Moving Up to Middle School Danielle Le Grand

Moving Up to Middle School Danielle Le. Grand School Counselor Carpenter Elementary March 9, 2018

Purpose of Meeting Middle school basics: • The transition • Courses • Schedules • Cyber safety • Other Changes • Q&A •

The Transition • • New building More/new students Student organization Switching classes More independence Challenging coursework Adolescence!

What Ms. Le. Grand will do… March- Middle School Visit- E. Cary & Davis Drive March -April – all students April Lesson – all students Moving Up To Middle School Activities Middle School Search Online-Strategy Hunt April Lesson-all students Electives Selection – Counselor will pull students individually or small groups- Tr. 4 students first It’s time to open lock combinations May Lunch Bunches – upon request Small group setting to ease worries

Middle School Programs • Required Courses • Language Arts • Math • Science • Social Studies • Healthful Living (Health and P. E. ) • Elective(s)

Language Arts • Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language • Mix of Fiction and Nonfiction Texts • Teachers provide differentiated instruction based on students’ levels of need. • Students who are identified at AIG are noted in Power. School to assist middle schools with ELA placement.

Math Placement Information • Math placement is determined by Education Value Added Assessment System (EVASS) Data - probability of scoring a Level IV on the Math 1 or higher in NC Math 1. • EVASS Data takes into account both reading and math EOG scores from 3 rd and 4 th grades. • Teachers follow Wake County Math Placement Guidelines when placing students in the math class • 6 th Grade math placements should put students where they have a chance to be successful, but are also appropriately challenged. • All placement decisions are subject to review once the final grades are available.

Math Options in Middle School Important to Know… – The content is the same no matter which course you take. – The thing that changes is the amount of content included in one school year. Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Math 6 Math 7 Math 8 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Math 6+ Math 7+ NC Math 1 With acceleration Math 6 Standards Math 7 Standards Math 8 Standards NC Math 1 Standards

Math Courses Offered Math 6+/7+ Math 7+ Will cover 1 full year of math Will cover 1. 3 years of math Will cover 2. 5 years of math Will cover 1. 3 years of math Will have time for additional practice Faster pace New skill taught Successfully every day completed 6+ in 5 th grade Grade level work Less repetition No time for review or repetition Teacher placement only Delivery method: traditional model Delivery method will vary from school to school: traditional model, blended instruction, virtual Delivery method will vary from school to school

Compacted Math 6 Plus/ 7 Plus Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Compacted 6+/7+ NC Math 1 (HS) NC Math 2 (HS) Math 6 Math 7 Math 8 NC Math 1 Standards NC Math 2 Standards Covers 2. 5 years of content in one school year. It covers 6 th, 7 th, and half of 8 th grade content – Accelerative option that does not involve skipping content – Requires a student who is ready to both pick up content quickly and at times independently. • How will schools deliver this? – Traditional Classroom Model – Blended Instruction (Math 6 Plus class with online learning modules for Math 7 Plus content)

Math Placement Guidelines Math 6 EVASS Projection is less than 70% Math 6+ EVASS Projection is equal to or greater than 70% Math 6+/7+ EVASS Projection is equal to or greater than 97% Score of Level 4 or higher on 5 on the current their current year Math EOG Math 7+ EVASS Projection is equal to or greater than 70% Score of a Level 4 or higher on their current year Math EOG Student is currently enrolled and successful in Math 6+

What happens after 6 th Grade? If you start with … 7 th Grade 8 th Grade 9 th Grade Math 6 Math 7 Math 8 Math I (HS) Math 6 Plus Math 7 Plus Math I (HS) Math II (HS) Compacted Math 6/7+ Math I (HS) Math III (HS) • Delivery method will vary for Math II: online course, face to face, combination. School based decision.

Critical Questions to Ask • • • How does your student learn math best? Do they need time to practice and process during class? Are they an independent learner? Will online learning be a good option for them? Are they self directed in their learning? Are they organized in their school work? • Important to Remember … Answers to these don’t rule rigor in or out but inform how and when to access rigor while supporting success!

Math Placement Resources • Wake County Math Weebly Site. This site has a great deal of information. (wcpss. net/middleschoolmath) • Parent Math Waiver Form. This form is found on the Wake County Math Weebly (The waiver states they are to be given to the principal, but I will be collecting them first then giving them to Ms. Jones)

Students with Special Needs • Individual Education Plan (IEP): Mrs. Bekker will have transition meetings where they will discuss and recommend placement for middle school. • Academically Gifted (AIG): He/she will be served in 6 th grade. • No pull-out for AIG students • 504 plan: He/she will receive the needed services in 6 th grade. • Best Practice – communicate your child’s needs to their middle school as soon as possible to open a line of communication.

Elective Examples (E. Cary Middle & Davis Drive) Semester Classes - Choose 3, Participate in 2 E. CARY MIDDLE Beginning Band- year long course Beginning Spanish-year long course Keyboarding & Basic Word Processing Digital Literacy- 18 week course Exploring Interpersonal Relationships & Childcare Exploring Nutrition and Wellness- 18 week course Introduction to Theatre Visual Arts Exploratory Invention & Innovation Exploring Engineering & Design • Year Long - Choose 1 Participate in 1 E. CARY MIDDLE Beginning Band: • Clarinet • Flute • Trombone • Trumpet • Students must take Band in 6 th grade if they want to take band in any middle or high school year. • • If you take band, you will NOT be able to take a semester elective. Beginning Spanish

Elective Examples cont… Semester Classes - Choose 3, Participate in 2 DAVIS DRIVE MIDDLE Digital Literacy Exploring Interpersonal Relationships and Childcare Understanding Personal Finance and Hospitality Project Revive Introduction to Dance Exploratory Language Visual Arts Exploratory Year Long-Choose 1 Participate in 1 DAVIS DRIVE MIDDLE • Beginning Strings • Intermediate Strings-1. 5 -2 yrs. Experience • Beginning Band- will choose either woodwinds or brass.

Sample Schedule • 6 classes per day • 4 Core Academic Classes • 1 Elective • PE/Health Class • Lunch period • 3 -5 minutes between classes • Lockers • Teachers will have copies of combinations on hand • May need an extra lock for PE locker • Practice opening locks this summer!

Grading Students receive grades of A, B, C, D, or F • A: 90 - 100 • B: 80 – 89 • C: 70 – 79 • D: 60 – 69 • F: less than 60

Homework Elementary School Middle School • Typically 50 Minutes a day • 90 minutes a day or more • Not calculated into subject area grades • Incorporated into grade point averages • Looked at for completeness and mastery • Graded more often for accuracy and completeness

Cyber Safety • Talk to Your Child • Set Up Guidelines • Monitor Your Child’s Internet Use • Discuss Safe & Unsafe Online Behaviors • Remind them to keep up with passwords and user names • Technology can be a helpful study aid

A Successful Child • Encourage your child to use their agendas and establish a set study/homework time each evening. • Assist your child with organization. • Get to know your child’s new friends and communicate with parents of new friends. • Expect some changes in behavior. • Try to maintain an atmosphere at home with open communication. • Become involved at school. • Talk to your child’s teachers when you have questions.

Other Information • • • Student Fears: not being able to open their locker, not having anyone to sit with at lunch, losing their combination, and getting lost. Teams: 4 teachers instead of 1 and movement within all classes with different peers Power Schools: Student & Parent Access to grades and more. Clubs: a great way to get your child involved and a way to meet new friends Attend: Open House (spring) and Meet the Teacher (summer)

Program Planning Guides • A Program Planning Guide is available on the Wake County website. Use this for more information regarding core classes, electives, and future planning.

Timeline moving forward March 12 th –April 5 th -Ms. Le. Grand will help all students register for electives at school. Middle schools visit Classroom visits April 17 th- 21 st -Verification sheets sent home for signature

Questions, Concerns & Tips • Visit: http: //www. wcpss. net/carpenteres and click on “School Counselor” under Academics and Programs tab, then click on “Middle School” for access to this presentation and middle school resources. • Check your middle school’s website for information regarding open house and orientation. • Academic registration forms and elective verification forms will come home in April. • Feel free to contact me with concerns about your child’s adjustment to middle school • dlegrand@wcpss. net • (919) 462 -6780