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What is Crossroads?
A year-long program, combining the study of:
- language arts
- social studies
- science…
CROSSROADS An Integrated Sixth-grade Learning Community What is - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
CROSSROADS An Integrated Sixth-grade Learning Community What is - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
CROSSROADS An 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
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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.
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What do we learn?
We learn our language arts, science, and social studies skills through the study of four levels of culture:
Family Community Nation World
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Family <> Community <> Nation
Highlights 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!
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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
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Field trips – about seven
Curriculum Connections Associated writing tasks
SAMPLE TRIPS:
- Philadelphia Mural trip
- Lackawanna Coal Mine and Eckley
Miners’ 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
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Code for
Community
Cooperative games
and activities
Many opportunities to
interact with others while you learn
More Unique Activities
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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
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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
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The Self Assessment
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The Crossroads Room
Double-sized room Big class library 40 Chromebooks
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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!
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Period
Proposed Crossroads Schedule Proposed 6
th 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 Science
3
Crossroads Social Studies
4
Lunch Lunch
5
Art/Music/Phys. Ed. Art/Music/Phys. Ed
6
Crossroads Language Arts
7
Math Math
8 Crossroads / Math (Extended Learning Time) Sci/SS/LA/Math (Extended Learning Time) SOS
Pack up Pack up
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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)
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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 weekly goals for themselves. – Assessed but not graded – Greater need for parent involvement
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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.
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