Thomas W. Pyle 8 th Grade Parent Articulation Meeting

Welcome and Introductions John P. Mangrum Format for the evening Communication handout Transition from 7 th to 8 th grade Counselors – Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend Curriculum Overviews Team Leaders and Department Chairs – Babs Baisley, Celia Harper, Tara Kelly, Bill Falatko, Stacy Levy & Kristen Tessier

8 th Grade Team Structure Babs Baisley, Celia Harper, Tara Kelly 7 th to 8 th grade articulation 8 th grade leadership team 8 th grade team meetings Counselor support Administrative support

8 th Grade Program Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend 1. English 2. Math 3. Science 4. US History 5. PE/Health 6. Elective 7. Elective

Grade 8 Registration Form (top)

Grade 8 Registration Form (bottom)

8 th Grade Events Babs Baisley Mt. Vernon Field Trip Career Day Gettysburg Field Trip 8 th Grade Dance Kings Dominion Field Trip Whitman Orientation

8 th graders usually continue on to the next level of the foreign language that they have already started. Foreign Language Classes Kristen Tessier

Foreign Language Pathways 6 th Grade 7 th Grade 8 th Grade 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade Option #1 Reading Elective 1AB234 Option #2 Reading Elective 1AB2345 Option #3 Reading 1A1B2345 Option #4 Reading 1AB2345AP Option #5 1A1B2345AP Option #6 1AB2345AP Lang AP Lit.

Foreign Language Pathways Kristen Tessier There are many other options and possible variations to these pathways. Pyle offers Spanish, French, and Chinese (based on enrollment and staffing)

Languages at Whitman: Whitman offers languages to 8 th graders during 1 st period including: Russian, Italian, Japanese and Latin.

Additional Foreign Language Questions Foreign Language Parent Night February 17, 2011, at 7:00 pm Snow Date Feb. 22 nd

Physical Education William Falatko Required class, 3 marking periods Learn about physical activity Gain motor skills & personal development Improve health related fitness Variety of individual and team sports, games, and activities Promote a lifelong physically fit lifestyle

Health Education 8 William Falatko Implemented through Physical Education 9 week course, separate grade MCPS curriculum in a classroom setting Focus on family life and human sexuality, STDs (parent permission) Information meeting in the fall

Arts Electives William Falatko SEMESTER ART CLASSES Culinary Fashion/Design Gateway Technology B Theatre TV Studio Specialty Art Studio Art Web Design FULL YEAR ARTS CLASSES Drama Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) Music Band Orchestra Chorus Publications / Yearbook

Additional Arts Questions? Arts Showcase Night Thursday, February 3, :00 – 8:30 pm Snow Date Feb. 8 th

8 th Grade English/Reading Classes Celia Harper English Course Placement Advanced English A English 8 English 8 + Read 180 ( by teacher recommendation ) ESOL 7 th grade teachers recommend on basis of MSA and Map-R scores Grades Other available data

Overview of 8 th Grade English Celia Harper English 8 Explorations Journeys Community Responsibility Discoveries As You Like It Advanced English A Designed for able and motivated students interested in reading and writing Humanities Focus: makes interdisciplinary connections with Grade 8 US History Students who complete class with an A or B and pass semester exams, will earn one elective credit toward high school graduation.

8 th Grade English/Reading Classes Celia Harper Summer Reading Announcement letter is mailed first week in June Many of the books are available for sign out at Pyle 1 required 1 choice First assignment in 8 th grade

Science 8 Curriculum Babs Baisley Units of Study Atmosphere and Weather Geology - Plate Tectonics Earth’s Structure - Rocks, Minerals, and the Rock Cycle Astronomy – Earth/Sun/Moon relationships The science curriculum includes many hands-on activities where students work together to gather, interpret, and analyze data. Students who earn a B or better in Algebra or a higher level math class may be recommended for Honors Biology in grade 9. All other students will be placed in regular Biology or Applied Science.

Science Expo: Pyle’s Science Fair Babs Baisley Students designing an experiment Students using the scientific method steps Teacher-directed and graded, step-by-step Long-term: first semester, September – January Held in the Pyle gym in early January Fun

Advanced American History 8 Curriculum Babs Baisley Units of Study Democratic Political System of the People Creating a National Political System Geography and Economic Change Shape the Nation A Nation Divided and Rebuilt Multiple resources are used to support the curriculum, along with engaging materials and opportunities for students to work together doing historical investigations.

Math Courses and Placement Stacy Levy Students are placed in math classes based on the following criteria: Teacher recommendation Success in previous math class-grades, assessments, work study habits, etc. County and state assessments Student and Parent Input

8 th Grade Math Courses Algebra Prep Algebra I Honors Geometry Algebra II (taught at Whitman 1 st period) Math Courses and Placement Stacy Levy

Additional Math Questions The Mathematical Process Night February 17, 2011, at 7:00 pm Snow Date Feb. 22 nd

Extra Curricular Activities William Falatko Variety of activities Opportunity to explore interests Find the balance of academics and extra curricular activities Fall showcase night to preview offerings

Important Registration Dates Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend February 17 th – Mathematical Process and Foreign Language Night February 18 th – registration forms due to English teachers May 21 st – placement request changes in writing due to Mrs. Webster and elective changes to student’s counselor

Elective Selection Process Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend April 7th 3 rd quarter report card Print out of registered classes Check to see if they are registered appropriately Concerns about placement should be directed to the teacher Questions about electives should be discussed with counselors

True or False Erika Huck and Katie Sonnabend 8 th grade is the hardest year at Pyle There are no teams in 8 th grade 8 th graders worry about going to Whitman 4 th quarter does not matter in 8 th grade Students can begin a language in 8 th grade 8 th grade students are expected to function independently and without middle school supports in place

Closure John P. Mangrum Upcoming Dates Copy of tonight's PowerPoint will be on the Pyle webpage