Salem Middle School Spartans

1
Salem Middle School Spartans

• Rising Sixth Grade Information Session
• February 7, 2008

2
Who are we?

• Allen Ellzey Principal
• Paulette Fairfax Asst. Principal
• Kerri Bridges Counselor
• Jerry Decker Counselor
• Barbara Van Oostrum Counselor
• Marcy Russell 6th Teacher
• Gayle Light Health/PE
• Virginia OBrien Drama
• Karen Shannon AG
• Bobby Hinson Band

3
Salem Middle School Mission
Salem Middle School is a collaborative culture
that ensures high student achievement and values
the unique needs of each learner.
4
SALEM SPARTANS

• Honor School of Excellence
• 2006-2007
• 2005-2006
• 2004-2005
• Most Improved K-8 School
• 2004-2005
• Real D.E.A.L. School
• 2006

5
Quality Teachers

• 20 National Board Certified Teachers.
• 33 of our teachers hold advanced degrees.
• PLC Professional Learning Communities drive our
  instructional practices.

6
TEAMS and TRACKS

• Four tracks
• Sixth Grade students are assigned by track to six
  teams Monkeys, Eagles, Pink Panthers,Tigers,
  Wolves, Crocodiles
• 6th grade has two teacher teams- 2 teams per
  track Track 3 has one 3 teacher team
• 7th/8th have one -4 teacher team per track
  (1,3,4)
• Track 2 7th/8th 2 teacher team
• Teams consist of four core teachers Math,
  Language Arts, Science, social studies who
  collaborate with Special Education, Healthful
  Living, and Elective teachers

7
Core Classes

• Students take 4 core classes Language Arts,
  Social Studies, Math, and Science
• Core classes are year-long courses
• Current 5th grade Math teachers recommend course
  placement for students

8
6th Grade Schedule Basics

• 2 member teams
• 1 teacher for LA, SS / 1 teacher for Ma, Sci
• Approximately 70 minutes per core subject daily
  in 2 blocks (135 minutes _at_)
• Integrated instructional approach within the
  block
• Teachers work in Professional Learning
  Communitiescommon assessments

9
6th Grade Electives

• Each semester
• One 45 minute period for Healthful Living
• One 45 minute period for elective choice
• Elective Choices for the year
• 1 - Band (both semesters)
• 2 - Wheel Keyboarding
• Wheel courses Visual Art, Drama Music,
  Exploring Careers-Technology, Exploring
  Careers-Consumer Science, Spanish, Dance

10
6th Grade Student Skit
11
6th Grade Elective Wheel

• Classes on the wheel will rotate about every 3
  weeks
• Art
• Drama/Music
• Dance
• Life Skills/Career
• Technology
• Spanish

12
PE/Health

• 45 minute class periods
• 3 week rotation with health
• Required to wear PE uniform
• Shirt 5.00
• Shorts 10.00
• Recommended that each student has a combination
  lock
• No showers

13
Registration

• Registration cards and program planning guide
  books will be distributed at the elementary
  school your child attends
• Talk with your elementary teacher regarding
  course recommendations
• Students return their cards to the Elementary
  School counselor

14
Registration

• Students will choose either Band or
  Keyboarding/Wheel
• Registration cards need to be returned quickly to
  your childs classroom teacher All cards are due
  to middle schools
• May 1st Track 1,2,4
• May 23rd Track 3

15
School Information

• School hours 730-215
• Students may enter the building at 700
• Seventh and Eighth graders wait in the gym till
  dismissed
• Sixth graders go directly to their hallway

16
School Information

• Students have 3-4 minutes between classes
• We do not have bells during the day!
• Seventh and Eighth graders may try-out for school
  sports
• Sixth graders may be team managers for school
  sports

17
Student Success 3 Tips!

• Students should purchase an agenda when they pick
  up their schedule
• Help your child become familiar with using an
  agenda before school starts
• Monitor your childs homework, encourage
  successful time management and balance with
  homework and extra-curricular activities

18
School to Home

• Study Routine
• ORGANIZATION
• Homework-But Ive already been through 6th
  grade. They still need you!!
• Mastery and improvement
• Interact Guide
• Kitchen Timer

19
Worries that I may have 10 is most important

• Getting lost or finding classes
• Opening the locker
• Getting good grades
• Bullies and/or being teased
• Making new friends
• Having more than one teacher
• Finding the bathroom

20
More worries

• Not knowing the school rules
• Carrying around all those books
• Feeling stupid compared to other kids
• Being embarrassed by parents in front of other
  kids
• Puberty (pimples, body changes)
• Changing before and after P.E. in front of other
  kids
• Going from class to class without being late
• Having someone to sit with at lunch

21
What Can You Do?

• Ask questions
• What are you most excited about?
• How can I help the most?
• Listen Closely
• Listen without giving advice
• Ask if they want advice
• Reinforce the positive
• Create opportunities for success
• Communicate with their teachers-Blackboard/e-mail

22
Salem Middle School

• We look forward to seeing all of you in July or
  August and to meeting our new sixth graders!!
• Mrs. Shannon is available to answer questions
  regarding our AG program. Please join her in the
  front of the auditorium.
• Thank you for coming to our Rising 6th Grade
  meeting tonight!