Franklin Regional Middle School Shelley L. Shaneyfelt 4/19/2005 Franklin Regional Middle School An Introduction to the Middle School and Scheduling Information for Grade 7/8 April 19, 2005 Shelley L. Shaneyfelt Christopher Kelly Principal Assistant Principal Franklin Regional Middle School

Overview You know a great deal about the Middle School from your grade 6 or 7 experience. This meeting will provide you with information about the 7th and 8th grade programs as well as helping you make schedule choices.

Our Middle School Will... Provide every child with a caring adult mentor This is a partnership with parents during this critical time in a young person’s life Provide a flexible, challenging curriculum Use varied teaching and learning approaches Use assessment and evaluation that promote learning

Some Facts about the Middle School Day... Even though there will be about 950 students in the building, most of the time students will feel like they are in a smaller building because of the House system. House teachers will work together to meet the needs of the students they share. Your counselor will remain the same as this year.

Some Facts about Our Middle School Day... 7th and 8th grade students will move from homeroom into the Academic Core portion of their day.

Some Facts about the Academic Core... The Academic Core is the major part of each day. During the Academic Core, students will be in their houses. There are 3 Houses in the 7th and 3 in the 8th grade. Houses consist of 5 teachers and about 110 students.

Some Facts about the Academic Core... Reading, English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science are taught in the Academic Core. World Language is added in Grade 8. Teachers decide how to divide the approximately 5, 45-minute instructional periods each day. This is what they currently do. Academic Core classes are taught from 8:10 AM until 9:40 AM and then again from 11:54 AM until 2:09 PM.

Scheduling the Academic Core... You do not need to schedule anything in the academic core at this time excepting the World Language choice for Grade 8. Specific groupings such as those in math, will be made at a later date. Do you have any questions about the Academic Core?

Some Facts about our Middle School Day... Middle Core Facts: This will be the equivalent of 2, 45 minute periods each day. During the Middle Core part of the day, students from every house will mix within the grade level. Middle Core courses will last for 12 weeks, 1 trimester each. This means you have room for the equivalent of 6 trimesters.

Scheduling the 7th Grade Middle Core... Please look at the Selection sheet (green). Note that all students are required to schedule one Physical Education course each year. This takes 1 trimester. Every student will schedule 6 trimesters. Every 7th grade course is different from the 6th grade course in that area and likewise for 7th to 8th. The only prerequisite is in Keyboarding Applications.

Scheduling the 7th Grade Middle Core... The Performance Music courses each require 3 trimesters. The following are the Performance Music courses: Chorus Band Chorus/ Band

Scheduling the 7th Grade Middle Core... The other Middle Core classes require 1 trimester each The following are the grade 7 Middle Core choices: Visual Arts 7 – 2D / 3D Principles of Technology 7 FACS- Taking Charge FitKids - 7 Physical Education (required for all students)

Scheduling the 7th Grade Middle Core... The following are the grade 7 Middle Core choices: Music 7 - Historical Per., Style, Guitar Money Management Keyboarding Keyboarding Applications Multi Media

Scheduling the 8th Grade Middle Core... The Performance Music and Performing Arts courses each require 3 trimesters. The following are the Performance Music and Performing Arts courses: Chorus Band Chorus/ Band Performing Arts

Scheduling the 8th Grade Middle Core... The following are the grade 8 Middle Core choices: Visual Arts 8 – 2D/3D Multi Media 8 Principles of Technology 8 FACS- Managing Your Resources FACS- Where I Live Physical Education (required for all students)

Scheduling the 8th Grade Middle Core... The following are the grade 8 Middle Core choices: Music 8 - Musical Theater/ Opera/ Guitar etc. Multi Media 8 Keyboarding Keyboarding Applications Introduction to Microsoft Applications Money, Finance and Me FitKids 8

Scheduling the Middle Core... Do you have any general questions about the Middle Core?

Some Facts about Our Middle School Day... 7th grade students will eat lunch after their 4th period. 7th graders will all eat together. 8th graders eat lunch together after their 5th period class.

Some Facts about the 7th Grade Day... Immediately after lunch, 7th graders will have 3 Academic Core periods and 1 Exploratory period. The schedule will be determined by the House assignment.

Some Facts about the 7th Grade Exploratory... 7th graders will mix with students from their house only during Exploratory. Academic Core teachers will teach the exploratory offerings.

Some Facts about the 7th Grade Exploratory... Exploratory will consist of two components: A World Language for 90 days (Days 1-3): French Spanish Academic Extensions (Days 4-6): All students will take each of the 3 Academic Extensions: Exploring Careers in Science, Around the World in 30 Days, Great Expectations (1 trimester each)

Scheduling the 7th Grade Exploratory... Shelley L. Shaneyfelt 4/19/2005 Scheduling the 7th Grade Exploratory... You need to schedule the World Language that your child would like to take at this time. This language should be the language that your child studied in 6th grade and will continue to study in 8th grade. Franklin Regional Middle School

Some Facts about the 8th Grade Exploratory... After the first 4 Academic core periods, 8th graders will move to Exploratory Exploratory has 2 parts 45 days (one quarter) of Playing by the Rules 135 days of 3 academic extensions

Some Facts about the 8th Grade Exploratory... 8th graders will mix with other houses during Exploratory. Academic Core teachers will teach the exploratory offerings. There are 25 choices for Academic Extensions.

Scheduling the 8th Grade Exploratory... You need to mark 3 choices with an X and at least two with an A. Do you have any questions about Exploratory?

Some Facts about Our Day... What questions can I answer?

Coming Soon... You will receive confirmation of your selections in May. Special placements (math) will be made in May. Schedules will be mailed in July. You will be getting more information about future orientation and information meetings throughout the rest of the school year and in the summer.

Thank you for coming! If you think of questions, please give us a call. You are welcome to visit at your convenience. Please give us a call so that we can help arrange your visit. Summer Orientation – Aug. 17, 2005 at 10:00 AM for new students

Thank You