An Integrated Sixth-grade Learning Community

What is Crossroads? A year-long program, combining the study of: - language arts - social studies - science… around our theme, CULTURE!

How does Crossroads work? 40 incoming sixth graders selected randomly by lottery 3 of 8 class periods spent in the Crossroads room. No separate language arts, science, and social studies classes. Other five periods: math, advisory, specials classes (art, music, phys. ed., tech. ed., FACS, and world language), lunch.

What do we learn? We learn our language arts, science, and social studies skills through the study of four levels of culture and community: Family Community Nation World

Family <> Community <> Nation Highlights from September - December  Family organization project  Full-class Novel: Tuck Everlasting,  Community literature circles  Writing: A family vignette  Powering Up: Natural Resources group project  Immigrant Perspectives: interview and essay  American Experiences (immigrant group) literature circles and presentation  Rocks and Geology and various science labs  And much more!

WORLD: January to June Geography and Cultures within each of the following continents: –The Americas –Europe –Africa –Asia Some Associated Activities: Pangaea, plate tectonics: Dynamic Earth project Weather – Group Project Astronomy and Rocketry Folktales Poetry Biography Project Two African novellas Asian culture group study and literature circle Persuasive essay

Field trips – about eight  Curriculum Connections  Associated writing tasks SAMPLE TRIPS: Philadelphia Mural trip Coal Mine #9 and Eckley Miners’ Village Tenement Museum, New York City National Constitution Center Barnes Museum Opera Philadelphia Goddard Space Center and Smithsonian Institute 172 Days NOT on field trips! Field Trips

Code for Community Cooperative games and activities Many opportunities to interact with others while you learn More Unique Activities

How do students learn in Crossroads? Students work individually and cooperatively to study a variety of science and social studies topics relating to culture Greater emphasis on individual and cooperative projects, presentations, and writing assignments Few tests or quizzes - grammar, vocabulary, geography

There are NO letter grades? Then how do we know how we’re doing? Self Assessments –Approximately once/month –Student generated –Teachers respond Mid/End of Year Evaluations –Receive twice per year –8-page document written by teachers Open Houses –Two per year

The Crossroads Room Double-sized room Big class library 40 laptop computers

MYTHS about Crossroads We won’t have lockers. NOT TRUE! We won’t see non- Crossroads friends. NOT TRUE! We don’t change classes. NOT TRUE!

Soundings Gateways Watershed 7 th Grade 8 th Grade 7 th and 8 th Grade Integrated Programs 8 th Grade

Period 6 th Grade Crossroads Schedule th Grade Team A Schedule Advisory Advisory (orchestra band, chorus, etc.) 1 Tech Ed/FACS/lang 2 CrossroadsScience 3 Social Studies 4 Lunch 5 Art/Music/Phys. Ed.Art/Music/Phys. Ed 6 CrossroadsLanguage Arts 7 Call Back Extension 8 Math Pack up

Who is Crossroads Compatible? Most of the following should be true Crossroads is right for students who… Work and learn well in groups and want to get better at it (not those who allow others to do the work or like to control all the work) Like to explore and “dig deeper” when learning Seek some independence and choice in their learning Prefer to demonstrate learning through projects, presentations, and writing assignments Are interested in how they fit into their community and culture Are not motivated only by A-B-C-D-F grades CROSSROADS IS FOR STUDENTS OF ALL ABILITY LEVELS (with few exceptions)

Crossroads Comparison Some Similarities –Same Core Curriculum and skills are taught –All levels of math available –Specials classes are the same –Special Ed. And Gifted support –Lockers –Lunch Some Differences –L.A., Social Studies, and Science integrated around study of culture –Emphasis on projects, presentations, and writing (with fewer tests) –Many cooperative and group learning projects –Assessed but not graded –Greater need for parent involvement

What Next? Discuss Crossroads with your parents and decide if you want to enter the lottery. All students must submit a form stating if you want Crossroads or not. This form is due on May 6 th. Letters sent out about a week after that. Crossroads new student/parent meeting on May 25 th at 6:30pm in the Crossroads room at RMS. Acceptance must be received by May 27

An Integrated Sixth-grade Learning Community