CROSSROADSAn Integrated Sixth-grade

Learning Community

What is Crossroads? A year-long program, combining the study of:

- language arts- social studies- science…

around our theme,

CULTURE!

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, encore classes (art,

music, phys. ed., tech. ed., FaCS, and world language), lunch.

What do we learn?We learn our language arts, science, and

social studies skills through the study of four levels of culture:FamilyCommunityNationWorld

Family <> Community <> NationHighlights from September - December

Family culture 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

Rock Transformations And much more!

WORLD: January to June

Geography and Cultures of each of the following continents:

– The Americas– Europe– Africa– Asia

Some Associated Activities: Dynamic Earth Project European Cities Project Sonnet Study and Writing Study of Opera Poetry Weather – Group Project Biography Project Two African novellas & Project Asian culture group study and

literature circle Persuasive essay Astronomy and Rocketry

Field trips – about seven

Curriculum Connections

Associated writing tasks

SAMPLE TRIPS:• Philadelphia Mural trip • Lackawanna Coal Mine and EckleyMiners’ Village• Tenement Museum and Ellis Island, New York City • Barnes Museum• Opera Philadelphia• Smithsonian Museums, Wash. D.C.

174 school days NOT on Crossroads field trips!

Field Trips

Code for Community

Cooperative games and activities

Many opportunities to interact with others while you learn

More Unique Activities

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

There are NO letter grades? Then how do we know how we’re doing?Self Assessments– Approximately six/year– Student generated– Teachers respond– Parents comment and sign

Student-led Parent Conference– November

Mid-Year Parent-Teacher Conference– Late January – Early February

End-of-year Evaluation– 8-page document written

by teachers

Evening Expositions– Two per year

The Self Assessment

The Crossroads RoomDouble-sized room Big class library

40 Chromebooks

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!

Period Proposed Crossroads Schedule Proposed 6th Grade Team Schedule

Adv Advisory (orchestra band, chorus, etc.)

Advisory (orchestra band, chorus, etc.)

1 Tech Ed/FACS/lang Tech Ed/FACS/lang

2 Crossroads Science3 Crossroads Social Studies4 Lunch Lunch5 Art/Music/Phys. Ed. Art/Music/Phys. Ed

6 Crossroads Language Arts7 Math Math8 Crossroads / Math

(Extended Learning Time)Sci/SS/LA/Math

(Extended Learning Time)

SOS Pack up Pack up

Who is Crossroads Compatible?Most of the following should be true

Crossroads is right for students who…

Work and learn well in groups and/or 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)

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

– Students set yearly and weeklygoals for themselves.

– Assessed but not graded– Greater need for parent

involvement

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 10th.

• Letters sent out about a week after that.

• Crossroads new student/parent meeting on Wednesday May 22nd at 6:30pm in the Crossroads room at RMS.

CROSSROADSAn Integrated Sixth-grade

Learning Community