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Desert Shadows Middle School
Welcome Desert Shadows Families: January 2021
We are so happy you have chosen Desert Shadows Middle School for
the next chapter of your education! Can you
believe it's time to register for the 2021-2022 school year?
This is such an exciting time! We look forward to
partnering with your 6th grade teachers to support you
throughout the registration process.
This is your 7th grade registration packet. In this packet, you
will find: welcome letter and registration checklist,
registration card and a sheet listing our electives and their
descriptions. Please note: you will be returning your
registration card to your 6th grade teacher. Stay tuned for
announcements from your 6th grade teachers
regarding due dates and updates on the registration process.
We are providing a checklist on the other side of this sheet.
Please use this checklist to ensure you have correctly
completed the necessary steps to register for 7th grade at
Desert Shadows Middle School. Keep in mind that
academy applications will be accepted through February 5, 2021.
Information on our academies can be found on
our DSMS Academies web page. Information on all of our school's
offerings can be found on the DSMS Virtual Tours
p__g_gg.To address all questions that you may have, we're
offering virtual Google Meets on January 20th at 2:30PM
and January 21st at 2:30PM . Finally, reach us at our contact
information below to address any questions that you
might have.
Thank you,
Kelly Chin Erin Kirsits Lesley Machbitz
[email protected] [email protected]
[email protected]
602-449-6813 602-449-6814 602-449-6817
Click on the QR code below for registration information on our
DSMS website.
See the backside of this sheet for your 7th Grade Registration
Checklist.
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Desert Shadows Middle School
0 The student and family have watched the 6th to 7th grade
registration video
(posted on the DSMS website: click on Academics and then select
Middle School
Transitions).
0 The registration card is signed by the student and the
parent/guardian.
0 The 6th grade teacher has selected the appropriate academic
classes and signed
the registration card.
0 The student has ranked elective choices 1-6 on the
registration card.
0 For students pursuing honors classes at DSMS, the honors
rubric has been
completed by the 6th grade teacher.
0 Student has returned the registration card to the 6th grade
teacher. Stay tuned to
your 6th grade teacher for your due date.
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~~ Desert Shadows ~\o/J_h:Q) Middle Schoo!
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2021-2022 7th Grade Registration
A registration tutorial is available on the DSMS Website .
Section# Elective Choices Rank your top 6 elective choices, 1
through 6*
8270 - Art : 20 & 30 (SEM) 8620/S2 - Concert Band (YR) 8650
- Symphonic Band (YR) (by audition only) 8190 - Ceramics (SEM)
8200 - Drama (SEM) 8250 - Adv. Drama (SEM)-Prereq. Drama
semester 1 8140 - Exploring Computer Science 1 (SEM) 8170 -
Exploring Computer Science 2 (SEM)-Prereq.
ECS1 semester 1
8520 - Introduction to Guitar (SEM) 8703 - Mixed Choir (SEM)
6940 - Introduction to Musical Theater (SEM) 6940 - Advanced
Musical Theater (SEM) Prereq. Intro to MT 3000 -
Neuroscience/Forensics (SEM) 8504 - Orchestra (YR) 8050/S2 -
Percussion Ensemble (YR) 5150 - Boys PE (SEM) 5150 - Boys PE (YR)
5200 - Girls PE (SEM) 5200 - Girls PE (YR) 3811 - Principles of
Engineering (SEM) 8310 - Spanish 1 (SEM) 8411 - French 1 (SEM)
*Students will be scheduled in elective courses based on
availability. Choose wisely. No changes will be made.
*If you have been accepted into an academy, please know that the
academy course will take the place of one of your elective
choices.
.-----------------------, Current 6th grade Teachers:
This portion of the registration process is very important.
Check the appropriate English, Science, Social Studies, and
Math courses for this student. Students identified as gifted,
on
any portion of the CogAT, should automatically be assigned
to
Honors English, Honors Science, and Honors Social Studies
unless there is an individual reason not to do so. Students
who are not gifted may be admitted into the Honors program
through the Honors Placement Rubric.
Math Level
20911/2 D 7th §rade Math 20921/2 D Pre Algebra 7th 4151/2 D
Algebra 1/11(9th Grade Math) 4241/2 □ Honors Geometry (10th Grade
Math)
Teacher Signature :__ _________ _
English/Science/Social Studies Level
□ English, Social Studies, Science □ Honors English, Social
Studies , Science □ Honors English , Honors Social Studies,
Honors Science
Teacher Signature :__________ _ _
Special Education: Check all that apply
6010/S2 D Core English 20961 /20962 D Core Math 8150 D Reference
& Study Skills 6407 .15/S2 D LFI (self contained)
Teacher Signatur e: __________ _
ELL: Check if applies
I□ IEnglish Language Learner
Student Name: Date:
Student Signature : Parent Signature:
Due Date :
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DESERT SHADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS PLACEMENT GUIDELINES
2021-2022
The honors placement guidelines and rubric below provide two
paths for a student to gain entry into the DSMS honors program. A
student may gain entry by testing gifted (97% or above on the CogAt
or other gifted identification test) OR by fulfilling the
requirements of this honors placement rubric.
• Any student with gifted eligibility in the Verbal, Non- Verbal
or Quantitative category ( 97% +) should be placed in Honors
English, honors social studies and honors science (unless there is
an individual reason not to do so).
• Students who are not identified gifted must meet 2 of3
requirements below in order to be placed in the honors program:
1. Cogat Score of 90% or above in the Verbal area 2. Teacher
Recommendation (based on the following): 90% (A)-final grades
in
reading and in writing for Q 1-2. Students must have few missing
or late assignments, excellent command of writing structures and
conventions, and meet or exceed their AR goal.
3. STAR Test/GE of 9.0- This is a component of the Accelerated
Reader program. If your child has not tested "gifted" and is
currently enrolled in a school other than in PVUSD, contact Mrs.
Erwin, ·uerwin vlearners .net ,at DSMS in order for your child to
take the test at DSMS as soon as possible.
Student Name:
Recommending Teacher (Print):
Elementary School:
1. Cogat Testing Results: Verbal Non-Verbal Quantitative--
2. Teacher Recommendation: Students MUST have final grades of
A's
(90%) for Quarters 1 & 2, few missing or late assignments,
and excellent command
of writing structures and conventions .
YES
NO
Reading grade qtr 1__ qtr 2
Writing grade qtr 1 qtr 2
Notes :
3.Accelerated Reader: Minimum STAR Grade
Equivalency of 9.0 or higher YES
NO
GE:
AR__ points Goal met qtr. 1 yes or no
AR points Goal met qtr. 2 yes or no
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Desert Shadows Middle School
Course Descriptions - 7th Grade Electives
Art: 2D & 3D (SEM) This class focuses on the process of art
making, 2D & 3D art media including drawing, painting,
printmaking, collage, and sculpture. Students create artwork based
on their own ideas through brainstorming, planning, and research.
No prior art experience required ..
Concert Band (YR) Students must have a minimum of one year study
on percussion, woodwind, or brass instruments and teacher approval.
Class emphasis will be on developing music reading proficiency and
technical skill. Students will perform a minimum of two evening
concerts .
Ceramics (SEM) This course is offered to students wishing to
work exclusively in clay. Students will gain skills and experience
creating pottery and sculpture from clay.
Drama (SEM) This course is designed to inspire the student who
wishes to develop a love and appreciation of the theater . The
class is structured to provide the students with a basis in theatre
skills, to offer a creative outlet, and to produce well-rounded
performers. There will be at least one performance opportunity
during the year outside of school for students to demonstrate what
they have learned and to experience the exhilaration of the
interaction between actors and audience .
Advanced Drama (SEM) Students will expand on the foundation
built in drama . Students will explore developing characters, play
analysis, audition techniques, inner monologue , and more. Students
will enjoy a unit on musical theatre and historical aspects of
theatre.
Exploring Computer Science (SEM) If you like computers and are
curious about how they work, this is your class . In this
project-based introductory class , students will be introduced to
several aspects of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Students will become adept at using the productivity software
crucial in the academic and business world . They will also design
and build their own website and learn to write the code behind
those sites along with learning other coding basics including
algorithms . Students will also explore the societal impacts of
technology and the Internet including investigating types of
cybercrimes and cybersecurity solutions .
Exploring Computer Science 2 (SEM) Exploring Computer Science 2
is a continuation of ECS1 . Students will continue to expand their
knowledge of Computer Science and Information Technology through
project-based learning. Students will build upon their knowledge of
coding and even venture into coding within the gaming sector .
Students will also learn to solve the Rubik 's cube by using
algorithms (the foundation of coding). They will learn about
hardware and networking or the nuts and bolts of computers and how
they talk to each other. In addition, students will delve deeper
into the societal impacts of technology and the Internet.
Ultimately, students will experience the creative nature of
computing while learning how to use technology as a tool for
solving problems.
Introduction to Guitar (SEM) Students learn to play guitar and
make music together in an ensemble setting . Using a class guitar
method book and additional song materials , students will learn to
read and interpret traditional music notation , guitar tablature
notation , and chord diagrams . OSMS provides acoustic guitars for
all students to use at school . Having a guitar at home for
practice would be ideal, but is not required .
Mixed Choir (SEM) This class is for 7th & 8th grade boys and
girls interested in singing . The class includes training in choral
singing, music theory, sight singing, ear training , and show choir
staging . There will be one performance required outside of class .
For all questions , please contact our Chorus Director, Ms. Kahn ,
at mkahn@pvschools .net.
Musical Theater (SEM) This elect ive is great for the student
who is interested in Musical Theater-both on stage and "behind the
scenes" . Students will have the opportunity to rehearse, perform
and choreograph a full production. Class will culminate in a
performance with lights , sound and costumes. Intro to Musical
Theater is first semester, and Advanced Musical Theater is second
semester .
Neuroscience/Forensics (SEM) This course is offered to 7th grade
students interested in Neuroscience (studying the brain and nervous
system) and Forensics (Crime Scene Investigation .) This class will
include an introduction to the structure , function , and
development of the human nervous system . Topics include learning
style exploration , Right vs. Left brain, the influence of music ,
art , stress , sleep , exercise, and diet on brain function . We
will conduct investigations by finding clues and solving the
mysteries left behind at a crime scene .
Orchestra (YR) This class is offered to students with a minimum
of one year of violin, viola, cello , or double bass . Students
will focus on developing music reading proficiency and technical
skill. Students will perform a minimum of two evening concerts
during the year. Teacher approval is required . For all questions,
please contact our Band Director, Ms. Layton, at
[email protected].
Percussion Ensemble (YR) Students will learn to play snare drum
, mallet percussion, auxiliary percussion instruments and more .
Students will focus on learning music notation , drum rudiments and
making music together as a percussion ensemble . Students will
perform a minimum of two evening concerts during the year. Students
need their own drum practice pads, practice pad stands, drumsticks,
and mallets .
Physical Education (SEM/YR) This class provides students the
opportunity to be active through a variety of fun sports and
activities . Students will also learn about general health and
wellness topics . All students wear a P.E. uniform which can be
purchased online . •
Principles of Engineering (SEM) Students will find their
curiosity and imagination engaged in creative problem solving .
Through computer aided design , students apply the design process
to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and
innovation on their lives .
French 1/Spanish 1 (SEM) Level 1 is the first part of the high
school level 1-2 class. Students will learn to express themselves
in another language in areas such as greetings, expressing feelings
and asking and answering questions. Listening, speaking, reading
and writing are emphasized via a myriad of methods including songs,
games and skits. Exposure to the people, culture and geography, as
well as useful everyday travel expressions are included. Since this
is an academic elective, students will have homework each
night.
mailto:[email protected]
