Anderson Middle School Incoming 6 th Grade Parent Night November 12, 2014 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!  We 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 (Writing) - Focus on improving writing using Writers Workshop  Reading - Focus on improving reading comprehension using Readers Workshop  Math - Connected Mathematics Program for 6 th and 7 th Grade  Meets Common Core State Standards  8 th Grade TBD, but most-likely CMP-3 8 th Grade Program (Algebra Equivalent)  Science  6 th Grade - Introduction to Chemistry and Biological Science Principles  7 th Grade – Introduction to Earth Science Principles  8 th Grade – Introduction to Physics Principles  Social Studies  6 th Grade - World Geography  7 th Grade - World History  8 th Grade - American History AMS Schedule and Course Offerings (Core)

Electives Options  Band, Orchestra, or Choir (Year Long)  About 75% of students take a music class  Physical Education  Family Consumer Science  Computer Technology  Art (8 th Hour Art option as well)  Speech  Creative Writing  Media  Engineering AMS Schedule and Course Offerings (Electives)

Spanish – Equivalent to High School Spanish 1 and 2 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  No Spanish in Middle School Math 8 - Algebra Proficiency in 8 th Grade = Geometry placement in 9 th Grade Beyond 6 th Grade Acceleration Opportunities

 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- 10:59 4 th Period 11:04-11:54 Lunch 11:54-12:34 5 th Period 12:39-1:29 6 th Period 1:34-2:24 7 th Period 2:29-3:25 ELA 6T1- PE T2 - ART T3 - FCS T4 - Computers Math 6Reading 6Social Studies 6 Science 6Band 6 Sample Schedule

 Art Club, Morning and After School Homework Assistance, Religious Diversity, Game Day, Geography Bee, Student Council, Dances, Peer Mentorship, Ski Club.  Upstander Anti-Bullying Program (100 students)  Athletics  6 th Grade – Cross Country and Swimming  7 th and 8 th Grade – Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Track, Swimming, and Volleyball 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 How to Help Your Child

 Concepts Consolidated Parent Information Night – March 3  Scheduling recommendations from 5 th grade teachers in April  Transition visits for students in special education in the Spring  ESY for some students  Additional 6 th Grade orientation time  5 th grade students visit AMS May 13 in the afternoon.  Incoming 6 th Grade Parent Meeting May 13, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)  Summer Reading Project – 3 Books and 3 AR reading quizzes  6 th Grade Orientation – 3 rd week of August (Most likely Aug 26-27)  2 half days  Pictures on the 2 nd day 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