Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Incoming 7 th Grade Parent Meeting

Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Incoming 7 th Grade Parent Meeting

Welcome and Introductions Jennifer Webster & Mike Kryder Format for the evening Transition from 6 th to 7 th grade Counselors- Rebecca Bloom & Nancy Egan Curriculum Overviews Team Leaders - Sandra Gallagher, George Martin and Pam Lever Department Chairs - Bill Falatko, Stacy Levy and Kristen Tessier

7 th Grade Articulation Process Mike Kryder 6 th grade teacher recommendations Placement questions Counselors support Administrative support Communication handout Registration

Our current 7 th Graders Joelle & Ari 6 th grade wisdom that helped in 7 th grade Perspective & comments Students at an elementary school

7th Grade Similarities - Sandra Gallagher, Pam Lever & George Martin Similarities between 6 th and 7 th grade Differences from 6 th to 7 th grade Strategies learned in 6 th grade that help in 7 th grade & beyond Seventh grade team meetings Students working together

Students Daily Schedule Rebecca Bloom &Nancy Egan, Counselors 7 periods on the schedule 5 core subjects (English, Math, Science, World Studies, PE/Health) 2 elective periods (Foreign Language, Arts classes, and by teacher recommendation- ESOL, Reading, or Resource) See the registration booklet for course descriptions Students syncing up

Selecting Classes for 2 elective periods Rebecca Bloom &Nancy Egan, Counselors 2 full year electives Example: 5 core classes, foreign language, band 1 full year & 2 semester electives Example: 5 core classes, foreign language, FACS, specialty art 4 semester electives Example: 5 core classes, studio art, digital photography/desktop publishing, exploratory theatre, gateway to technology A Reading & 1 full year or 2 semester electives Example: 5 core classes, resource, reading, ESOL, and TV studio, specialty art

Registration Form Top Rebecca Bloom &Nancy Egan, Counselors

Registration Form - Bottom Rebecca Bloom &Nancy Egan, Counselors

Physical Education - William Falatko, P.E. Chair Required class, 3 marking periods http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/physed/middle/ Learn about physical activity (fitness & movement) Gain motor skills & personal development Improve health related fitness Variety of individual and team sports, games, and activities (cognitive concepts) Promote a lifelong physically fit lifestyle

Health Education 7 William Falatko, P.E. Chair Implemented through Physical Education 9 week course, separate grade MCPS curriculum in a classroom setting http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/ health/ Focus on alcohol & other drugs, Project Alert, first aid Information meeting in the fall Pyle 5k Run

Arts Electives William Falatko, Arts Chair Semester Arts Classes FACS Theatre Gateway to Technology A Digital Photography/ Desktop Publishing Specialty Art Studio Art TV Studio Full Year Arts Classes Music Band Orchestra Chorus Drama Performance Gateway to Technology A/B Yearbook

Pre-Engineering Pathways Accelerated Pre-Engineering Pathway Introduction to Design & 3-D Modeling: Grade 6: 9 weeks Gateway to Technology A & B Grade 7: full year Pre-Engineering Pathway Introduction to Engineering Design: Grade 8: full year Principles of Engineering: Grade 9: full year Other HS or AP credit courses Introduction to Design & 3-D Modeling: Grade 6: 9 weeks Gateway to Technology A Grade 7: semester Gateway to Technology B Grade 8: semester Introduction to Engineering Design: Grade 9: full year

Math Courses & Placement - Stacy Levy, Math Department Chair Students are placed in math classes based on the following criteria: Teacher recommendation Success in previous math class-grades, assessments, work study habits, etc. County and state assessments Student and Parent Input Students working together

Math Courses and Placement - Stacy Levy, Math Department Chair 7 th Grade Math Courses Math 7 IM Algebra Honors Geometry Pumpkin Drop 2011 Math & Foreign Language Night Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm

7 th Grade English/Reading Classes - Sandra Gallagher, Team Leader English Course Placement Advanced 7 English 7 Reading 7 (by teacher recommendation) ESOL 6 th grade teachers recommend on basis of MSA & MAP-R Scores Grades Other available data English Class

Overview of 7 th Grade English - Sandra Gallagher, Team Leader Forging New Connections Identity Sense of Place Voices from the Past Imagination A Midsummer Night s Dream Students working together

Science George Martin, Dept. Chair 7 th Grade Science - Investigations in Science Unit 1: Hydroponics - Project Based Structure/Characteristics of Living Things Unit 2: Chemistry of Life - Biochemistry/Body systems Unit 3: Diseases - Genetic disorders/biotechnology Unit 4: Forensics - Biotechnology Science Experiment Science Experiment

World Studies Pam Lever, Team Leader 7 th Grade Advanced World Studies - Unit 1: Foundations of Modern Political Systems Unit 2: The Influence of Culture in Africa Unit 3: Geography Shapes in Latin America Unit 4: The Impact of Economics: One World Past & Present Students working on a project

World Language - Kristen Tessier, Dept. Chair Diversity Doort If student took WL in 6 th grade: Student will normally continue on to the next level Project Presentation

World Language - Kristen Tessier, Dept. Chair 7 th Grade students who did not take WL in 6 th grade may choose to: Take French or Spanish 1AB Take French or Spanish 1A Take Chinese 1AB (depends on enrollment and staffing) Presentation Students working in the hall

World Language - Kristen Tessier, Dept. Chair 1AB vs 1A Both are high school courses for high school credit and will appear on the student s high school transcript Both start from the very beginning and no prior knowledge of the language is required Neither class is designed for native / seminative speakers

World Language - Kristen Tessier, Dept. Chair 1AB vs 1A Same as HS - 1 credit Fast paced - 9 units Requires excellent study habits / organizational skills Student should have interest in WL and be motivated Same as HS - ½ credit Slower paced - one semester of material spread out over entire year- 4 to 5 units

World Language Pathways 6 th Grade 7 th Grade 8 th Grade 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade Option #1 Option #2 Option #3 Option #4 Option #5 Reading Elective Elective 1AB 2 3 4 Reading Elective 1AB 2 3 4 5 Reading 1A 1B 2 3 4 5 Reading 1AB 2 3 4 5 AP 1A 1B 2 3 4 5 AP Option #6 1AB 2 3 4 5 AP Lang AP Lit.

Extra Curricular Activities - Mike Kryder Variety of activities Opportunity to explore interests Find the balance of academics and extra curricular Registration is on-line Fall Showcase Night

Important Registration Dates Rebecca Bloom &Nancy Egan, Counselors February 17 th deadline for registration forms to English teacher April 12 th pre-registration course selections will be distributed with third quarter report cards May 4 th deadline for parents to send an email or letter to Mrs. Webster requesting a reexamination of placement recommendations

Closure Mike Kryder Upcoming Dates Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:00pm Arts Showcase Night Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm Math & World Language Night Copy of the this PowerPoint will be on the Pyle webpage Copy of the Arts PowerPoint highlighting the different offerings will be on the Pyle webpage