Welcome to issaquah middle school 7th Grade course selection 2019-20 Choosing Core and Elective Classes

7th Grade Course Selection Packet This week, the IMS counselors talked to your 6th grader about choosing core classes and electives for 7th grade. Your child was given a packet to take home In addition to requesting electives, you will be deciding between: Regular or Advanced Language Arts Common Core Math 7 or Compacted Pacing Math (CC 7/8) Parents tell us that making these decisions can be difficult and confusing Before choosing, review the information in your packet and in this PowerPoint to learn the recommended criteria for success in advanced classes to determine the best fit for your child Feel confident in your decision. When a class level has to be changed after school starts in September, it can be disruptive to the schedule and upsetting to the student Following the recommendations will result in a better 7th grade experience for your child

All 7th graders take the following: REQUIRED CLASSES: Language Arts – regular or advanced (1 year) Social Studies (1 year) Math – CC 7 or CC 7/8 (1 year) Science – (1 year) *Students continue on Path 1 or 2 PE (2 trimesters) Health (1 trimester) Homeroom (25 minutes daily) ELECTIVE CHOICE (You will choose from): Year-long Music Elective – Band, Chorus, OR Orchestra OR Three single-trimester electives (see packet for complete list of electives) NOTE: Students with an IEP, or who require ELL or academic support will take a support class in place of the elective COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ARE ON THE IMS WEBSITE

before deciding between regular and advanced/compacted courses, consider the following: Core courses increase in rigor from grade 6 to grade 7 Consider your child’s readiness to take on the challenge of advanced Language Arts and/or Compacted Math . Maturity, motivation, organization and study habits are key to success in advanced classes In addition, students considering advanced courses should consistently get top scores on their report card and exceed standard on standardized tests in: Reading/Writing (When considering Advanced Language Arts) Math (When considering Compacted Math (CC 7/8) When deciding, consider your whole child - balance is important Taking high school level courses in middle school means your child will spend more time on homework Consider time commitments to sports, music and other extra curricular activities Choose what is right for YOUR child – the correct choice means a better 7th grade experience Follow the guidelines in the packet and visit the ISD website for additional information if necessary

Profile of a successful advanced student: Strong work habits and initiative, and high desire to engage in learning Consistently earns high marks on report cards AND exceeds standards on standardized tests Excellent organizational skills Motivation, perseverance and stamina for learning challenging material Social/emotional maturity. Active participant in all aspects of the classroom Prepared for and enjoys the challenge of the advanced class Prepared to devote extra time to studies outside the school day Willing to accept that grades could be lower than if they took a typical course

Language Arts or advanced language arts Students can decide between Regular and Advanced Language Arts every year during spring course selection Both courses are designed to support and challenge students For success in Advanced LA students should: Fit the profile of a successful advanced student on the previous slide Be avid readers AND enjoy writing and be willing to devote extra time to both Take responsibility for learning in and outside the classroom Consistently earn top scores in reading/comprehension on both the report card AND standardized tests

Math – cc7 or cc 7/8 Middle School Math Pathways: Common Core Path – CC6, CC7, CC8 Accelerated (Compacted) Path – CC6, CC7/8, CC8/Algebra 1 (high school course) Note: Students who took CC 7/8 in grade 6 have been scheduled into CC8/Algebra 1 for grade 7 FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: Most 7th graders take CC Math 7 (Common Core Path) Some 7th graders may be ready to begin compacted pacing (CC 7/8) CC 7/8 is an advanced AND compacted math class. It moves at a fast pace and compacts one and one half years of math into one year Students considering CC 7/8 should consistently earn top scores in math on both the report card AND standardized tests To meet high school graduation requirements, students should be prepared to take 4 years of math in grades 9-12. Taking advanced math in middle school means your student will complete challenging math in high school

science Your child will continue on the Science Path you chose for 6th grade and has been automatically enrolled in the next level course. Students on Path 1 – will take Earth Science Students on Path 2 – will take Physical Science

Go online to enter your core classes and elective choices You will use Student Access to enter your Language Arts, Math and Elective choices online. Note: Family Access will not work for this process. Students who have forgotten their password will need to see the IMS Registrar at school to have it reset Instructions are included in the packet. When you go online, you will notice that some courses have been added for you. If your child is on Science Path 2 or took advanced math in 6th grade, they have been automatically scheduled for the next course in the sequence Please refer to your packet for 7th grade elective choices Course descriptions are available on the IMS website We work hard give students their favorite electives however, because electives are blocked for scheduling purposes choices are not guaranteed. Students should be prepared to take classes that are not their top choices Return the signed two-sided form to the Homeroom teacher by the due date noted in the packet

Let us know how we can help.. We hope this has helped answer some of your questions. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help! OTHER THINGS TO KNOW: In August, you will use your Family Access account to complete online back to school check in. Students participating in sports should get their physical AFTER June 15.