De Laura Middle School Home of the Scotties

De. Laura Middle School Home of the Scotties

What can you expect at De. Laura? • • More freedom for students – requires more responsibility Regular communication from administration and teachers 360 days of school before high school • • Nurture students, but begin preparation for high school Middle school is the time to learn from mistakes before it counts in high school Parents are welcome and wanted on campus • • Many ways to volunteer Chaperones

Registration for rising - - th 7 Graders Scheduling packets and course request forms have been provided to students. DMS guidance counselors are currently traveling to feeder schools to meet with students and collect course request forms. School Registration will be held on SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 th 9 -2. Students will receive paperwork packet after spring break.

Core Classes 7 th grade students will take next year…. . English Language Arts* Math* Science* Civics* Career Wheel/PE *Student placement in core classes will be based on prior achievement and teacher recommendation.

Language Arts • Language Arts 2 Advanced • Language Arts 2 Pre-AP • Requires Application • Intensive Language Arts – in addition to Language Arts • Individualized instruction in ELA skills • Placement is based on prior student achievement/proficiency. • If your student is recommended for ILA you will receive information through the mail in June.

English Language Arts Content • Focused on teaching the Florida Standards • Includes Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Grammar • Teachers utilize the Collections textbook along with class novels • Students will also complete projects and book studies each term • Independent reading is strongly encouraged • Accelerated Reader points required each term • Technology incorporated into Language Arts program (DMS just received a grant for 300 school laptops).

Mathematics • Math 2 Advanced • Math 2 Pre-AP • Application required • Algebra 1 Honors • High School Credit – Qualifying test administered to select students. • Algebra 1 Honors Pre-AP • High School Credit – Qualifying test administered to select students.

7 th grade math opportunities • • • Algebra Honors: A high school level math course that requires several nights of HW each week. Students will take an EOC exam in May in lieu of the Florida State Assessment. 7 th grade Advance Math: this course covers all 7 th grade and 8 th grade standards. This fast paced course prepares students for the Algebra program as 8 th graders. 7 th grade math: Grade level appropriate material and Florida standards. Tutoring is available to support individual student needs. Summer Math Camp (late June) ; information will be sent out after spring break.

Science • Comprehensive Science 2, Advanced • Comprehensive Science 2, Pre-AP • Requires an application

Science Content includes: • Scientific Method • Theories/Laws • Heat/Energy • Waves • Environmental Impacts • Earth • Evolution • Human Sexuality • Genetics

Science Related Clubs • GGIT (Girls Get I. T. ) • Lego Robotics (tentative) • Science Bowl

Social studies • Civics, Advanced • Civics, Pre-AP • Requires an application

Career and Technical Education • This is a required semester long course for all 7 th graders for promotion to • high school. Students will research careers, colleges, scholarships and develop a four year academic plan for high school. Major Areas of the CTE Wheel: • Family & Consumer Sciences • Technology Education • Business & Computer Education • Career and Tech. Ed is paired with a semester of Physical Education.

Electives • Physical Education (PE) – Required • Band • Chorus • Orchestra • Science Research (application) • Guitar • Creative Writing • Spanish 1 (High School credit) • TV Production (application) • Yearbook (application) • 2 D Studio Art • Semester Electives – Consisting of exploring 2 D art, business applications, exploratory technology, forensics and culinary careers

Science Research • • Summary of awards – 1 Best of Show, 1 Runner-Up Best of Show, 7 1 st Place, 12 2 nd Place, 16 3 rd Place, and 26 4 th Place 61/96 students won category placing Over $1280 won among De. Laura students Awards and/or tickets to NASA, Wonderworks, Naval Research Academy, Brevard Zoo, Doctors Goodwill Foundation, Duke, Florida Water Pollution, FPL, US Stockholm Water Prize, Women's Society of Engineering • • Invitations to State Science Fair (7), Orlando Science Center Science Fair (6), and Broadcom Masters Online Science Fair (15) 13 categories (ranging from math, computer science, engineering chemistry, medical, environmental, etc) Different then elementary school projects – Start working on project in August Testing should be done at school – parents do not help with testing Boards and equipment are supplied to the students Animal shelter donation drive, Sea World field trip, and recruiting Board Night/Pizza Night Why take class? REWARDING, love science, challenging and fun

Computer Applications (Semester) • Computer essentials for school and beyond ~ learn skills that will last for a lifetime. • Students can achieve success with technology. • The Computer Applications class encourages students to think creatively. • Students explore and use: Word, Power Point, and Excel. • Develop research, writing and proofreading skills. • Learn about hardware, software and basic keyboarding skills.

Culinary Careers (Semester) • • Rigorous practices of culinary duties throughout the semester leave students enrolled in this course with an increased understanding of the following: Kitchen Safety and Sanitation Proper use of Culinary Equipment Time Management Skills Effective Communication Skills Basic Food Preparation Skills Creative Food Presentations Menu Development

PHYSICAL EDUCATION • • The goal of Physical Education is to provide students a standards-based, balanced, sequential and progressive education physical activity program with a focus on developing health and skill-related fitness as well as sports skills Team Sports (first semester) The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the development of a physically active lifestyle. The course content provides exposure to a variety of movement opportunities and experiences that includes, but is not limited to: Fitness Activities and Team Sports. Extreme/Alternative Sports (second semester) The purpose of this course is to build on previously acquired knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the implementation and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle. The course content provides exposure to a variety of movement opportunities and experiences that include, but is not limited to: Outdoor Pursuits, Individual/Dual Sports and Alternative/Extreme Sports.

Art • DMS Is an academic Art Education Program which hone students creativity as well as assist students in further Art study, including “portfolio” preparation for AP & High School Art classes. • • Art engages the highest level of thinking; imagination. • Exploring 2 D Art (semester) and 2 D Studio Art 2/3 (year-long) classes will enable students to enjoy creative problem solving, learn new skills, techniques and work in various media as they complete portfolios for High School and College. • Artistic talent is not required but focus and creative imagination are essential. Art education class provides academic standards and techniques for students to excel in creating original works of Art.

Music – Year Long Courses • Our music program consists of varying levels of Band, Orchestra, and Chorus. • All 3 disciplines have received superior ratings at District Festivals and have received State recognition as well. • De. Laura Middle School received the 2016 -17 State of Florida participation award. 62% of DMS students are currently participating in a music course.

BAND • Beginning Band • Open to ALL students • No experience necessary! Your child doesn’t even have to read music! • Students get to try out every single instrument, and together, with Ms. Curran, make a decision on what band instrument they will play. • We give 2 concerts a year, Winter and Spring

Band • • • Intermediate Band: Open to those students who attend De. Laura Summer Band (June 5 th-22 nd No Fridays) Students try out and choose their instrument during Summer Band, and get a head start on learning how to play their band instrument. When school starts in August, Summer Band students skip the Beginning Band level and go right into Intermediate Band. We give 2 concerts a year, Winter and Spring Other Band Courses Include: • Concert Band (By Audition Only) • Symphonic Band (By Audition Only) • Jazz Band (By Audition Only) Students can take two music class (ie. Band Chorus, Band Orchestra) so if they are already in chorus or orchestra, they can still do band!

ORCHESTRA • Orchestra 1: For those with little or no playing experience or for the student who has just recently decided they would like to try to play a string instrument. • Orchestra 2: For students who have been playing at the Elementary level. We work through various string methods and develop everyone’s playing ability to be the best they can be. • Orchestra 3/4: For advanced students. This group plays more challenging music. Mr. Moorman’s signature is needed to sign up for this level of orchestra. • Summer Orchestra Camp: July 25 th-28 th

CHORUS • Chorus is an elective for anyone who enjoys singing: • • • Beginning chorus (Girls and Boys) is for anyone who would like to join – no audition Show Choir – Music Teacher Recommendation Vocal Ensemble requires you contact Mrs. Benincasa at De. Laura for a quick audition We do more part-singing / a cappella style rather than choreography We audition to perform at Disney, and do several other off-campus performances in the community We perform at Music Performance Assessment festival (MPA) for a grade We do all types of music - folk, classic, world, pop. We learn to sight read music We have FUN! You can take chorus along with another music elective at the same time

SPANISH • Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 are very rigorous High School Credit classes and the grades that your child receives will be calculated into their High School GPA. • • • Students are taught all forms of communication from reading to writing to speaking. • • Spanish 2 • Students in both levels will be expected to “perform”. Students will be speaking to the teacher and their classmates in front of the class and in small groups. Spanish 1 Students learn to talk about themselves, friends, school, family, ordering food and many other topics. The focus is on speaking about the past. Students learn such things as talking about their past school experiences, childhood activities, holidays and important events.

Assistance with Academics • • Individual student/teacher tutoring opportunities Power Hour (Tuesday and Thursday) • • • One hour of non-classroom time for students to seek academic assistance and eat lunch. Teachers are available during office hours Great time to complete assignments/assessments Open computer labs Media Center and Library are open for student use.

Extra Curricular Activities • Basketball (August) • Track (January) • Cheerleading • Tryouts May 8 th-11 th at DMS.

Keep your eye out for…. • Important information and dates will be communicated to elementary schools and placed on the De. Laura website for parents: http: //www. edline. net/pages/De. Laura_Middle_School

Delaura middle school welcomes you! Questions? Please contact our Guidance Department Cathryn Thornton– 7 th Grade Counselor ESE Contact/Department Chair Katie Taips– 8 th Grade Counselor Shannon Lynch– Guidance Service Professional/504 Contact/Gifted Contact Rosemary Drury – Guidance Clerk