1. MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDIES
An Overview of Course Options

2. OVERVIEW
Overall goal to develop academic skills, build content knowledge, and expand learning into new areas of study.
6th Grade
Students are in teams with the same set of teachers
7th & 8th Grade
Students take classes with different peers in departments
Expos
Students have self-selected options for Expos and a variety of academic course options
7 period day
5 core subjects
2 Expo periods

3. REQUIRED CORE COURSES Language Arts English Reading Math Science
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Language Arts
English
Reading
Math
Science
Social Studies
World Language or Literacy Course

4. REQUIRED EXPO COURSES Expo Department Semesters Art 1
Business, Computers, & Informational Technology 2
Family and Consumer Science
Music
Physical Education/Health 3
STEM

5. EXPO COURSE OPTIONS * This course is required in that grade.
^ This course has a prerequisite in that grade.
Semester courses take place every day for 90 days and then switch
Every other day classes take place the entire year either on Day 1 or Day 2
Expo Department
Expo Options
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Art
*Introduction to Middle School Art (semester)
Intermediate Middle School Art (semester)
Advanced Middle School Art (semester)
Business, Computers, and Informational Technology
*Office Academy (every other day)
Personal Finance/Job Skills (Semester and every other day option available)
Business Exploration/
Consumer Media (every other day) or
Programming (semester)
Family and Consumer Science
Not available
*FCS I (semester)
FCS II (semester)
Music
*General Music I (every other day)or
Performance Music(every other day)
General Music II (every other day) or
Performance Music (every other day)
Physical Education/ Health
*Physical Education I (every other day)
*Physical Education II (every other day) or Lifetime Fitness (semester)
*Physical Education III (every other day)
and/or Lifetime Fitness (semester)
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Education
^STEM I (semester)
STEM I (semester) or
STEM II (semester)

6. EXPO PATHWAYS
In sixth grade, all students will take the same Expo courses.
In grades 7 and 8, students may decide to follow an Expo pathway based on their interests.
By following an Expo pathway, students can concentrate on courses within the department.
Expo pathways help students with course selection decisions throughout middle school. Here are a few examples:

7. ART PATHWAY Expo Period Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 A/B Physical Education
General Music I or Performance Music
Personal Finance/ Job Skills or General Music II or Performance Music or Lights/Camera/Action
Business Exploration/ Consumer Media or Performance Music or Lights/Camera/Action
Semester
Intro to Middle School Art
Office Academy
Intermediate Middle School Art
FCS I
Advanced Middle School Art
Programming or STEM or FCS II or Lifetime Fitness

8. BCIT PATHWAY Expo Period Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 A/B
Physical Education
General Music I
Personal Finance/Job Skills
or General Music II or Performance Music
Business Exploration/ Consumer Media or Performance Music
Semester
Intro to Middle School Art
Office Academy
Personal Finance/ Job Skills
FCS I
STEM I or Programming or Lifetime Fitness
STEM II or FCS II or Lifetime Fitness

9. STEM PATHWAY Expo Period Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 A/B
Grade 7
Grade 8
A/B
Physical Education
General Music I or Performance Music
Personal Finance/Job Skills or General Music II or Performance Music
Business Exploration/ Consumer Media or Performance Music
Semester
Intro to Middle School Art
Office Academy
FCS I or Personal Finance/Job Skills or Lifetime Fitness
FCS I or Personal Finance/Job Skills or Lifetime Fitness
STEM I
STEM II or FCS II or Programming
* If eligible for STEM I in grade 7
STEM I or FCS I
FCS I or STEM I
STEM II
FCS II or Programming or Lifetime Fitness

10. SELECTING COURSES
Tuesday, March 1st-6th and 7th grade will attend a course selection presentation during the school day
Wednesday March 2nd-Log and Thursday, March 3rd-Klinger-Drag sheets will be distributed.
Teachers will discuss course options with students.
Teachers will explain honors/advanced options.
Teachers will explain Expo options.
Monday, March 7th-Drag sheets must returned to science class teachers.
Week of March 14th-School Counselors will meet with each grade level to select courses.

13. HONORS/ADVANCED COURSES
Grade 7
English Honors
Math Advanced
Science Honors
Social Studies Honors
Grade 8
English Honors
Algebra I Honors
Science Honors
Social Studies Honors

14. HONORS/ADVANCED CRITERIA
Rubrics will be used with various criteria for each course
Course Grades
Academic Abilities
Grades
PSSA/ CDT scores
Reading/Writing ability
Academic Habits
Organization and Time Management
Participation

15. STUDENT COURSE SELECTION
Students will enter their course choices with the School Counselors in the computer lab.
Any conflicts in scheduling will be reconciled as follows:
Student’s second choice and third choice, etc.
School Counselor meetings
Principal contacts over the summer

16. AT HOME Review the Program of Studies with your students.
Talk about course options, especially Expos.
Talk about other commitments outside of school.
Teachers make recommendations based on a variety of factors. If you would like to discuss a recommendation, please contact your teacher.

17. COURSE SELECTION SHEETS
Must be signed and returned by Monday, March 7.

18. FAQ- MUSIC Can my child begin playing an instrument in middle school?
Yes! Students can begin an instrument in middle school. Pull out lessons will continue for all students throughout middle school if the student is enrolled in performance music.

19. FAQ- MUSIC Can my child be in band and chorus?
Yes! Students can be enrolled in both performance music classes. They will alternate between both ensembles, and music teachers will make accommodations to the curriculum and rehearsal schedule.

20. FAQ- HONORS COURSES
I would like my child to take an honors course, but the teacher did not recommend my child. What should I do?
Honors courses extend beyond the academic curriculum. It is important for parents and students to understand that academic courses are designed to prepare students for a post secondary career. It is not unusual for students to move into honors-level courses later in high school. Teachers make recommendations at the middle school level based on multiple criteria. It is in everyone’s interest for the student to be successful; however, parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with their child’s teacher for more information and/or clarification on the recommendation.

21. FAQ- PATHWAYS
What if my child isn’t sure about which Expo pathway to select?
It’s likely that a middle school student might change his/her mind. If you child is not sure which pathway to select, encourage him/her to take Expo courses that are interesting to him/her. Students may discuss courses with friends, but it is important that the teachers, school counselors, and parents provide guidance to students as well.

22. QUESTIONS?
We look forward to working with you and your student(s) in years to come!