Stone Hill Middle School

1. Stone Hill Middle School “Student Achievement Is Our Top Priority!”

2. Agenda • Facts About Stone Hill Middle School • 7th and 8th Grade Course Selection and Descriptions • Counseling and Transition “Student Achievement Is Our Top Priority!”

3. We are stone hill • 2011 - 2012 Enrollment - 1130 Students • 2012 - 2013 Projected Enrollment - 1234+ • Legacy ES, Rosa Lee Carter ES, Creighton’s Corner ES, Sanders Corner ES, Belmont Station • 149 Staff members “Student Achievement Is Our Top Priority!”

4. 7th and 8th Grade Courses • Renee Zahora – Social Studies • Sarah DeWees & Karyn O’Neill – Science • Jessica Thomas – English • Jessica Goldin – Foreign Language • Jacquelyn Drew – Math • Jennifer Alberth (for Jennifer Stuntz) and Nicole Bryan – Counselors “Student Achievement Is Our Top Priority!”

5. 7th Grade U.S. History from 1865Renee Zahora, SALT 7th Grade Topics 7th Grade Skills Analysis of Sources Determining Cause and Effect Comparing and Contrasting Note taking Researching Web Questing Critical Thinking Historical Perspective Evaluate and debate issues orally and in writing Analyze and interpret maps Interpret slogans, excerpts, speeches, documents, pictures and cartoons Historical Consequences • Geography of the USA and the World • Reconstruction • Westward Expansion • Immigration • Industrialization • Urbanization • Progressive Movement • US Expansionism • World War I • 1920’s and 1930’s • World War II • Cold War Conflicts • Civil Rights Movement • Technology and American Life

6. 8th Grade Civics and Economics 8th Grade Topics 8th Grade Skills Interpret primary and secondary source documents Create and explain maps, diagrams, tables, charts, graphs, and spreadsheets Analyze political, visual media Distinguish relevant and irrelevant information Review information for accuracy, fact or opinion Identify a problem, and possible solutions Select and defend positions in writing, discussion, and debate • Foundational US Government Documents • Citizenship Process • Duties of Citizenship • Characteristics of Good Citizenship • Political Parties • Role of the Media • Campaigns and Fundraising • Voter Participation • Electoral College • Role of Finance • Levels of Government • Separation of Powers • Amendment Process • Legislative Process • Interest Groups • The Judicial System • Economic Concepts • Types of Economies • Virginia, US in World Economy • Businesses and Markets

7. Life Science • Understand the characteristics of life and the needs of living organisms. • Examine the concept of the cell as the basic unit of life. • Observe life processes of the cell. • Examine effects of heredity and environment on organisms. • Relate chromosomes, genes, and DNA to the passage of hereditary information in all organisms. • Investigate and understand that organisms change over time. • Explore classification systems. • Examine relationships within ecosystems and interactions between members of a population.

8. Life Science Class consists of: Teacher guided exploration of curriculum. Opportunities to practice and enrich science skills. Student centered activities. HHMI laboratory experiences. Academic vs. Honors: SOL: There is NO SOL in Life Science. 7th grade material is included in the 8th grade science SOL. Academic classes work toward mastery learning of concepts and their applications. Honors classes apply deep content knowledge to observations and synthesize ideas based on learning.

9. Physical Science • Investigate the basic nature of matter. • Understand the structure of the atom and chemical bonds. • Apply the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy. • Investigate forms of energy and their transformations. • Understand temperature scales and heat transfer. • Observe and apply characteristics of sound and light. • Understand principles and technical applications of work, force, and motion. • Investigate and understand basic principles of electricity and magnetism.

10. Physical Science Class consists of: Teacher guided exploration of curriculum. Student centered activities. HHMI laboratory experiences. Academic vs. Honors: SOL: Taken at the end of the school year. Includes 6th-8th grade information. Academic classes work toward mastery learning of concepts and their applications. Honors classes apply deep content knowledge to observations and synthesize ideas based on learning.

11. 7TH Grade Language arts *Apply/improve critical thinking skills *Develop a literary background *Read challenging literature *Develop & master grammar, usage/mechanics through the writing process *Develop oral communication skills Writer's Workshop

12. 8th Grade English *Improve critical thinking skills *Develop a literary background *Read challenging literature *Learn grammar, usage, spelling & mechanics through the writing process *Develop skills in the use of electronic technology *Practice/develop oral communication skills Writer's Workshop

13. Academicclasses concentrate on practice and mastery with ability to apply • Honors expectation is mastery and enrichment with an ability to synthesize, analyze, and create

14. Accelerating Literacy Skills Communication Studies Communication Studies • Introduction to basic principles of human communication -the process -qualities -role • Project Based -publication -broadcast -public speaking Accelerating Literacy Skills • Interactive workshop • Focus on reading & writing • Improvement of communication & comprehension skills • Comfortable & safe atmosphere • Emphasis on generating excitement to read

15. Stone Hill Middle School’s Foreign Language Department Jessica Goldin, SALT

16. Overview: • “SAMS” for all 6th grade • Level 1 (7th or 8th grade) • Level 2 (8th grade only) • All high school credit classes • Languages offered: • Spanish, French, German, Latin

17. The Foreign Language Program: • Focuses on: reading, writing, speaking, listening • County-wide midterm and final exams (20% of semester grade) • County-wide oral assessments (“PALS”)

18. Thinking about the future… • To get an Advanced Studies Diploma: • Minimum of three years of one language • Two years of two different languages • Additional classes offered in HS: Chinese, ASL

19. AP Spanish • 7th – Level 1 -8th – Level 1 • 8th – Level 2 -9th – Level 2 • 9th – Level 3 vs. -10th – Level 3 • 10th – Level 4 -11th – Level 4 • 11th – Level 5 -12th – Level 5 • 12th – Level 6 (AP) • If students do not start taking Foreign Language in 7th grade, they will not be able to take the AP course due to the addition of Level V at the high schools. AP will be the 6th year of study for students. jgoldin@lcps.org

20. Electives • Family and Consumer Sciences • Technology Education • Required in the 7th grade • Optional in the 8th grade • Music • Art • Students must choose one in the 7th grade • Optional in the 8th grade

21. Changes in the Math Curriculum • New 2009 SOL standards are fully implemented in curriculum and SOL test beginning with 2011-2012 academic year. • Old 2001 SOL standards are no longer tested.

22. Math Progression for rising 7th grade (2012-2013 school year) Current EnrollmentProgression • Math 6 -Math 7 • Accelerated Math 6/7 -Algebra 1 (HS credit) • Algebra 1 (HS credit) -Geometry (HS credit)

23. Math Progression for rising 8th grade (2012-2013 school year) Current EnrollmentProgression • Math 7 (2 options) - Algebra 1 (HS credit) - Math 8 • Algebra 1 (HS credit) -Geometry (HS credit) • Geometry (HS credit) -Algebra2/Trig (HS credit)

24. High School Credit Courses • Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2/Trig • Grades from HS credit course are part of HS GPA and will show on transcript. • All HS credit courses require a mid-term and final exam which is 20% of semester grade. • Middle school students taking HS credit courses may expunge grade and retake the course.

25. Algebra 1 • Algebra is the fundamental basis of all higher mathematics. • To be successful students MUST be fluent in fractions, integer operations and multi-step equations/inequalities prior to entering into Algebra 1. Only the first three weeks will be devoted to covering these topics. • The concepts in Algebra 1 are abstract and successful students need to be developmentallyready.

26. 7th Grade Guidance Information • Counselors: • Ms. Nicole Bryan All Students • Mr. Amani Allen ELL Students & Programs Coordinator • Classroom Guidance • Sexual Harassment and Bullying • Career Guidance • Parent Conferences • Groups • Study skills workshops • Career workshops through resource • Parent Workshops/Coffees

27. 8th Grade Guidance Information • Counselors: • Mrs. Jennifer Stuntz All Students • Mr. Amani Allen ELL Students & Programs Coordinator • Classroom Guidance • Sexual Harassment and Bullying • Career Guidance • Parent Conferences • Groups • Study skills workshops • Career workshops through resource • Parent Workshops/Coffees

28. 8th Grade Guidance Information • Counselor • - Jennifer Alberth (for Jennifer Stuntz) • Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology • Located in Fairfax County • Out of the thousands who apply, only about 400 are accepted • Information night held in early Fall (we will advertise) • Highly competitive application process begins in the Fall • Academy of Science • Located at Dominion High School (Sterling, VA) • ONLY LCPS students can apply • One day at AOS and one day at home school • Highly competitive process which begins in the fall (we will advertise)

29. 8th Grade Guidance Information • CAMPUS • County-wide program for students who are first generation to go to college, ethnic minorities, and/or socio economically disadvantaged • Prepares students for the college application process, takes them on college visits, provides opportunity for community service and works on character building • Application process begins in February of each year • High School Transition • All high schools will visit Stone Hill during late Winter • All rising 9th graders will visit their high schools in the Spring • Classroom Guidance Lessons • Preparing for high school and beyond (4 year plans) • Course Selection for high school • Possible career lessons

30. We are here to help • Everyone here is here to help your child reach his or her academic potential • This presentation will be available on our web page • Please check our website regularly for information and upcoming dates (Our web page is a great source of information!!!) • Please email or call us with any questions that you have regarding your student’s schedule and course selection • Together, we succeed. Let’s work together to make your student’s middle school experience priceless.