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Goals. Provide opportunities for all students to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environmentProvide flexibility for students to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalitiesby offering many optionsOptions include:Traditional face-to-face classesCyber hybrid classesFull-time c
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1. Quakertown Community School District Middle School
Opportunities
February 2011
2. Goals Provide opportunities for all students to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environment
Provide flexibility for students to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalities
by offering many options
Options include:
Traditional face-to-face classes
Cyber hybrid classes
Full-time cyber classes
3. Middle School Schedule for 2011-12Traditional Face-to-Face Format 6 period day6 day cycle
4 marking periods
Reorganization of Related Studies classes
-6th grade---Art and Computer Literacy
(90 days each)
-7th grade---Engineering By Design (TEd) and Health (90 days each)
-8th grade---EbD-Technological Systems (45 days),
Futures (45 days), 2 Electives (45 days each)
4. Middle School Schedule for 2011-2012 8th grade electives include:
- Art Studio 8
- Be Fit. Dont Quit. (PE)
-Take the Lead (Health)
- TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design, Engineering)
- Keying into the Musical Keyboard (Music)
- Literacy in a Digital World
8th grade students will select 2 and list others as alternates
5. Middle School Schedule for 2011-2012 Band and Chorus opportunities remain the same
6 day cycle allows Band or Chorus students to have an Extension period
Band sectionals occur as they have in the past
Band student3 Band, 2 PE, 1 Extension
Chorus student3 Chorus, 2 PE, 1 Extension
Combo student---2 Chorus, 2 Band, 1 PE,
and 1 Extension
6. Middle School Schedule for 2011-2012 Opportunities for non-Band/Chorus students include:
-6th grade (Pd 2)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 1 General Music, 1 Library Research Skills (LRS)
7th grade (Pd 4)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 Reading/Writing Strategies (RWS)
8th grade (Pd 6)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 Go Exploring-Web 2.0 Tools
All students will have Related Arts, unless assigned to remedial courses (Reading 101, Reading Plus)
7. Cyber Hybrid Opportunity for students to take one or more courses in a cyber environment while also taking other classes in a traditional classroom setting
Students are supported in their cyber classes and traditional classes by QCSD teachers
Allows for a fluid Cyber area (within the school) in terms of which students are in the location at any point in time
Combines opportunities for digital learning and social interaction, shaped by individual needs
8. Benefits of Cyber Hybrid Increased opportunities for enrichment, acceleration and remediation
Increased options in terms of pacing, differentiation, targeted instruction and consideration of different learning styles
Offers multiple learning environments-digital and traditional
Allows for flexibility based on individualized needs
9. Full-Time Cyber Students complete their cyber courses from home
Students are supported in their cyber courses by QCSD teachers
Full-Time QCSD cyber students may participate in Strayer sports and activities
Offers a flexible learning environment for both students and their families
10. Characteristics of the Successful Cyber Student Be open-minded about sharing work, educational experiences, and life as part of the learning process.
Be able to communicate through writing.
Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
Be willing and able to commit to 7 to 8 hours per week per course. .
Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
Have access to a computer and the internet.
Be able to think ideas through before responding.
Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.
11. How To Enroll in a QCSD Cyber Course Review the course selection sheet that will come home with your child
Check the box in front of Cyber for the course(s) your child wants to take in a cyber format
We ask that you also include a brief notation on the form stating the reason for selecting a cyber class(es)
Sign the bottom of the sheet and return it to your childs teacher by the due date
You and your child will be invited to attend a cyber orientation meeting in the spring
12. In-School Alternative(Only for those students who would benefit from this option) A learning environment designed to focus on both the academic and social/emotional needs of students that struggle in a traditional setting
Provides a structured, supportive environment within a QCSD middle school
Not just for the bad kids
Includes a Resolution Roomplace for students to cool down, work with an adult to process behaviors and decide next steps
Staffed by QCSD staff
13. Benefits of the In-School Alternative Provides another layer of intervention (academic and social/emotional)
Allows for a smoother transition for students returning back to a traditional classroom setting
Provides an opportunity for students to continue to meet QCSD learning targets by content area
Provides an opportunity for on-going communication between classroom, guidance and in-school alternative staff concerning specific student needs
14. Course Selection Process Current 5th graders--- Course selection, supported by teachers and guidance counselorsbeginning Feb. 28 with school visitations by middle school counselors
15. Course Selection Process Your child will be scheduled for the following courses as a 6th grader:
RELA
Matheither Course 1 or Course 2
Science
Social Studies
Art and Computer Literacy (1/2 year each)
Band or Chorus or Combo
For non-band/chorus studentsGeneral Music, Library Research Skills
Extension
16. Course Selection Process All students will have the option of selecting cyber for one or more of their core courses. (math, science, RELA, social studies)
NewGeneral Music, Art, Computer Literacy and Futures will also be offered through cyber for 2011-2012
We will make every attempt to honor all requests.
Course selection will be done in school through Power School. (on-line)
Parents will be asked to sign off on the course selection sheet that comes home.
17. Orientation Process Before May 18 (date TBA)--Strayer and Milford Guidance Counselors and a student panel will visit each elementary school sharing information about life at the middle level
May 18 during the day5th graders will visit Strayer or Milford for their Student Orientation
May 18 at 7:00 PMParent Orientation Meeting at Strayer and Milford
18. QUESTIONS ?