Advanced Studies Classes Piney Grove Middle School 2011 – 2012

1. AdvancedStudiesClasses Piney Grove Middle School2011 – 2012

2. The Criteria for Placement inAdvanced Studies Classesat Piney Grove • ANY young man or young woman may be placed in an Advanced Studies Class. • Several expectations and other factors that students and parents should first consider.

3. StudentMotivationis the key criteria • The student should be eager to commit to more rigor in his/her classes and want the challenge of advanced studies.

4. Let's Begin With The End In Mind! What Is Our Rationale For Affording All Students The Opportunity To Take Advanced Classes?

5. The Present Research Is Quite Clear • As competition gets tighter in the U.S. job market, surveyed employers anticipate hiring fewer people with only a high school diploma. • Job offers will increase for those with 2-year, 4-year, and post-graduate degrees. • In an interview this fall, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said “There are barely any jobs left for someone with only a high school diploma, and that diploma is only valuable today if it has truly prepared you to go on to a higher education without remediation --- the only ticket to a decent job”. • Workers without college degrees are increasingly unlikely to be middle class. Education is the real divider, and people with only a high school education – their wages are definitely falling behind.

6. The Present Research Continued… • The jobless rate for workers less than a high school diploma is 15.3 percent, compared to 10.1 percent for high school graduates and 8.5 percent for those with some college. The jobless rate for Americans with at least a bachelor’s degree is just 4.7 percent. • Helping students identify the post-secondary education appropriate to their interests, skills and learning styles will become even more critical. • Students will need to be ready for the challenge and rigor of some type of college. They will also need to be competitive to get in the college of their choice.

7. Thus, High School Preparation for College Will Be Key! • The rigors of High School Honors classes, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are quite challenging. • For those students who seek the challenge of these high school courses, 9th grade --- one of the most transitional and often difficult years in a young person's education --- is not the best time to learn what it will take to be successful in such classes.

8. So What Does That Mean at the Middle School Level ? • We know that opportunity plays a key role in making the most of human potential. • Exposing our middle school students to more challenging academic opportunities in order to prepare them for such rigorous high school classes is key.

9. Building a Culture of Opportunity • At Piney Grove . . . • We want to provide those opportunities • for our students to • reach their fullest • potential as they so desire.

10. Advanced Studies Offerings atEach Grade Level • 6thGrade • Language Arts • & • Mathematics

11. 8thGrade Language Arts Mathematics Social Studies Physical Science (Offered for High School Credit) Advanced Studies Offerings atEach Grade Level • 7thGrade • Language Arts • Mathematics • Social Studies

12. Two Exceptions • 7thGrade Accelerated Math • (7th Grade and 8th Grade Math Standards Included In This Course) • High School Accelerated Math I • (Taken In The 8th Grade) • Both of these classes will require teacher recommendation for student placement because the 8th grade course is taken for High School credit and the 7th grade course is the pre-requisite for it. • Both of these classes will require teacher recommendation for student placement because the 8th grade course is taken for High School credit and the 7th grade course is the pre-requisite for it.

13. High School Possibilities If You Take Advanced Math Or High School Accelerated Math I In 8th Grade

14. Expectations for Advanced Studies Classes &How They Will Differ From On-level Classes • Students will study, discuss, research and be held accountable for learning advanced concepts in these classes. Their studies will be more rigorous and will take them more in-depth and broader in scope. • Students will participate in academic extra-curricular competitions and/or opportunities for publication throughout the school year (Ex. Science Fair, Social Studies Fair, Oratorical Contest, Young Georgia Authors, Future Cities, Stock Market Game, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, etc.). Students can expect to work on these activities both inside and outside of class.

15. Expectations for Advanced Studies Classes &How They Will Differ From On-level Classes • Students will be engaged in more and higher level writing assignments and writing-based assessments throughout the school year (Higher Level = Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation of concepts studied). • Students will spend more time reading inside and outside of class for their studies and assignments (Ex. novels, research documents, research articles on the Internet, etc.).

16. Expectations for Advanced Studies Classes &How They Will Differ From On-level Classes • Students will be engaged more in work and studies outside of class. • Students will be engaged in more inquiry-based and project-based learning, with links to the community, for their academic work. • Students can expect to collaborate and work in teams with classmates and/or professional experts, as well as work independently as a self-motivated learner.

17. Expectations for Advanced Studies Classes &How They Will Differ From On-level Classes • Students can expect to see more focus and emphasis on refining and polishing their presentation skills, sharing their final projects with authentic audiences and submitting their own work for publication. • Students will be highly encouraged to participate in service-oriented clubs and/or activities at Piney Grove or in the community.

18. Other Factors to Consider • Will the student and/or parents be fine with possibly not making the PGMS Merit or Honor Roll? Advanced Studies classes will not be given more weight than regular classes. With the challenge and rigor of these classes, students may not always make a grade of an A or B.

19. Other Factors to Consider • Advanced Studies class teachers will offer “help sessions” for students in these classes just as they do for students in their on grade level classes. Teachers will not be asked, nor expected, to offer more “help sessions” for students struggling in an Advanced Studies class.

20. Other Factors to Consider Taking Advanced Studies classes in middle school, but particularly in the 8th grade, does not guarantee a teacher recommendation for Honors or AP classes freshman year (9th Grade) in High School Forsyth County High Schools do, however, allow parents to “waiver” their child into (or out of) such courses. Parents and students make that final decision. This is another excellent opportunity for students and parents to have those conversations about balancing academic classes and other interests / pursuits (i.e. music, clubs, dance, athletics, religion, family, work) during the high school years

21. Other Factors to Consider • At the 6 week juncture of the first semester, Advanced Studies class teachers will take note of any student who is struggling in their class and communicate their concerns to the student and parent. By the 9 week juncture, a final decision will have to be made as to whether or not a student remains in the Advanced Studies class or is moved to an on grade level class. After this 9 week juncture, students will remain in the Advanced Studies class for the rest of the 2011-2012 school year.

22. What Do Our Students Presently In Advanced Studies Classes Have To Say About These Classes?

23. Additional Math Concepts for 6th Grade Advanced Math • Advanced 6th Grade Math consists of ALL of the 6th grade GPS plus: • Compare and Order Rational Numbers • Compute with Integers • Solve 2-Step Algebraic Equations • Identify and Quickly Convert Common Prevents, Decimals and Fractions • Solve Fraction and Decimal Arithmetic Problems Fluently • Graph Coordinates on a Coordinate Plane • Compute Basic Facts Quickly • Use the Order of Operations

24. Additional Math Concepts for 7th Grade Advanced Math • Advanced 7th Grade Math consists of ALL of the 7th grade GPS plus: • Enrich the Study of Taking Verbal Problems and Turning Them Into Algebraic Equations (Without Guess and Check Tables)‏ • Convert Numbers to Scientific Notation; Convert Scientific Notation to Numbers • Enrich How They Simplify Expressions • More Terms • Combining Like Terms • Parenthesis • Square Roots • Solve Systems of Equations • Graphing • Substitution

25. Additional Math Concepts for 7th Grade Advanced Math(Continued)‏ • Solve Equations with Two Variables • Graph a Line Given Two Points • Solve Problems Using Proportions

26. Additional Math Concepts for 8th Grade Advanced Math • Advanced 8th Grade Math consists of ALL of the 8th grade GPS plus: • Find the Equation of a Line Given A. 2 Points; B. 1 Point and the Slope; and C. 1 Point and an Equation of Either a Parallel or Perpendicular Line • Solve Systems of Equations Using 3 Methods • Understand Quadratics (When a = 1)‏ • Identify Quadratic Equations • Use the Quadratic Formula • Apply the Use of Quadratic Equations • Factoring • Standard Form • Properties ‏

27. Additional Math Concepts for 8th Grade Advanced Math(Continued)‏ • Use Midpoint and Distance Formulas • Evaluate Rational Expressions (Multiplication, Division, Simplifying)‏ • Solve Rational Equations (Multiplication, Division, Simplifying)‏ • Understand Functions • Graphs • Tables • Algebra • Identify Congruent Triangles • Solve Problems with Distance, Rate and Time

28. Additional Science Concepts for 8th Grade Physical Science(Offered for High School Credit) • The Advanced 8th Grade Physical Science class will extend the High School Physical Science GPS to include the following topics: • CHEMISTRY • Atomic Structure Including Historical Development of the Current Theory • Radioactivity • Isotopes • Valence Electrons • Atomic Mass, Protons, Neutrons, Electrons • Periodicity • Atomic Forces • Naming, Binary, Some Polyatomic, Some Basic Transition Elements • Compounds, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Writing Compound Formulas, Writing Names for Formulas

29. Additional Science Concepts for 8th Grade Physical Science (Continued)‏ • CHEMISTRY(Continued)‏ • Balancing Equations • Basic Acid and Base Properties • Conductivity • Solubility, Solute, Solvent • Gas Laws, Conceptual Understanding of P, V, and T Relationships PHYSICS • Force and Motion, Velocity and Acceleration Calculations, Mechanical Advantage Calculations • Energy, Specific Heat Calculations • Electricity and Magnetism, Ohm's Law Calculations, Basic Series and Parallel Circuit Relationships of I, V, and R

30. PGMS Advanced StudiesReadiness Guides for Parents • Language Arts • Mathematics • Social Studies • Science • Parents & students can use these checklists as a guide to aid in their decision for placement into an Advanced Studies class. Answering “yes” to all or nearly all would indicate a student's readiness for the challenge and rigor of an Advanced Studies class

31. Registration Form • Expectations • Other Factors To Consider • Class Registration • Signed Student Commitment • Signed Parent Commitment • Student Essay(s) :One essay for each Advanced Studies class you are registering for. (at least 250 words per essay) • Due Date: ByFriday, June 3, 2011to Our PGMS Office. No late registration forms and essays will be accepted!

32. Take With You Tonight • Advanced Studies Readiness Guides • Registration Form (Color-coded by grade level)‏ • Ms. North's Business Card

33. On Our Piney Grove Website Now . . . • This Power Point Presentation • Student/Parent Advanced Studies Readiness Guides • Registration Forms (These are all posted on our Piney Grove web site now, on the home page)

34. Some Closing Thoughts . . . • Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go. • ---T.S. Eliot • The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. • --- Confucius

35. The PINEY GROVE . . . • P - Personal • A - Achievement • T - Through • H - High Expectations • Hard Work • Honest Efforts • Heart Follow the Piney Grove PATH to Greatness!

36. Q / A Time • If you have any questions after tonight, please feel free to email or call me and leave a contact number where you can be reached in the evening. If you prefer some time to conference face to face, then I will be happy to schedule a time in the evening to meet with you and your child.