Transitioning to Middle School in C-FB

1. Transitioning to Middle Schoolin C-FB ESDC – Building A April 11, 2013

2. Overview of the Academic Pathwayfor the Secondary Student • Serving GT Students in Middle School • Interdisciplinary Seminar (IDS) - Language Arts • ACE & LEAP students • TEKS • COL • College of William & Mary Curriculum • PreAP • Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies • Courses selected based on STAAR, MAP scores, grades, and teacher recommendation

3. Middle School Assessments • Core Content - Unit assessments • Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies • MAP - Measures of Academic Progress • Math, Reading, Science • Fall, Winter, Spring • Duke TIP - 7thgrade • ReadiStep- 8th grade - Preliminary for PSAT

4. Overview of the Academic Pathwayfor the Secondary Student • Serving GT Students in High School • 26 Credits required for graduation: 1 credit per course • Acceleration during middle school or summer school • Four math and science courses in high school • Academies: • BioMed, METSA, AMAT • International Business, Law & Criminal Justice • International Baccalaureate

5. College Readiness Tests • PSAT : Preliminary SAT • Critical Reading, Mathematics, Writing Skills • 9th - all GT students • 10th – all students • 11th - all students - National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test • SAT Reasoning Test • ACT • AP: Advanced Placement - College Credit

6. Interdisciplinary Seminar (IDS) IDS – Interdisciplinary Seminar is a middle school course designed to meet the needs of ACE (GT) students. The course is interdisciplinary in nature and enhances the core curriculum subjects by adding depth, complexity, and pacing.

7. IDS Curriculum Overview • Curriculum • TEKS • Depth and Complexity Strategies • Differentiation • Standard Assessment • Summative – Semester • Formative - Nine weeks • Vocabulary • Writing • Relevancy to student interest • Independent Study • Social and Emotional Needs

8. Gifted & Talented Curriculum • College of William & Mary Curriculum • Curriculum developed specifically for gifted learners • Exemplary curriculum awards for quality and enhancement of student achievement

9. IDS Thematic Units: 6th Grade Culture 7th Grade Power 8th Grade Interdependence The GT curriculum enables students to develop an enduring understanding of the themes culture, power, and interdependence.

10. Goals of the GT Curriculum To develop… • Analytical and interpretive skills in literature • Persuasive writing skills • Vocabulary • Listening/oral communication skills

11. IDS Classroom • Involves…….. • Teamwork • Problem Solving • Creative Thinking • Critical Thinking Skills These are skills students will need in the 21st century and will carry what they gain through these memorable learning adventures into adulthood.

12. Next Level of Work

13. Rigor and Struggle • Most rigorous course where success is possible • Productive Struggle vs. Destructive Struggle • Leads to understanding. • Learning goals feel attainable and effort seem worthwhile. • Leads students to feelings of empowerment and hope • Leads to frustration. • Learning goals feel hazy and out of reach. • Leaves students feeling abandoned and on their own.

14. Courses • IDS (6th, 7th, 8th) • Global (9th) and World Experience (10th) • Pre-AP • AP/IB • AP Human Geography – 9th Grade • Dual Credit

15. Celebrations of Learning • CollegeBoard • ReadiStep – (8th) • PSAT – (9th, 10th, 11th) • NMSQT – Junior Year • SAT – (12th) • AP – (8-12) • ACT • Explore – (9th) • ACT – (12th)

16. Electives and Additional Opportunities Together with the core courses these add up to a complete and balanced education for your child.

17. Elective Options Available • Physical Education is required during the 6th grade year. • One additional Physical Education course is required during 7th and 8th grade. Participation on a school athletics team can serve as that credit. • Art and Theatre electives are each one semester. Full year electives such as band, choir, or orchestra can be chosen.

18. Let Music Reign! • Take the opportunity to attend the fine arts demonstration at your student’s campus. Musical options include choir, band, or orchestra. • If your student choses band or orchestra he/she will need to choose an instrument prior to starting school. Your Band or Orchestra director will assist your student with that important choice. • First year classes are organized by instrument. Your student should be prepared to commit to that instrument group for the next few years.

19. Other Opportunities for Students • Destination Imagination • UIL competition among other middle schools in the district: • Teams for events such as One Act Play, Editorial Writing, Number Sense, Calculating, Impromptu Speaking, and more formed in the fall. Sixth graders are encouraged to participate! • Clubs available to join before or after school.

20. Parents, Stay Involved! • Join your Middle School PTA. They need you and you need them. • Join the C-FB AGT. This parent organization serves gifted students of all ages and their parents across the district. • Now is the time to utilize Parent Self Serve to help your student keep track of grades and assignments. • Become familiar with the middle school website and those of your child’s teachers. Bus routes will be posted there as well as school wide events.

21. Things Every Parent of a Middle School Student Should Know: • Help your student to develop organizational skills. These are the foundation for future success. • Check your child’s planner/agenda with him/her. Make sure they are recording homework, tutoring times, and projects. • Help your child create balance and learn to mange his/her schedule and assignments. Suggest setting aside time each day for work, reading, practicing, hobbies, and of course family. Balance is the key!

22. Parent Survival Tips Continued: • Don’t believe the statement, “But everyone else is doing it.” or “No one else’s parents does ______.” • Encourage conversation and be open to just listening. • Take time to meet your child’s friends by driving them to school events, and other activities. • If you have questions, ask a teacher, a counselor, your GT Specialist, or a principal. We are here for you!

23. TEA – TEKSTexas Essential Knowledge & Skills  Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Expository Text. Students analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about expository text and provide evidence from text to support their understanding. Students are expected to: (A)  summarize the main ideas and supporting details in text, demonstrating an understanding that a summary does not include opinions; (B)  explain whether facts included in an argument are used for or against an issue;