The Math, Science and Leadership Magnet

WESTWOOD JUNIOR HIGH

In 1996 Westwood Junior High inaugurated the Leadership Program, the first-known of its kind in the nation; students from across the District participated in this highly specialized program. In the fall of 1999, Richardson ISD identified Westwood Junior High as a magnet school with three components: math, science, and leadership.

As the program matured, specific courses have been designed to further integrate math and science and to align the curriculum with programs offered at the Richardson High School magnet. Westwood also delivers increased staff development to its educators. This training, beyond district requirements, emphasizes individual learning styles and motivational strategies, as well as creative and critical thinking techniques.

Additionally, Westwood offers an extensive selection of after-school extended-day activities that provide meaningful non-academic experiences for all students who choose to participate in the Westwood Overtime World (WOW) program. Academic assistance programs for enrichment or remediation also are available.

Apply to become a Warrior today!

westwood junior high

mathWestwood offers a distinctive opportunity for students to accelerate with a Math Magnet program that enhances RISD curriculum through extensive teacher initiatives, creative classroom approaches and applications that help expand an in-depth study of mathematics.

Eligible students can take Algebra 1 in seventh grade and Geometry in eighth grade. This junior high curriculum enables high-achieving math students to advance through Algebra 2, Pre-Cal, Calculus and Statistics in high school.

Westwood students build and race CO2 cars, design and build parachutes to deliver an egg from the roof and then collect, analyze and synthesize the data using the most current technology.

Westwood’s science exploration track is designed to introduce and support advanced mathematics and applied science concepts used in:

• Engineering design• Robotics• Rocketry• Machines• Sound engineering

• Environmental engineering• Biomedical engineering• Structures• Power

scienceMagnet Classes - Minimal homework, work time provided in class, opportunities for enrichment and extension beyond the state curriculum, supplements science curriculum and exposure to STEM and healthcare careers

7th Grade - Math Based Science “Engineering Explorations”• Hands on activities throughout each unit• Design challenge at the end of every unit

- Fall: Engineering Design, Structures, Machines, Sound, Rockets- Spring: Civil Engineering, The Universe, The Human Machine

• Field Trip: Perot Museum for Engineering Week OR iFly

8th Grade - Integrated Health Science (Aligns with the Health Science) • 1 CTE credit and .5 Health credit• Field Trips: UTD, Methodist Hospital, Methodist Campus for Continuing Care• Aligns with the Health Science Program offered at all 4 RISD high schools• Comprehensive scientific approach to health - Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Social, & Physical• 5 dissections: chicken wing, heart, brain, kidney, and fetal pig

Unique Opportunities - Invention Convention, Science Olympiad Competition,Science Club, Science Shout Outs! - Monthly student awards and Gizmos interactive learning

leadershipWestwood Leadership is a two-year magnet program dedicated to student growth and enrichment through exploring and practicing leadership skills. Students gain personal skills to be successful and productive members of their community. They train to embody the character traits to be effective students now and leaders in the future.

What makes leadership unique? Students learn best by doing. They collaborate to explore leadership concepts through a discussion and experience-based curriculum.

The concepts covered:• Listening actively• Collaborating• Recognizing and forming mindset• Expanding gratitude• Problem-solving• Questioning insightfully• Developing positive self-image• Respecting self and others• Goal-setting and motivation

• Applying integrity & honesty • Addressing social skills• Self-analyzing objectively• Communicating adeptly• Debating and public speaking• Identifying culture and stereotypes• Affecting change with compassion• Maximizing creativity and flexibility• Exercising self-discipline

world languagesIt is an opportunity to extend the languages students may have been exposed to in their neighborhood school, magnet school or their home.

Learning another language...• expands your language and inter-cultural communication skills• increases your understanding of grammar and writing• improves your memory and intelligence• develops your higher level thinking strategies

Across the nation, studies have shown languages to be effective in improving SAT Scores. Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service show that language students consistently outperform all other students on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Assessment Test.

French - Knowledge of the French language opens doors to a wide variety of employment in the commercial, educational, scientific, automotive and hospitality fields.

Spanish - Studying Spanish can improve your English vocabulary and raise your awareness of English grammar. Because Spanish is near phonetically perfect, you can look at almost any word and know how to pronounce it.

fine artsWestwood BandWe love to perform! - As a Warrior Band member, you will have many opportunities to perform in every ensemble. Our performances include pep rallies, football games, 4-5 concerts, band festivals, solo contests; we offer small ensemble showcases, drum club, and jazz band.

Play fun music - and lots of it! - You will get to experience and play a wide variety of music. We play pieces that range from pop music to more classical selections. You will learn at least 15 pieces of music in a year, and that is a conservative estimate. We believe that you are in band to perform, so we have many opportunities for you to do just that.

Shine as an individual! - We encourage and support all students who want to better themselves as musicians. While being in band, you will have the option of auditioning for Region Band. These bands contain top performing students from schools throughout the Dallas area. This year we had 21 students make the all-region band!

Band socials! - We work hard, and we play hard. We invite all of our band members to attend a variety of different social events including Main Event, a Dallas Wind Symphony concert, Six Flags and a movie at Studio Movie Grill.

Leadership opportunities! - At Westwood, we think it is very important to learn to be a good leader. With our Band Buddies peer mentoring programs, you are given the chance to work with sixth graders on a recurring basis to teach them at your level. You will learn to lesson plan, manage a “classroom,” and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with teaching others your craft.

Our Philosophy - Band goes far beyond notes and rhythms. While teaching music is the focus of the class, students learn and develop the most from the behind the scenes work they do. 7th and 8th graders are making the transition from kid to adult; self-discipline, time management, and responsibility are the pillars of music education. Despite any level of natural ability on an instrument, hard work is inevitable. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent everyday, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. These are excellent life skills for any students to master. We hope that, above all, students truly enjoy working together to make music.

Can I be involved in other school activities? - Of course! Most of our current Warrior Band members are also involved in activities like cheerleading, football, volleyball, choir, zero hour leadership, GT courses, etc.

How do I sign up? - Westwood has three different bands: Wind Symphony, Symphonic, and Concert. Band placements are based on student auditions. We do this to ensure that each student is placed in a group where they will be the most successful. ALL students will be placed in a band!

Westwood ChoirChoir is open to all students! You can be in both Choir & Band or Choir & Orchestra.

Commitment• Choir rehearses one period per day during school. It’s a class.• We perform five evening concerts per year in October, December, January, March and May.• We have extra rehearsals outside of school as needed, usually only a few.• Uniforms required

Westwood Orchestra• The Warrior Orchestra takes the fundamentals you learned in 6th Grade Beginning Orchestra and goes much further! You will learn new skills and techniques to level up your string playing.• Students who want to play at an even higher level have the opportunity to audition for All-Region Honor Orchestra. Students will also get to play at the Richardson Chamber Music Festival where they can perform solos or small ensembles with other students. • We make new friends! We offer things like Orchestra Movie Nights, go to Six Flags, go ice skating, perform in the community, and much more!

How do I sign up? - There are three different levels of orchestra at Westwood. Auditions are held in the spring and students are placed in an orchestra that fits their playing level.

Visual Arts is an innovative program tailored to high-caliber art students. These students accelerate through a rigorous sequence of courses that encourages growth in artistic expression and in the skills necessary to develop visual literacy. Establishing a community of artists with similar degrees of focus and ability fosters a broadening and deepening of students’ knowledge of art.

The curriculum explores elements of visual arts and principles of design through a balance of drawing, painting, digital photography and sculpture. Attention is given to understanding artists’ styles and techniques fromthe past to the present. This program encourages students to develop aesthetic, creative, and technical excellence through teaching the advanced problem solving and skills necessary to evaluate images and products of creativity.

Introduction to Art (7th-8th Grade)Students build a foundation of the Elements and Principles of Art, as well as historical and critical knowledge. Students create original works of art using a variety of media. This class is an introductory course and is needed in order to take Drawing and Painting. Students participate in the following studio lessons:

• Drawing – proportion, perspective, value, design and grid enlargement• Painting – historical study and introduction to color theory

visual arts Drawing and Painting (8th Grade)The Drawing and Painting Course is a more thorough study of the techniques used in Intro to Art. Students gain experience using a variety of wet and dry media. Emphasis is placed on personal expression and an understanding of artistic styles and techniques. Students explore the following mediums and assignments: charcoal, graphite, pastel – chalk and oil, watercolor, acrylic and mask designing. Three-Dimensional Design (7th-8th Grade)The 3-D Design course involves creating sculptural art forms by modeling, carving and assembling materials. Students use a multitude of mediums and objects to learn the process of designing 3-dimensionally, which include: papier-mâché, posterboard, craft paper, polymer clay, fibers, wire, cloth and mask making.

Ceramics (7th-8th Grade)The Ceramics course is designed to give students a basic foundation in the art of pottery. Creating form is emphasized in this culturally rich class. Students learn the following techniques: pinch method, coil construction, slab construction, glazing, experimental methods and casting and mold making.

Introduction to Digital Photography (7th-8th Grade)Students learn about the camera and photographic digital media, composition and taking/editing photographs. Students will explore the Elements of Art and Principles of Design and Digital Media. (New at Westwood JH for 2019-2020 - Prerequisite: None)

career & tech educationTouch System Data Entry The purpose of this class is to teach the “touch” keyboarding skills to address business applications in various emerging real life technologies. Components of the course include keyboarding accuracy and speed, document formatting, preparing business documents, word processing and developing social skill in an office environment.

College and Career Readiness The college and career development process is a unique and exciting experience for every student. This course provides students opportunities to explore their personal goals, interests, and aptitudes as they relate to college and career concepts and determine what they want and expect for their future. By exploring valid, reliable educational and career information, students will learn more about themselves and their interests and abilities.

Engineering/Robotics This course is an introductory and exploration level course in pre engineering and technology manufacturing systems. Students will utilize various software packages to design a basic robotics platform, manufacture, assemble, and demonstrate finished product.

Audio, Video Technology and CommunicationsStudents will be able to develop an understanding of the various and multifaceted career opportunities in the Arts, Audio, Video Technology and Communications cluster and the introductory knowledge, skill and educational requirements for those opportunities.

Exploring Fashion Design Students will be given background and aspects of the textile and apparel industries as well as career identification in the fashion, textile, and apparel industries.

Exploring Hospitality/Culinary Arts and Tourism Students in this exploratory course experience introductory skills and information in the hospitality/culinary arts and tourism career cluster. The student explores roles in each area, customer service, job safety, food service preparation and presentation, creates professional documents, family and leisure activities, featuring collaboration skills and activities.

Exploring Human ServicesThis exploratory course will introduce students to various components of the human service career field. Components of this course include introductions to healthy food selection and preparations, household management, general safety, clothing selection maintenance and repair skills, family and community services, and personal care services.

The Math, Science and Leadership MagnetWESTWOOD JUNIOR HIGH

7630 Arapaho Rd. Dallas, TX 75248469-593-3600

risd.org/westwoodjh

@WWJHWarriors