1. education
2. high school

SHARYLAND NORTH
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AND
REGISTRATION MANUAL
2014 – 2015
Dr. Noe Oliveira
Mr. Fernando Ramirez
Dr. Noel Garza
Mr. Ricky Longoria
Mr. Eddie Montalvo
Mr. Rolando Pena
Mr. Juan F. Zuniga
Board of Trustees
President
Vice President
Secretary
Asst. Secretary
Member
Member
Member
District Administration
Dr.Virginia N. Richter
Superintendent
Mr. Jesse Muniz
Asst. Superintendent for Finance
Dr. Nereida Cantu
Asst. Superintendent for
Curriculum and Instruction
Mrs. Pamela Montalvo
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
Mrs. Carolyn Mendiola
Middle School Curriculum Coordinator
Ms.Yasmina Nye
Asst. Superintendent for Human
Resources
Mrs. Debra Alaniz-Roque
Sp. Education/504 Director
Mrs. Teresa Gonzalez
Director of Federal Programs
Sharyland North Junior High Administration
Mrs. Leticia Leal
Principal
Mr. Hector Limas
Asst. Principal
Ms.Veronica Rodriguez
Asst. Principal
Mrs. Christina Maldonado
Counselor
Mrs. Norma Salazar
Counselor
B. L. Gray Junior High Administration
Mrs. Lori A. Garza
Principal
Mr. Jose Segura
Asst. Principal
Mrs.
Asst. Principal
Mrs. Carol Santiago
Counselor
Mrs. Hilda Gonzalez
Counselor
SHARYLAND NORTH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
WELCOMES YOU TO THE
2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR
Dear Students and Parents,
Sharyland North Jr. High School offers a variety of courses to meet the
diverse needs of our students. All students who register at Sharyland
North Junior High School must meet both the state and local district
requirements for promotion.
The pre-registration process provides our counselors the first
opportunity to help your student meet his or her individual needs. With
the help of the parents, the process will be more informative and more
personalized. This is a very important and serious step in establishing the
foundation for a good education in middle school. The decisions made
by the student at this age will affect their future education in high school.
It is our hope that the selection of courses will help guide your students
successfully through the next two years of his/her middle school
education.
The pre-registration process will occur in the Spring Semester of the
school year. Our counselors will visit with the students at their home
school and they will assist parents through Parent Night Meetings. The
Junior High Staff has worked closely in developing the pre-registration
material for you and the student; it will prove to be very useful in this
major event of your child’s life.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not
hesitate to call our counselors or administrators.
Sincerely,
Administrative Staff
Sharyland North Junior High
Program Description
REQUIRED PROGRAM
This is the program of study for the student
who wishes knowledge in all areas of
instruction. This course of study addresses
all requirements of the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and
includes the use of technology. These are
the skills necessary for learning and
graduating in the state of Texas.
PRE-AP PROGRAM
The Pre-AP/(early High School credit)
program is a challenging course of study for
students who desire an educational
experience beyond the required curriculum.
The focus of the program is to provide
students increased opportunities to engage
in active questioning, analysis, and
communication. Pre-Advanced Placement
classes offer students rigorous instruction
while requiring students to meet a higher
level of responsibility. All Pre-AP students
and parents are required to read and sign
the following agreement to ensure they
understand their responsibilities.
Entrance Criteria for
Pre AP Courses
(Open Enrollment)

The Pre-AP/(early High School credit) program is a
challenging course of study for students who desire an
educational experience beyond the required
curriculum. The focus of the program is to provide
students increased opportunities to engage in active
questioning, analysis, and communication. PreAdvanced Placement classes offer students rigorous
instruction while requiring students to meet a higher
level of responsibility. All Pre-AP students and parents
are required to read and sign the following agreement
to ensure they understand their responsibilities.
The student is expected to:

* Complete all class assignments which are planned to
increase student understanding.

* Budget time effectively and efficiently.

* Seek help when needed by meeting with teachers
or attending tutorial sessions.

* Have good attendance.
Exit Criteria
Pre-AP and High School Credit
Courses
The following criteria are in effect:
 If a student earns an ”F” for any class
during any six weeks grading period,
he/she will be placed on academic
probation automatically for three weeks.
The student must pass all subsequent six
weeks grading periods, or the student
will be transferred to a regular program
course. The parent will be notified at
the progress report period (3 weeks) of
the students’ status.
 Any two “F’s” during the academic year
or a semester average below 65 will
result in an automatic transfer to a
regular program course.
LANGUAGE ARTS
(English/Literature)
(90 minute block)
REGULAR
This course is designed to further develop language, reading comprehension
and writing skills and strategies. Through a variety of genre, emphasis on
vocabulary development and the writing process will be an ongoing component
of the program. Students will develop research skills and techniques. Strong
attention will be given to literacy appreciation by analyzing literary elements
and devices in all types of prose and poetry. Students will further develop
writing fluency by writing for a variety of audiences and purposes with strong
attention to elaboration and revision techniques in the writing process.
PRE-AP
This course is designed to enrich and accelerate the required curriculum for the
motivated students. In addition to the content of required classes, there
will be an emphasis on further development of critical reading comprehension
skills and strategies. Students will focus on writing fluency, form and
correctness for a variety of audiences and purposes. Strong attention will be
given to writing as a recursive process, sophisticated elaboration, and revision
techniques. Focus will include SAT vocabulary development, research skills,
and critical reading skills. Strong attention will be given to analyzing literary
elements and sophisticated devices in a variety of genre.


All English/Language Arts teachers are ESL certified/endorsed. ESL students are mainstreamed
into regular classes.
All Pre-AP teachers meet TEA/Gifted and Talented training requirements. G/T students are
mainstreamed into Pre-AP classes.
MATH
(90 minute block)
PRE-ALGEBRA (7TH & 8TH GRADE)
This course is a pre-requisite for taking Algebra I. The students shall use skills associated with
understanding numbers, proportions, probability, percents, equations, geometric figures, and
graphing. This course is considered to be grade level 8th grade or advanced placement for 7th
grade students.
PRE-ALGEBRA PRE-AP
This course is a pre-requisite for taking Algebra I. The students shall use skills associated with
understanding numbers, proportions, probability, percents, equations, geometric figures, and
graphing.
ALGEBRA I (8th GRADE)
This course is designed for the student who has successfully completed Algebra ½. The student
shall use skills involving measurements, two and three dimensional geometric figures, area, surface
area and volume, similarity and congruence, geometric constructions with compass and straight
edge, right triangle, proportionality, percents, probability, linear functions, and operating a graphing
calculator. This course is offered as advanced placement for 8th grade students. Students earn
high school credit toward graduation. The state of Texas End-Of Course Exam for Algebra I is
administered in May.
GEOMETRY PRE-AP (8TH GRADE)
The subject content in this course will emphasize geometric thinking and spatial reasoning;
geometric figures and their properties; the relationship between geometry, other mathematics,
and other disciplines; tools for geometric thinking; and underlying mathematical processes.
Emphasis will be placed on area and volume as well as on identification and recognition of two
and three-dimensional geometric figures and their properties.
SOCIAL STUDIES
8TH GRADE UNITED STATES HISTORY
History of the United States from Beginnings to 1877 provides a comprehensive course focusing
on the political, economic, and social issues, which have challenged our nation from its early
Colonial stage through the Reconstruction Era. The use of a variety of primary and secondary
source materials will enable students to analyze, organize, and evaluate the impact of key issues,
events, and individuals on the development of the United States, as stated in “Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies”. In meeting this goal students will be introduced to the
cultural diversity of our country and its democratic heritage. This, in turn, will foster an
understanding of their individual identity as Americans emphasizing the importance of basic
democratic values leading them to become civically, responsible citizens.
8TH GRADE UNITED STATES HISTORY PRE-AP
Pre-AP United States History is offered for those students who want to prepare for high school
AP (Advanced Placement) classes. Students choosing Pre-AP classes should be strong writers and
readers. These classes emphasize the development of advanced skills and encourage students to
strive for academic excellence. Pre-AP strategies include introducing skills necessary to prepare
students for success in high school AP classes. These strategies include researching and
completing independent projects, concentration on extensive vocabulary development,
interviewing skills, interpreting historical documents, oral presentations, use of internet for
research purposes, engaging in debates which explore conflicting historical interpretations, etc.
These activities will enhance critical thinking skills.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
8TH GRADE INTEGRATED SCIENCE REGULAR
In Grade 8, the study of science includes planning and conducting field and laboratory
investigations using scientific methods, analyzing data, critical thinking, scientific problemsolving, and using tools such as telescopes to collect and analyze information.
The students will also able to recognize the changing and increasing body of knowledge in
science. The students will examine information on the periodic table to recognize that
elements are grouped into families. The students will able to predict possible outcomes that
result from different genetic combinations and explore the extinction of some species. The
students will investigate to learn about the natural world and able to identify the roles of
both human activities and natural events in altering Earth systems.
8TH GRADE PRE-AP INTEGRATED SCIENCE
In addition to the above, Pre-AP will be given opportunities to further analyze, explore and
question scientific theories. They will be expected to give presentations, research project
(rockets, solar system, rock cycle, tornado model, metric system, water cycle, constellation,
frog dissection, atom model), and write essays and other activities of a higher cognitive level.
INTERATED PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY (IPC) – H.S. Credit
General Requirements: Students shall be awarded one high school credit for successful
completion of this course. Prerequisites: Algebra 1. This course integrates the disciplines of
physics and chemistry in the following topics: motion, waves, energy transformations,
properties of matter, changes in matter and solution chemistry.
The students will conduct field and laboratory investigations using safe environmentally
appropriate, and ethical practices for at least 40% of instructional time. The students will able
to recognized that all systems have basic properties that can be described in terms of space,
time energy and matter. A comprehensive study of elements, bonding, periodic table, chemical
reactions, and brief introduction to organic chemistry will be done. The students will explore
the Newton’s Law of motions, electricity, Kinematics, Levers, and simple machines. This
course is math based and students need to have strong math background to be successful in
completion of this course.
The students will be expected to do oral and PowerPoint presentations; research projects
(rockets, battery operated toys, video taping, and Cartesian divers) and writes essays and
other activities (Physics Olympics) of a higher cognitive level.
***IPC is only for 8th graders and is offered for H.S. credit.***
FULL YEAR
COURSES
ATHLETICS
GIRL’S ATHLETICS – 7TH GRADE & 8th GRADE
This course is designed to utilize the development of athletic skills needed for
competitive UIL volleyball, basketball, and track. Students selected from this class form
the teams that will compete against other schools in UIL volleyball, basketball, and
track. Those not selected will be in an off-season training for another sport. Students
in this class will be required to practice before and/or after school, pass all classes with
a minimum grade of 70, maintain good conduct grades and have a desire to participate
in high school athletics. (Soccer and Cross Country)
BOY’S ATHLETICS – 7TH GRADE & 8TH GRADE
This course is designed to develop the skills needed for competitive football, basketball
and track. Students selected from this class form the teams that will compete against
other schools in UIL football, basketball, and track. Those not selected will participate
in an off-season training program for another sport. Students in this class will be
required to practice before and after school, pass all classes with a minimum grade of
70, maintain good conduct grades and progress a desire to participate in high school
athletics. (Soccer and Cross Country)
TENNIS – 7TH GRADE & 8th Grade
Male and female students practice basic tennis skills, compete and prepare for the high
school tennis team. Approval of coach is required. Tryouts will be required.
Athletic Sports in 7th and 8th grade
BOYS
8th/7th Red Football (no limit)
8th/7th White Football (no limit)
8th/7th Red Basketball (15 players)
8th/7th White Basketball (20 players)
8th/7th Track and Field (35/35 runners)
8th/7th Soccer (25/25 players)
8th/7th Cross Country (20/20 runners)
GIRLS
8th/7th Red Volleyball (15 players)
8th/7th White Volleyball (20 players)
8th/7th Red Basketball (15 players)
8th/7th White Basketball (20 players)
8th/7th Track and Field (35/35 runners)
8th/7th Soccer (25/25 players)
8th/7th Cross Country (20/20 runners)
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The Physical Education Department follows a
curriculum that consists of three weeks of
physical education and three weeks of health.
Each six weeks has a different theme that is
integrated from the physical education class into
the health class. For example, this six weeks our
theme is risk factors and personal fitness, and for
P.E. we are concentrating on basketball and
tetherball, two lifetime sports that can be played
at any age. We make sure that all students
stretch out well before any physical activity to
avoid injury. After they are taught the proper
technique and form of the class period. Students
are graded on participation as well as behavior
and uniform. The health class covers three
weeks and consists of a chapter related to the
sports or activities we are performing in P.E.
Health classes also consist of audio and video
aids as well as guest speakers and even a field
trip. Grades for health include assignments,
projects and tests.
Fine Arts
Junior High Bands – Cadet, Concert,
Symphonic, Honors
The Sharyland North Junior High School Band
program is designed to promote and encourage
students with a desire to learn and enjoy music. This
is done through a quality instructional and
extracurricular experience. The “Band Experience”
enriches students’ lives in many ways, and often for
years to come after high school graduations. Their
self-discipline, social and communication skills, selfconcepts, cooperative talents and creative minds will
all be nurtured through their study of music.
Students need to be placed in the appropriate
class as per band staff recommendation.
CHOIR – 7TH & 8TH Grade (Girls/Boys)
Basic music theory and basic sight-reading skills are
taught. Also, much time is spent preparing for musical
concepts. Competitions are available in October
(solo/ensemble), March (concert/sight reading)and
April (all-district choir).
Film Production
Film Production will introduce students to the preproduction, production, & post-production phases of
the filmmaking process. Students will receive a "handson" experience with all three phases via the weekly
production of The Diamondback News (which airs on
the school website), as well as by creating music videos
and short films.
Media Production/Photography
Photography and Video Production is a
course that focuses on visual media arts.
Major topics to be covered in the photography
section include basic and advanced operation
of a digital camera, composition techniques,
flash photography, and photo editing. Major
topics to be covered in the video production
section include the basic skills of camera
recording, researching and writing scripts,
production of a film using a variety of
software and tools which also include use of
animations, music editing, and capturing prerecorded video.
Foreign Language
Spanish I for Spanish Speaker (for High School credit)
The Spanish I course for Spanish speaking students will concentrate on
the essential grammar elements of the Spanish language. Additionally, it
will focus on the uses of irregular verbs that have stem changes, as well as
the uses of both present and past tense verbs. It will also stress reflexive,
direct object, demonstrative, and possessive pronouns. Finally, it will
cover comparative, adverbs, and absolute superlative. This course will also
include important cultural aspects of the language such as traditions, food,
celebrations, and music. The course will follow the TEKS established by
the state of Texas.
1. Communications
2. Cultures
3. Connections
4. Comparisons
5. Communities
This course is open to 8th grade students.
Spanish I for Non Spanish Speakers (for High School credit)
The Spanish I course for Non Spanish Speaking, will introduce students to the
basic fundamentals to the Spanish language. The course will focus on relevant
items such as verbs, noun, adjectives, and basic grammar rules. In addition, the
course will also make students aware of the strong cultural influence of
Mexico and Spain on the Spanish language. Some of the course units will
included the study of important and famous places such as Montebello,
California, San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Antonio,Texas, and Mexico’s, District
Federal. All of these will be done through the use of:
1. Readings
2. Dialogues
3. Presentations
4. Projects
5. Educational videos
SPANISH AP



The AP Spanish Language course should help
prepare students to demonstrate their level of
Spanish proficiency across three communicative
modes: Interpersonal [interactive
communication], Interpretive [receptive
communication], and Presentational [productive
communication]), and the five goal areas outlined
in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in
the 21st Century1 (Communication, Cultures,
Connections, Comparisons, and Communities).
The course is meant to be comparable to third
year (fifth or sixth semester) college and
university courses that focus on speaking and
writing in the target language at an advanced
level 1.
Students must pass an exam to be in the AP
class.
Students will receive High School and College
Credit
ART II
The students will continue to develop
the skills learned in Art I. In addition,
they will recognize each principle of
design in the natural environment and
in works of art. They will add the
principles to the accumulated
knowledge of elements.
YEARBOOK
As a member of the yearbook staff,
students are given the opportunity to
plan and design pages using a layout,
work cooperatively with peers and
participate in planning and engaging
marketing strategies. Students will
also learn how to use digital, SLR and
point-n-shoot cameras, computers
and scanners to help in the
development of their yearbook.
Business Information Management
In this course, students apply technical skills to
address business applications of emerging
technologies, create word-processing
documents, develop a spreadsheet, formulate a
database, and make an electronic presentation
using appropriate software. **This course is for
1 high school credit.**
SEMESTER
COURSES
THEATRE ARTS I AND SPEECH
There is a Production Theatre class offered to students who participate in the One
Act Play tryout competition and are chosen to perform in the following year’s
production.
Theatre Arts I
This class will provide opportunities for students to get to know themselves with
others, to take safe risks, actively participate in activities and projects, all of which
will help them to respond to the world around them with increased energy and
sensitivity. The student will develop team spirit and ensemble skills through class
competitions. The student will learn to have respect for themselves and others.
Activities will promote learning in the areas of basic acting, artistic discipline,
imagination, voice control, theatre etiquette, memory, listening, terminology, history
of theatre, theatre appreciation, and interpretation of literature. The skills learned in
this class can be applied to other experiences and situations in daily life.
Speech Communication (For H.S. Credit)
Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages to achieve
understanding; in other words, the progress of creating understanding through the
exchange of messages. Communication is an ongoing activity. It involves a sender, a
message, a receiver and a response. It can take place with those around us or within
ourselves.
This class is designed to help students develop the skills necessary to become an
effective communicator. It is designed to promote students’ participation and
involvement. Student should realize that learning to speak effectively would prove to
be a positive asset to their everyday lives. This class will provide activities that
promote learning in the areas of organizations skills, writing skills, critical thinking
skills, research skills, listening skills and self confidence. It is not a simple process but
by taking this class, the student will begin to break the process down into parts.
They will be able to understand how those parts relate to each other and how the
process, as a whole, functions. Students will learn that the communication process
takes place daily. Something that you must use daily requires some level of
understanding. Practicing this process will raise the students’ awareness of its
importance. Speech Communication is a course designed to be a full year elective
open only to the 8th grade students. This course can serve as a high school credit,
therefore is taught on an advanced level.
ART I
The students will develop an
awareness and sensitivity to natural
and man-made environments, work
with inventive and imaginative
expression through art materials
and
tools,
develop
an
understanding and appreciation of
self and others through art culture
and heritage.
Technology
Computer I (Computer Literacy) *BEGINNER
No prerequisite
Basic computer literacy and keyboarding, basic introduction to word
processing, paint and draw, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, electronic
presentation, e-mail, the Internet, web pages, computer history and societal
impact. Some experience creating, opening, editing and saving documents in a
graphical user interface (Windows) environment. Some experience in navigating
the Internet using a web browser. Basic knowledge of one of the common
operating systems, such as MS Windows 95/98, XP, etc.
______________________________________________________________
Keyboarding
Keyboarding is a one-semester course designed to help students develop speed
and accuracy by learning the touch operation of alphanumeric/keyboard
characters . Emphasis is placed on the following: mastery of the keyboard with
desirable keyboarding techniques; development of speed and accuracy; and
proper care of the equipment. Keyboarding is foundation for developing entrylevel skills for business careers.
______________________________________________________________
Teen Leadership
This course teaches students to take
responsibility, express themselves, and
handle problems and decisions when they
arise. Students will discover their own selfworth and will approach life prepared to
achieve. The course builds personal
responsibility and leadership skills through
role plays, group activities, speeches and
projects. This course counts as an elective
credit. Teen Leadership is a program for all
students, from the at-risk student to the class
valedictorian.
Career Exploration
The student will choose an educational
path or training or a job which fits their
interests, skills and abilities. They will be
using a career program that will guide
them through different career paths that
will help them in the future.