6TH Grade Middle School Orientation

1
6TH GradeMiddle School Orientation

• Welcome to
• Chisholm Trail
• Middle School

2
CTMS Overview

• TEA Recognized Rating
• Title One Campus
• Approximately 1050 students
• Rapid growth (2005 400 students)

3
CTMS Overview cont.

• Recently named one of 11 middle schools named a
  Texas School to Watch by the Texas Middle
  School Association.
• Award given for Academic Excellence over time and
  Development Responsiveness to the needs of
  students

4
What has the budget shortfall done to middle
school???

• CTMS will not be losing any teachers.
• Class size should remain in the low 20s for all
  core classes. Some electives will be in the high
  20s.
• No programs or classes will be cut at this point.
• Some teachers will be teaching one extra class
  period.

5
6th Grade Schedule

• 8 periods
• 1 ½ periods for Math and LA
• 1 Science, 1 Social Studies
• 1 P.E. (all 6th graders take P.E.)
• 1 elective of a Fine Art
• (band, choir, or orchestra)
• 1 other elective which could include a second
  fine art
• Each class is 45 minutes
• 4 minutes for passing period

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6th Grade Daily Bell Schedule(This is the
current 10-11, and is subject to change)

• 1ST 850 935
• 2ND 939 1024
• 3RD 1028 1113
• LUNCH.1115 - 1145
• 4TH 1149 1234
• 5TH 1238 123
• 6TH 127 - 212
• 7TH 216 311
• 8TH 315 400 (4 minute passing periods)
• We have a 20 minute homeroom period on Tues.
  and Thurs.

7
Academics

• Factors to consider when choosing classes
• Your childs academic strengths
• Teacher input
• Past TAKS performance
• Personal goals

8
Choices for 6th Grade Core Classes

• Math Pre AP or standard
• Language Arts Pre AP, standard, or G/T (for
  identified GT students)
• Summer Reading Required GT and Pre AP
• Science Pre AP or standard
• Social Studies Pre AP or standard

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Questions to Help Determine Pre-AP Readiness

• Attitude
• Are they excited about their learning
  mathematics?
• Do they try to do things faster than the other
  students?
• Are they intrigued/not frustrated by problems
  that cannot be solved right away?
• Do they show an aptitude for building and
  drawing?
• Do they appear strong in science?
• Aptitude
• Have they been commended on TAKS in mathematics
  or reading?
• Have they a pretty easy time learning
  mathematics?
• Do they like to read for pleasure?

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??? How many PreAP classes should my child
take???

• Only you and your child can determine this! We
  encourage all 6th graders to try at least one.
• What are your childs strengths?
• The amount of extracurricular activities should
  be considered.
• How important are these classes to your child?
• What path are you aiming for in High School?

11
Math Course Sequences (NISD uses middle school
PAP to condense the curriculum and get one year
ahead)
12
English Course Sequences
Gray boxes indicate courses required for
graduation Courses must be taken one at a time,
and in order Students are not bound to stay on
one track or another (ex. students can
move into PreAP with teacher and parent approval.

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Social Studies Course Sequences

Sequence of Courses
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Science Course Sequences
AP Biology
PreAP Biology
PreAP Chemistry
PreAP Physics
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Biology
4th year TBD
Physics
Chemistry
N IPC
N Chemistry
N 4th year TBD
One Credit must come from each area of science
listed Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, AP
Chemistry, or IB Chemistry Physics, AP Physics,
or IB Physics And a fourth science credit from a
higher level science course approved by the state.
15
The Academy of Media Arts and Technology Northwest
High School Opened 2009-2010
The Academy of Medical Professions Byron Nelson
High School Opened 2009-2010
The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics Northwest High School Opened
2009-2010
The Academy of Culinary Arts and
Hospitality Byron Nelson High School Opened
2010-2011
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ELECTIVES
All 6th grade students will receive 2 electives
chosen from the following

• Fine Arts Electives
• Students must choose one elective from
• - Band, Orchestra, or Choir
• General Electives
• The 2nd elective is chosen from
• - Exploratory Wheel
• Consists of one semester of Intro. To
  Technology and one semester of enrichment
  activities.
• - Art, Math Challenge, and Intro to Theatre Arts
• or
• - Band, Orchestra, or Choir

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Band and Orchestra Instrument Drives(no
reservations needed show up to try various
instruments for comfort and fit)

• BAND
• April 7th from 530-730 at CTMS

• ORCHESTRA
• April 13th from 530-730 at CTMS

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Netbooks for 6th graders???

• Each NISD middle school student is issued a
  netbook at the beginning of the year.
• Usage fees are charged and insurance is available.

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Why do they need netbooks?

• NISD Vision
• The best and most sought after school district
  where every student is future ready
• Ready for college
• Ready for the global workplace
• Ready for personal success

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NetbooksWhat access do they have?

• While at school, students have access to the NISD
  server and most inappropriate websites and social
  networking is blocked.
• Away from school, netbooks can log on to any
  wireless access point and would not be protected
  by the NISD server
• Teachers have the ability to monitor all student
  netbooks from their own computers.

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Success in 6th grade
Success in middle school involves much more than
just good grades!

• STUDENTS
• Use a Planner and keep organized
• Turn in assignments on time
• Attend tutorials when needed
• Form bonds with teachers and staff
• Ask questions for help when necessary
• Maintain a well-rounded schedule which includes
  extra-curricular activities

• PARENTS
• Check your childs planner
• Check grades and assignments on-line
• Work to make sure your child attends tutorials as
  needed.
• Form bonds with teachers and staff.
• Ask questions for help when necessary
• Make sure your child maintains a well-rounded
  schedule.
• Sign up for e-mail updates and weekly reminders

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6th Grade Students can

• Attend Pep Rallies (Parents too!)
• Attend school dances, after school sporting
  events and programs (Parents too!)
• Attend field trips (Parents too!)
• Be nominated for Student Council
• Join the runners club
• Serve as Ambassadors to incoming 5th graders
• Participate in UIL events

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UIL

• Art
• Calculator Applications
• Dictionary Skills
• Impromptu Speaking
• Listening Skills
• Mathematics
• Maps, Graphs, and Charts
• Number Sense
• Oral Reading
• Ready Writing
• Science I and II
• Social Studies
• Spelling

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Good students get recognized!!!

• TOG DOGS
• Each student of the A/B Honor roll each six weeks
  get recognized with a special treat and some
  free time outside of class!

• HOMEROOM HEROES
• Each six weeks, every homeroom selects a student
  to be its Homeroom Hero. This award is based on
  citizenship and students receive a special little
  prize

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Parent Involvement

• Watch Dog Volunteer
• PTA Board or member
• Volunteer in the classroom
• Principals Coffee (monthly)
• Access School Website and teacher websites
• Access to childs grades online
• Visit for lunch with your child
• Parent/Teacher Conference

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PUP CAMP!!

• Students will pick up their schedule, receive a
  locker, and textbooks the week of August 8th
  (Exact times and dates will be posted on the
  campus website during the summer)
• 6th grade PUP Camp will be Saturday, August
  20th (morning)

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Last but Not Least

• We are here for your children
• and we want what is best for them!
• If in doubt.ASK!
• Get to know the Administration and teachers at
  the Middle School.
• Remember your child needs your guidance more than
  ever
• during this transition.

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Important Contacts

• Principal- Dr. Rob Thornell
• 817.215.0601 rthornell_at_nisdtx.org
• Assistant Principal- Chris Jones
• 817.215.50645 cjones02_at_nisdtx.org
• Counselor- Leigh Ann Trice
• 817-698-1642 ltrice_at_nisdtx.org

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Mrs. Leigh Ann Trice 6th Grade Counselor
Contact Information

• Email ltrice_at_nisdtx.org
• Phone [phone]
• Check Website for information
• Go to NISD website, select Chisholm Trail
  school, Select Staff and find my name..