Moving to Middle SchoolMoving to Middle School

Building the Foundation for High School and Beyond

2013-2014

Meet the StaffMeet the Staff

Mrs. Hafets, Principal

Ms. Willoughby, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Propert, School Counselor

Mr. Donoughe, 6th Grade Team Leader and Social Studies Teacher

Mrs. Petrlik, Special Education Team Leader

Moving to Middle SchoolMoving to Middle SchoolWelcome, Mrs. Hafets, School Principal

Moving to Middle School Mrs. Hafets, School Principal Ms. Willoughby, Assistant Principal Mrs. Propert, School Counselor Mrs. Petrlik, Special Education Team Leader

Outdoor Education Presentation Mr. Donoughe, 6th Grade Team Leader

Middle School Life at the Manor Slide Show Created by Mrs. Randolph

Our GoalOur Goal

To ensure that all middle school students have attained the knowledge and skills to be prepared for their future.

What the research says…What the research says…

Middle school is a defining point for students in the college and career readiness process.

Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

College and Career Readiness

Academic Skills

Academic Behaviors

High School

Readiness

AcademicsAcademics

What the research says…What the research says…

The level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on their college and career readiness than anything that happens academically in high school.

Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

The Middle School Schedule The Middle School Schedule

• Prepares students to be college and career ready

• Focuses entire system on literacy• Provides additional instruction to students

performing below grade-level expectations• Provides more time for content instruction• Provides consistency in programs and

schedules across schools

Middle School Schedule Guidelines

Middle School Schedule Guidelines

The Schedule Includes:The Schedule Includes:

• Seven 50-minute classes each day• Daily instruction in English Language Arts,

Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science• Daily reading and math seminars for students

performing below grade-level expectations• Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules• A variety of Related Arts classes

Reading

Science

Challenges Forward

History

All Sixth Graders Take

English

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science

Physical Ed

Fine Arts (Performing Arts, General Music and/or Art)

Music

Health

Science

Family & Consumer Science

Science

Challenges Forward

History

Some Sixth Graders Take

Core Plus

Orchestra

Chorus

Band

Physical Education

Art

Performing Arts

World Language

(Parents will select these options and send them back to their child’s fifth grade teacher by March 6, 2013.)

Performing ArtsPerforming Arts

• Students may take:– Band– Orchestra– Chorus

• Every day all year long

Science

Challenges Forward

History

Some Sixth Graders Take

Core Plus

Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules

GT Research or Seminars/ Interventions

Physical Education

Art

Science

Challenges Forward

History

Some Sixth Graders Take the Following Related Arts

Core Plus

General Music

Technology Education

Family & Community Sciences

Physical Education

Art

Art

Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules

Innovation and Inquiry Reading Modules

• Opportunities for students to apply disciplinary literacy skills to real-life, problem-solving situations

• Sixth Grade Modules include:– Connections (includes Junior Great Books)– The Future of Water– Taking Action To Change My World– Reading as a Scientist: Inventions– Expanding and Exploring Career Options

Related ArtsRelated Arts

• Physical Education every other day all year long

• Health• Fine Arts (Performing Arts, General Music, or

Art)• Family and Consumer Science (when possible)• Technology Education (when possible)

A Typical 6th Grade Schedule for a StudentTaking Performing Arts and World Language

Mathematics

English Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Performing Arts

Physical Education and World Language

Health and Two Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules (or GT Research Seminar) and Another Related Art such as Technology

Education, Art, or FACS or another I & I Module

A Typical 6th Grade Schedule for a StudentTaking Performing Arts, but not World Language

Mathematics

English Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Performing Arts

Physical Education/Health/ Another Related Art such as Technology Education, Art, or FACS

Two Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules (or GT Research Seminar) and A combination of two Related Arts or two other I & I

Modules OR a full-year Reading Seminar or Intervention

A Typical 6th Grade Schedule for a StudentTaking World Language, but not Performing Arts

Mathematics

English Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Health and Fine Art (General Music or Art) and Two Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules (or GT Research Seminar) Or

Two other Related Arts (if enrolled in a full year reading seminar or intervention)

Physical Education/World Language

A combination of two Related Arts and two other I & I Modules or Math Seminar/Reading Seminar or Intervention

A Typical 6th Grade Schedule for a StudentNot Taking Performing Arts or World Language

Mathematics

English Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Reading Innovation and Inquiry Modules/Seminars/Interventions/GT Research Seminars

Physical Education/Health/A Fine Art

Related Arts such as Tech Ed, General Music, or FACS/or full-year Mathematics Seminar

Supporting AcademicsSupporting Academics

• GT Seminars

• Student Service Learning

• Instructional Intervention Team

• Math, ELA, and Reading Seminars

• Beyond the School Day

• Homework Club

• Intramurals

• Aspen Family Portal

• BMMS Website and Enews

Supporting AcademicsSupporting Academics

• Stay involved in your child’s education.• Attend parent conferences.• Stay aware of your child’s homework and

school demands.• Attend school events.• Try to connect outside experiences to

school learning to increase interest and relevance.

Tips for

Parents

Academic BehaviorsAcademic Behaviors

What the research says…What the research says…

The earlier a student develops important academically related behaviors, the more likely these behaviors are to become a habit.

Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

Academic Behaviors

Orderly Behavior

Positive Relationships

Academic Discipline

Attendance

Supporting Academic BehaviorsSupporting Academic Behaviors

• County provides a personal organizer

• Student recognition for PRIDE, Blue Ribbon,

Top Cat, Honor Roll, music performances,

Geography and Spelling Bees, Science Fair,

PTA Reflections, Multi-Media Contests,

Engineering Competitions, Mathalon,

National History Day, Google Contests, ….

• Monitoring attendance and tardiness

Supporting Academic Behaviors

Supporting Academic Behaviors

• Ensure that your child has the materials and place to study at home.

• Set a regular time for homework.• Encourage your child to be responsible for

chores and homework.• Provide your child with a range of

experiences to allow him/her to identify areas of strength.

• Talk to your child.

Tips for

Parents

Middle School Life and Lessons

Middle School Life and Lessons

“Roots and Wings: The In-Between-Agers”

What to Expect:

• Developmental characteristics: physical, emotional, intellectual and social

• Differences between girls and boys

• How to support your Middle School student

What to Expect? What to Expect?

• The “ins” and “outs” of popularity

• Dealing with feelings

• Friends--REAL friends!

• Too Tall, Too Short, Too Fat, DRESS CODE?

• The Down and Dirty (Name-calling, IM,

Pitfalls and Mistakes, Everybody Else)

The Joys of 6th GradersThe Joys of 6th Graders

• Like fish, they move in schools with the more adventurous leading the way.

• They love their teachers and bring them cookies and candy.• They enjoy school spirit and join in crazy hair day and twin day

with zeal.• They need outdoor recess so they can run and play.• They like show and tell. They will talk to whomever will listen.• They cry when they are happy or sad.• They love their friends, but they can say unkind things.• They go with somebody but go nowhere.• Yes, 6th graders are special. They have many qualities we all

would like to possess!

• Top 10 Tools for Building Success

1. Foreman: Involved parents who oversee their student

2. Master Carpenters: Caring teachers

3. Apprentices: Eager learners (i.e., your child)

4. Tool Box: a safe place to learn

5. Tool Belt: Materials to work with

6. Compass: Goals and direction

7. Period of Internship: room to explore, make mistakes, and find creative ways to solve problems

• Top 10 Tools for Building Success

8. Plan and Model: for students to practice and create

9. Concrete Foundation: a support system (i.e., parents, administration and Student Services)

10. PRIDE: our work in progress that’s alalways “under construction”

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS!

Date Activity

May 2, 2013 Fifth graders visit

May 10 - 16 Course Placement Forms Sent Home

August 22 Orientation and Open House

TBA Back to School Night

October 16 & 17 Outdoor Education

Upcoming Activities