Parkview High School WELCOME, 8 th Grade Parents & Students! - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Parkview High School WELCOME, 8 th Grade Parents & Students! Science Course Info & Graduation Tracks Kelly Almond Science Dept. Chair Kelly.Almond@gcpsk12.org

GCPS Requirements Biology Chemistry Physics 4 th Year Science **High School Physical Science (Carnegie unit course in 8 th grade) does NOT replace physics requirement. It does NOT replace the 4 th year science requirement. **Intent of HS Physical Science course is to provide better foundation for chem and physics at the high school level.

Three Levels of Science: College Prep (CP), Honors, and Gifted: • Factors to consider when choosing a science level: – Math Placement – Physical Science Teacher Recommendation – Rigors of each level – Work Ethic of Student

Keep in mind . . . • Honors Science is NOT easier than Gifted. • Instructional approach varies for honors vs gifted. • A student has to test into the Gifted Program for Gifted science and are taught by gifted certified teachers.

TYPICAL SCIENCE TRACK -- Student did not take bio in 8 th grade OR did not accept bio credit 9 th Grade 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade Math Science Science Science Science 4 th Year Algebra CP CP CP I Biology Chemistry Physics Science Honors/ Honors/ Honors/ Gifted 4 th Year Geometry Gifted Gifted Physics Science Biology Chemistry OR AP Physics Honors/ Honors/ Honors/ Gifted 4 th Year Acc. Gifted Gifted Physics Geometry Chemistry Science Biology OR AP Physics

SCIENCE TRACK IF ACCEPTING BIO CREDIT 9 th Grade 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade Science Science Science Science Math AP Physics AP Honors/ (could be Chemistry Geometry Gifted AP Biology Honors/ (Preferred)/ Chemistry Gifted other 4 th Physics) Year Science AP Physics AP Honors/ (could be Chemistry Acc. Gifted AP Biology Honors/ (Preferred)/ Geometry Chemistry Gifted other 4 th Physics) Year Science

4 th Year Science Options • Anatomy/Physiology • AP Bio • Astronomy • AP Chem • Environmental • AP Physics I Science • AP Physics C • Microbiology • AP Environmental • Forensics Science • Oceanography

CP Biology Honors/Gifted Biology Students are more Students are more extrinsically motivated; intrinsically motivated teacher support needed and independent for abstract/critical thinkers. thinking. Students should already Students are taught be self-directed and incrementally to be independent workers. more self-directed and independent.

CP Biology Honors/Gifted Biology AKS-based AKS-based WITH Honor/Gifted AKS with NO AKS extensions extensions Pacing & HW: AKS extensions require an Pacing & HW: accelerated pace since No AKS extensions means learning is more in-depth; pacing is slower allowing for students should be able to more practice and application learn/master content quickly; in class ; expect 2-3 nights of expect multiple projects written HW during the semester and nightly HW Classroom instructional Classroom instructional approach: more student- approach: more teacher- centered with inquiry-based centered with direct approach; less direct instruction via notes/lecture, notes/lecture and more problem-solving, research by student labs/simulations

CP Biology Honors/Gifted Biology Summative Summative Assessments: Assessments: include both multiple include both multiple choice and free choice and free response questions. response questions. Application is Application is emphasized over emphasized over memorization. Covers memorization. Covers regular AKS without regular & honors/gifted extensions. extensions built into the AKS

If you have questions pertaining to your specific child’s situation, please do not hesitate to email me! I will be happy to help! Mrs. Kelly Almond – Science Dept. Chair Honors Chemistry teacher Kelly.Almond@gcpsk12.org