MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM OF

STUDIESAn Overview of Course Options and Program Enhancements

OVERVIEW▪ Overall goal to develop academic skills, build content knowledge, and expand learning into new areas of study.

▪ 6th, 7th & 8th Grades:▪students take classes with different peers in departments

▪ Expos:▪students have self-selected options for Expos and a variety of academic course

options▪ 8 period day (students will only really have 6 daily classes):

▪2-89 Minute Blocks of Math and ELA ▪Science and Social Studies▪4 Expos on A/B Day Schedule

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English Language Arts

English Language Arts

English Language Arts

Math Math Math

Science Science Science

Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies

Sample Student Schedule

BlockTime

(minutes) Period Time

(minutes) A Day B Day

1 89 1 43 ELA2 43

2 89 3 43 Math4 43

3 89 5 43 Science6 43 Social Studies

4 89 7 43 Expo 1 Expo 28 43 Expo 3 Expo 4

2018-2019 Bell Schedule

First Lunch

Block Period Time

11 8:00-8:52

2 8:55-9:38

23 9:41-10:24

4 10:27-11:10

1st Lunch 11:13-11:43

35 11:46-12:49

6 12:32-1:15

47 1:18-2:00

8 2:03-2:45

Second Lunch

Block Period Time

11 8:00-8:52

2 8:55-9:38

23 9:41-10:24

4 10:27-11:10

3 5 11:13-11:56

2nd Lunch 11:59-12:29

3 6 12:32-1:15

47 1:18-2:00

8 2:03-2:45

Third Lunch

Block Period Time

11 8:00-8:52

2 8:55-9:38

23 9:41-10:24

4 10:27-11:10

35 11:13-11:56

6 11:59-12:42

3rd Lunch 12:45-1:15

47 1:18-2:00

8 2:03-2:45

REQUIRED EXPO COURSES

Expo Department GradeSixth Grade Seminar (all new 6th-graders only) 6Art 6Business, Computers, & Information Technology

8

Family and Consumer Science 7Music 6Physical Education/Health 6 & 7

EXPO COURSE OPTIONSGrade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Sixth Grade Seminar Family & Consumer Science Personal Finance/Career Exploration

Health/Physical Education Health/Physical Education Lifetime FitnessBand/Chorus/Orchestra or Music 6 Band/Chorus/Orchestra Band/Chorus/Orchestra

Art 6 Art 7 Music 8*Gifted Seminar/ATE 6 Innovation & Exploration Art 8*Academic Literacy 6 Programming/Consumer Media Innovation & Exploration

STEM/Robotics 7 Family & Consumer Science 8**STEM/Mobile Lab 7/8 STEM/Design*Gifted Seminar/ATE 7 **STEM/Mobile Lab 7/8*Academic Literacy 7 Lights, Camera, Action

*Gifted Seminar/ATE 8*Academic Literacy 8

***World Language* Program recommendation; ** Combined 7 & 8 course; *** Full year course

COURSE SELECTIONTIMELINE

▪School Administrators and Counselors met with each grade level on Monday, March 12th▪ Students received an overview of the middle school schedule.

▪ Expo courses▪ Program of Studies will be E-Alerted home, posted on the schools websites and social media sites on Wednesday, March 7th.

▪ Course Selection Sheets will be distributed on Tuesday, March 13th (and need to be returned on Friday, March 16th to their Social Studies Teacher.

▪ Teachers will discuss course options with students on Tuesday, March 13th.▪ Teachers will explain honors/advanced options.▪ Teachers will explain Expo options.

▪Students will select courses between March 20th through March 23rd

7th-Grade Course Selection Sheet

8th-Grade Course Selection Sheet

NEW COURSES COMING TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS

● Sixth Grade Seminar

○ Required of all incoming 6th-grade students

● STEM Design Mobile Lab

○ Log College 18-19

○ KMS 19-20

● STEM Robotics

● Music 8

HONORS/ADVANCED COURSES AND CRITERIA

COURSES AVAILABLE● Grade 8

○ Algebra I Honors○ English Honors○ Science Honors○ Social Studies Honors

● Grade 7○ Pre-Algebra 7○ English Honors○ Science Honors○ Social Studies Honors

CRITERIA▪ Rubrics will be used with various criteria for each course which include

▪ Course Grades

▪ PVAAS Projection Scores

AT HOME▪ Review the Program of Studies with your child.

▪ Talk about course options, especially Expos.▪ Talk about other commitments outside of school.

▪ Teacher recommendations for honors and advanced courses are based on multiple criteria:▪ Course average▪ Local and state testing predicted performance▪ Teachers make recommendations based on a variety of factors. If you would like to discuss a recommendation, please contact your child’s teacher.

COURSE SELECTION SHEETS

Course Selection Sheets must be signed and returned by Friday, March

16th to the Social Studies Teacher

STUDENT COURSE SELECTION

●Students will enter their course choices with the School Counselors.

●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

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.

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.

FAQ- Expo Changes

▪What has changed with Exploratory Courses compared to prior years?

All Expo courses are now offered for the full year on an every other day basis. This makes scheduling more flexible for our students.

FAQ- Gifted

▪When will my child have gifted?

Advanced Thinking Enrichment (ATE) is an Expo option that students in grades 6-8 have. They will meet every other day for the entire year.

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.