Holmes Middle SchoolCurriculum Night

Rising 6th GradeClass of 2027

Agenda● To become familiar with the course offerings for the

2020-2021 school year● To understand the timeline for the transition program

Important Upcoming DatesJanuary/February (TBD by feeder school): MS Counselor VisitsHolmes Middle School Counselors will visit feeder elementary schools for transition lessons

February: Academic AdvisingElementary school counselors provide academic advising to rising 6th grade students at feeder elementary; course selection sheets due back to feeder schools and feeder schools must send sheets to Holmes by February 28th.

February 10th (8-9AM) & March 12th (9-10AM): Parent Coffees with Principal & DSS/PTA Rising 6th grade families have an opportunity to meet with Holmes staff to learn about the school and meet important people to know.

February/March TBD: Parent Coffees at Feeder Elementary SchoolsRising 6th grade families have an opportunity to meet with Holmes staff at feeder elementary schools to learn about the school and meet important people to know.

June: Course Selections Mailed Home (Also available on Parent Vue)Course selection sheets mailed home with changes due back to Holmes by July 10th .

August: Orientation/Jumpstart Tours at HolmesElementary feeder school students visit Holmes to participate in tour and meet 6th grade core teachers.

Classes● 6 required classes:

● Language Arts 6/Language Arts 6 HN● History 6/History 6 HN● Science 6/Science 6 HN● Math 6/Advanced Math 6● Health & PE 6● SOAR

● 2 periods of Electives: ● 2 Year long electives - OR - ● 1 Year long elective and 2 half year electives - OR - ● 4 half year electives

***Please note that a support class may take the place of an elective

Block SchedulingBlue Day Time White Day

1 7:30-9:00 (90) 2

3 9:05-10:35 (90)SOAR 9:05 - 9:48 (43)

ER 9:53-10:35 (42)

SOAR/Enrichment & Remediation

5 10:40 – 12:40

Lunches ALunch BLunch CLunch D

4

7 12:45-2:15 (90) 6

Level IV Services

Honors Classes (in all 26 middle schools)

No eligibility required--

Open Access

All middle schools offer

Honors classes

Students access

advanced curriculum in1, 2, 3, or 4 core classes(Taking 4 honors

classes is considered Level IV full-time services)

Students are in classes with other students who also

chose Honors level

classes

All students attend their base high

school

AAP Full-time (Level IV) Center Classes (13 of 26 middle schools are designated centers)

Students are found

eligible through a

central screening process

Students are assigned to

a center based on

their home address

Students access

advanced curriculum

for all 4 core subjects

(mathematics course is based on readiness)

Students are in classes with other

eligible students

(mathematics class may be a mix of

eligible and self-selected)

All students attend their base high

school

Learning experiences in AAP(Honors and Level IV)

Differentiated instruction -- increased depth,

complexity, and pace

Increased opportunities to explore of areas of

interest related to content

Emphasis on development critical and

creative thinking skills

Students frequently working as practitioners

of the discipline on authentic, open-ended

problemsReturn to Table of Contents

IB MYP

The IB MissionThe International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring

young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural

understanding and respect.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active,

compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their

differences, can also be right.

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme ( IBMYP)

● All students participate in the Middle Years Programme● An academically rigorous programme which promotes intercultural understanding and

interdisciplinary study● The IB Approaches to Learning and the IB Learner Profile Traits are aligned with the FCPS

Portrait of a Graduate● Prepares students for participation in and completion of the IB Diploma Programme● Students who successfully complete the MIddle Years Programme will receive a middle years

certificate

IB Learner Profile The learner profile provides a long-term vision of education. It is a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.

IB Resources

IB Resources● Great Resource: Holmes MS MYP Coordinator: Donna Starace

● E-mail: dstarace@fcps.edu

● Holmes MS Website: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/

Go to the Holmes Website- Click on Academics-Click on IBMYP: https://holmesms.fcps.edu/academics/ibmyp

Math

Math 6 vs. Advanced Math 6Students will take the Math 6 SOL or Math 7 SOL

Math 6 ● Builds on 5th Grade Math

● Grade level mathematics

● Students will take the Math 6 SOL

Advanced Math 6● 7th Grade content

● Students will take the Math 7 SOL

● Markers for Success

- Strong number sense and problem-solving

skills

- Previous or concurrent experience with

sixth grade mathematics

- Love of mathematics

- Internally motivated

- Willing to seek out and respond to coaching

Each course contains different content. Both courses share a focus on the four content strands of Number & Number Sense; Computation and Estimation; Measurement; Geometry; Probability & Statistics; and Patterns, Functions, & Algebra

Health & Physical Education

Health & Physical Education8 monthly PE units:

Units are activity-based that teach a HPE benchmark skill:

Possible Units: Archery (individual sport) / Flag Football (team sport) / Basketball (Team sport and individual skills)

Volleyball and Hand - eye coordination (Set, Bump, and Serve) - Team and individual work

Fitness: Holmes concentrates on physical fitness on a daily basis. The mile, pacer test, cooper run and other running activities are used to build fitness, as well as, stretching, core exercises, and upper/lower body strength.

2 months of Health: Concentrating on Life Skills (self-esteem, drug education and prevention, and nutrition. As well as emotional and social health. Also including 1 week of Family Life Education (human growth and development).

Language Arts

Language Arts 6 vs. Language Arts 6 HNStudents will take the Reading SOL

English 6 English 6 Honors

Additional practice with new concepts/lessons

Increased amount of individual student check-ins/small group tasks

Essential FCPS objectives taught/assessed

More independence among tasks

Increased student accountability

Essential and Extension FCPS objectives taught/assessed

● Read and analyze a variety of texts● Learn to apply a variety of reading strategies● Write in a variety of forms, including narratives, essays, research papers and projects● Know and understand how to apply the writing process

Science

Science 6 vs. Science 6 HNStudents will not have an SOL

Same curriculum: Astronomy, Weather, Chemistry, and Energy

Honors is a faster pace & may receive more enrichment opportunities to

extend learning.

Honors may have more rigorous quizzes and standards on assignments. As

well as more independent work.

All students are engaged in discourse, application, hands on labs, expository

writing, critical thinking, and real world applications.

Social Studies

Social Studies vs. Social Studies HNStudents will not take an SOL

Honors students are those who -

● Seek out academic rigor● Are able to self-assess and reflect on their learning● Seek feedback and apply coaching advice● Have a high social and emotional awareness

● Classes go at faster pace and deeper into topics ● Has more reading content- document/articles analysis ● Extensions to the general education curriculum.

Intervention Courses

Electives