Moving to Middle School Building the Foundation for High School and Beyond

Meet the Staff Mrs. Hafets, Principal Ms. Willoughby, Assistant Principal Mrs. Propert, School Counselor Mr. Donoughe, 6 th Grade Team Leader and Social Studies Teacher Mrs. Petrlik, Special Education Team Leader

Moving to Middle School Welcome, Mrs. Hafets, School Principal Moving to Middle School Mrs. Hafets, School Principal Ms. Willoughby, Assistant Principal Mrs. Propert, School Counselor Mrs. Petrlik, Special Education Team Leader Outdoor Education Presentation Mr. Donoughe, 6 th Grade Team Leader Middle School Life at the Manor Slide Show Created by Mrs. Randolph

Our Goal To ensure that all middle school students have attained the knowledge and skills to be prepared for their future.

What the research says… Middle school is a defining point for students in the college and career readiness process. Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

College and Career Readiness Academic Skills Academic Behaviors High School Readiness

Academics

What the research says… The level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on their college and career readiness than anything that happens academically in high school. Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

The Middle School Schedule Prepares students to be college and career ready Focuses entire system on literacy Provides additional instruction to students performing below grade-level expectations Provides more time for content instruction Provides consistency in programs and schedules across schools

Middle School Schedule Guidelines

The Schedule Includes: Seven 50-minute classes each day Daily instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science Daily reading and math seminars for students performing below grade-level expectations Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules A variety of Related Arts classes

Reading Science Challenges Forward History All Sixth Graders Take English Mathematics Social Studies Science Physical Ed Fine Arts (Performing Arts, General Music and/or Art) Music Health Science Family & Consumer Science

Science Challenges Forward History Some Sixth Graders Take Core Plus Orchestra Chorus Band Physical Education Art Performing Arts World Language (Parents will select these options and send them back to their childs fifth grade teacher by March 6, 2013.)

Performing Arts Students may take: –Band –Orchestra –Chorus Every day all year long

Science Challenges Forward History Some Sixth Graders Take Core Plus Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules GT Research or Seminars/ Interventions Physical Education Art

Science Challenges Forward History Some Sixth Graders Take the Following Related Arts Core Plus General Music Technology Education Family & Community Sciences Physical Education Art

Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules Opportunities for students to apply disciplinary literacy skills to real-life, problem- solving situations Sixth Grade Modules include: –Connections (includes Junior Great Books) –The Future of Water –Taking Action To Change My World –Reading as a Scientist: Inventions –Expanding and Exploring Career Options

Related Arts Physical Education every other day all year long Health Fine Arts (Performing Arts, General Music, or Art) Family and Consumer Science (when possible) Technology Education (when possible)

A Typical 6 th Grade Schedule for a Student Taking Performing Arts and World Language Mathematics English Language Arts Science Social Studies Performing Arts Physical Education and World Language Health and Two Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules (or GT Research Seminar) and Another Related Art such as Technology Education, Art, or FACS or another I & I Module

A Typical 6 th Grade Schedule for a Student Taking Performing Arts, but not World Language Mathematics English Language Arts Science Social Studies Performing Arts Physical Education/Health/ Another Related Art such as Technology Education, Art, or FACS Two Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules (or GT Research Seminar) and A combination of two Related Arts or two other I & I Modules OR a full-year Reading Seminar or Intervention

A Typical 6 th Grade Schedule for a Student Taking World Language, but not Performing Arts Mathematics English Language Arts Science Social Studies Health and Fine Art (General Music or Art) and Two Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules (or GT Research Seminar) Or Two other Related Arts (if enrolled in a full year reading seminar or intervention) Physical Education/World Language A combination of two Related Arts and two other I & I Modules or Math Seminar/Reading Seminar or Intervention

A Typical 6 th Grade Schedule for a Student Not Taking Performing Arts or World Language Mathematics English Language Arts Science Social Studies Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules/Seminars/Interventions/GT Research Seminars Physical Education/Health/A Fine Art Related Arts such as Tech Ed, General Music, or FACS/or full- year Mathematics Seminar

Supporting Academics GT Seminars Student Service Learning Instructional Intervention Team Math, ELA, and Reading Seminars Beyond the School Day Homework Club Intramurals Aspen Family Portal BMMS Website and Enews

Supporting Academics Stay involved in your childs education. Attend parent conferences. Stay aware of your childs homework and school demands. Attend school events. Try to connect outside experiences to school learning to increase interest and relevance. Tips for Parents

Academic Behaviors

What the research says… The earlier a student develops important academically related behaviors, the more likely these behaviors are to become a habit. Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

Academic Behaviors Orderly Behavior Positive Relationships Academic Discipline Attendance

Supporting Academic Behaviors County provides a personal organizer Student recognition for PRIDE, Blue Ribbon, Top Cat, Honor Roll, music performances, Geography and Spelling Bees, Science Fair, PTA Reflections, Multi-Media Contests, Engineering Competitions, Mathalon, National History Day, Google Contests, …. Monitoring attendance and tardiness

Supporting Academic Behaviors Ensure that your child has the materials and place to study at home. Set a regular time for homework. Encourage your child to be responsible for chores and homework. Provide your child with a range of experiences to allow him/her to identify areas of strength. Talk to your child. Tips for Parents

Middle School Life and Lessons Roots and Wings: The In-Between-Agers What to Expect: Developmental characteristics: physical, emotional, intellectual and social Differences between girls and boys How to support your Middle School student

What to Expect? The ins and outs of popularity Dealing with feelings Friends--REAL friends! Too Tall, Too Short, Too Fat, DRESS CODE? The Down and Dirty (Name-calling, IM, Pitfalls and Mistakes, Everybody Else)

The Joys of 6th Graders Like fish, they move in schools with the more adventurous leading the way. They love their teachers and bring them cookies and candy. They enjoy school spirit and join in crazy hair day and twin day with zeal. They need outdoor recess so they can run and play. They like show and tell. They will talk to whomever will listen. They cry when they are happy or sad. They love their friends, but they can say unkind things. They go with somebody but go nowhere. Yes, 6th graders are special. They have many qualities we all would like to possess!

Top 10 Tools for Building Success 1.Foreman: Involved parents who oversee their student 2. Master Carpenters: Caring teachers 3. Apprentices: Eager learners (i.e., your child) 4. Tool Box: a safe place to learn 5. Tool Belt: Materials to work with 6.Compass: Goals and direction 7. Period of Internship: room to explore, make mistakes, and find creative ways to solve problems Top 10 Tools for Building Success 1.Foreman: Involved parents who oversee their student 2. Master Carpenters: Caring teachers 3. Apprentices: Eager learners (i.e., your child) 4. Tool Box: a safe place to learn 5. Tool Belt: Materials to work with 6.Compass: Goals and direction 7. Period of Internship: room to explore, make mistakes, and find creative ways to solve problems

Top 10 Tools for Building Success 8.Plan and Model: for students to practice and create 9.Concrete Foundation: a support system (i.e., parents, administration and Student Services) 10. PRIDE: our work in progress thats alalways under construction BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS! Top 10 Tools for Building Success 8.Plan and Model: for students to practice and create 9.Concrete Foundation: a support system (i.e., parents, administration and Student Services) 10. PRIDE: our work in progress thats alalways under construction BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS!

DateActivity May 2, 2013 Fifth graders visit May Course Placement Forms Sent Home August 22 Orientation and Open House TBA Back to School Night October 16 & 17 Outdoor Education Upcoming Activities