Hingham Middle School Program of Studies For Students Entering Grades 7 and 8
Why Are We Here? Our goal is to work together to design a schedule that will best meet your child s academic needs. It should be... Engaging Appropriately challenging Well-rounded
TIMELINE FOR COURSE SELECTION PROCESS March 7 March 1-6 March 9-16 April 24 Teachers Post Recommendations Counselors meet with students Request Page Open to Students and Families Last day to submit Parent Override Forms
Your Resources: THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES GUIDE PROVIDES INFORMATION ON EACH COURSE FOR GRADES 6-12 AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.HINGHAMSCHOOLS.COM Link to HMS and click on Program of Studies PASSWORDS AND INSTRUCTIONS Issued earlier this year. Contact the guidance secretary if you need help.
Who Can I Ask for Help? TEACHERS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ADMINISTRATORS DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
Your Child s Schedule REQUIRED COURSES ENGLISH, MATH, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOREIGN LANGUAGE RECOMMENDED COURSES READING LAB, MATH PREP, STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING ELECTIVE COURSES SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
ELECTIVE COURSES FOR GRADE 7 Based on the number of recommended courses, the number of electives your child can select may vary. Requests for changes in electives will not be honored after the end of the second week of school. Art 7 Drama 7 Wood Technology Family & Consumer Science 7 STEM Elective* Middle School Concert Band Middle School Chorus Middle School Strings Ensemble (Orchestra) Directed Study
ELECTIVE COURSES FOR GRADE 8 Based on the number of recommended courses, the number of electives your child can select may vary. Requests for changes in electives will not be honored after the end of the second week of school. Art 8 Drama 8 Introduction to Television Production Technology Education Family & Consumer Science 8 STEM Elective* Middle School Concert Band Middle School Chorus Middle School Strings Ensemble (Orchestra) Directed Study
Course Selection Process Step 1 Log-in at ma-hingham.myfollett.com
The Course Selection Process Step 2 After logging in, click on the My Info tab
Step 3 Click on the Requests side tab
Step 4 View Course Selections Click on Select to view recommended courses.
Step 5 Select Courses View recommended courses for each subject area. If you wish to select a different course, check the select button.
Primary Requests Select three electives under Primary requests
Alternate Requests
Alternate requests Select two DIFFERENT electives under Alternate requests. Indicate alternate priority.
The course selection window will be open from March 9-16.
HMS Departmental Recommendations
Academic Levels at HMS Level 2 Challenging coursework that will require a good deal of independence on the part of the student. Level 3 Majority of students are recommended for this level. High academic standards and rigorous daily work. Level 4 Recommended for students who require additional support within the classroom.
Factors Used in Making Level Recommendations Reading Writing Communication Skills (Speaking and Listening) Critical Thinking Skills Student s Level of Independence
HMS English Department Reading Writing Speaking/Listening Level 2 Demonstrates independence in the following areas: Critical reading and thinking Inferential reasoning Pace, fluency Demonstrates independence in the following areas: Structure, logic, and development of ideas Mechanics Expression Demonstrates independence in the following areas: Verbal articulation of ideas Analysis/synthesis of ideas Level 3 Needs some support in the following areas: Critical reading and thinking Inferential reasoning Pace, fluency Needs some support in the following areas: Structure, logic, and development of ideas Mechanics Expression Needs some support in the following areas: Verbal articulation of ideas Analysis/synthesis of ideas Level 4 Needs ongoing support in the following areas: Critical reading and thinking Inferential reasoning Pace, fluency Needs ongoing support in the following areas: Structure, logic, and development of ideas Mechanics Expression Needs ongoing support in the following areas: Verbal articulation of ideas Analysis/synthesis of ideas
HMS Math Department Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 12 A Pre-Algebra Honors Algebra 1 Honors Geometry Honors AP Calculus* Honors Calculus* AP Statistics B1 L3 Pre-Algebra Algebra 1 Quadratic Geometry Quadratic Emphasis Honors Calculus* Intro to Calculus* AP Statistics B2 Math 7 Math 8 with Algebra Algebra 1 Quadratic Pre-Calculus B3 Math 7 Math 8 Algebra 1 Linear Topics and Statistics Students who earn Not Meeting Expectations or Low Partially Meeting Expectations may also take an additional support class, Math 7 Prep or Math 8 Prep, for 2 periods each cycle. *Please note that, nationally, only 16% of students take Calculus. That should not be the goal in choosing courses. It should be focused on developing strong Algebra 1 skills and that takes time.
HMS Math Department Grade 6 to Grade 7: The following factors are considered in recommendations : Speed and accuracy of basic facts and skills Mathematical intuition Student independence Grade 5 MCAS First semester grade in 6th grade (focus on Term 2) 6th grade skills benchmark test 6th grade chapter 5 test
HMS-HHS Science Scope & Sequence Level L2 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 11-12 Electives 7 Advanced Science *8 Advanced Biology (MCAS) *Chemistry *Physics AP Biology Science *AP Chemistry *AP Physics Anatomy & Phys. Greenhouse Botany Environmental Sci. Biotechnology Electronics L3/L4 * 7 US/S Science 8 US/S Science Integrated Science Biology (MCAS) *Chemistry *Physics Oceanography Greenhouse Botany Environmental Sci. Biotechnology Electronics Course emphasizes quantitative skills; see Program of Studies for math prerequisites.
HMS Science Recommendation Criteria
HMS Social Studies Department Course Scope and Sequence Grade 6: Ancient World History Grade 7: World Geography (Levels 2, 3, 4) Grade 8: United States History to 1877 (Levels 2, 3, 4) Grade 9: Humanities/World History I (Levels 2, 3, 4) Grade 10: World History II (Levels 2, 3, 4 plus A.P. World History) Grade 11: American Studies/United States History (Levels 2, 3, 4 plus A.P. United States History) Grade 12: Electives (Levels 2, 3, 4 plus A.P. European History)
HMS Social Studies Department Reading Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Writing Historical Thinking Demonstrates independence in the following areas: Critical reading and thinking Inferential reasoning Pace, vocabulary Demonstrates independence in the following areas: Structure, logic, and development of ideas Mechanics Expression Needs some support in the following areas: Critical reading and thinking Inferential reasoning Pace, vocabulary Needs some support in the following Needs some support in the areas: following areas: Structure, logic, and Causation, comparison development of ideas and contextualization Mechanics Analysis/synthesis of Expression historical evidence Needs ongoing support in the following Needs ongoing support in the areas: following areas: Critical reading and thinking Structure, logic, and Inferential reasoning development of ideas Pace, vocabulary Mechanics Expression Demonstrates independence in the following areas: Causation, comparison and contextualization Analysis/synthesis of historical evidence Needs ongoing support in the following areas: Causation, comparison and contextualization Analysis/synthesis of historical evidence
Foreign Language Course Sequences
Differences between Advanced and Upper Standard Courses: Instruction Advanced classes will move at an accelerated pace. In these classes, there will be less repetition of material. In upper standard classes, there will be substantial re-teaching of previously learned material and more opportunities for practice. Instruction in advanced classes will include supplementary information including additional readings, vocabulary, and cultural information. Assessment Assessments in advanced courses will be longer and more complex than those in upper standard courses. They will require more open-ended application of the vocabulary and grammar learned in class. Assessments in upper standard courses will be shorter, less complex, and more concrete.
Seventh Grade Medical Requirements In accordance with Massachusetts state law, all students entering seventh grade are required to have a physical. In addition, state regulations require written documentation that each child has satisfied the following immunization requirements: 1. A second Measles, Mumps, and Rubella shot (MMR#2) 2. A series of #3 Hepatitis inoculations 3. A Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) inoculation, given within the last 5 years. 4. One dose of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or a physician s verification that the child has a reliable history of the disease. Failure to comply with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations will result in your child s exclusion from school. Exemptions are allowed only for the following two situations: 1. A medical exemption, if a physician submits documentation that an immunization is medically inadvisable. 2. A religious exemption, if a parent/guardian submits a written statement that immunizations conflict with their sincere religious beliefs. Philosophical exemptions are not allowed by Massachusetts state law. You will be receiving a letter from the school nurse regarding these requirements. Please complete and return all forms to the school nurse before the start of school in September so that your child can begin school with his/her class.
Thank you! We re glad you could join us this evening! If you have additional questions, or need more information, department directors and teachers are available in the cafeteria.