South County MSCurriculum Night

Thursday, January 9, 2020Cafeteria

Purpose

The purpose of tonight’s agenda is to help all students and families understand the course offerings (and differentiated levels) of classes at SCMS, so that you can make an informed decision when selecting courses for the 2020-2021 school year

● Introductions● Overview and Purpose● Academic Advising● Core Curriculum● Differentiated Instruction● Math ● World Languages● Department Chairs● FCPS On● Student Panel

Agenda

Academic Advising

Academic Advising● Introduction of Counseling Staff● Course Selection Process● On-line Course Selection● Counselor Visits to Feeder Elementary Schools● Rising 8th Grade Course Selection● Timelines● SIS Parent Vue Accounts● New to FCPS

Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum

● English● Science● Social Studies● Math*

Differentiated Levels

● On Grade Level● Honors

● Level IV AAP* *reserved for students found eligible through FCPS central office selection

On Grade Level

● All students at South County will receive high quality instruction of the FCPS grade level program of studies in each of their core subjects.

● Teachers in each subject area ensure students are learning content and developing skills at appropriate grade level standards.

Honors Curriculum

● Increased Rigor and Challenge: Honors classes in core subjects are open to all students who seek additional academic rigor.

● Open Enrollment: Students may self-select one or more honors courses that match their academic interests and strengths.

● Important Decision: Students are encouraged to discuss any decision to take honors courses with their parents and current teachers.

● Extended Learning: Honors courses provide added depth and complexity to the standards covered in the FCPS grade-level program of studies.

● Going Deeper: Students frequently use abstract, critical thinking approaches through inquiry-based projects to extend and deepen understanding of the content.

Honors Curriculum

Level IV AAP Center

● Eligibility for Level IV services is determined through a selection committee at the FCPS central office level.

● Advanced Learning: The depth, breadth, and pace of instruction is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking skills.

● Adapted Curriculum: Provides rigorous extensions and an appropriate level of challenge for gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

● Self-Assessment: Students have ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment that develop an understanding of the characteristics, demands, and responsibilities of advanced intellectual development.

● Increased Interdisciplinary Focus: Teachers implement units of study that increase understanding of concepts, themes, and issues that lead to an appreciation for relationships within and among disciplines (subject areas).

Level IV AAP Center

● Collaborative Learning: The AAP Level IV program environment allows students to explore and express their ideas with Level IV AAP peers in their core classes.

● Not Isolated: Students participate with the entire student body in school-based activities such as student government, physical education, band and strings, chorus, and other electives.

● Students who are Level IV eligible but want to opt out can choose to take honors or on-grade level classes instead.

Level IV AAP Center

Honors vs. AAP Level IV

How is the middle school AAP level IV center program different from the middle school

honors courses ?

The level IV AAP center program is only for 7th and 8th grade students found eligible through the FCPS central office process. The Level IV AAP program offers eligible students a full-time, highly challenging instructional program with extended rigor in core subjects.

Honors classes are designed to provide opportunities for all students to develop academic strengths through a more rigorous and challenging program in self-selected core subject areas. The POS for each level is identical.

MS MATH CURRICULUM

Grade 7 Math Course Options

Math 7 Math 7 Honors Algebra 1 HN

Survey course with introduction to algebraic concepts. This class normally follows Math 6

Prealgebra course with emphasis on algebraic reasoning, and extensions beyond Prealgebra curriculum. This is the next class to follow Advanced Math 6

High school credit course

If a student did not have advanced math in 6th grade, they are skipping a year of mathematics and missing content that will be crucial to their success in Math this year and in future courses.

If a student meets the criteria, they can consider taking Algebra 1 HN in 7th grade. This option is not open enrollment, but has requirements for students.

Takes Math 7 SOL Takes Math 8 SOL Takes Algebra 1 SOL

Should my student take Alg. 1 HN in 7th grade?

● Students MUST meet ALL THREE aspects of the criteria:○ Advanced Math in Grade 6○ IAAT score at or above 91st percentile (taken in Jan/Feb of 6th grade)○ Pass advanced score on the Math 7 SOL (500 or above)

● Going from Advanced Math in Grade 6 to Algebra 1 HN skips the Pre-algebra curriculum covered in Math 7 Honors. Consider whether or not your child would benefit from one more year of building their confidence and fluency in math before taking high school algebra

● Is the student developmentally ready for abstract thinking? (ask teachers!)● Students taking Algebra 1 HN should already have mastery of Pre-Algebra skills.

Grade 8 Math Course Options

Prealgebra Algebra 1 Algebra 1 HN Geometry HN

Overview course with reinforcement and strengthening of Prealgebra skills.

High school credit course High school credit Honors course with extension topics

High school credit Honors course with extension topics.

This class normally follows Math 7

If a student showed success in Math 7 Honors, or Math 7, but may not be ready for the Honors level curriculum of a high school course, Algebra 1 is appropriate.

If a student showed success in Math 7 Honors and is ready to continue working at an advanced pace with extensions, Algebra 1 HN is appropriate.

This class follows Algebra 1 HN from 7th grade.

Takes Math 8 SOL Takes Algebra 1 SOL Takes Algebra 1 SOL Takes Geometry SOL

SECONDARY MATH SEQUENCE

Importance of Algebra

● Algebra is the language of mathematics. ● Algebra 1 is the building block for all upper level

mathematics. It is very important that students build a firm foundation in Algebra so they can be successful in their future courses.

● It is the depth of understanding, not the number of courses completed, that will determine student success with mathematics.

Making an Informed Decision

● Consider the student’s overall aspirations in planning middle school math courses

● Appropriate placement is a balance between being challenged and being able to successfully complete the course

● Consult with your child’s 6th grade math teacher to help make an informed decision for 7th grade

● Your child’s 7th grade math teacher will make recommendations for 8th grade. Counselors will discuss with your child.

● WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO SUCCEED AT EVERY STEP!!

WORLD LANGUAGES

Courses offered at SCMS- 7th Grade

French 1A~Spanish 1 A ● Introductory language classes-7th grade ONLY

○ Academic (YR-long) class○ This is not a high school credit class however, students

must successfully complete course with a B- or above as a prerequisite to enroll in Spanish/French 1B (as an 8th grader); which is the high school credit class.

Making an Informed Decision

● Students may need time to adjust to the social demands of middle school and other advanced academics.

● Students may prefer to use their 7th grade year to explore other elective opportunities.

● Student interest is a key indicator of success● A successful World Language student:

■ Reads on grade-level or above■ Has strong work habits and study skills■ Can study independently

Courses offered at SCMS- 8th Grade

French~Latin~Spanish● All languages Level 1

○ Counts as 1 high school credit○ Fast-paced, dense course

● Level 2 recommended only upon successful completion of Level 1

FCPS Diploma Guidelines

Standard Diploma Advanced Diploma

❖ No language requirements ❖ 3 years of 1 language OR❖ 2 years of 2 languages

➢ Example:2 years of Spanish AND 2 years of French

Core Department Chair Introductions

Electives Department Chair Introductions

FCPSOnSouth County Middle School

Lyndsie Galizio

School Based Technology Specialist

What is FCPSOn?

● FCPSOn provides equitable access to meaningful learning experiences and technology that supports student learning needs both at school and at home.

● All FCPS High Schools implemented 1:1 this year

● Some FCPS Middle Schools piloted the program over the past 4 years

Develop Portrait of a Graduate Skills

● FCPSOn is critical to ensuring students develop Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes

● FCPSOn technology resources foster student-centered learning experiences, which develop POG skills such as:

○ collaborating with peers○ Problem-solving○ creating original work

What is the Purpose of FCPSOn?

How will FCPSOn impact my student?

● Students will receive a charger and a device before the beginning of the school year

● The school system owns, maintains, and regulates the devices● Technology does not replace instruction- it enhances the

learning

No technology being used

Technology used for personalized experience

Technology used for collaborative activity in

conjunction with traditional methods

SCMS’s next steps with FCPSOn?

● Continue to prepare teachers to create meaningful learning experiences that utilize technology in an engaging way

● Continue to work on and finalize logistics and expectations ● Begin to focus on digital character traits through the county’s

Digital Citizenship Lessons ● Engage in community outreach to dialogue and prepare with

families

Student Panel