1. An Integrated Sixth-grade Learning Community

2. What is Crossroads? CULTURE!
A year-long program, combining the study of:
- language arts
- social studies
- science…
around our theme,
CULTURE!

3. How does Crossroads work?
40 incoming sixth graders selected randomly by lottery
4 of 9 class periods spent in the Crossroads room.
No separate language arts, science, and social studies classes.
Other five periods: math, advisory, specials classes (art, music, phys. ed., tech. ed., FACS, and world language), lunch.

4. What do we learn?
We learn our language arts, science, and social studies skills through the study of four levels of culture and community:
Family
Community
Nation
World

5. Family <> Community <> Nation
Highlights from September - December
Family organization project
Full-class Novel: Tuck Everlasting,
Community literature circles
Writing: A family vignette
Powering Up: Natural Resources
group project
Immigrant Perspectives: interview
and essay
American Experiences (immigrant
group) literature circles and
presentation
Rocks and Geology and various
science labs
And much more!

6. WORLD: January to June
Geography and Cultures of each of the following continents:
The Americas
Europe
Africa
Asia
Some Associated Activities:
Weather – Group Project
Astronomy and Rocketry
European Cities Project
Sonnet Study and Writing
Study of Opera
Poetry
Biography Project
Two African novellas
Asian culture group study and literature circle
Persuasive essay

7. 173 Days NOT on Crossroads field trips!
Field trips – about seven
Curriculum Connections
Associated writing tasks
SAMPLE TRIPS:
Philadelphia Mural trip
Lackawanna Coal Mine and Eckley Miners’ Village
Tenement Museum, New York City
National Constitution Center
Barnes Museum
Opera Philadelphia
Goddard Space Center
173 Days NOT on Crossroads field trips!

8. More Unique Activities
Code for
Community
Cooperative games and activities
Many opportunities to interact with others while you learn

9. How do students learn in Crossroads?
Students work individually and cooperatively to study a variety of science and social studies topics relating to culture
Greater emphasis on individual and cooperative projects, presentations, and writing assignments
Fewer tests or quizzes (but some, i.e. vocabulary and geography)

10. There are NO letter grades?
Then how do we know how we’re doing?
Self Assessments
Approximately one/month
Student generated
Teachers respond
Mid/End of Year Evaluations
Receive twice per year
8-page document written by teachers
Evening Expositions
Two per year

11. The Crossroads Room Double-sized room Big class library
40 laptop computers
40 iPads

12. MYTHS about Crossroads
We won’t have lockers.
NOT TRUE!
We won’t see non-Crossroads friends.
NOT TRUE!
We don’t change classes.
NOT TRUE!
We have less chance of getting into Watershed, Soundings, and Gateways.
NOT TRUE!

13. Advisory (orchestra band, chorus, etc.)
Period
Proposed Crossroads Schedule
Proposed 6th Grade Team Schedule
Adv
Advisory (orchestra band, chorus, etc.) 1
Tech Ed/FACS/lang 2
Crossroads
Science 3
 Crossroads
Social Studies 4
Lunch 5
Art/Music/Phys. Ed.
Art/Music/Phys. Ed 6
Language Arts 7
Crossroads / Math "Call Back"
Sci/SS/LA/Math "Call Back" 8
Math
SOS
Pack up

14. Who is Crossroads Compatible?
Most of the following should be true
Crossroads is right for students who…
Work and learn well in groups and want to get better at it (not those who allow others to do the work or like to control all the work)
Like to explore and “dig deeper” when learning
Seek some independence and choice in their learning
Prefer to demonstrate learning through projects, presentations, and writing assignments
Are interested in how they fit into their community and culture
Are not motivated only by A-B-C-D-F grades
CROSSROADS IS FOR STUDENTS OF
ALL ABILITY LEVELS (with few exceptions)

15. Crossroads Comparison
Some Similarities
Same Core Curriculum and skills are taught
All levels of math available
Encore classes are the same
Special Ed. And Gifted support
Lockers
Lunch
Some Differences
L.A., Social Studies, and Science integrated around study of culture
Emphasis on projects, presentations, and writing (with fewer tests)
Many cooperative and group learning projects
Assessed but not graded
Greater need for parent involvement

16. What Next?
Discuss Crossroads with your parents and decide if you want to enter the lottery.
All students must submit a form stating if you want Crossroads or not. This form is due on May 12th.
Letters sent out about a week after that.
Crossroads new student/parent meeting on May 27th at 6:30pm in the Crossroads room at RMS.

17. An Integrated Sixth-grade Learning Community