8 th Grade Teacher Recommendation PUHSD 2010-2011

1. 8th Grade Teacher Recommendation PUHSD 2010-2011 Special thanks to Dr. Lynne Spiller at the Creighton School District for agreeing to share this PowerPoint.

2. PUHSD needs your recommendation! Dear 8th Grade Teachers, In order not to take any time away from instruction before AIMS, PUHSD will not be testing 8th grade students for 9th grade placement. Students will be preliminarily placed in 9th grade reading, math and English courses using 7th grade AIMS scores. Because student achievement does change from year to year, PUHSD requests that you review this preliminary placement and compare it to what you know about this student. On the next few slides, we have included the description of the PUHSD reading, math and English courses. Based on these descriptions and what you know about your students. • If you disagree with the placement, please indicate your suggested placement for that student by using the teacher recommendation pull-down menu provided in the portal. • For students without 7th grade test data, please recommend placement in the three areas based on your evaluation of the student’s performance in your classroom. Again, use the teacher recommendation pull-down menu provide in the portal. • Please complete this report on your students by April 4, 2008.

3. PUHSD Reading Courses Reading is not a required course. This is a remedial intervention for a student not yet proficient or not yet reading on grade level: Corrective Reading Is a highly structured program that emphasizes phonics for struggling readers. Placement Criteria: Scoring well below grade level on the 7th or 8th grade AIMS, a standardized reading comprehension test, and/or teacher recommendation. Reading Fundamentals (Read 180) Is a highly structured course in which students develop fundamental reading skills, apply comprehension strategies and build vocabulary. Placement Criteria: Scoring below grade level on the 7th or 8th grade AIMS, a standardized reading comprehension test, and/or teacher recommendation.

4. PUHSD English CoursesEnglish is a required course: English 1-2 This course builds upon the reading, writing, listening, speaking and critical thinking foundations established in 8th grade. Included is the study of thematic literature collections related to personal experiences. Reading comprehension strategies and control of the six traits of writing are emphasized. Active listening and speaking are practiced in formal and informal situations. A variety of media presentations is evaluated for social and cultural messages. English Honors 1-2 This course is designed for academically advanced, highly motivated students who consistently perform above grade level in all language skills. This course addresses the same standards and goals as English 1-2 with a more intensive study of literature, language and composition. Challenges to critical thinking, reading and academic writing are provided. Students pursue high cognitive goals through intensive study and independent work.

5. PUHSD Math CoursesMath is a required course: Why would you recommend Intro to Algebra ? • Intro to Algebra is for incoming 8th graders who need support to strengthen their mathematics conceptual understanding. • Power Standards • Number Sense • Intro to Coordinate plane • Integers • Order of operations • Solving equations • Data Analysis and Probability

6. PUHSD Math CoursesMath is a required course: Why would you recommend Algebra 1-2? • For students to be successful on AIMS and on track for graduation, they need to be Algebra readyas freshmen • Incoming 8th graders need to a strong background in number sense, order of operations, solving one-step equations and the coordinate plane. • This course is designed to provide students with the mathematical background necessary to meet college entrance requirements. Topics include data analysis, algebra, functions,, geometry, probability and graphing. • 1st semester Power Standards are : • Signed Number Operations • Solve Linear equations • Graph Linear Equations • Write Linear Equations

7. PUHSD Math CoursesMath is a required course: Why would you recommend Algebra 1-2 Honors? • The Honors curriculum is rigorous and requires discipline and personal motivation • This course is the first year of a four-year program in the Honors sequence designed to prepare students for careers in mathematics, science, engineering or related fields. Topics are similar to those in Algebra 1-2, but are covered in greater depth and at a faster pace. • 1st semester Power Standards are : • Solve Linear Equations • Graph Linear Equations • Write Linear Equations • Solve and graph linear inequalities

8. PUHSD Math Courses How do students get placed in Geometry or Algebra 3-4 ? Students who successfully pass the AQT (Algebra Qualifying Test) will be placed in Geometry 1-2 or Geometry 1-2 Honors. Students who successfully pass the GQT (Geometry Qualifying Test) will be placed in Algebra 3-4 or Algebra 3-4 Honors. If you have a student who plans to take this test, you do not need to make a recommendation for this course. The change will be in the portal information for counselors the last week of May.

9. Simple steps to inputting your valuable recommendations! Click Edit to add your recommendation, then Update to save it. Add your placement recommendation via the drop-down menu. Please add your recommendation for a student who does not have AIMS scores.

10. Thank you for helping to make the transition into high school as smooth as possible for your students!!