SHIRLEY C. HEIM MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ORIENTATION Home of the Timberwolves Ms. Mary Grace McGraw Principal Mr. Jim Grayson Assistant Principal Mr. Jeffrey Jones

In sixth grade, you will: change classes. maintain an academic locker adjust to several teachers. experience different students in each class. be given more responsibilities.

Sixth Grade Courses: (required) Mathematics Reading/Language Arts Science U.S. History Physical Education

Physical Education Exercise and Fun!

Fine Arts Courses: ~all year commitment ~one choice is required for all 6th graders Band Chorus Strings Art/Drama

BAND CHORUS

Strings Art

Exploratory Wheel Courses: (rotate every 9 weeks) (Every 6th grader explores each course) Introduction to Computers Introduction to STEM Exploring Family and Consumer Sciences Health/Wellness

Introduction to Computers

Introduction to STEM Exploring Family and Consumer Sciences

Exploratory Wheel Explanation Exploratory wheel classes are every other day on an X/Y schedule for 45 minutes. These classes rotate with PE. Your Fine Arts choice will be every day for 45 minutes.

Sample Schedule 1st block: Math 2nd block: Language Arts 3rd block: Science (X Day) History (Y Day) 7th period: Band, Strings, Chorus, or Art/Drama 8th period: X – P.E. Y – Exploratory Wheel Elective OR 7TH period: X – P.E. 8th period: Band, Strings, Chorus, or Art/Drama

Pack Time (Enrichment and Intervention) Pack Time is 30 minute period of time on Tuesdays through Fridays. We divide the school year into 3 Pack Time sessions. Every student has the opportunity to select an enrichment class during the first session of Pack Time. These courses may include: Creative Crafts; Chess Club; History at the Movies; or Exploring Fitness. These courses are designed by teachers based on their expertise and interests. During the second and third session of Pack Time, students may be selected to take an intervention course in math or reading based on data from school assessments. Pack Time is between 1st and 2nd block for 30 minutes.

Some Activities for Sixth Grade Students: HOWL – Heim Original Wolf Literature Student Ambassadors Yearbook Wolf News Network Middle School Athletics (Excluding Football) Intramurals Battle of the Books FBLA/FCCLA Various clubs

Middle school experiences

Typical Concerns Expressed By Sixth Grade Students: Learning the building Following a schedule Changing classes Getting adjusted to new teachers Completing/turning in work Making new friends Encountering other students Dealing with a locker

Shirley C. Heim places to know and go

More places of interest

ANOTHER SUGGESTION: Recognizing staff members contributes to feeling secure and comfortable Principal Assistant Principals Teachers Counselors Nurse Secretaries Cafeteria and Custodial workers

Summer Preparation Visit the library. Visit educational places. Keep your mind and body active. Set short and long term goals for next school year. Keep a summer journal. Correspond with relatives/friends about middle school. Gather basic school materials and supplies.

Welcome Future Timberwolves!! Shirley C. Heim Faculty and Staff