SENECA RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE THUNDERBOLTS

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SENECA RIDGEMIDDLE SCHOOLHOME OF THE
THUNDERBOLTS!
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Welcome!

• Hear from current 6th grade students
• Lockers
• Classes
• Friendships
• Teams

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Seneca Ridge Administration
Mr. McDermott Principal
Mr. Gulgert Assistant Principal
Ms. Buhl Assistant Principal
Ms. Viers 6th Grade Dean
Mr. Roberson 8th Grade Dean
Ms. Tucholski 7th Grade Dean
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Administrative Chain ofCommand
Each grade level dean acts as the first point of
contact for parents. If the information/concern
requires additional attention, one of the
assistant principals would then address the
issue. Finally, if the information is serious
in nature, the principal would then intervene.
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SRMS Structure
Each grade level is located in 3 separate House
Areas A, B, C Each House Area contains a
locker area, classrooms, restrooms, as well as a
Dean, Counselor, and Secretary. Within each
House, the grade levels are divided into Teams,
consisting of two Language Arts teachers and one
Science, Math, and Social Studies teacher. Teams
have a consistent time each day to meet with
students and parents.
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Block Scheduling

• 8 blocks total
• 4 gold day classes and 4 blue day classes
• D.E.A.R. in Homeroom 1-4 (GOLD) 5-8 (BLUE)
• Language Arts every day with S.A.M.S. every other
  day for 30 to 45 min
• Math, Science, Social Studies, Health/PE,
  Art/Keyboarding, and Music every other day
• Each class is approx. 90 min. in length
• The Music block is 45 min music instruction and
• 45 min. Resource Time

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Report Cards Interims

• When will you receive report cards?
• Every 9 weeks
• Interims will be sent home halfway through each
  quarter
• What does my child need to be promoted to the
  next grade? Must pass 3 of the 4 core subject
  areas-Math, English, Science, Social Studies

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How can we help your child with school?

• Resource Block
• Before or after school assistance from teachers
• SOL Practice

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How you can help your child succeed at Seneca
Ridge

• Attendance
• Checking student agenda
• Read with your family

• Communication with the school
• School web pages
• www.loudoun.k12.va.us/srms

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After School Activities

• Student must have a permission slip or note from
  the parent to stay after school
• Clubs
• Intramural Sports
• Tutoring
• SOL Practice

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• Friday, March 29th - Course Recommendations Due
  to elementary schools
• Please carefully consider your childs 5th grade
  teachers recommendations.
• SRMS teachers will give some guidance on
  recommendations as well.

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BAND/ORCHESTRA NIGHTS

• Tuesday, March 25 SRMS Auditorium _at_ 600
• Wednesday, March 26 SRMS Auditorium _at_ 600
• The evening will allow us to
• Demonstrate all the instruments
• Discuss details of every instrument
• Discuss what it means to be in band
• Guide your child in selecting an instrument

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Science

• Topics Covered
• Scientific Method
• Matter
• Properties of Water
• Atmosphere
• Space
• Energy
• Natural Resources
• Watersheds

Differences include Test questions Types of
Projects More writing-intensive
assignments Stronger focus on application of
concepts Expectations Self-motivated Excellent
work habits Willingness to work with
others Strong base of scientific knowledge
Honors or Academic? All classes cover the same
content at about the same pace.
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Social Sciences
Differences Written essays and research
papers Oral presentations More writing-intensive
assignments Discussion of current events in
relation to historical milestones Expectations S
trong critical thinking, reading and writing
skills Preparation before the class Excellent
work habits Willingness to work with others

• Topics Covered
• Geography Skills
• European Exploration
• Colonial America
• American Revolution
• Birth of the Nation
• Westward Expansion Reform
• Civil War
• Reconstruction
• Overview of Modern America

Honors or Academic? All classes cover the same
content, but with differentiation in instruction.
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Academic Language Arts 6 is a combination of
language arts and reading, with Spanish at the
Middle School (SAMS) as an additional component
every other day. Language Arts 6 meets every day
in sixth grade as this integrated program focuses
on the following strands of the Virginia
Standards of Learning (SOLs)

• Oral language skills
• Reading comprehension and literature analysis
• Writing including expansion of usage and
  mechanics proficiency, development of
  paragraphing skills, and recognizing the
  differences between revision and editing
• Establishing research skills
• Vocabulary improvement, both in isolation and
  through the use of context clues.
• Students can expect homework, between 20 to 30
  minutes per night.

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Honors Language Arts 6 Expectations

• Students need to be reading and comprehending at
  the seventh grade level
• A strong interest in both reading and writing
• The ability to appreciate, read, and write
  multiple genres (essays, poetry, fiction, and
  other forms of fiction and nonfiction)
• The academic drive to work independently on
  complex tasks involving reading, literature
  interpretation and/or composing

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Middle School MathThe Hand-off from elementary
feeder schools to Seneca Ridge

• Thoughts and Tips to Assist in Placing Students
  on the
• Proper Level

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Potential Math Progressions
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Sample of Time Spent on Basic Operations

• Math 6 25 of the curriculum is spent on basic
  arithmetic
• Acc M6 2 weeks maximum is spent on reviewing
  basic arithmetic
• Pre-Algebra none

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Sample of Time Spent on Fractions

• Math 6 6 weeks (two chapters)
• Acc M6 2 weeks
• Pre-Algebra 2 classes max
• (Students are expected to do fractions with
  integer signs)

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Sample of Time Spent on Proportions

• Math 6 None (ratios and unit rates only)
• Acc M6 3 weeks (learning how to set up and solve
  proportions)
• Pre-Algebra about 3 weeks (more application
  problems)

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Possible Grade 6 Course Selections

• Math 6 Students will be most successful with a
  strong understanding of basic math facts, problem
  solving skills and number sense.
• They will work towards mastery of 6th grade Math
  SOL objectives.

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Possible Grade 6 Course Selections

• Accelerated Math 6 Students must have strong
  foundation in 6th grade SOL objectives.
• They will be working towards proficiency in 7th
  grade Math SOL objectives.

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Possible Grade 6 Course Selections

• Pre-Algebra Students must have mastery of 7th
  grade SOL objectives including fractions,
  integers, decimals, percents and problem solving
  skills. They need to be organized, highly
  motivated, mature learners.
• They will be working towards mastery 8th grade
  Math SOL objectives

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Things to Consider
1. What type of learner is the student?
Confident? Reluctant? Struggling? Mature?
Immature?
2. How will students handle the adjustment from
daily math to math every other day?

• How well does the student know their basic facts,
  
• including fraction operations?

4. Is the student a concrete thinker or are they
able to think abstractly?
Our goal is to place students at a level that
will build a strong math foundation and improve
students math confidence and higher level
thinking skills.
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Remember Were all in this together!
Thanks for your help and support! The Seneca
Ridge Math Dept.
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Please Mark Your Calendars

• Thursday August 28th from 130-300 pm
• 6th Grade Student Orientation
• Tuesday September 2nd
• First Day of School

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Questions????