Selecting Courses for 9Selecting Courses for 9thth Grade & Choosing ElectivesGrade & Choosing Electives Begin with the end in

mind:

•Which college do you want to attend?

•What do you want to study?

•What are your career goals?

ScheduleSchedule

• 2 semesters2 semesters

• 7 classes—Choose classes with 7 classes—Choose classes with your future in mindyour future in mind

• Approximately 47 minutesApproximately 47 minutes

• Some classes change at the Some classes change at the semester (i.e., Health, semester (i.e., Health, Communication Applications, Communication Applications, etc.)etc.)

ScheduleSchedule

• Semester 1 schedule will look Semester 1 schedule will look different from Sem 2 scheduledifferent from Sem 2 schedule

• Lunches – 3 lunch shifts (either Lunches – 3 lunch shifts (either period 4, 5, or 6) – no such thing as a period 4, 5, or 6) – no such thing as a “freshmen” lunch – all grade levels “freshmen” lunch – all grade levels on all lunch periods – we do not take on all lunch periods – we do not take requests for lunch changesrequests for lunch changes

A Quick, Important Definition:

Credit:

A credit is what you receive when you pass a full year of one subject.

Passing one semester (or half a year) will earn you a ½ credit.

Example: English I = 1 credit

Comm Apps. = 0.5 credit

You need a total of 26 credits over 4 years.

6 credits = Sophomore

13 credits = Junior

19 credits = Senior

**You retake only the courses you fail.***It takes 26 credits to graduate and you can only earn 28 credits in your four years at BNHS!!

Every Class CountsEvery Class Counts

Graduation Requirements:

• 4 years of each core subject (4 x 4)-more core classes translates to fewer electives, so more thorough planningis important

Recommended Distinguished

English (I, II, III, IV)

4 Credits 4 Credits

Mathematics

4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry,

Algebra II + 1 other)

4 Credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II + 1 other)

Science4 Credits

(Biology, Chemistry, Physics + 1 other)

4 Credits (Biology, Chemistry,

Physics + 1 other)

Social Studies

3 ½ Credits (W. Geography, W.

History, US History,

Government)

3 ½ Credits (W. Geography, W. History, US History,

Government))

Economics 1/2 Credit 1/2 Credit

Physical Education

1 Credit 1 Credit

Other Language2 Credits (same

language)

3 Credits (same language); Other

measures are necessary to graduate on this plan.

See following slide.

Fine Arts1 Credit (same

course)1 Credit (same course)

Communication Applications

1/2 Credit 1/2 Credit

Total Core Subjects

20 ½ Credits 21 ½ Credits

General Electives

5 ½ Credits 4 ½ Credits

Total Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits

**Plus meet Level III Performance Standard on Eng 3 and Alg 2 STAAR/EOC

STAAR/EOC TESTSSTAAR/EOC TESTS

• Must take these tests to graduateMust take these tests to graduate

• English 1 – ReadingEnglish 1 – Reading

• English 1 – WritingEnglish 1 – Writing

• English 2 – Reading English 2 – Reading

• English 2 – WritingEnglish 2 – Writing

• English 3 – Reading English 3 – Reading

• English 3 – WritingEnglish 3 – Writing

• Grand Total = 11,700 (determined by Grand Total = 11,700 (determined by TEA)TEA)

STAAR/EOC TESTSSTAAR/EOC TESTS

• Math – Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2Math – Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2• Grand Total = (Phase-in 2) 11,250 (determined by TEA)Grand Total = (Phase-in 2) 11,250 (determined by TEA)

(Phase-in 1) 10,500 (Phase-in 1) 10,500

• Science – Biology, Chemistry, PhysicsScience – Biology, Chemistry, Physics• Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA)Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA)

• Social Studies – Wld Geog, Wld Hist, Social Studies – Wld Geog, Wld Hist, US HistoryUS History

• Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA)Grand Total = 11,250 (determined by TEA)

The GPA Game!

What are the rules???

How do you play to win???

Weighted Weighted GPAGPA•Calculated on a weighted scaleCalculated on a weighted scale

•Used to determine CLASS RANKUsed to determine CLASS RANK

•Based on semester grades in: Based on semester grades in:

1) 1) core subjects, core subjects,

2) 2) world languages, and world languages, and

3) 3) any elective under core any elective under core subject areas (for example: AP subject areas (for example: AP Human Geography is a Social Human Geography is a Social Studies elective) Studies elective)

Weighted GPAWeighted GPA

• Appears on official high school Appears on official high school transcripttranscript

• Regular courses = up to 5 pointsRegular courses = up to 5 points

• Pre-AP = up to 6 pointsPre-AP = up to 6 points

• Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 Advanced Placement (AP) = up to 7 pointspoints

Unweighted GPAUnweighted GPA

• Calculated on a 4.0 scaleCalculated on a 4.0 scale

• Required on all college applicationsRequired on all college applications

• Based on semester grades in Based on semester grades in ALLALL courses attemptedcourses attempted

• Appears on official high school Appears on official high school transcripttranscript

PreAP? What are PreAP? What are the Benefitsthe Benefits

• Better preparation for collegeBetter preparation for college• College entranceCollege entrance• Better preparation for SAT/ACTBetter preparation for SAT/ACT• Scholarship opportunitiesScholarship opportunities• Preparation for AP classes - Preparation for AP classes -

can help you earn college can help you earn college creditscredits

Discuss this option with your Discuss this option with your parents and teachers.parents and teachers.

English: PreAP, GT, or Regular English

Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, PreAP Algebra I, or PreAP Geometry

Social Studies: PreAP, GT, or Regular World Geography

Science: PreAP or Regular Biology

Freshman Core Classes

World Language: 2 credits

PE: 1 credit (2 semesters)

Fine Arts: 1 credit

Communication Applications: ½ credit

Required Credits Needed for All Graduation Plans:

Recommended Plan = 2 credits Distinguished Plan = 3 years

Spanish

German French

Other Languages Other Languages * $* $$, online$, online

Chinese*

AthleticsAthletics• FootballFootball• WrestlingWrestling• BasketballBasketball• VolleyballVolleyball• Swimming/DivingSwimming/Diving• SoccerSoccer• Cross Country/TrackCross Country/Track• Baseball/SoftballBaseball/Softball• Golf Golf (will (will notnot appear on your schedule until appear on your schedule until

you make the team)you make the team)

• TennisTennis

If you play more than one sport, If you play more than one sport, select the sport that occurs first in select the sport that occurs first in the school year.the school year.

AthleticsAthletics

• Coach Polk will host parent meetings Coach Polk will host parent meetings at both Tidwell and Medlin in the at both Tidwell and Medlin in the Spring.Spring.

• Coach Polk will send out Coach Polk will send out informational letter to all incoming informational letter to all incoming 99thth graders this summer. graders this summer.

PE Options for the Non-PE Options for the Non-AthleteAthlete

• Dance 1Dance 1

• Aerobic FitnessAerobic Fitness

• Individual SportsIndividual Sports

• Team SportsTeam Sports

• Outdoor EducationOutdoor Education

• Foundations of PE (weights)Foundations of PE (weights)

• Band (fall semester)Band (fall semester)

PE CreditPE Credit• Cheer info at Cheer info at

www.bobcatcheerleading.com or or contact Sarah Chamberscontact Sarah Chambers

• Drill Team – Drill Team – www.bobcatdazzlers.com or contact Natalie Eddlemanor contact Natalie Eddleman

• Color Guard – Parent Meeting May Color Guard – Parent Meeting May 30; pick up flyer tonight after this 30; pick up flyer tonight after this meetingmeeting

• Athletic Trainer – appl on BNHS Athletic Trainer – appl on BNHS website under “Doug Barnes”; website under “Doug Barnes”; submit to ms counselorsubmit to ms counselor

Fine ArtsArtDance (also counts as PE!)Band (receives 0.5 PE credit)ChoirOrchestraTheatre Arts IFloral Design (10th-12th)AP Art History (10th-12th)AP Music Theory

•# = Pre-requisite (required criteria # = Pre-requisite (required criteria necessary for certain courses, i.e., necessary for certain courses, i.e., Art I is required for Art II)Art I is required for Art II)

•* = Teacher approval (i.e., band, * = Teacher approval (i.e., band, upper level courses, etc.)upper level courses, etc.)

• = One semester course (i.e., = One semester course (i.e., Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, Comm. Apps., Health, PE courses, etc.)etc.)

9th Grade Course Request Form

The 8 alternate classes are classes

you pick in case one is unavailable.

They are very important—choose them carefully, too.

Academies

Chef DeShazo

Ms. Sommerhauser

High School Course Selection Guide 2013-2014

http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/42134

-Go to NISD web page-Click on “Information”-Click on “High School Course Selection Guide”

Getting Involved!Getting Involved!

Clubs and OrganizationsClubs and Organizations

Tammy McClureTammy McClure