MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION PROCESS An Overview of Course - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION PROCESS

An Overview of Course Options and Program Enhancements

Martin Hayes Patrick Golderer James Ford Andrew Drago

OVERVIEW

▪Core Classes: ▪English (ELA), Math, Science, and Social Studies ▪Expos: ▪Up to four self-selected options for Expos

Sample Student Schedule

Block Time (minutes) Period Time (minutes) A Day B Day 1 89 1 43 ELA 2 43 2 89 3 43 Math 4 43 3 89 5 43 Science 6 43 Social Studies 4 89 7 43 Expo 1 Expo 2 8 43 Expo 3 Expo 4

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

All Grades

English Language Arts Math Science Social Studies

REQUIRED EXPO COURSES

Expo Department Grade

Sixth Grade Seminar 6 Art 6 Music 6

Physical Education/Health 6 & 7 Family and Consumer Science 7 Personal Finance & Career Explorations 8

EXPO COURSE OPTIONS

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Sixth Grade Seminar Family & Consumer Science Personal Finance/Career Exploration Health/Physical Education Health/Physical Education Lifetime Fitness Band/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/Techsplorations (Tech X) Family & Consumer Science 8 *Gifted Seminar/ATE 7 STEM/Innovative Design Manufacturing *Academic Literacy 7 STEM/Robotics Lights, Camera, Action *Gifted Seminar/ATE 8 *Academic Literacy 8 **World Language

* Program recommendation; **Full year course bold=required

7th-Grade Course Selection Sheet

8th-Grade Course Selection Sheet

HONORS/ADVANCED COURSES AND CRITERIA

COURSES AVAILABLE Grade 7: ○ Pre-Algebra 7 ○ English Honors ○ Science Honors ○ Social Studies Honors Grade 8: ○ Algebra I ○ 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

▪ Teacher Recommendations

AT HOME

▪Review the Program of Studies*(Pending Board Approval) ▪Talk about Expo course options

▪Review teacher recommendations for Core classes.

Students will bring home course selection sheets “drag sheets” next week. These sheets will include course

• fferings and teacher recommendations.

COURSE SELECTION TIMELINE

▪School-specific timelines will be shared on our websites, via E-Alert, and on social media. ▪Students will select courses in late February with their counselor,

AT SCHOOL

• Students will enter their Expo choices with their

Counselor.

• Any conflicts in scheduling will be reconciled as follows:

■ Student’s second choice and third choice, etc. ■ Meeting with Guidance Counselor ■ Principal contacts over the summer

Middle School Math Acceleration *(Pending Board Approval).

Assessment Math Eligibility Criteria PSSA Advanced on most recent PSSA PVAAS 70% Advanced projection on Keystone Algebra I exam MAP 95th Percentile Other Teacher recommendation On occasion, parents may choose to accelerate their child in mathematics. To exercise these options, a student must meet the following conditions for eligibility and follow the procedures below: Grade Academic Pathway Advanced Pathway Accelerated in Elementary School 6

• Math 6
• Advanced Math

6

• Pre-Algebra

7

• Math 7
• Pre-Algebra
• Algebra I

8

• Pre-Algebra
• Algebra I
• Geometry (At

WTHS) Middle School Course sequence: *Students may not advance more than one grade level per calendar year.

Middle School Math Acceleration continued*(Pending Board Approval).

Challenge Process: In order to challenge a course and accelerate to the next sequential course:

• The student must:

○ Meet all eligibility criteria

• The parent must:

○ Obtain permission from the middle school’s Department Coordinator ○ Present the request in writing, with the Department Coordinator’s approval, to the middle school’s guidance counselor by March 6, 2020.

• If approved, the student will receive materials for Independent Study from the Department Coordinator.
• Once a student has been approved and received materials, the student is responsible for reviewing the coursework

leading into two assessment options: ■ Passing the District’s end-of-year test with a score of 90% or greater score by June 30 of the current school year.

• And/Or

■ Enrolling in a summer school course, at the parent’s expense, and passing the District’s end-of year-test with a score of 90% or greater score by August 15.

• Any student who successfully challenges Algebra I must take the Algebra I Keystone exam during the winter wave of

testing.

• Any student taking a course beyond Algebra I must take the course at William Tennent High School.

FAQ- MUSIC

▪Can my child begin

playing an instrument in middle school?

• Yes. You will need to discuss

this with your child’s music teacher prior to selecting band or orchestra.

FAQ- MUSIC

▪Can my child be in band

and chorus?

Yes! Students will alternate between both ensembles, and the music teachers will make accommodations to the curriculum and rehearsal schedule.

FAQ- Gifted

▪When will my child have

gifted?

Advanced Thinking Enrichment (ATE) is an Expo

• ption for students in grades

6-8. They will meet every

• ther 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? Parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with their child’s teacher for more information and/or clarification

• n the recommendation.

Thank you very much for attending

Have a great night!