1 2017 – 2018 7th & 8th GRADE GENERAL INFORMATION Ms. KierkiewiczMs. Cockrell Mrs. Brooks Principal Mr. Barcelona Mrs. Felix Assistant Principals Counselors
2 INSPIRE, EMPOWER, and PURSUE a Passion for Personal SuccessVISION INSPIRE, EMPOWER, and PURSUE a Passion for Personal Success MISSION BMJH is committed to providing: A safe and nurturing environment An awareness, acceptance, and celebration of diversity Rich, differentiated, and authentic learning experiences Flourishing and competitive fine arts and athletic programs Opportunities to make connections and explore personal interests Service-oriented activities to support our local and global community A focus on continuous improvement
3 A DAY AT BERRY MILLER JUNIOR HIGH…Our day BEGINS at 8:35 am And ENDS at 3:45 pm *Front doors open at 7:45am* *Tutorials begin at 8:00am
4 BERRY MILLER JH LIFE… EXPECT7 classes each day – 45 to 50 minutes 4 minute passing periods 30 minute lunch Advisory (20 minutes) – During 4th period Tutorials before and after school based on teacher Study hall & Computer labs available every morning Competitive sports Before and after school clubs Leal Overview of the school day Passing periods / Tardy policy overview Lunch – 2 lunches, 7th grade lunch and 8th grade lunch Advisory – 3 times a week this year After school clubs – Student Council, Environmental Club, Math Club, Quiz Bowl, FPS, Art Club Competitive sports – football, volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, tennis, etc… More responsibilities – no conduct cards, Friday Folders, etc….
5 BERRY MILLER JH LIFE… DRESS CODEJeans/ slacks may be worn daily No tight jeans, rips, tears, or holes in jeans Should fit securely at the waist Belts not required No sagging allowed No shorts or capris Shirt Guidelines Solid color shirts Striped shirts must have a collar (stripes one way) One logo any size allowed on shirts School spirit shirts may must be from a Miller/PISD club or activity College/University shirts Shirts may be un-tucked Shirts may not be longer than your fingertips
6 BERRY MILLER JH LIFE… DRESS CODE (Continued)Jackets Must be solid in color and have only one logo Sweatshirts/Hoodies College spirit or Miller/PISD club or activity sweatshirts/hoodies may be worn daily Other sweatshirts/hoodies must be solid color with no writing except one logo No flip flops – all shoes must have a back strap Purses – allowed all day but no bigger than the size of a Kleenex box Backpacks – in lockers during school day
7 REQUIRED CLASSES English Math History Science Reading Athletics or PEPE credit full year for grade 7 required
8 CORE CLASS LEVELS Regular Advanced (Math Only)Pre - Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)
9 ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADVANCED OR PAP CLASSESDesigned for independent learners who demonstrate: Motivation Time Management & Organization Positive Attitude Strong Work Ethic
10 PAP is not Content but AP/College SkillsIt is a program that helps students to develop skills that will help them succeed in AP courses and ultimately in college. It is based in skills and logic, not necessarily in content. Teachers select activities and lessons that engage students in the curriculum by challenging them to use AP skills and develop appropriate habits of mind. It is meant to exclude no-one, but instead seeks to offer these skills to all, for all can benefit from them. Pre-AP student success is 90% attitude
11 Are Advanced Courses Right For My Child?Complete the Indicators of Student Success in Advanced Courses sheet This tool may provide guidance to determine if your child has the potential to be successful in an advanced course.
12 ENGLISH 7th & 8th REGULAR ENGLISH PRE-AP ENGLISHStudents will be able to write, revise and edit in different genres with an emphasis on expository and literary writing while also working with fiction, nonfiction, and persuasive works. PRE-AP ENGLISH The Pre-AP curriculum is designed to ensure that students have an enriched program incorporating all content areas into writing, reading, and speech. A significant amount of independent reading and writing will be required in this course
13 READING 7th & 8th REGULAR READING Pre-AP READINGStudents will read numerous genres including, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, media literacy, expository, persuasive and procedural texts. Pre-AP READING This course is designed for students to engage in advanced reading, creative writing, media literacy, and vocabulary enrichment. A significant amount of independent reading will be required in this course
14 TX HISTORY – 7TH GRADE U.S. HISTORY – 8TH GRADEREGULAR HISTORY 7th - Students examine the full scope of Texas history 8th – Students study the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. PRE-AP HISTORY Pre-AP courses are embedded with instructional strategies and materials appropriate for advanced learners. Students are also required to synthesize and evaluate primary and secondary sources.
15 Intro to Algebra Pre-APPearland ISD Math Course Sequencing 2017 – 2018 5 6 7 8 9 Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Pathway A Grade 5 Math Grade 6 Math Grade 7 Math Intro to Algebra Algebra 1 Grade 5 TEKS Grade 5 STAAR Grade 6 TEKS Grade 6 STAAR Grade 7 TEKS Grade 7 STAAR Grade 8 TEKS Grade 8 STAAR Algebra 1 EOC All Learners Pathway B Grade 5 Advanced Math Grade 7 Math Intro to Algebra Algebra 1 Geometry or Pre-AP Algebra 1 EOC Grade 5 and 6 TEKS Grade 5 STAAR Grade 7 TEKS Grade 7 STAAR Grade 8 TEKS Grade 8 STAAR Advanced Learners Pathway C Grade 5 Advanced Math Grade 7 Math Intro to Algebra Pre-AP Algebra 1 Pre-AP Geometry Pre-AP Algebra 1 EOC Grade 5 and 6 TEKS Grade 5 STAAR Grade 7 TEKS Grade 7 STAAR Grade 8 TEKS Grade 8 STAAR Pre-AP / GT Learners
16 7TH GRADE MATH MATH 7 – regular 7th grade math* INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA 7 (Advanced) – this class is the 8th grade curriculum and prepares above average student for Algebra 1 in 8th grade. * PRE-AP INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA 7- this class is the 8th grade curriculum and prepares truly mathematically gifted & talented Student for PAP Algebra 1 in 8th grade. This class will have a more rigorous workload. *See chart for prerequisite courses
17 8TH GRADE MATH Introduction to Algebra 8– regular 8th grade math*Algebra I (Advanced) – this class is the 9th grade curriculum and prepares above average students for Geometry in 9th grade. high school credit *Pre-AP Algebra I – this class is the 9th grade curriculum and prepares truly mathematically gifted & talented students for PAP Geometry in 9th grade and this class will have a more rigorous workload. *See chart for prerequisite courses
18 SCIENCE – 7th Grade REGULAR SCIENCE - much of the content focus is on organisms and the environment. PRE-AP SCIENCE -Through the concept of curriculum compacting, students have the opportunity to master the basics quickly and move on to activities that require higher levels of thinking.
19 SCIENCE – 8th Grade REGULAR SCIENCE - much of the content focus is on Earth and space science. PRE-AP SCIENCE - extension of regular science for students who master concepts at a rapid rate *IPC SCIENCE (Integrated Physics & Chemistry) – high school level course focusing on physics and chemistry with 8th grade concepts embedded into the curriculum (prerequisite --must have successfully completed Intro to Algebra or Intro to Algebra PAP in 7th grade to register for this course) high school credit
20 Typical Advanced Science Progression- High SchoolOnly available in 9th grade if IPC was taken during 8th grade. IPC (8th Grade Only) Pre-Req: Algebra II Pre-AP Biology Pre-AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 Pre-Req: Biology and Chemistry AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics 2 AP Physics C Anatomy & Physiology (5 pts) AP Environmental Science
21 7th GRADE ELECTIVES Band Yearbook Choir Theatre Arts I Mixed ChoirArt I Art II (Prerequisite Art I) Yearbook Theatre Arts I Theatre Arts II (Prerequisite Theatre Arts I) Exploratory Spanish PE or Athletics
22 (prerequisite Theatre Arts I)8th GRADE ELECTIVES Band Yearbook Choir Mixed Choir Theatre Arts I Theatre Arts II (prerequisite Theatre Arts I) Theatre Production (prerequisite Theatre Arts I and teacher approval) Exploratory Spanish Art I Art II / III (prerequisite Art I) Student Aide High School Credit Classes Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications 1 high school credit Foreign Language- Spanish I
23 PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)1 year (2 semesters) of PE is required in 7th grade PE is required for 8th graders who have not fulfilled requirements in 7th grade Athletics fulfills PE requirement Off Campus PE is available for some sports. Application and approval REQUIRED. Applications are available tonight or you can download one from the BMJH website.
24 BOYS AND GIRLS ATHLETICSOnly for those interested in playing volleyball or football Basketball – tryouts in the fall; if you make the team, your schedule will change accordingly Track, Cross Country, Tennis, Soccer – you need not be in athletics to participate All students must have a physical from a doctor on a District PISD Form and district participation fee before tryouts.
25 BAND (7TH AND 8TH) Previous band experience (No Beginner’s band)Audition Required Four levels of band YEAR LONG commitment
26 CHOIR (7TH AND 8TH) COMPETITIVE Boys Choir Girls ChoirCompetitive audition required YEAR LONG commitment MIXED CHOIR Combined boys & girls Non-competitive Semester commitment Students who have not yet auditioned for competitive choir must contact Ms. Peterson the choir director. Simmons
27 YEARBOOK (7TH AND 8TH) Allows students opportunity to work on Miller’s yearbook Develop skills in layout and design & graphics YEAR LONG commitment Application Required
28 ART (7TH AND 8TH) Art I – basics of drawing, print making, painting, craft projects, sculpture, art history and appreciation (7th & 8th grade) Art II – print making, painting, sculpturing, drawing, ceramics, 3D, art appreciation (7th & 8th grade) Art III is offered as a continuation of Art II. (8th grade only) Each level is a semester commitment Simmons
29 Theatre Arts I & II (7th & 8th)Theatre Arts I – will develop imagination, observation & concentration skills while engaging in theater exercises. (improvisation, pantomime, storytelling, characterization, voice, etc.) Theatre Arts II – will deepen their theatrical skills through character development, improvisation, directing, script writing (prerequisite Theatre I) Each level is a semester commitment
30 EXPLORATORY SPANISH Introductory course to the Spanish language, culture, as well as the history and legends of Latin America. Methods of instruction include film, games, art and/or computer utilization. Designed to help prepare students for Spanish I. Semester commitment
31 Theatre Production (8th ONLY)Advanced course for 8th grade students who have a desire to be involved with play productions and compete in the UIL One Act play contest. Audition required to perform in One Act play. Each semester, there will be a performance outside of the school day. Year-long Commitment
32 STUDENT AIDE (8TH ONLY) Allows students the opportunity to experience the day-to-day operations of an administrative office or library. We also have peer buddies for life skills students. Application required Semester Commitment
33 8th GRADE ELECTIVES FOR HIGH SCHOOL CREDITPrinciples of Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications Spanish I Simmons
34 PRINCICPLES OF ARTS, AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS High School Credit: 1 (Year-long Course) Provides a better understanding of video production and other activities performed in the communication industry. Hands-on product driven course in which students use state-of-the-art technology to explore the skills and technologies needed in this industry. Simmons
35 PRINCICPLES OF ARTS, AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS High School Credit: 1 (Year-long Course) Simmons
36 SPANISH I High School Credit: 1 (Year-long Course)Students will understand statements, commands, and will ask questions about every day conversations in Spanish. Students will learn to read and write simple expressions. Students will learn the history and culture of Spanish-speaking areas. *Starting next school year PAP Spanish I will be available for 9th graders to take at Dawson HS. Simmons
37 Now…how do I fill out the Course selection Sheet?
38 Very Wisely. This is how we plan our master schedule and hire teachers for the courses your student selects.
39 GT CLASS PLACEMENTS GT students are placed on a GT cluster team for core subjects within PAP classes. All core classes with GT students meet the 40% saturation standard. Brooks
40 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONSNational Junior Honor Society (8th graders) Student Council Math/Science Club Quiz Bowl Future Problem Solving Chess Club C.A.T.S. Bobcat Radio Robotics Club Step Team Debate Club Art Club Environmental Club Spanish Club C.I.T.Y *BMJH website will update club meeting/sponsor information two weeks after school begins
41 Online Resources… BMJH Webpage Counselor Page Cottenoir
42 Miller Day Tours All current 6th graders will be given a tour of the Berry Miller Campus during the school day on April 18th & 19th. The Rogers counselors and homerooms will walk over on their designated day. Miller counselors will give the tour and will also answer questions for students
43 7TH GRADE (Current 6th graders) 8TH GRADE (Current 7th graders)REMINDERS… All Course Requests Due: 7th Grade: March 2nd 8th Grade: March 6th 7TH GRADE (Current 6th graders) Course Entry March 6th & 7th 8TH GRADE (Current 7th graders) March 9th & 10th
44 CONTACT INFORMATION Berry Miller Junior High your child’s counselor A-K Counselor Sarah Kierkiewicz L-Z Counselor Crichelle Cockrell Simmons
45 BMJH PTA Interested in PTA for next year? Check out the PTA member page on the BMJH website. BMJH T-shirts can be ordered now. Pick up an order form on your way out. Shirts/jackets will also be available for purchase at schedule pick up day in August.
46 ARE YOU READY TO BE A CHAMPION?Berry Miller Bobcats perform like CHAMPIONS EVERY DAY!! Brooks Closing