Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Incoming 7 th Grade Parent Meeting
Welcome and Introductions Scott Gitchell Format for the evening Transition from 6 th to 7 th grade School Counselors Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend Curriculum Overviews Team Leaders Brooks Kemp, Rachel Topor, and Michelle Harmon Department Chairs - Kristen Tessier, Sandra Gallagher, Jacob Lewis, Melanie Harper, Andra Metz, and Bill Falatko
7 th Grade Articulation Process Scott Gitchell 6 th grade teacher recommendations Placement questions School Counselors support Administrative support Online Registration handout Registration
7th Grade Similarities - Brooks Kemp, Team Leader 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 seventh 7 th grade & beyond Students working together
Students Daily Schedule Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend, School Counselors 7 periods on the schedule 5 core subjects (English, Math, Science, World Studies, PE/Health) 2 elective periods (World Language, Arts/Tech classes, and by teacher recommendation- ESOL, Reading, or Resource) See the registration booklet online (Pyle website) for course descriptions Registration is online Students syncing up
Registration Form Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend, School Counselors Math
Registration Form - Back Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend, School Counselors
Math Courses & Placement - Andra Metz, Resource Teacher 7 th Grade Math Courses C 2.0 Math 7 C 2.0 IM C 2.0 Algebra I Pumpkin Drop 2011
Math Courses & Pathways- Andra Metz, Math Resource Teacher Students working together * Including MCPS enrichment and acceleration opportunities ** Investigations in Math *** AP Calculus, AP Statistics, or other college-level courses The red boxes show opportunities for students to take THREE years of math courses over TWO grades to allow for acceleration and the opportunity to take AP math courses in HS
Math Courses & Placement - Andra Metz, Resource Teacher Rollout Plan Shading indicates implementation year
Math Courses and Placement Andra Metz, Math Resource Teacher 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
Physical Education 7 Bill Falatko, Resource Teacher Required class, 3 marking periods. PE focuses on health related fitness, movement skills and concepts, and personal and social responsibility. Students should better understand the benefits of fitness and efficient movement in physical activity. Students participate in games and activities that promote fitness, develop tactical awareness and develop social qualities.
Health Education 7 Bill Falatko, Resource Teacher Implemented through Physical Education 9 week course, separate grade, classroom setting Grade 7 Curriculum will focus on: Mental & Emotional Health Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs Personal & Consumer Health Family Life & Human Sexuality Disease Prevention & Control Parent Information meeting in the fall
2 Elective Periods Required Classes 1. English 2. Math 3. Science 4. World Studies 5. PE & Health Elective Course Options World Language (FY) Arts (FY) Arts (2 Sem) Reading* (FY) * = by teacher recommendation
Arts Electives Bill 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
Arts Showcase Night February 11, 2016, 7:00 8:30 pm Displays of Student Work Student Performances Demonstrations Meet the Teachers Open House format
7 th Grade English/Reading Classes Sandra Gallagher, Resource Teacher English Course Placement Advanced English 7 Academic Literacy (by teacher recommendation) MS Digital Literacy 2 (by teacher recommendation) READ 180 (by teacher recommendation) ESOL English Class
Overview of 7 th Grade English Sandra Gallagher, Resource Teacher Forging New Connections Identity Sense of Place Perspectives Expressions A Midsummer Night s Dream Students working together
Science Jacob Lewis, Resource Teacher 7 th Grade Science - Investigations in Science Unit 1: Cells and their Structure Structure/Characteristics of Living Things Unit 2: Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms Nutrition and Human Body Systems Unit 3: Genetics Genetic disorders/biotechnology Unit 4: Biological Evolution and Earth s History Evolution and its Evidence Science Experiment Science Experiment
World Studies Melanie Harper, Resource Teacher 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 Students working on a project Unit 4: The Impact of Economics: One World Past & Present
Extra Curricular Activities - Brooks Kemp, Team Leader Variety of activities Opportunity to explore interests Find the balance of academics and extracurricular Registration is online Fall Showcase Night
World Language - Kristen Tessier, Resource Teacher Diversity Door If student took WL in 6 th grade: Students will normally continue on to the next level Project Presentation
World Language - Kristen Tessier, Resource Teacher Presentation 7 th Grade students who did not take WL in 6 th grade may choose to: Take French, Spanish, Chinese or Italian 1AB (contingent on enrollment and staffing) Take French or Spanish 1A Students working in the hall
World Language - Kristen Tessier, Resource Teacher 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 / semi-native speakers
World Language - Kristen Tessier, Resource Teacher 1AB vs 1A Same as HS - 1 credit Faster paced 8-9 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 More time to process and internalize material
World Language - Kristen Tessier, Resource Teacher Can my child test into a higher level as a 7 th grade? 7 th graders may test into level 2 8 th graders may test into level 3 If your child already has a strong foundation in a 2nd language, we recommend they start a 3 rd language.
Option #1 Option #2 Option #3 World Language Pathways 6 th Grade 7 th Grade 8 th Digital Literacy Digital Literacy Digital Literacy Grade 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade Elective Elective 1AB 2 3 4 Elective 1AB 2 3 4 5 1A 1B 2 3 4 5 Option #4 Digital Literacy 1AB 2 3 4 5 AP Option #5 1A 1B 2 3 4 5 AP Option #6 1AB 2 3 4 5 AP Lang AP Lit.
Important Registration Dates Michelle Harmon, Team Leader February 11 th Arts Showcase Night February 19 th registration forms due to English teachers May 18 th placement request changes in writing due to Mr. Nardi and elective changes to student s counselor
State Law Requirement Important Immunization requirements for next year's 7th grade students. You may want to contact your health care provider in order to avoid exclusion from school in the Fall.
Closure Scott Gitchell 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
Breakout Sessions Math: Dining Room Science: Room 110 World Languages: Room 116 English: Room 112 World Studies: Room 111 Electives: Room 115 Registration: Room 113
Adolescent Learner Michelle Harmon, Brooks Kemp, Rachel Topor