2015-16 Course Selection Presentation

Welcome to Albion Middle School

6th Grade

Course Selection Presentation

Introductions

• Darrell Jensen– Principal

• Scott Jameson—Assistant Principal (A-

K)

• Camie Lloyd– Assistant Principal (L-Z)

Introductions

• Cathrine Nelson– Counselor (A-K)

• Camille Cook—Counselor Intern (A-K)

• Monica Carlson—Counselor (L-Z)

• Levi Wimer— School Psychologist

• Cathy Parker— Hall Monitor

• Jenny Billings— Attendance Secretary

School Choice Permits

Per district policy, students will be notified

of permit acceptance by March 1, 2015

Transfer requests are contingent on early enrollment school capacity or late enrollment school capacity, special

program limitations, staff availability, and/or circumstances under Section 53A-

2-207(4)(c)

The Middle School Schedule

• Students will have 6 classes each day

• Classes will be 60 minutes long

• Students’ 2nd period class will be a little longer

for student announcements and recognitions

• All required classes are for 6th grade students

only

• We love having 6th grade in the middle school!

6 Period ScheduleEnglish Language Arts 6

Mathematics 6

Science 6 (STEAM)

College and Career

AwarenessPE 6

Elective Elective

Social Studies 6

6th Grade Housing and Lockers

Teaming!

We will have two 6th grade

teams

• Students will be randomly

assigned to teams

A team consists of 4 teachers:

– ELA (English Language

Arts)

– Social Studies

– Science

– Math

These 4 teachers will

collaborate together and

provide:

– Cross-curricular activities

(assemblies, guest

speakers, field trips, etc.)

– Coordinate schedules so

students don’t have more

than one big test on the

same day

– Discuss students who

need extra support or

additional rigor

Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

Troi Hoster & Jenifer Johnson

What does the PTSA do at Albion?

• Yearbook• Reflections Art Contest• Internet Safety Week• Red Ribbon Week• Teacher Appreciation• Student Incentives• End of Year Carnival• Book Fair• Vision Screening• Informing parents and students of extra opportunities & contests

Membership: Parents and students are encouraged to become PTSA members

Volunteer Opportunities: PTSA Board (nominees for next year

are posted)Serve on committees

Opportunities and Recognition

• Afterschool enrichment• Intramurals• Harry Potter Club• National Junior Honor

Society• Chess Club• SBOs• AND MUCH MORE!

Media CenterMrs. Marianne Bates

• Book Club

• Math tutoring

Course Selection Packet Materials

• Course selection card

• Band and Orchestra information sheet

• Elective course descriptions

• Map of 6th grade core classes and locker areas

• Homework tips for middle school

• Opportunities available at Albion

Demographic Information

• Please print your name, address, phone number,

etc. legibly in PEN. Everything else should be

completed in pencil!

Required Classes All 6th grade students will take the following classes:

• English Language Arts 6

• Mathematics 6

• Science 6 (STEAM)

• Social Studies 6

• College and Career Awareness (every other day)

• PE 6 (every other day)

English Language Arts 6 (ELA 6)

• Students may take:

– English Language Arts 6

– English Language Arts 6H (Honors)

• Students may choose which class they wish to take

– English Language Arts 6** (per IEP goals)

Math

• Students may take:

–Mathematics 6

–Mathematics 6H (Honors)

–Math 6** (Per IEP Goals)

Science

• All students will take: Science 6 (STEAM)

• STEAM= Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math

• Topics: Astronomy and robotics

• Students will participate in design

challenges that focus on engineering

and critical thinking

Social Studies

All students will take:

– Social Studies 6

• Learn about the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China

• Discover the Renaissance and Middle Ages

• Investigate explorers, revolutions, and more!!!

PE & CTE

• All students will take:

– PE 6

AND

– College & Career Awareness

*A new class offered through

Career & Technical Education

• Both classes meet all year long, every other

day

Elective Classes

• Elective classes are classes you get to pick because

they sound fun, interesting, and/or exciting

• You will get to take 2 elective classes

• If you are required to take a math or literacy lab, we

will notify you and replace your 2nd choice elective

with the lab

• ALL elective classes meet every other day for the

entire school year

Elective Classes

• Band 1 Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone)

• Band 1 Brass/Percussion (trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone,

tuba, percussion)

• Orchestra 1 (Beginning)

• Band 2 (Percussion Ensemble) - Audition required

• Symphonic Band- Audition required

• Orchestra 2 (Adv.)- Audition required

• Choir 1 Soprano/Alto (Girls)

• Choir 1 Tenor/Bass (Boys)

Elective Classes

• Art Foundations 1

• Spanish 1A

– Taking a World Language is a rigorous elective class.

• The expectation is that students and teachers will spend 90% of

class time in the target language

• Keyboarding 1

– STRONGLY recommended if you have not passed the competency

test; your elementary teacher has these scores

– MOST students should take keyboarding

– Keyboarding is an essential skill to school and life success

Elective YouTube Videos

Wondering what electives are

available at Albion? Check-out

our Albion Middle School

YouTube Page!

www.youtube.com/user/AlbionMiddleSchool

What if I need help in ELA or Math?

• We will offer a literacy lab and a math lab course

• Students will be placed in these courses according to

their Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) scores and

5th grade performance

• SRI & RCBM

• MCOMP, & MCBM

• Each lab class will take the place of one elective class

• If you need this class, we will notify you of this

adjustment to your course selections

Honors Classes at AlbionIf you are willing to work hard, an honors class in middle school is a great

way to prepare for more advanced classes in high school and beyond!

• Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering an honors

class:

• Am I at mastery level? Do I consistently do well in this class?

• ELA: Am I reading at or above grade level? What is my SRI level?

• Math: Am I testing at or above grade level? What is my

MCOMP/SAGE level?

• Do I turn assignments in on time?

• Do I stay focused and on task during class time?If you answered YES to some or all of the above questions then you should consider taking an honors class next year!

Selecting Honors ClassesSuggested assessment

scores for Honors English

• 4th grade ELA SAGE

score of 3 or 4

• 5th grade winter R-

CBM 150 or above

• 5th grade winter SRI

score of 980 or above

Suggested assessment scores

for Honors Math

• 4th grade Math SAGE score of

3 or 4

• 5th grade winter M-COMP of 38

or above

Both ELA and math classes require a teacher’s signature

Your 5th grade teacher can provide you with these scores

When selecting honors classes, keep in mind that a schedule change is not a reliable option; choose

wisely

Selecting

Honors

Classes

• More rigorous and academically challenging• Students are most

successful with prerequisite skills• Submit opt-in letter to

counseling center if course is not suggested by teacher *your elementary teacher has these forms or you can pick one up at Albion

Ranking Your Elective Choices

Students will pick their first choice, second choice, third choice, and fourth choice.Please rank your selections in order of preference.

From these elective choices, we will attempt to schedule students into their top two elective options.

Why Rank Your Elective Choices?

– Sometimes a class does not carry (not enough students

request the class)

– Sometimes classes are full

– Sometimes the electives you choose are taught the same

class period

– Sometimes the electives you choose are taught at the

same time as one of your core classes

– Sometimes we are unable to make your first choices work

with your schedule

• What happens if I don’t rank my elective choices?

– Your counselor will choose an elective for you

– Do you want your counselor choosing your classes?

Choose Wisely

• It is important that you take time and

select your classes wisely

• A schedule change is NOT an option next

year due to class sizes and staffing

decisions that are made based on what

students select now.

Reminders

• All classes with * require a teacher’s

signature

• You must sign your registration card

• Your parent must sign your registration card

• Registration cards are due to your elementary

teacher on:

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19

Additional Information• In July you will receive more information

regarding:

– School fees

– Gym clothing required

– Orientation dates (usually 1-2 days before the first

official day of school in August)

– Busing

• If you are here on special permit (you don’t live in our

school boundaries) you are responsible for providing

transportation to and from school for your student.

Permit students are not eligible for school busing.

Thank You!

• You are now welcome to walk around and

check out our beautiful remodeled building

• Speak with teachers regarding any

questions you may have

• The counselors and administrators will be

available in the kiva and the commons area

to answer any questions you may have