8 Period Block Schedule Odd Days: Periods Even Days: Periods

Required Classes: Advanced English 6 Mathematics (6, 6B, IM) Investigations in Science 6 Advanced World Studies 6 Physical Education / Health 1 quarter of health 3 quarters of PE

Making Course Recommendations 5 th grade teacher makes recommendations Parent Recommendations………… -Does your child love to read? -Has he or she always earned A’s in on level math? How does your child perform on the above-grade level skills? -What does the teacher tell you? REGISTRATION FORMS DUE Friday, March 2 nd

Electives

Music Electives Band (beginner, intermediate and advanced) Orchestra (intermediate and advanced) To be in advanced a student has to audition

World Language Electives Spanish 1 A FY Spanish 1 AB French 1 AB If you are recommended for reading you may not be in a World language

Special Topics Electives Family and Consumer Science Computers Contemporary Communication Art Dance

Academic Expectations Homework Assigned more often Bigger projects Higher levels of student responsibility expected Used to reinforce concepts learned in class

Academic Expectations Planner: Agenda Book Make it a habit from the start Learn how it is organized Crucial piece to student organization Valuable home – school communication tool

Academic Expectations Middle School is ‘Setting the Stage’ Students classes are preparing them for their high school classes Establishing the habits for high school and beyond

Social Expectations Students have more opportunities to get involved with clubs and activities 6th graders are the small fish in the big pond new behaviors: wanting more independence; more time with friends, testing boundaries, sharing less information … Handling new and different types of peer pressure Learning how to set boundaries for themselves How to interact with each other & fit in Using technology responsibly

What can parents do? Communication Students have multiple teachers Know how to contact the school and your student’s teachers Talk about your child’s day and ask your child questions Make your child show you the COMPLETED HW Empower your child by having them develop study routines that work for them

What can parents do? Sign up for Edline Monitor and support Attendance Ensure that your student is receiving services Know what the school has to offer Join the PTA

TPMS Student Support Programs: Homework Club TAP (Takoma Academic Period) Afterschool Academic Academy Mentoring Groups Counseling Groups Peer Mediation Teacher Lunch Time Tutoring Afterschool Clubs, Sports, and Activities PBIS

Teacher Quotes: “The first thing that parents need to know is that their 6th graders need more support now than they did last year.... It usually takes a student the first quarter to become acclimated to the new environment” “The biggest thing is that they are literally the small fish in the big pond. This change creates anxiety and confusion.”

Teacher Quotes: “Making the planner a habit is one of the best ways to adjust.” “A lot more is expected of them in middle school and many of them struggle at the beginning of the year to juggle all of their work.” “It would be really useful for parents to be familiar with the planner and to check it every night starting at the beginning of the year.”