Language Arts and Social Studies Block Humanities: Language Arts and Social Studies Block

Teachers: Kevin Krein Shannon Gloersen Amy Sehrer Kevin Comfort Alicia Chon Brook Gouge Chris May Angie Watts

Language Arts Each trimester has one major reading unit and one major writing unit Independent reading carries through the year. Non-fiction carries through the year in Scope magazine

Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations Early Human History to the Fall of Rome

Social Studies: Ancient World Unit 1 Geography Review-Tools of History Unit 2 Mesopotamia Unit 3 Ancient Egypt Unit 4 Hebrews Unit 5 Greece Unit 6 Rome River Civilizations Roots of Western Civilization

Start Strong Lockers are the number one stressor for new middle schoolers Practice using a combination lock over the summer and attend WEB day Lockers are small; materials listed on MMS supply list are included with this in mind. Know Bus Route Numbers to and from School

Electronic Communication Use of Skyward (Family Access) happens more frequently in middle school. We expect students and parents to check grades on Skyward on a regular basis. All teachers post a calendar with homework on the Maywood website.

Moving towards Independence Discuss with your child how they can advocate for themselves. We don’t bite . Have your child email us instead of you emailing us. (copy you on the email) ABSENCES AFFECT LEARNING. Students are responsible for collecting and completing make up work ASAP!

Informed Self Select Advanced Language Arts Advanced language arts is not a prerequisite for any high school programs such as honors, AP, or IB and if you decide not to have your student in Advanced language arts this year, this does not bar them from participating next year or in eighth grade. Advanced language arts is not a gifted program, while many students from gifted programs in elementary DO participate in advanced language arts, we serve a great deal more than are served currently through elementary gifted ed. programs in the school district. Which path is best for my student?

Advanced Language Arts Faster paced with less scaffolding Junior Great Books for “Shared Inquiry Discussion” Performance expectations during writer’s workshop for students are higher (4s not 3s) Same units in literature, faster pacing and more rigor with literature anthology Junior Great Books Round Table anthology for “Shared Inquiry Discussion” Scholastic Scope magazine – additional Non-Fiction readings targeting common core skills. Spring Novel – True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Informed Self Select Criteria Advanced Language Arts Readiness Criteria Recommended Score 4th Grade SBA in ELA (check your child’s score on Family Access) 2635 5th Grade Reading Report Card Grade in Reading and Writing 4 2630 or greater on 4th Grade SBA in ELA Most recent 5th grade reading report card grade should be a 4

Student Characteristics Devotes time and energy to reading extensively and reading complex texts. Natural interest in writing, willing to revise and improve writing. Has stamina for writing. Expected to participate actively in classroom discussions. Expected to apply thinking skills in reading, writing, and discussion activities. Enjoy devoting time and energy to reading extensively and reading complex texts. Intrinsically interested in writing and able to write fluently for a variety of purposes. Expected to participate actively in classroom discussions. Expected to apply higher level thinking skills in reading, writing, and discussion activities.

Student Characteristics Excellent organizational skills and study habits, consistently high motivation and perseverance. Advanced Language Arts is NOT for students who will need extra help from an outside tutor in order to be successful. Carefully consider your child’s workload in other classes, and extra curricular time commitments before deciding. Excellent study habits, consistently high motivation, perseverance, and excellent organizational skills. Advanced Language Arts is NOT for students who will need extra help from the teacher or outside tutoring. Students will have more homework. Carefully consider the student’s outside interests, commitments , and school work load.