WELCOME TO HICKORY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

1. WELCOME TO HICKORY CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL 6TH GRADE CURRICULUM NIGHT SEPTEMBER 12th, 2012

2. Team 6B- Gold Medalists Mr. Ferraro Mrs. Fletcher Ms. Lewkowski Mrs. Sandowski Ms. Bouck Ms. Sabo

3. Frankfort 157-C Curricular Initiatives

4. Background: • Illinois adopted Common Core National Standards along with 47 other states • Created newly aligned curriculum in English Language Arts & Math • Old standards were very broad & not challenging • K-12 College & Career readiness • Rigorous skills, reading more complex text, higher-level thinking and problem solving

5. Changes you might see: • New resources: • Many new titles and genres that kids will be reading • Hands on approach to Math where kids will be spending a longer time going into depth with math skills • Kids will be writing more frequently about their reading of both fiction as well as informational text

6. Grading… • For the 2012-13 school year all three schools will report grades to parents on a quarterly basis. • The report to parents every quarter will remain the same with only minor changes in some buildings at this time.

7. Where can I see what my kids will be learning? • www.fsd157c.org • District office • Curriculum • ALL curricular expectations are listed for parents

8. Co-Teaching Although the philosophy of Co-Teaching has been in existence for several years within the Frankfort District, starting this year, we have formally introduced it five days per week within several classrooms at both Chelsea and Hickory Creek. Although we have a variety of continuum options available to all students, we pride ourselves in being an inclusive district.

9. Within the Classroom, your Child may have the BENEFIT of TWO Highly Qualified, Certified Teachers! Within the classroom, the following models may be used: One Teaches/One Supports Parallel Teaching Station Teaching Alternative Teaching Team Teaching

10. Positives of Co-Teaching: • Increases instructional options for ALL students • Increases overall student performance • Provides support to ALL involved in the educational process • Provides alternatives for teaching options within the classroom • Reduces stigmatization of ALL students by allowing students to be educated within the same setting, instead of segregating students who learn differently

11. RtI: Response to InterventionA Regular Education Initiative In order to better address students’ needs, students will be assessed three times a year to ensure that they are progressing within the curriculum. HCMS students will complete their first assessment in September. These assessments will be given both by the classroom teacher and additional staff members. Perhaps the greatest benefit of an RtI approach is that it eliminates a “wait to fail” situation because students get help promptly within the general education setting. Our RtI system is divided into a three-tier intervention model:

12. Tier 1 – All students are provided with flexible, small group/differentiated instruction using scientific, research based materials. Tier 2 – If a student is not making progress at the rate expected, additional interventions will be developed that provide students “more and different” reading or math assistance and progress will be monitored more frequently. Tier 3 - In some cases, additional, targeted supports are necessary. In those instances, students will be provided increased time in reading or math and provided more intensive and/or targeted assistance throughout the student’s day. Parents are a big part of the RtI process. For additional information you can pick up an RtI Parent Brochure in the Main Office. We encourage you to communicate with us as we work with your child throughout the year!

13. Math andHonors Math 2012-2013 Curriculum Overview Ms. Lewkowski (Ms. Ellinghaus) Ms. Bouck Pearson/Addison Wesley’s Pre-algebra

14. Overview • Numeration • Variables, Expressions, & Properties • Operations with Decimals • Solving Equations • Number & Fraction Concepts • Decimals, Fractions, & Mixed Numbers

15. Overview (cont’d) • Geometry • Adding & Subtracting Fractions & Mixed Numbers • Multiplying & Dividing Fractions & Mixed Numbers • Ratios, Rates, & Proportions • Integers

16. Overview (cont’d) • Whole Numbers • Introduction to Integers & Algebraic Expressions • Fraction Notation: Multiplication & Division • Fraction Notation: Addition, Subtraction, & Mixed Numerals • Decimal Notation • Introduction to Graphing & Statistics

17. Overview (cont’d) • Ratio & Proportion • Percent Notation • Geometry & Measurement • Polynomials

18. Science 2012-2013 Curriculum Overview Mr. Ferraro Glencoe McGraw Hill

19. Ecology • Interactions of life • Non-living environments • Ecosystems • Conserving energy • Conserving life

20. Life Structures and Functions • Exploring/classifying life • Cell structure • Cell processes • Cell reproduction • Heredity

21. Electricity and Magnetism • Electricity • Magnetism

22. Light Waves • Waves • Electromagnetic waves • Lights, mirrors, and lenses

23. Astronomy • Exploring space • Solar system • Stars and galaxies

24. English Language Arts (ELA) Mrs. Fletcher Mrs. Sandowski Ms. Bouck

25. ELA Curriculum Overview Novel Studies: Historical, Multicultural, Biography Extended Response Writing Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Essay Writing Grammar Vocabulary • Genre Study • Literary Elements • Reading for Information • Internal/External Conflict • Point of View • Context Clues • Compare/Contrast • Predictions • Figurative language, Interpretations, Tone, Imagery

26. Textbooks: Elements of Literature Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 2007 Edition Novel studies Prentice Hall Writing Coach

27. Independent Reading Studies show that students who read daily are more successful in other areas of their education. One goal we have for this year is to make reading an enjoyable experience. • 20 – 30 minutes daily

28. Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years.

29. Rebecca Caudill Party • Students have the opportunity to vote for their favorite books! • Students can attend the celebration if at least 3 nominated titles have been read by February. • As always, thank you to the Frankfort Education Foundation for supporting this program.

30. Social StudiesJourney Across TimeGlencoe McGraw Hill Mr. Ferraro Mrs. Fletcher Ms. Lewkowski Mrs. Sandowski

31. Geography Skills • Overview of geographical terms • Types of map projections • Map skill work-latitude/longitude/scale/key • Charts/graphs/diagrams • Timelines

32. Units of Study • Early Man • Mesopotamia • Egypt • Greece • Rome

33. Within each unit: • Geography • Political Systems • Culture • Daily Life • Location and it’s effect on their civilization • Connecting past and present

34. Expectations and Policies • Assignment Notebook/Teacher Web Pages • PowerSchool • Tardies • Independent Practice • IDs • Online textbooks

35. Advisory MONDAY Tiger Time THURSDAY/ FRIDAY Social Emotional Development TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY AMP Days MAKING CONNECTIONS

36. Hickory Creek Middle School 6th Graders: Making a difference in our community, state, and across the world.

37. Lettersto Soldiers In the fall and throughout the holidays, 6th graders combine efforts with the Student Council and send letters of support and packages to the many area service men and women serving our country in foreign nations. In the past, we have received letters of thanks from the soldiers and family members letting us know the importance the letter, card, or package from HCMS students has made. Some of the past recipients of our letters and packages have been so touched by the generosity and support of the students, staff, and community, they have visited HCMS. Making a difference a letter at a time.

38. Sweet Connections Students , parent, & staff volunteers deliver the bags to the Frankfort Terrace Nursing home.

39. Letters to Santa In conjunction with Direct Effect Charities A school wide program, run and managed through 6th grade Advisory classes. HCMS students, staff, & the community “adopt” the Santa Letters from an inner city Chicago Public School.

40. Bullying 2012-2013

41. When someone is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons Bullying is…

42. Bullying can be… • Behavior that is aggressive, malicious, and highly subversive • Repeated over and over… • A relationship where there is an imbalance of power • Happening for no reason • Teasing that is mean spirited and hurts others’ feelings • All of the above but NOT friendly teasing

43. Bullying is different from: • Peer to peer conflicts • Friendship challenges • Isolated teasing

44. give. grant. grow. • Since 1995 the Education Foundation has granted over $1.3 million dollars to our children. Grants include: • Installing SMART Boards in 19 classrooms. • Purchasing more than 5000 award winning books. • Enabling each student at Hickory Creek to play the guitar, drums, and even compose music. • Distributing Tablet PCs at Hickory Creek. • To learn more visit our website at: http://www.ef157c.org/ • Join us at our annual dinner auction. • April 19, 2013

45. The FSP is the Parent Teacher Organization for District 157-C. Our mission is designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school through parent volunteer opportunities, student enrichment activities and fun family events. Some of the ways that we have enriched and supported the curriculum include: Funding for field trips Sponsoring special assembly programs Providing scholarships Providing curriculum enrichment funding to each school Coordinating volunteers for all our events and programs Each year we also hold FREE fun family events such as: Fall Family Fun Night and Creative Arts Showcase at Grand Prairie Exploration Night and Family Fitness Night at Chelsea Come visit our table at Curriculum Night and visit us at www.fsp157c.org to learn more about our organization, our events, registering and volunteering.