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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