Academic Planning Guide

2022-2023 Middle School Academic Planning Guide

WGMS 6th Grade Elective Course Descriptions
 

Theater Arts – (one semester) Students will learn to communicate in a dramatic form, make artistic choices, solve problems, build positive self concepts, and relate interpersonally in theatrical experiences.

Band – (all year) Beginner band is offered to all 6th graders. You do not have to know anything about music or instruments - this will be taught to you during your first year of band. Students will be taught in like instrument classes (e.g., flute players with only flutes, trumpets with only trumpets, etc.). As the year progresses, all of the classes will combine and play concerts at different locations. There will be no before or after school practice for the first year. Contact Andrea Tenant (972-775-5355 x1561) or Emily Paxton (972-775-5355 x1559).

Choir - (all year) This performance choir will participate in many of the same concerts and competitions as our 7th and 8th grade choirs. In addition to performing, students will be exposed to music history, sight-reading, and part-singing.  Students must tryout with Alison Afshari. Call 972-775-5355 x1558.
 

Other electives:

Health – (one semester) This course explores the advantages and benefits of exercise and proper nutrition which leads to a healthy lifestyle.

Technology Applications – (one semester)  Students will learn digital citizenship, basics of graphic design, website creation, basics of typing, and understanding of multiple web applications and online collaboration.

Robotics - (one semester) Students will learn to create and program robots.  *Application required.

MTA – (all year) Multisensory Teaching Approach (MTA) is offered to students with a diagnosis of dyslexia or other reading disorder. Students who were in MTA in elementary will continue to practice skills in reading, spelling, coding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

Yearbook – (all year) Approximately twelve 6th- 8th grade students are selected by the yearbook coordinator to work on the WGMS Yearbook. Students must complete an application and will be chosen for the class. As part of the photography requirement for this class, students must attend a minimum of two after-school events each six weeks. Applications are due to WGMS in April.
 

Physical Education

All middle school students must take 2 full years of Middle School Physical Education:

Dance – (all year) An introductory class to dance styles and dance techniques. Students will work out and participate in dance daily.  Students are required to purchase a uniform and attend an audition at WGMS. Space in this class is limited. E-mail alison.dodd@misd.gs

PE – (all year) Students will participate in fitness training, physical games and sports, and will learn coordination and overall physical well being. No uniform required.  This is a co-ed class.

Pre-Athletics – (all year) Students will learn the fundamentals of a wide range of sports. Students will be required to dress out daily and participate in a range of physical activities for satisfactory completion of the course. This course is highly recommended for students interested in participating in football, basketball, volleyball, or tennis in the 7th grade. Students must purchase a uniform for $20 and have a physical turned in by the first day of school. Physicals will be available at MHS in the Arena/Cafeteria in May.  Please check the Athletic website for the date physicals will be given. The cost will be $20. Visit the MISD Athletics website for physical forms.
 

WGMS 7th and 8th Grade Course Descriptions
 

Academic Pre-AP Course Guidelines:  

Students will be expected to develop independent study skills. Course content will be more complex with higher-order thinking skills and problem-solving incorporated into the curriculum. Pre-AP courses will require additional home projects.  Students enrolled in Pre-AP and High School credit courses may not have the option for re-testing. The grading policy is as follows: Tests are 60% and daily assignments are 40% of the final average.

7th Grade Reading/Language Arts Pre-AP (All Year) - This course will cover the essential knowledge and skills applicable to English for all 7th grade students. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 6th grade Reading to take Pre-AP 7th grade Reading.

7th Grade Math Pre-AP (All Year) -This is a prerequisite for High School Algebra I. This course covers the objectives applicable to math for all 7th grade students as well as 8th grade math objectives, which will enable students to be successful in Algebra I and on future standardized tests. This course will move at a more rapid pace than regular 7th grade math to allow for the time to cover the 8th grade objectives. Student must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 6th grade Math to take Pre-AP 7th grade Math.

7th Grade Science Pre-AP (All Year) -This course will cover the essential knowledge and skills applicable to science for all 7th grade students. This course will go into great depth studying life science, earth science, chemistry and physics. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 6th grade Science to take Pre-AP 7th grade Science.

7th Grade Texas History Pre-AP (All Year) - This course will cover the essential knowledge and skills applicable to social studies for all 7th grade students. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 6th grade Social Studies to take Pre-AP 7th grade Social Studies.

8th Grade Reading/Language Arts Pre-AP (All Year) – This course is a continuation of the skills and concepts covered in Pre-AP 7th grade Reading/Language Arts. Students will continue to develop writing skills while giving further attention to literature and vocabulary development. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 7th grade Reading to take 8th grade Pre-AP Reading.

8th Grade Pre-AP Math  (All Year) - This course covers the objectives applicable to math for all 8th grade students as well as an introduction to Algebra objectives, which will enable students to be successful in Algebra I and on future standardized tests.  This course will move at a more rapid pace than regular 8th grade math to allow for time to cover Algebra objectives. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 7th grade Math to take Pre-AP 8th grade Math

*High School Algebra (All Year) - This course establishes the foundation for high school mathematics. Students will study integers, rational numbers, and operations with polynomials, linear and quadratic equations as well as their graphs. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have taken and passed 7th grade Pre-AP Math to take High School Algebra.  Algebra I credit will be affected by performance on the EOC test per district policy.

8th Grade Science Pre-AP (All Year) - This course is a continuation of the 7th grade science Pre-AP course with increased emphasis on collecting and analyzing data in order to draw logical conclusions. Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 7th grade Science to take 8th grade Pre-AP Science.

8th Grade U.S. History Pre-AP (All Year) - This course is a continuation of 7th grade Social Studies Pre-AP with increased emphasis on analyzing data in order to draw logical conclusions.  Students must meet the following criteria: Must have passed 7th grade Social Studies to take 8th grade Pre-AP Social Studies.
 

Electives:

Art I – (One Semester) Students will learn the basic Elements and Principles of Art, as well as art history, and will cover a multitude of different mediums of art.

Careers – (One Semester) Students will explore the professional skills needed for college and career success (including completing applications, writing resumes, and interviewing) and will research pathways of interest within career clusters.  Students will also study personal financial management.

Health – (One Semester) This course explores the advantages and benefits of exercise and proper nutrition which leads to a healthy lifestyle. More in depth studies than 6th grade health studies.

Outdoor Education - (One semester) An innovative and exciting co-ed, local elective

class. Students are taught lifelong skills and activities including: Hunter Education, Fishing, Archery, Boater Education, Orienteering, Survival Skills, First Aid/CPR, Trip Planning, Tackle Crafts, Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Outdoor Cooking, and Wildlife Conservation.  The Outdoor Education curriculum is partnered with programs such as: Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation, Dallas Ecological Foundation, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and National Archery in School Program. **Requires application and teacher approval**

Robotics - (Semester) Students will learn to create and program robots. **Requires application and teacher approval**

Spanish Middle School – (One Semester) - This course introduces students to conversational Spanish with emphasis on listening, speaking, and cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries with more in depth studies.

Technology Applications – (One Semester) Students will learn digital citizenship, basics of graphic design, website creation, basics of typing, understanding of multiple web applications, and online collaboration.

Theater Arts – (One Semester) Students will learn to communicate in a dramatic form, make artistic choices, solve problems, build positive self-concepts, and relate inter-personally, in theatrical experiences.

Band – (All Year) The band program usually begins in 6th grade, but a 7th or 8th grader can also be in beginner band. Anyone interested can choose an instrument upon director approval. These classes meet daily and focus on the basic skills needed to learn an instrument. After one year of basic knowledge the classes combine to make a band class where they will perform many concerts and contests throughout the year.  Courses include Symphonic & Honor Band. *Tryout class*

Cat News – (All Year) Students must have computer experience. This class produces the video news that students watch daily in their 4th period class. As part of the video requirement for this class, students must attend a minimum of two after school events each six weeks. *Tryout class*

Choir – (All Year) Select Choir, Treble Choir and Tenor Choir. All groups perform concerts throughout the year and compete at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition. *Tryout class*

Student Council - (All Year) This course provides opportunities to study, practice and develop group and individual leadership and organizational skills. These skills include decision-making skills, problem-solving techniques, communication skills, leadership roles, human relation skills and understanding the need for civic responsibility. Students enrolled in the course will apply these skills in dealing with peers, school administration and the community. The teacher's manual demonstrates a hands-on, active learning approach to leadership. This course is customized to meet the needs of Student Council.  Applications are due to WGMS in April.

Theater Production – (All Year) Students will learn how to create stage productions through design and acting. Previous theater class or experience is required as well as Mrs. McGee’s approval. *Tryout class*

Yearbook – (All Year) Approximately twelve 6th-8th grade students are selected by the yearbook coordinator to work on the WGMS Yearbook. As part of the photography requirement for this class, students must attend a minimum of two after-school events each six weeks. *Tryout class*

Physical Education Classes

7th graders are required to take a physical education class and any 8th grader that takes a physical education class may receive up to one credit of High School PE if all middle school requirements are met (Exception: Cheerleading is 0.5 credit of High School PE).

7th & *8th Grade Girls Athletics – (All Year) – Classes are UIL team competitions in Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Track and Field, Soccer, Wrestling, and Golf. Students must have a current physical on file each year, must tryout for at least two sports, and participate in one or more sports in the fall semester for satisfactory completion of the course. (Recommend to try out for all sports.)

7th & *8th Grade Boys Athletics – (All Year) Classes are UIL team competitions in Football, Cross Country, Basketball, Track and Field, Soccer, Wrestling, and Golf. Students must have a current physical on file each year,  must tryout for at least two sports, and participate in one or more sports in the fall semester for satisfactory completion of the course. (Recommend to try out for all sports.)

7th & *8th Coed Tennis Athletics – (All Year) Students are taught the basics of tennis with conditioning exercises to prepare students to play high school tennis for competition. Students must have a completed physical on file each year.

7th & *8th Grade Girls or Boys PE – (All Year) Basic physical education class in which students must dress out and condition themselves on a daily basis.

7th & *8th Wildcat Dancers – (All Year) Open to 7th & 8th graders, even if they were not enrolled in 6th grade dance.  This is an audition class and requires participation at games, pep rallies and special events. There are uniform and summer camp requirements for this class. *Tryout class*

7th & *8th Cheerleading – (All Year) Open to 7th & 8th graders. Must have attended mandatory parent meeting. This class requires participation at games, pep rallies, and special events. There are also summer camp and uniform purchase requirements. *Tryout class*

 8th grade student only Electives:

*High School Spanish – (All Year) This class will count as Spanish 1 for High School credit and students must stay in the class all year. This class will be very rigorous and have daily homework as well as follow the high school curriculum. Students must meet the following criteria: Student must pass the 7th grade Reading STAAR test.  

CBI Peer Coach  - (All Year) Students assist CBI teacher and aides during CBI classes. *Must apply with Mr. Manwaren.*

Library Aide – (All Year) Students assist librarian by shelving and checking books in and out. *Must apply with Mrs. Autry. *

Office Aide – (All Year) Students assist the front office with various duties. *Must apply with someone in the front office.*

Teacher Aide  - (All Year) Students assist a teacher with classroom needs and errands. *Must apply with individual teachers.*