Incoming 6 th Grade Parent Information Night 1
Ms. Sharon Hansen, Principal Counselor Assignments for 2019-2020 Grade 6 Mrs. Spegel Grade 7- Mrs. Carty Grade 8 Mrs. Newswanger Dept. Chairperson/AVID Ms. Westley 2
Our Middle School Day Six class periods each day 55 minutes Core Classes--Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies everyday period 1,2,5,6 Daily Advisory after period 2, before lunch Lunch is 30 minutes Two encore class periods daily; A/ B day rotation Teachers may allow a light snack during 5 th period 3
How are Middle School Students Graded Each subject assigns a final numerical grade each marking period. Grades range from 50-100. 50-59 E; 60-69 D; 70-79 C; 80-89 B; and 90-100 A. Each final grade is made up of a variety of assignments which may be weighted differently. Quarterly Assessments in Core classes count 5% of quarterly grade (6 th and 7 th grade) and 10% for 8 th grade. Homework counts up to 10% of a quarterly grade. 4
How are Middle School Students Graded Parents have access to grades on Parent Connect. Honor Roll: no more than 1 C with the rest A s and B s. Principal s Honor Roll: all A s. GPA is used in 8 th grade to calculate National Junior Honor Society (3.75) based on grades in 6 th and 7 th grade. GPA is used in 8 th grade to calculate the Presidential Academic Awards (3.5) based on grades in 6 th, 7 th, and the first marking period of 8 th grade. 5
Time Schedule 7:50-8:05 6 th graders arrive-wait in cafeteria 8:15-9:11 Period 1 (Core subject) 9:15-10:08 Period 2 (Core subject) 10:12-10:36 Advisory Period 10:42-11:07 6 th Grade Lunch 11:11-12:04 Period 3 (Encore class) 12:08-1:01 Period 4 (Encore class) 1:05-1:58 Period 5 (Core subject) 2:02-2:55 Period 6 (Core subject) Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:05pm-4:00pm Activity periods teacher help days and clubs
Core Courses Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies (year long/every day) Performance Levels English/Language Arts Advanced and Standard Performance Levels Math Math 6 and Math 6/7 7
Math Two Performance Levels Math 6 and Math 6/7 Math 6 - Proficient in basic computation (math facts +, -, x, /), rounding, place value, and number line usage. Math 6/7 Students qualify for Math 6/7 if: PARCC Score Quarterly Assessment Scores CogAT score Math 6/7 : 1.5 years of instruction; proficient in fraction operations, long division place value, decimal operations, least common multiple, greatest common factor, math facts, and show all work. See your student s data card for PARCC scores. 8
Mathematics Sequence College and Career Pathway 6 th Math 6* 7 th Math 7 8 th Math 8 9 th Algebra I 10 th Geometry 11 th Integrated Mathematics or Algebra II 12 th Foundations of College Algebra or Pre-Calculus or AP Statistics Advanced Pathway 6 th Math 6/7 7 th Math 7/8* 8 th Algebra I 9 th Geometry** 10 th Algebra II** 11 th Pre-Calculus/AP Statistics** 12 th AP Calculus AB/BC** *Students who complete Math 6 can move to Math 7/8 by taking the Bridge class in summer school ** Students in high school can double up math classes in order to take Calculus 3 or Linear Algebra in 12 th grade 9
Language Arts Placement Criteria Students will be considered for placement in Advanced LA 6 if they Score 4 or 5 on PARCC Score of 3 on PARCC with support Monitored reading, vocabulary development, grammar and usage, and speaking. Advanced has a similar curriculum, however, with greater depth and at an accelerated pace with higher level reading materials. Please see your student s data card for this PARCC scores 10
Science - 6 Matter and Atoms Biochemical cycles Molecules of life Ecosystems Astronomy Environmental Issues Use technology to conduct investigations and analyze data to come to conclusions about research 11
Social Studies - 6 Geography River Valley Civilizations Classical European History Greece and Rome Africa The Americas Analyze maps, charts, tables, political cartoons 12
Full year Classes (6 th grade) (Meets on A/B schedule for full year) PE/Health- Three quarters of PE/ One quarter of Health World Languages *Foreign Language Level 1A Spanish/French/Chinese in 6 th grade on A/B day schedule all year *Level 1B in 7 th grade (A/B), and Level II in 8 th grade (every day). Chorus- Performance based (before/after school); Fine Art credit Band- Performance based (before/after school); Fine Art credit Orchestra- Performance based (before/after school); Fine Art cr. Dance- Performance based (concerts/ practices); Fine Art credit AVID- A program of choice (application process) 13
Semester Classes (Meets on A/B schedule for one semester) Box Score- Sports statistics/ analysis of scores Gateway to Technology- Design/build/test projects using the engineering design process. (Tech Ed) Healthy Life Building a healthy lifestyle (FACS) Music Goes Global- Music fundamentals/ history/ culture 14
Semester Classes (Meets on A/B schedule for one semester) Passport to the World- World cultures/ global connections Project Runway- Basics of fashion design Strategies for Success- Study skills/ goal setting/ organization True Colors-Use of varied media in artwork (Art/ Fine Art credit) 15
Earning High School Credit in Middle School Credit toward high school graduation may be earned in middle school. The student may take a high school level course: Spanish I A/ I B/ II; French I A/ I B/ II; Chinese I A/ I B/ II; and/or Algebra I. The student passes the course with a D or higher. In addition to the high school credit the final grade that student receives in that class will be calculated into the students Grade Point Average 16
AVID Advancement Via Individual Determination AVID is a program designed to support the student in the academic middle. Student s must apply and be interviewed. One of the key components is the student s determination to do well. There is some extra work required of the AVID student, so the child s willingness to work is a must. Students commit to at least an hour of homework, daily; advanced coursework, excellent behavior, and regular attendance. 17
Physical Education Required for all students in grades 6, 7 & 8 3 marking periods of P.E. and 1 marking period of health Fitness Testing Uniforms Required No Showers Required TAKES UP ONE OF THE A/B ROTATIONS. 18
Music Band and Strings- (We take Beginners!!!!) *Rehearsals before and/or after school *Concerts in December and June with other performance opportunities. *Festival groups are selected with additional performances *Field trips-toby s gr. 6/7; gr 8 New York trip *Uniforms required. Items ordered through Boosters *Jazz band selection by instrument *Active parent volunteers from the Band/Orchestra Boosters organization 19
Chorus Chorus- Evening performances in January & May *5-6 rehearsals in winter and 4-5 in the spring *New uniforms < $20 or purchase a used one through Boosters *Trip to an amusement park *Spartan Lyrical Society-volunteers assist with chorus uniforms, fundraisers, field trips, concerts and THE play! (www.spmssings.org) *Varsity Choir is an auditioned group with additional performances. 20
Dare to Dance Dance and its relationship to culture Creative Movement Expression Ballet, modern, jazz, tap, choreography, production, design career Uniform and public performance required. 21
Project Runway 6 Express Yourself in Style! Learn basic sewing principles to express your own personal creativity using digital and graphic resources. Students will produce a fashion show to celebrate their designs. This will also count as a Fine Arts Course. 22
Passport to the World-6 Students will analyze the influences of world cultures and linguistics in order to develop global perspective and understanding of cultural and environmental diversity how do humans in one place and time influence others in another place and time. 23
And. BOX SCORE- Students will explore sports statistics and analyze what is being measured. Fantasy teams will be created and tracked Strategies for Success- includes study skills, organizational tools, and notetaking strategies that can be used in all classes. 24
Course Selection Form 5 th grade teachers will give students their forms prior to the Open House/ Walk in the Park Feb. 11 or Feb. 13 Students need to rank order their encore choices 1-8. The forms are due back to the elementary schools by Feb. 22 nd. 25
FAQ What is an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)? How are students assigned to teams? Will my child get his first encore choices? Will my child be in classes with his/her friends? How do I use Google Classroom and Parent Connect? What is Service Learning? 26
Familiar Middle School Concerns Getting lost or confused by the six period schedule/ the A/B day rotation Experiencing continued academic success (how to handle the academic rigor) Peer interactions (making new friends) Using a lock and locker (right-left-right) Where do I sit in the cafeteria? How do parents communicate with the school (teachers, counselors, administrators)? 27