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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.