PLEASANTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Scheduling Information For Incoming 6th Grade Parents 2014-2015

Welcome to Pleasanton Middle

School

Administration/Counselors

n  Aileen Parsons, Principal Li - Z students n  Jill Butler– VP for A – Le students n  Ryan Templeman – VP for Li - Z students n  Pam O’Connell – Counselor for A-Le n  Reine Anderson – Counselor for Li-Z

Welcome to Pleasanton Middle School

n  Principal’s Welcome n  Duties of Vice-Principals n  Activities, clubs and sports on campus n  Open House Wed., May 14 at 6:30 p.m. n  Please visit our schools website: n  http://www.pleasantonmiddleschool.org for n  Walk-through registration and WEB

(Welcome EveryBody) Orientation dates and times.

Topics for Discussion

n  6th Grade Program Overview

n Course Descriptions From Teachers

n What to Expect in Middle School

n How to Be Successful in Middle School

6th Grade Program Overview

1.  Language Arts 2.  Language Arts 3.  History 4.  Math (Regular or Advanced) 5.  LUNCH (4th period)

6.  General Science

7.  P.E. 8.  Electives

Course Descriptions from Teachers

n  Language Arts – Beth Louderback n  History – Dale Pauly n  Math – Leni Seymon n  Science – Alex Holst n  P.E. – Sue Usedom n  Electives – Cassie Langan n  DI – Kristine De Vries

6th Grade Language Arts

Supporting your 6th grader

• The organizer • Moodle/teacher websites • Q • Trust and verify! • Smile!

The “Block” Format

• Two periods of language arts • One period of history • Many classes taught as a block. • Some have separate language arts and

history teachers. • Teachers offer instructional

differentiation and challenge programs.

Language Arts

Reading

ü Where the Red Fern Grows

• Text book – Holt Literature Anthology

• Core literature

ü Theme ü Plot ü Setting

ü Characterization ü Tone

•Additional literature used to teach metacognitive strategies

•Close reading taught for both fiction and non-fiction texts

Language Arts

Writing

ü Informative/explanatory ü Narrative

• Genres of writing – explored in a variety of formats

ü Argumentative

Public Speaking – Many opportunities ü Speech proficiency at end of year

Language Arts

Spelling and Vocabulary / Grammar

• Integrated throughout the curriculum. Expectations for consistent correct use in written work.

• Houghton Mifflin Spelling Text

• Easy Grammar

ü Step by step with a lot of practice ü Every day

6th Grade History

History

• Glencoe, Discovering Our Past: Ancient Civilizations

ü Early Man

ü Egypt

ü China

ü Mesopotamia

ü Israel

ü Greece

ü India

ü Rome

Math Placement

Goal: To see that each child is placed in the math class that will allow him/her to succeed in middle school, high school and beyond.

Math Placement

Placement is determined from testing at the end of 5th grade.

and

Teacher recommendation

Math Courses

• Math 6 (meets CCSS)

• Math 6/7 (2 years of math compressed into 1 year)

Math Flowchart

6th Grade Earth Science

Supporting your student:

n  Organizer! n  Teacher Websites n  Ask Questions and Have Fun

Textbook: •  One to take home •  Also Online

Instruction

n  Wide-Variety of Instruction – Lecture – Reading – Hand-on Activities – Labs – Videos – Demos – Collaborative Group Work

What We are Studying

n  General Science n Scientific Method, Metric System, Graphing

n  Earth Systems and Processes n Weathering, Erosion, Deposition

n  Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Structure n Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Volcanoes

n  Weather and Climate n Atmosphere, Weather, Climate Change

PMS PUSD:!!

6th Grade Physical

Education is

FUN!

Pleasanton Middle School PE Promotes

Life Skills Communication

A Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship

PMS PUSD:!!

Students Have the Opportunity to

Participate and Learn

Team Handball Line Dancing Volleyball

Basketball Speedminton Football

Badminton Ultimate Frisbee Soccer

Track &Field Omnikin Scooter Hockey

Alligator River Fitness Testing Over the Line

PE Provides Each Student:

n An individual locker and lock n A uniform (PMS shirt and shorts) n Use of a long locker during their

class period

Wheel Electives

There are 6 elective portions of the 6th grade exploratory wheel

n  Quest n  Consumer & Family Studies n  Exploring Technology n  Art 6 n  Computer n  World Languages

Artes de Lenguaje en Español - grados 6-8 (“Inmersión Dual”) / Spanish Language Arts grades 6-8 (“Dual

Immersion”)

Music Program

n  Beginning Band – Exploring student interest in this class. No previous band experience required.

n  Intermediate Band n  String Orchestra Students who take Band or Strings class attend “A”

period P.E. outside of the regular school day from 7:35 a.m. to 8:31 a.m. Monday –Friday. There is no “A” period on Wednesday.

Please note: We do not have beginning band classes.

GATE Program

GATE PLACEMENT

Our counseling office has been notified regarding the GATE testing results for your child. This information includes the area of giftedness which resulted in GATE identification. Depending upon the other classes your child selects, every effort will be made to place your child in a GATE cluster (language arts, science or social studies) that best matches your child’s identified area of giftedness.

LAPTOP PROGRAM

n  LAPTOP students will be scheduled into laptop classes in Language Arts, History, and Science.

n  The informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room.

Characteristics of Middle School Students

n Many changes in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

PHYSICAL

n Body Changes (Weight, Muscle Mass, Strength) …need more food and sleep!

n Concern about appearance n Personal Hygiene & Nutrition

COGNITIVE n  Preteen concrete thinkers n  Maturity= understanding complex

issues even when they don’t agree n  YOU MAY SEE MORE ARGUING and

RATIONALIZING (new phone, curfew etc.)

n  Arguments become more sophisticated n  Abstract thinking ( can imagine their

future)

SOCIAL /EMOTIONAL

n  Same hormones for physical changes bring on emotional changes (mood)

n  Acceptance-peer relationships fitting in n  FRIENDS! (May choose friends over

parents for problem solving, etc.) n  Moving towards independence

THIS IS A GREAT TRANSITION

n Be gentle with yourself n Be gentle with your child n Choose your battles wisely n Maintain your sense of humor!

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO HELP THEIR MIDDLE

SCHOOLER BE SUCCESSFUL?

n  Attend important events - like “Back to School Night”.

n  Keep informed through the PMS website. n  Know each teacher’s expectations. n  Check Moodle/Q/teachers’ websites for

homework, messages and grades. n  Contact teachers first with questions about

expectations, problems, or for extra help. n  Check your child’s organizer nightly and

check homework for completion.

Keys To A Successful Middle School Experience n  Homework: Complete all

homework and turn it in on time. n  Organization: Use a Student

Planner to help with deadlines on projects/homework.

n  Time Management: Balance your time between studies, activities and your social life.

n  Attendance: Attend regularly. If absent, check with other students, check the website, and check with the teacher upon return.

Questions n  Any questions, feel free to ask now.

n  Or contact your child’s counselor at (925) 426-4396 or administration at (925)426-4390.

n  Please read over the 6th grade handbook thoroughly with your child. Turn the scheduling form into 5th grade teacher by February 7, 2014.

n  Handbook and information will be online at our website: www.pleasantonmiddleschool.org

n  Click on Resources n  Click on Counseling

Click on Student Handbook or Scheduling Forms