Meet the Middle School!Willow Creek Academy Back to School NightSeptember 6, 2018

Our Middle School Values

Overview and AdministrationTwo teams: 6th grade and 7th/8th grade

Credential requirements

Master schedule

Electives

Social-emotional learning and support

Preparing for high school

Ratios and Proportional Relationships (CC.7.RP.1-3)o Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve

real-world and mathematical problems. The Number System (CC.7.NS.1-3)

o Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.

Expressions and Equations (CC.7.EE.1-4)o Use properties of operations to generate equivalent

expressions.o Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical

and algebraic expressions and equations. Geometry (CC.7.G.1-6)

o Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

o Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.

Statistics and Probability (CC.7.SP.1-8)o Use random sampling to draw inferences about a population. o Draw informal comparative inferences about two populations. o Investigate chance processes and develop, use, and evaluate

probability models.

7th Grade Math: Mr. St. Denny

The Number System (CC.8.NS.1-2)o Know that there are numbers that are not rational, and

approximate them by rational numbers. Expressions and Equations (CC.8.EE.1-8)

o Work with radicals and integer exponents. o Understand the connection between proportional relationships,

lines, and linear equations. o Analyze and solve linear equations and pairs of simultaneous

linear equations. Functions (CC.8.F.1-5)

o Define, evaluate, and compare functions. o Use functions to model relationships between quantities.

Geometry (CC.8.G.1-9)o Understand congruence and similarity using physical models,

transparencies, or geometry software. o Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem. o Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume

of cylinders, cones, and spheres. Statistics and Probability (CC.8.SP.1-4)

o Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data.

8th Grade Math: Mr. St. Denny

Differentiation in Math● Using data analysis, student work samples, and student effort and

participation to determine the varying levels of teacher support during class● Ensuring student access to the curriculum by utilizing different levels of

supports and entry points to problems● Providing additional depth and challenges● Modifying homework and providing problem choices● Multi-modal lesson delivery● Testing policies - offering retakes, test corrections, additional time, modifying

test items, varying levels of support during the test

Math Homework: Choices & ExpectationsChoices:

● CPM Assignment - Choose 4 problems from the current section● DreamBox - 30 minutes of online practice● Skill review sheets● Tutoring with Bridge the Gap

Expectations:

● Complete 1 homework assignment per night (M-Th)● Update the homework log● Weekly parent signature

Math Grading PolicyBreakdown:

● 50% Classwork○ Journal○ Participation○ Effort

● 30% Assessments○ Quizzes○ Tests

● 20% Homework○ Homework log

2018-19 ELA CurriculumLucy Calkins Reading and Writing Units of Study

● Integrated Curriculum● Differentiated Learning● Reading Workshop

○ Literature○ Non Fiction

● Writing Workshop ○ Narrative○ Argument/Opinion○ Informational

● Vocabulary Study● Group Projects

Workshop Structure

● Mini Lesson ○ Explicit teaching (skills and strategies)○ Mentor text analysis

● Independent Work Time○ Reading, writing and research○ Conferring and setting goals○ Small group instruction

● Student Share and Collaboration

Fall Trimester

● Reading Unit of Study○ Deep Study of Character

● Writing Units of Study○ Writing Realistic Fiction:

Symbolism, Syntax, and Truth (7th)○ Literary Essay:

Analyzing Craft and Theme (8th)

● Vocabulary Study

Winter Trimester

● Reading Unit of Study ○ Tapping the Power of Nonfiction

● Writing Unit of Study○ The Art of Argument: Research Based Essays (7th)○ Position Papers: Research and Argument (8th)

● Vocabulary Study

Reading Units:OutsidersReading Workshop:Character Study Nonfiction

Shakespeare Scene Study/Drama

Spring Trimester ● Reading Unit of Study

○ Social Issues Book Clubs: Reading for Empathy and Advocacy

● Writing Unit of Study○ Writing About Reading: From Reader’s Notebooks

to Companion Books (7th)○ Poetry: Immersion and Innovation (8th)

● Shakespeare (7th)● Tam High Journalism Collaboration (8th)

● Vocabulary Study

●

Grading Policies

Tests, Assessments and Essays 50%

In-Class Work 30%

Daily Participation (behavior, tardies, effort) 10%

Homework 10%

Absence Policy: Students have as many days to make up work as they were absent. Students are responsible for asking for missed assignments.

7th Grade Science: Mr. MacDonaldUnit 0: Engineering Design How can failure lead to innovation?

Unit 1: Mighty Molecule How does understanding physical properties and molecular structure enable a scientist to purify water?

Unit 2: Dub Nation Rehabilitation How are products designed based on chemical reactions?

Unit 3: Biodome Catastrophe How do different chemical reactions support life on Earth?

Unit 4: Community Planning based on Natural Resources How does Earth's systems influence the abundance of natural resources?

8th Grade Science: Mr. MacDonaldUnit 0: Engineering Design How can failure lead to innovation?

Unit 1: Forces & Motion How have we used force for innovations?

Unit 2: Space & Gravity How do things move in space?

Unit 3: Earthquake Rescue Plan How do sound waves behave?

Unit 4: Evolution and Extinction of Life on Earth Are we on the verge of the 6th mass extinction event?

Science Grading - 7th and 8th GradeProjects & Labs 50%

Interactive Notebook 40%

Tests & Quizzes 10%

7th/8th Grade Social Studies: Mr. Baker7th Grade: The Medieval World - 476 CE to 1453 CE

● Fall of Rome● European Feudalism● Middle East● China & Japan● West Africa● The Americas● The Crusades● Reformation● Enlightenment

8th Grade: American History - The Age of Exploration to the Reconstruction

● A New World - 4E’s: Exploration, Exploitation, Extraction, Extermination

● The 13 Colonies and the Early American Way of Life

● Revolution and Independence● Founding of a Nation● Manifest Destiny, Monroe Doctrine and

Westward Expansion● Civil War● Reconstruction● Connecting with the Past

7th/8th Grade Social Studies: Mr. Baker

6th,7th,& 8th Spanish: Mrs. Belinda● Vocabulary- Greetings, introductions,

numbers, and weather ● Grammar- Use of plural nouns, adjectives,

definite and indefinite articles● Cultural focus- Aztec calendar, holidays,

meals, diet, and health

● Vocabulary- Leisure activities, places, expressions, and household items

● Grammar- The verb tener, possessive adjectives, comparisons, and stem-changing verbs

● Cultural focus- Country facts, currency, and family celebrations

Realidades Curriculum

● Tam High School uses Realidades for its Spanish courses.

● On successful completion of the middle school Realidades curriculum (A and B), students will be ready to enroll directly in Spanish 2 as freshmen.

● Scope and Sequence for Spanish:■ 6th: Realidades A1 and A2■ 7th: Realidades A3 and B1■ 8th: Realidades B2 and B3

● We are building in additional speaking, listening, and project based learning opportunities to supplement the structured program.

PE: Coach Dave and Coach LynnettePE Standards • Have Fun• Wear Athletic Shoes• Participate Fully• Try Everything Once• Demonstrate understanding of motor skills and movement • Achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.• Apply knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.

7th Grade Physical Fitness Test• Timed 1 mile run • Push up and Sit Up max out at 1 min

A Typical PE Day• 5- 10 min - Cardio Run (Laps, Hill Run)• 5- 10 min - Dynamic Warm Up (Active Stretching)• 5-10 min - Strength and Agility • 20 min - PE Games

Art: Ms. Haberly● Culturally relevant curriculum to

promote equity and empower ALL students.

● Integrates core subjects and themes as students learn them in the classroom

● Wide range of materials, techniques and activities

● Nurture curiosity and arts appreciation by exploring the art world and community

Music in Society: Mr. Phil● We focus on historical and

political context of music in the 20th Century.

● We emphasize international music and blending of cultures.

● Students have the opportunity to compose original music using composition software.

Contact Mr. Phil Logan with any questions or if you want to get involved: plogan@willowcreekacademy.org

New! Middle School ElectivesStudent Government: Mr. Baker

STEAM Lab and Maker Space: Mr. MacDonald

Algebra: Mr. St. Denny

Yearbook and Journalism: Ms. Powers

Advanced Art Workshop: Ms. Haberly

Electives start September 11th and meet on Tu and Th from 2:20 to 3:00 (Algebra meets M, Tu, Th, F). Students choose one elective for the whole year and complete a culminating project in the spring trimester.

We invite your feedback and questions!Conferences are held twice each year (October and March).

Progress reports are sent home the last day of each month starting in September; please make sure your student gives his/her progress report to you!

Weekly updates are provided in the Middle School Friday Letter.

Email is preferred method of communication.

We are excited to partner with you during this incredibly important phase of your child’s academic and personal growth!