Seventh Grade Class Selection

[DigiSLR]

Yesterday my son (currently in 6th grade) brought home a pamphlet and worksheet to complete for next years class selection. He must choose between "standard" or "Pre-AP" courses for Reading, English, Science, and Math. In addition he has TX history, and 4 different choices for Phys Ed classes.

Now, on to his elective choices. (Remember, this is for seventh grade...)

Of course there is the standard Beginning band, advanced band, and Honors Band (which must be auditioned for) The have the same for Orchestra. Also offered is Jazz Band.Chior, Theatre, and Art are also offered.

Now, on to the good stuff...

Technical Theatre - students will learn backstage part of theatre including: set design, painting, building, dramatic elements, make up, costumes, lighting, sound, stage management, direction, and publicity.


Multimedia and Video Production - students will use iMovie software and create special edition videos for the school. They will learn operation of video equipment, computer video editing software, lighting techniques, interviewing, writing, and reporting skills. Also use PhotoShop Elements for computer animated projects, create and edit digital graphics, as well as learn PowerPoint.

and finally...

ROBOTICS... Students will build, program, and run NXT robotic brick using Lego Mindstorms Kits for Schools. Download programs created in a program developed by Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. Students will make their robots perform specific tasks.


I know I'm almost 40 and its been awhile since I was in seventh grade, but damn, I remember Math, Reading, Englilsh, Science, Social Studies, and either Band, Chior, Shop, or Home Economics. These classes are AWESOME. I want to go back to seventh grade!!!

[prncfarquad]

I know matt..different all together now. that is pretty cool that they have the resources to offer such classes. I didn't see anything like that listed in my son's class selection. ( he is going from 6-7 this year as well)

[shutterfire]

Have him take as many AP courses as he can do well in.my daughter is at UNT this year was her first year and she went in with 40 hrs credit.equals a second semester sophomore for the first semester. This means she can finish her bachelor degree in 2.5 years. Saved us a lot of tuition. It's pricey no matter where you go. So think ahead and plan now. Just some good advice!

[prncfarquad]

My son is in a program called MYP. All of his classes are AP and he has been on the A/B Honor Roll each six weeks..he has to get his smarts from his mom cause I WAS NOT a good student

[mmuhlenkamp]

Yeah, pre-AP and AP courses all the way. I tested out of quite a few hours which helped me focus on my degree specific classes (though I couldn't graduate any faster than 4 years because of the order I had to take my communication design classes).

I want to take robotics too, sounds like fun.

[DigiSLR]

Well I know my boys not going to be in any AP English / Reading classes. He's still lagging slightly behind in those subjects but making good progress. He wants to take the AP Science though, so I'm all for it.

I think he's going to take the Robotics and Multimedia and Video Production classes as electives.

[klynam]

Get him in now while he can. Educational budgets are being slashed everywhere and electives - especially the arts - are usually the first to go...

[texkam]

Yeah, very cool huh. My kids took some cool stuff in PISD. My daughter loves Fashion Design at Plano West. Of course sometimes what sounds great on paper may be a little different in reality. Pack a classroom full of middle school knuckleheads, throw in a teacher that may not be as knowledgeable or motivated as one would like and YMMV.

I simply can't say enough good things about Band. I never dreamed that it would have such a positive influence on both my kids.

[shutterfire]

Good thing is: Band Geeks usually do very well in school. Its the exercise of right and left hemispheres. It really is a shame when school systems cut art electives. The main focus of the university acceptance is now advanced placement classes in High School, Volunteer hours and top 10% of the class. If they need tutors for English, math ,science do it now it may seem pricey but in the long run it will pay off. We paid dearly for a geometry tutor. It worked out very well. If I could have changed anything I wish that I would have started her in the "Kumon system" there are centers all over the city. One of her class mates did this program and started in sixth grade and was taking College Calc as a senior in HS.

[shutterfire]

Matt,
You know when my daughter was in school all my wife wanted was one of those silly bumper stickers in Junior high that said "My Child is on the A honor roll at __ MS. It wasnt that she wasn't intelligent enough it was lack of organization. Forgeting to turn in assignments ect. Any way long story short High School made a big difference in motivation. AP classes and friendships with AP students made her competitive to keep up with others in the class. I am proud to say that she made the Deans List with a 3.8 at UNT and invited to enroll in Honors College. Point is dont short change your son with the English and reading. Check out the Kumon program for english and reading. You might be very pleasantly suprised in a few years.

[mike78628]

Wow, what a selection! My son is taking AP classes as a freshman in HS. He too struggled with getting things turned in on time and having at least one teacher a year that he could not get along with. This year, making him go to tutorials with that teacher twice a week. He's learning the material and when something unexpected happens the teacher gives him a break. My son has fewer elective options, but more monitored study hall and advisory times to get most of his homework done or get the help he needs rather than facing a mountain of homework each night.

I have a niece that also started college as a second semester Sophmore, saving her family a lot of money.

[texkam]

The sad part is how much of this stuff is really learned. Test kids on material they so called learned six months ago and most would fail.