Principal's Coffee

Principal's Principal's CoffeeCoffee

February 11, 2014February 11, 2014

Looking Looking ahead to ahead to

next yearnext year......

What courses can What courses can my student take?my student take?

The number of classes The number of classes that students may take that students may take does not change next does not change next

year....year....6th/7th graders must take: math, LA, 6th/7th graders must take: math, LA, Social Studies, Science, and PE. They Social Studies, Science, and PE. They

mustmust take one LA elective and one take one LA elective and one other elective.other elective.

8th graders must take: math, LA, SS, 8th graders must take: math, LA, SS, and Science. They and Science. They mustmust take three take three

other electives - one of them could be other electives - one of them could be a LA elective, but that is not a LA elective, but that is not

mandatory. Athletics is an elective in mandatory. Athletics is an elective in 8th grade.8th grade.

Current LA Current LA StructureStructure

6th-7th graders take two daily periods of LA daily

8th graders take one daily period of LA daily

Discoveries courses for GT students are three periods per day for 6th-7th graders and two periods for 8th graders (LA & SS)

Struggling students are supported either in a reading class for 8th grade only or during Wolf Time

Purpose: To continue to Purpose: To continue to provide well-designed, provide well-designed,

focused LA instruction while focused LA instruction while providing students choices providing students choices in their literacy learning.in their literacy learning.

Key point: There will be NO reduction in the number of minutes

Consistency of program structures

Description of LA Description of LA Electives - single Electives - single

periodperiod1. Future Problem Solvers - 1. Future Problem Solvers - Community Problem SolversCommunity Problem Solvers

grades 6 & 7

Full Year

Very rigorous coursework, projects, and competitions

2. Future Problem Solvers - 2. Future Problem Solvers - Global IssuesGlobal Issues

grades 6, 7 & 8

Full Year

Very rigorous coursework, projects, and competitions

3. AVID3. AVID

Grades 6, 7 & 8

Full year

Acceptance into AVID is based on an application and interview process.

WICOR curriculum

Build college readiness skills

4. GT Independent Study4. GT Independent Study

Half year - can be chosen for both Half year - can be chosen for both semesterssemesters

Open-endedOpen-ended

Required elements will be Required elements will be research, reading, and writingresearch, reading, and writing

Culminating project will be a Culminating project will be a presentationpresentation

5. Creative Writing5. Creative Writing

Grades 6, 7 & 8

Half year

Designed to inspire and improve the writing of aspiring writers

A variety of compositions

6. Young Adult Literature6. Young Adult Literature

Grades 6, 7 & 8

Half year

Read, discuss, and reflect on numerous books and articles in a wide variety of genres

A variety of composition

7. Media and Technology 7. Media and Technology LiteracyLiteracy

Grades 6, 7 & 8

Half year

Students will use digital tools to study, evaluate, and create multi-media projects around literacy topics.

Analyze web based content

8. Literacy Achievement8. Literacy Achievement

Grades 6, 7 & 8

Full year

Targeted intervention

Small class sizes

9. English Acquisition9. English Acquisition

Grades 6, 7 & 8

Full year

Students new to the English language

English reading, writing, & speaking

In addition to the new LA In addition to the new LA electives, there are other electives, there are other

new elective courses new elective courses offered for 8th graders:offered for 8th graders:

Principles of Principles of Business, Business,

Marketing, and Marketing, and FinanceFinance

Principles of Art, Principles of Art, Audio Video Audio Video

Technology, and Technology, and Communications Communications

House Bill 5 House Bill 5 EndorsementsEndorsements

STEM

Business and Industry

Public Services

Arts and Humanities

Multidisciplinary

Questions?Questions?