to demonstrate an understanding of the content. Outside readings and written position papers are required
tasks of this course. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course
requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

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4640 MAP HUMANITIES SOCIAL STUDIES 6 (Available on selected campuses)
Pre-requisite: MAP Selection
Note: Summer reading is required.

MAP Humanities is an interdisciplinary program designed to integrate the curriculum of sixth-grade language arts and sixth-grade
social studies. Students will be required to use the higher level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to demonstrate
understanding of content. MAP Humanities 6 is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement courses in high
school. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student
is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course. ONLY students who are selected for MAP Humanities may participate
in this class.

Placement will be dependent upon a district assessment based on analysis of student data. Analysis will include test data, grades, and
teacher report. Grades in these classes are based on student performance. If a student is not successful in MAP, he/she may be moved
to other classes.

4700 SOCIAL STUDIES 7 (Texas History)
This seventh-grade course examines the full scope of Texas history prior to European exploration and the eras of mission building,
colonization, revolution, republic, and statehood. The focus in each era is on key individuals, events and issues, and their impact.
Students will use geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data in the study of Texas geography. Students will be introduced
to the rights and responsibilities of Texas citizens. The course also focuses on the structure and functions of government created by the
Texas constitution.

4730 SOCIAL STUDIES PRE-AP 7 (Texas History)
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation
This course will examine the full scope of Texas history as previously described. Students will use primary and secondary sources to
examine the rich and diverse cultural background of Texas. They will identify the different racial and ethnic groups that settled in
Texas to build a republic and then a state. This course also requires students to use the higher-level thinking skills of analysis,
synthesis and evaluation to demonstrate an understanding of the content. Outside readings and written position papers are required.
Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student is
required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

4740 MAP HUMANITIES SOCIAL STUDIES 7 (Available on selected campuses)
Pre-requisite: 4640 MAP HUMANITIES SOCIAL STUDIES 6
Note: Summer reading is required.

MAP Humanities is an interdisciplinary program designed to integrate the curriculum of seventh-grade language arts and seventh-
grade social studies. Students will be required to use the higher level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to
demonstrate understanding of content. MAP Humanities 7 is designed to prepare self-motivated students for Advanced Placement
courses in high school. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course
requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course. ONLY students who are selected for MAP
Humanities may participate in this class.

Placement will be dependent upon a district assessment based on analysis of student data. Analysis will include test data, grades, and
teacher report. Grades in these classes are based on student performance. If a student is not successful in MAP, he/she may be moved
to other classes.

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4800 SOCIAL STUDIES 8 (American History)

This eighth grade course offers a survey of U. S. geography, Native-American cultures, exploration, migration, and patterns of
settlement through 1865. The historical journey begins with the path leading to the American Revolution, the establishment of the U.
S. Constitution, the Jacksonian Era, westward expansion, slavery, and the Civil War. The course will also focus on social, cultural,
economic, and political developments in the United States during this time period.

4830 SOCIAL STUDIES PRE-AP 8 (American History)
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation
This eighth grade course offers the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. Historical
content focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to the colonial and revolutionary eras, the creation and
ratification of the U. S. Constitution, challenges of the early Republic, westward expansion, sectionalism, Civil War, and
Reconstruction. Students will be required to use higher-level thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to demonstrate
understanding of the content. Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course
requirements. A student is required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course.

Science
3600 SCIENCE 6

In this course, students will explore the following topics: scientific method, measurement, lab safety, matter, force and motion, energy,
life systems, genetics, living organisms, animal behavior, rocks, minerals, forces shaping the earth, weathering, erosion, groundwater
resources, the atmosphere in motion, space technology, and the solar system. By the end of their sixth-grade year, students will have
further developed their academic skills in lab safety, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, scientific problem solving, and using tools to
conduct scientific inquiry.

3630 SCIENCE PRE-AP 6
Pre-requisite: Campus Recommendation

In this course, students will explore the following topics: scientific method, measurement, lab safety, matter, force and motion, energy,
life systems, genetics, living organisms, animal behavior, rocks, minerals, forces shaping the earth, weathering, erosion, groundwater
resources, the atmosphere in motion, space technology, and the solar system. By the end of their sixth-grade year, students will have
further developed their academic skills in lab safety, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, scientific problem solving, and using tools to
conduct scientific inquiry. Science Pre-AP 6 prepares students for advanced high school sciences. They will be required to use the
higher-level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to demonstrate understanding of the content Students and parents
must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student is required to maintain a
70 average to remain in this course. Participation in an outside science enrichment project is optional.

3630 SCIENCE MAP 6 (Available on selected campuses)
Pre-requisite: MAP Program Selection

Students in Science MAP 6 will study sixth- and eighth-grade strands of curricula. The course offers hands-on experiences in the areas
of biology, chemistry, physics, ecology and earth science. A strong emphasis on technology is utilized to analyze and present material.
Students and parents must sign a contract indicating their willingness to comply with all Pre-AP course requirements. A student is
required to maintain a 70 average to remain in this course. ONLY students who are selected for MAP math and science may
participate in this class. Participation in an outside science enrichment project is optional.

Placement will be dependent upon a district assessment based on analysis of student data. Analysis will include test data, grades,
portfolio assessment, and teacher report. Grades in these classes are based on student performance. If a student is not successful
in MAP, he/she may be moved to other classes.

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