Anderson Middle School Incoming 6 th Grade Parent Night May 13, 2015 AMS Media Center

We’re excited for your child to join us next year at AMS. Main things we will cover tonight:  AMS Administrative and Support Staff  AMS Mission  Schedule and Offerings  Middle School and Your Child Welcome

Administrative and Support Staff Administration  Michael Ross – Principal Students Last Names N-Z  Jim Cowdrey - Assistant Principal Students Last Names A-M Support Staff  Diane Duncan - Counselor  Liz Siegel – Social Worker  Anne Nolan – Speech Pathologist  Cheryl Somers – School Psychologist  Carrie Sills – Occupational Therapist

Anderson Middle School recognizes the uniqueness of middle school students and provides a safe place where we encourage and support students to make choices which promote respect, responsibility, and educational success. AMS Mission

THE HEART OF AMS ARE THE PEOPLE!  Staff work hard to ensure your child’s success!  We work hard to meet the needs of students  Support and flexibility for students with disabilities  Supports for struggling students  Opportunities for acceleration  We have two main goals for our students:  Provide students with the best middle school experience possible.  Prepare students for the next level of school  High School and Post-Secondary The Heart of AMS

 Each student has 7 (50 minute) scheduled classes per term.  ELA and Math classes are either grade level of resource room.  ELA 6(Writing) - Focus on improving writing using Writers Workshop  ELA 6 (Reading) - Focus on improving reading comprehension using Readers Workshop  Math 6 - Connected Mathematics Program  Meets Common Core State Standards  Science 6 - Introduction to Chemistry and Biological Science Principles  Social Studies 6 - World Geography  Two Elective Classes AMS 6 th Grade Schedule and Course Offerings (Core)

Year Long Classes  Music - Band, Orchestra, or Choir (About 75% of students take a music class) Semester Long Classes (18 Weeks) – Non-Music Students  Speech  Creative Writing Term Length Classes (9 Weeks)  Physical Education  Computer Technology  Art  Family Consumer Science – Required  Math 6 Plus – Required for students taking Math 6 AMS 6 th Grade Electives

 Each student has 6 classes (2-75-minute classes and 4-50 minute classes).  ELA and Math classes are either grade level of resource room.  ELA and math are 75 minutes long and run back to back  ELA  ELA 7 - Focus on improving reading and writing using Readers and Writers Workshop  ELA 8 - Focus on improving reading and writing using Readers and Writers Workshop  Math - Connected Mathematics Program for 7 th and 8 th Grade  Meets Common Core State Standards  Math 7 – 7 th grade standards with some pre-algebra content  Math 8 Grade (Algebra Equivalent)  Science  Science 7 – Introduction to Earth Science Principles  Science 8 – Introduction to Physics Principles  Social Studies  Social Studies 7 - World History  Social Studies 8 - American History 7 th and 8 th Grade Schedule and Course Offerings (Core)

7 th and 8 th Grade Electives 7 th Grade Electives Year Long Classes  Music - Band, Orchestra, or Choir  Spanish 1 Semester Long Classes (18 Weeks)  Speech  Creative Writing  Physical Education  Computer Technology  Art  Family Consumer Science 8 th Grade Electives Year Long Classes  Music - Band, Orchestra, or Choir  Spanish 1  Spanish 2  French 1  Robotics Semester Long Classes (18 Weeks)  Physical Education  Computer Technology  Art  Family Consumer Science  Media (Newspaper)

Foreign Language Spanish/French – Equivalent to High School Spanish 1 and 2 and French 1 2 Year language requirement for high school diploma Middle School Options  7 th grade Spanish 1 and 8 th grade Spanish 2  8 th grade Spanish 1 and 9 th grade Spanish 2  8 th grade French 1 and 9 th grade French 2  No language in Middle School Math Math 8 - Algebra Proficiency in 8 th Grade = Geometry placement in 9 th Grade Geometry - Geometry proficiency in 8 th grade = Algebra 2 in 9 th Grade Acceleration Opportunities High School Course Options

 3 year program  Multi-age self-contained program  48 students in grades 6-8  Periods 1-4 are blocked and cover ELA (Writing), Reading, Science, and Social Studies  Class is divided in the afternoon for math instruction  Social Studies and Science curriculum is rotated over the 3 years  Over the 3 year span, students cover the same curriculum that they would have covered in a traditional classroom. Concepts Consolidated Program

1 st Period 8:15-9:05 2 nd Period 9:10-10:00 3 rd Period 10:05-11:00 4 th Period 11:05-11:55 Lunch 11:55- 12:40 5 th Period 12:45-1:35 6 th Period 1:40-2:30 7 th Period 2:35-3:25 ELA Writing 6 T1- PE T2 - Computers T3 – Family Consumer Science T4 – Math 6 + Math 6ELA Reading 6 Social Studies 6 Science 6Band 6 Sample Schedule

 Art Club, Morning and After School Homework Assistance, Religious Diversity Journeys, Game Day, Geography Bee, Student Council, Dances, Peer Mentorship, Ski Club, YOU, 4-H Teach Wizards.  Upstander Anti-Bullying Program (100 students)  Athletics  6 th Grade – Cross Country, Swimming, and Tennis  7 th and 8 th Grade – Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Track, Swimming, Volleyball, and Tennis Extra-Curricular Opportunities

 New Opportunities and Challenges  Changing classes with up to 7 different teachers  Larger school environment (Approximately 650 students)  Increased rigor with coursework  More Homework  Grade level x 10 = Average number of minutes of homework.  6 th grade = 60 minutes on average  7 th grade = 70 minutes on average  8 th grade = 80 minutes on average Middle School

 Understanding the changes to come  Physical, emotional, intellectual, and social  Be aware and be informed  Communicate with your child  Provide appropriate consequences  Identify abilities, interests, and explore career options The Transition to Middle School “The Transformation”

Typical vs. Non-Typical Behavior TYPICAL  Girls generally start puberty earlier than boys (ages 8-15)  Boys generally start between ages  Weight gain, new body hair, acne, body odor etc… Non-Typical  Extreme body weight change up or down  Potential eating disorders  Alert the counselor

Typical vs. Non-Typical Behavior TYPICAL  Kids, even those who were previously even- keeled, can become moody and sullen  Growing need for privacy and independence NON-TYPICAL  Intense feelings of sadness (depression)  Excessive sleeping

Typical vs. Non-Typical Behavior TYPICAL  Slight grade dip  Organizational difficulties  Increased struggle with homework NON-TYPICAL  Dreading school  Feign illness  Avoiding social situations  Sudden and dramatic grade drop

Typical vs. Non-Typical Behavior TYPICAL  New fascination with appearance  The right look  The right clothes NON-TYPICAL  Kids who do not talk about friends  No socialization  Isolation in room with door closed

 Assist with organizational and time management skills (Planner)  Make homework your child’s responsibility  Encourage involvement in school activities  Encourage independent problem-solving  Provide academic support  Keep on progress through Family Access How to Help Your Child

 Concepts Consolidated Parent Information Night occurred on March 3  There are still about 4 slots open  Transition visits for students in special education have begun and continue to occur  ESY program for some students  Additional 6 th grade orientation time in August  Summer Reading Project – 3 Books expected  Optional Summer AR quiz opportunities (AMS Media Center)  July 22 nd from 12:00-2:00  August 19 th from 12:00-2:00  6 th Grade Orientation – Aug 26 and 27 th (9:00-12:00 each day)  2 half days  Pictures on the 26 th  1 session to take AR quizzes What’s Next?

If you have questions feel free to contact us! Michael Ross - Principal Jim Cowdrey – Assistant Principal Diane Duncan - Counselor AMS Main Office: People to Contact With Questions