8 Period Block ScheduleOdd Days:Periods 1357

Even Days:Periods2468

Required Classes:Advanced English 6Mathematics (6, 6B, IM)Investigations in Science 6Advanced World Studies 6Physical Education / Health

1 quarter of health3 quarters of PE

Making Course Recommendations

5th grade teacher makes recommendationsParent Recommendations…………

-Does your child love to read?-Has he or she always earned A’s in on level math?

How does your child perform on the above-grade level skills?

-What does the teacher tell you?

REGISTRATION FORMS DUE Friday, March 2nd

Electives

Music ElectivesBand (beginner, intermediate and

advanced) Orchestra (intermediate and advanced)

To be in advanced a student has to audition

World Language Electives

Spanish 1A FYSpanish 1ABFrench 1AB

If you are recommended for reading you may not be in a World language

Special Topics Electives

Family and Consumer ScienceComputersContemporary CommunicationArtDance

Academic Expectations Homework

Assigned more oftenBigger projectsHigher levels of student responsibility

expectedUsed to reinforce concepts learned in class

Academic ExpectationsPlanner: Agenda Book

Make it a habit from the startLearn how it is organizedCrucial piece to student organizationValuable home – school communication tool

Academic ExpectationsMiddle School is ‘Setting the Stage’

Students classes are preparing them for their high school classes

Establishing the habits for high school and beyond

Social ExpectationsStudents have more opportunities to get

involved with clubs and activities6th graders are the small fish in the big pond

new behaviors: wanting more independence; more time with friends, testing boundaries, sharing less information …

Handling new and different types of peer pressureLearning how to set boundaries for themselvesHow to interact with each other & fit inUsing technology responsibly

What can parents do?Communication

Students have multiple teachersKnow how to contact the school and your

student’s teachersTalk about your child’s day and ask your child

questionsMake your child show you the COMPLETED HWEmpower your child by having them develop

study routines that work for them

What can parents do?Sign up for EdlineMonitor and supportAttendanceEnsure that your student is receiving

servicesKnow what the school has to offerJoin the PTA

TPMS Student Support Programs:

Homework ClubTAP (Takoma Academic Period)Afterschool Academic Academy Mentoring GroupsCounseling GroupsPeer MediationTeacher Lunch Time TutoringAfterschool Clubs, Sports, and

ActivitiesPBIS

Teacher Quotes:“The first thing that parents need to know is

that their 6th graders need more support now than they did last year. . . . It usually takes a student the first quarter to become acclimated to the new environment”

“The biggest thing is that they are literally the small fish in the big pond. This change creates anxiety and confusion.”

Teacher Quotes:“Making the planner a habit is one of the best

ways to adjust.”

“A lot more is expected of them in middle school and many of them struggle at the beginning of the year to juggle all of their work.”

“It would be really useful for parents to be familiar with the planner and to check it every night starting at the beginning of the year.”