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 Time Time Block (minutes) Period (minutes) A Day B Day 1 43 1 89 ELA 2 43 3 43 2 89 Math 4 43 5 43 Science 3 89 6 43 Social Studies 7 43 Expo 1 Expo 2 4 89 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 CRITERIA ○ English Honors ▪ Rubrics will be used with various ○ Science Honors criteria for each course which include: ○ Social Studies Honors ▪ Course Grades ▪ PVAAS Projection Scores Grade 8: ▪ Teacher Recommendations ○ Algebra I ○ English Honors ○ Science Honors ○ Social Studies Honors ●
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 offerings 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). On occasion, parents may choose to Grade Academic Pathway Advanced Pathway Accelerated in accelerate their child in mathematics. To Elementary School exercise these options, a student must meet the following conditions for eligibility and 6 ● Math 6 ● Advanced Math ● Pre-Algebra follow the procedures below: 6 7 ● Math 7 ● Pre-Algebra ● Algebra I Assessment Math Eligibility Criteria 8 ● Pre-Algebra ● Algebra I ● Geometry (At WTHS) PSSA Advanced on most recent PSSA PVAAS 70% Advanced projection on Keystone Algebra I exam Middle School Course sequence: *Students may not advance more than one MAP 95th Percentile grade level per calendar year. Other Teacher recommendation
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 Yes. You will need to discuss middle school? this with your child’s music teacher prior to selecting band or orchestra.
FAQ- MUSIC ▪ Can my child be in band Yes! Students will alternate and chorus? between both ensembles, and the music teachers will make accommodations to the curriculum and rehearsal schedule.
FAQ- Gifted ▪ When will my child have Advanced Thinking gifted? Enrichment (ATE) is an Expo option for students in grades 6-8. They will meet every other day for the entire year.
FAQ- HONORS COURSES ▪ I would like my child to Parents are encouraged to take an honors course, discuss their concerns with their but the teacher did not child’s teacher for more recommend my child. information and/or clarification What should I do? on the recommendation.
Thank you very much for attending Have a great night!
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