Blazing the Trail to 6 th Grade Pike Middle School & Medlin Middle School

Schedule Information Eight Class Periods (Math and LA together are 3 periods) Each class = 45 minutes You may change a course in your schedule if needed during the first 10 days of school.

School Day 9:20 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m. Early students go to the gym or the cafeteria. A strict dress code is enforced (i.e., no holes in jeans, etc.). Be sure to carefully read the student handbook regarding dress code.

Classes to be taken Language Arts (Reading/ English/ Spelling) Math Social Studies Science Fine Arts (Band, Choir, or Orchestra) elective Another elective (Fine Arts or Wheel) Physical Education

Advanced Placement Courses Available in Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math (math covers all of 6 th grade curriculum and ½ of 7 th ) Requires more homework and will allow you to take more AP classes in the future No more than 2 Pre-AP classes are recommended. If anxiety can become an issue, 1 Pre-AP class is plenty.

More Pre-AP information You may switch to Pre-AP math in 7th grade if you don’t take Pre-AP math in 6th grade. (However, this is not recommended. Students will need to take a test.) If you are identified as Gifted and Talented (GT), you will automatically be registered in GT Language Arts. You don’t have to participate in Science Fair if you take the Pre-AP Science course.

Questions to consider for Pre-AP readiness? Does your student like to play number games? Are they excited about their learning in mathematics? Do they try to do things “faster” than the other students? Are the intrigued/not frustrated by problems that cannot be solved right away? Do they show an aptitude for building and drawing? Do they appear strong in science? Have they been commended on TAKS in mathematics? Have they had a pretty easy time in learning mathematics? How many extracurricular activities are they involved in? Keep in mind choir, band, or orchestra because of the practice time and concerts.

Fine Arts Classes Band Instrument Fair- Student tryouts for instruments: Check Pike and Medlin MS Websites for posted dates & times Scholarship programs available Questions about fees or availability contact Venessa Sloan (Pike) Questions about fees or availability contact Eric Gilley (Medlin) Choir Questions: Suzanne Hughes (Pike) Questions: Rebecca O’Donovan (Medlin) Orchestra Instrument Night: Check Pike and Medlin MS Websites for posted dates & times Questions about fees or availability contact Willie Maciel (Pike) Questions about fees or availability contact Sarah Lacefield (Medlin)

Additional Elective Another Fine Arts Class Introduction to Art Introduction to Theater Arts Math Challenge General Music Wheel (split into 6 weeks): - Consists of Keyboarding, Art, Theater Arts, General Music, Leadership, and Puzzlers

In Between Classes Lockers 3-number combination To minimize anxiety, you may purchase one for your child to practice with over the summer! 4 minutes between classes

Lunch 6th graders eat lunch after third period. There are three main lunch lines available. Hot lunch (choices appear on menu.) Hot lunch (hamburgers, pizza, etc.) Two snack bars.

Physical Education All 6th graders must take this class. Students must change clothes in the lockers rooms. There will be no 7th or 8th graders in the locker rooms with the 6 th graders. Uniforms are purchased through the coaches.

Hallways There is a 6th grade hallway in which most of the 6th grade classes are held. For the most part, 6th graders will not be mingling with the 7th and 8th graders.

Clubs Examples: Student Council Chess UIL Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Registration Forms Your child’s teacher has put dots by the suggested classes for your child. Forms are due back to your teacher no later than this Monday, March 5th.

Contact Information Pike Counselor for 6 th graders Kim McKinnie Pike Middle School web page Medlin Counselors for 6 th graders Shannon Nobles (for last names ending in A-L) Shannon Wickstrom (for last names ending in M-Z) Medlin Middle School web page