SPERRENG MIDDLE SCHOOL

CURRICULUM NIGHT

Thursday, January 24, 20138th Grade

Goals

Understand the components of the 8th grade schedule

Highlight features of the middle school program

Discuss specific course offerings with department representatives

CoreChallenge ElectiveHigh School CreditSpecialized

Understanding 8th Grade Courses

Core Classes

Mandatory courses in which all students must participate to meet state standards English Language Arts (ELA) Mathematics Science Social Studies Health and Fitness

Challenge Classes

Core courses offering advanced learners* an opportunity to explore greater depths of content knowledge and critical thinking skills English Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies

Challenge Appeal Form*Challenge criteria-Advanced MAP score, reading on grade level or higher, demonstrate high achievement in content area, successful completion of math pre-requisite course

Elective Classes

Band Orchestra Choir Modern Language

German French Spanish

Art Digital Literacy Drama General Music Keyboarding Family and Consumer

Sciences Technology Education

Year-long Daily Semester-long Alternating Day

Courses offering opportunity to pursue special interests, aptitudes, and abilities

8th Grade Modern Language

Continue with the same language as in 7th grade

Academic Elective classEvery day for a yearSecond half of Level IFinal Exam in MayEarn High School Credit* *upon successful completion of the program

Students will continue to develop language comprehension skills. They will learn more complex grammatical structures and learn to read, speak, and write more in the target language. Students will be

assessed with high school level materials. Students need to be self-motivated in order to be successful in this class.

High School Credit Classes

One unit of credit towards high school graduation will be applied to the student’s transcript for successful completion of the following courses:

Modern Languages Students must have successfully completed 7th grade

course Suggested for students who may wish to participate in

AP/IB programs and 2 years of ML is required by most college programs

Algebra Students must have successfully completed Pre-

algebra Geometry

Students must have successfully completed Algebra

Specialized Classes

Intervention Classes-course offerings designed to provide supplemental small group instruction for students who may have gaps in understanding of essential reading or mathematic skills

IEP/Resource Classes-course offerings designed to meet student learning needs as indicated in the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)

LEAP-course offering designed for gifted students providing enrichment, extension, and curriculum explorations

8th Grade Schedule Considerations 7 period day = 5 core + 2 electives All 8th grade students participate in 5

core courses Students have 2 periods in which to

participate in elective and intervention courses

Elective and intervention courses vary from semester-long to year-long and daily to alternating day

The 8th Grade Schedule

SEMESTER 11. English Language

Arts2. Mathematics3. Science4. Social Studies5. Health and Fitness6. A Day Elective

B Day Elective7. A Day Elective B Day Elective

SEMESTER 21. English Language

Arts2. Mathematics3. Science4. Social Studies5. Health and Fitness6. A Day Elective

B Day Elective7. A Day Elective B Day Elective

Sample 8th Grade Schedules

1. English Language Arts

2. Mathematics

3. Science

4. Social Studies

5. Health and Fitness

6. Band

7. French

Band and Modern Language Intervention

1. English Language Arts

2. Mathematics

3. Science

4. Social Studies

5. Health and Fitness

6. A-Reading/B-Tech Ed. (Semester 1)

A-Reading/B-Drama (Semester 2)

7. A-Dig. Lit./B-Art (Semester 1)

A-Keyboard/B-Music (Semester 2)

Teachers-

Complete course recommendations for each student based upon multiple data sources

Counselors-

Present course offerings to students in team meetings

Students & Parents-

Visit with teachers and make elective course selections and return recommendation form to school to Social Studies teacher by January 31, 2013

Next Steps

Did your child recently get a new device?

Did you know you can download BOOKS for FREE from our elibrary?

No late fees, huge selection, 24 hour access, works with any device.

The Library Media Specialist, Ms. Sears, will be available in the little gym to show you how.

Please feel free to visit departmentrepresentatives in the small gym for answers to curriculum questions.

Questions?