welcome class of 2018! · 2020. 1. 28. · 9th grade recommended schedule • language arts:...

Welcome to Johnson High

School Class of 2024!

This is the first step in your

journey through High School!

Here is what your day at Johnson will look like…

9th Grade Recommended Schedule

• Language Arts: English I (Regular or Honors)

• Math: Algebra I or Geometry (Regular or Honors)

• Science: Biology (Regular or Honors)

• Social Studies: Geography (Regular, Honors, or AP)

• LOTE(Language other than English) Foreign Language of student’s choice

• PE/Health or Fine Arts:Semester of PE and/or Health or Fine Arts course

(PE Equivalents: Athletics, Pep, ROTC, Band)

(Health Equivalents: Principles of Health Science)

• Elective: Based upon endorsement

Should I take Regular or

Honors Courses?

Honors Courses require students to be:

● Self motivated with a strong work ethic

● Time management skills

● Willingness to seek help

● Strong STAAR/EOC scores

• Summer reading assignment

What are the Benefits of Taking

Honors Courses?

● Better prepare students for Advanced

Placement and/or Dual Credit classes

● Promote college readiness

● Offer a weighted grade system

- grades are multiplied by 1.15 for Honors and

1.29 for AP when they are calculated in your GPA

(i.e., a 75 in Honors class would calculate as an 86 in your GPA)

● Enhance students’ resumes and applications- Colleges look for rigorous coursework

Social Studies Options

Texas only requires 3 credits, but many colleges require 4 credits. So the recommended sequence is:

1- Geography (1 year)

2- World History (1 year)

3 - US History EOC (1 year)

4 - Government (1 sem) / Economics (1 sem)

The Benefits of following this recommended sequence:

• They will have opportunities to improve language skills

• They will be well prepared for STAAR US History EOC.

• They will be VERY well prepared for AP classes.

• They will qualify for multiple endorsements.

What is AP Human Geography?

• Counts for Geography credit for High

School graduation

• College level reading assignments for

homework/ reading quizzes in class

• Advanced academic language

• Great course to prepare for the rigorous

reading and writing assignments in later AP

social studies courses (1 semester of

content and skill taught over 2 semesters)

Math Course Options

Algebra I: for current students taking 8th grade math

(Honors Algebra I is not offered in high school)

Geometry Regular or Geometry Honors:for current students taking Algebra in 8th grade

Regular or Honors?

Regular Honors

Purpose prepare students for the

STAAR End-of-Course

assessment

primarily prepare students

academically and personally for the

rigors of AP courses as well as the

STAAR End-of Course assessment

Homework 20 - 25 minutes per night 30 - 40 minutes per night

Content State TEKS State TEKS + enrichment based on

select introductory AP concepts

Rigorous questioning and discourse

Pace District pace Faster paced

Responsibility time allocated in class to

read novels and work on

projects

CONSIDERABLE Outside Reading

Time Management Skills -- Long-term

Assignments/Projects

The Expectation that Struggling

Students Will Attend Tutoring

English I and Biology courses are both STAAR-assessed.

How Many Honors Classes

Should I Take?

• Individual decision

• Consider extra-curricular commitments

• Seek balance

• Better to make an A in regular class than a C

in an Honors class

Important things to know. . .

• There are 2 steps for Course Selections- students

will return a course card AND enter course selection

online through Skyward

• Students can drop an Honors class to a Regular level

equivalent course within the first 9 week grading period

of the 1st semester

• Students can only add an Honors class within the first

two weeks of school, or they must wait till semester

• Course cards and NEISD Course Catalog are posted on

Johnson website

• Elective changes will not be made after May 28, 2020

Begin With the End in Mind!!

The Graduation Plan for your

Class of 2024

Foundation with Distinguished Level of AchievementStudents must complete:

• Curriculum requirements for an endorsement

• 4 credits in English

• 4 credits in Math (includes Algebra II)

• 4 credits in Science

• 3 credits in Social Studies

• 2 credits in languages other than English

• 1 credit in Fine Arts

• 1 credit in Physical Education

• 0.5 Health credit

• 6 and 0.5 Electives (Must include Endorsement)

Foundation with Distinguished Level of Achievement + Endorsements = 26 credits

Students must pass all 5 STAAR End of Course (EOC) exams to meet graduation requirements:

English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History

Course Card Directions

• Be sure to write your name & ID number

• Circle course number in bottom section

• Write course number & name in top section

• Select 7 courses & list 2 alternates

• Be sure to list Endorsement in top section

• Be sure to have required signatures

• Return to Middle School Counselors by Friday,

February 14th

Skyward Course Selection

Skyward Course Selection

Skyward Course Selection

Skyward Course Selection

Skyward Course Selection

Endorsements

● Found on back of course card

● Must choose a Pathway within the five

Endorsement Options:

● STEM

● Multidisciplinary

● Arts/Humanities

● Public Service

● Business/Industry

Selecting Endorsements

● Students select their endorsement on their course card

● Students are required to select at least one endorsement,

but may have more than one

● Students can change endorsements based upon

interests and course selections

● All 9th grade students will have an 4-Year Career Plan

online to plan their courses and track the Endorsements

they will qualify for

Johnson Course Fair

• Course Fair will be 6:00pm-8:00pm

• Course Fair located in cafeteria area & gym- Electives arranged by Endorsements

• Electives available for 9th graders are on 9th

grade course card & Endorsements listed on

back of course card

• Coaches will be available in the small gym for

required signatures for Athletics

Remember:

• Must have coach signature for Athletics

• Middle School Coaches can sign for their sports

• High School Coaches need to sign for sports not offered

in Middle School (swimming, diving, softball, wrestling)

• Must have alternate electives on course card

• Must have Endorsement Pathway listed on card

• Last day to make changes to courses with

our Johnson Counselor is May 28, 2020

Course Cards are

due on

February 14th

to all Middle School

Counselors

Final Date for Course Changes:

May 28, 2020

Way to Change a Course:

• E-mail your assigned Johnson Counselor any

change request

o Include student name, ID number, course to drop,

course to add

JOHNSON COUNSELORS

Courtney Tarbox A - BLctarbo@neisd.net

Rebecca Hudkins BN - Drhudki@neisd.net

Patti Snider E - HEPpsnide@neisd.net

Julie Metcalf HER – MAKjmetca@neisd.net

Richard Boeger MAL - PASrboege1@neisd.net

Mary Solis Martinez PAT - SLmsolis@neisd.net

Brandy Weaver SM - Zbweave@neisd.net

Lisa Williams STAN/Intervention Counselor lwilli3@neisd.net

JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL

WELCOMES YOU!