1. CROSSROADS MIDDLE SCHOOL Our mission, at Crossroads Middle School, is to form a partnership between our school and community that nurtures and inspires life-long learners through a balanced program of academic excellence and social, emotional, cultural, and physical development within a safe and caring environment during this “crossroads” in our students’ lives. SIXTH GRADE PARENT ORIENTATION Welcome to Crossroads Middle School !

2. 6 th Grade Units 7 th /8 th Grade Units Apollo Unit Aurora Unit Phoenix Unit Chi Unit Omega Unit Gamma Unit Delta Unit Alpha Unit Beta Unit 6 th Grade Units 7 th /8 th Grade Units Comets Unit Neptune Unit Polaris Unit Kappa Unit Sigma Unit Zeta Unit Tau Unit Theta Unit Rho Unit Library Encore World Lang. P.E. Instructional Support Library Encore World Lang. P.E. Instructional Support Crossroads North Crossroads South Assistant Principal for 7 th /8 th Grade Bynoe Assistant Principal for 7 th /8 th Grade Hinson Principal Famous Principal Daniels S.P.S. Counselors C.S.T. S.P.S. Counselors C.S.T. Special Ed. Supervisor Math/Science Supervisor Music Supervisor Encore Supervisor L.A. / S.S. Supervisor World Lang. Supervisor Health/P.E. Supervisor Technology Coordinator Assistant Principal for 6 th Grade Kmiec Extra Curricular / Athletics Club 678 Fehte Crossroads Middle School 2013-2014 SHARED STAFFSHARED STAFF

3. CROSSROADS MIDDLE SCHOOL STRUCTURE Three 6th Grade Units Approximately 125 students per unit Unit Names NORTH: Comets, Neptune, Polaris SOUTH: Apollo, Aurora, Phoenix LANGUAGE ARTS Literature Writing MATH SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES Units: Flexible Schedule 5 Core Subjects Changing Classes and Teachers

4. Sixth Grade Language Arts Literature Studies: Core Novels (Crash; Of Beetles and Angels; Jackaroo; Catherine, Called Birdy; Gathering Blue) Non-Fiction / Informational Text USE OF EVIDENCE FROM TEXT TO SUPPORT IDEAS CLOSE READING OF COMPLEX TEXT Literature Circles Independent Reading (P.A.T.T.E.R.N.S.) Read-Aloud Short Stories Mythology Poetry

5. Summer Reading Summer Reading List and Assignment: sent home by elementary school and posted on the Crossroads website at www.sbschools.org. Summer Reading Challenge: http://www.scholastic.com/summer/

6. INDEPENDENT READING PROGRAM: PATTERNS Parents and Teachers Together, Encouraging the Reading of Novels and Nonfiction NOVELIST Database found in EBSCO http://search.ebscohost.com North user name: S9769288 password: password South user name: crossroads password: vikings

7. Writing / Composition Studies: Writing Process, Timed Writing, 1 st Draft Compose in all Genres: Expressive / Narrative, Argumentative / Persuasive, Informational / Expository, Poetry USE OF EVIDENCE FROM TEXT TO SUPPORT IDEAS Conventions of Language and Author’s Craft, using mentor texts and applications of compositional risk Word Study Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Spelling * Language Arts Instructional Support Lab for selected students

8. Sixth Grade Social Studies: World History & Ancient Civilizations to 1600 Era 1: India, China, Greece, Rome Era 2: Byzantine/Muslim, Africa, China/Japan, Middle Ages, The Americas Interdisciplinary research project

9. Sixth Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Assessments Social Studies Research Task Era Pre- and Post-Tests Language Arts Research Task Grammar Word Study Assessments (end of trimester) NJASK (spring) to be replaced by PARCC in 2015

10. 6th Grade Mathematics Common Core Mathematics Standards: Ratios and Proportional Relationships The number System Expressions and Equations Geometry Statistics and Probability 6th Grade math courses: Unit Mathematics Transitions Mathematics Math placements are based on the following data: Math Matrix End of 5th Grade Test 6th Grade Placement Test The NJASK Test – Both Math and Language Arts Math Lab Support Math Counts Club

11. 6th Grade Science Program Students follow the NJCCCS for science Scientific Practices Physical Science Life Science Earth Science Hands-on Four Major Units over the course of the year: Geology Astronomy Phylogenetics Systems Enrichment opportunities: 6th Grade Science Fair Mini-Med Club Forensics Club

12. World Language - Spanish, French, or Latin Encore Classes – Art Integration, Music Integration, Health, Digital Tools 1 Physical Education - Fitnessgram, Team Sports, Individual Sports, and Lifelong Activities Prime Time - Enrichment time for students Common Time – School-wide on alternating days, chorus and access to teacher support

13. A Student’s Typical Week

14. Interscholastic Athletics- Sports Program open to 7/8 Grade Students Extracurricular Activities – Club Program open to All Grade Levels All clubs and activities are pay-to-participate using CommunityPass School MusicalMini Med School Forensics ClubMath Counts Team Photography Club Special Olympics Club Art ClubAcademic Challenge Teams Online School NewspaperOdyssey of the Mind Teams Chess Club Student Council Flag Football Indoor Soccer Volleyball Ski Trips Tennis Club Cricket Club

15. Instruction in all of our MUSICAL PERFORMING GROUPS is aligned with the 2009 NJCCCS All of our choirs, orchestras, and bands are comprised of students from all three grades.

16. Vocal Performing Groups Treble Choir rehearses during Common Time Concert Choir rehearses during Common Time Vocal Ensemble rehearses before school and is subject to the $75.00 Pay-to-Participate fee. NOTE: Vocal Ensemble is an auditioned group. Interested students will be screened by the instructor. Each of these groups is a graded class. Your child's participation and progress can be tracked on Parent Connect!

17. Co-curricular music offerings are charged a pay-to-participate fee and include : Men’s Ensemble Women’s Ensemble Hand Bell Choir School Musical

18. I nstrumental Music Groups Concert Orchestra* Symphonic Orchestra* Concert Band* Symphonic Band* Jazz Band* Jazz Ensemble* Students are placed in a group based on a screening and/or teacher recommendation. * denotes before school rehearsal and a $75.00 Pay-to- Participate fee. Each of these groups is a graded class. Your child's participation and progress can be tracked on Parent Connect!

19. Field Trips Homework 45-90 minutes as a nightly expectation. Agendas After School Program Club 6/7/8 – Community Education Reporting System Electronic Mid-trimester Progress Reports Report Cards/Year (3) Letter Grade System Parent Connect Online Grade Book SPS (Student Personnel Services) Health Office, Counselors Child Study Team

20. Communications Friday Folders & Friday E-Mail Daily Announcements (AM/PM) Daily Bulletin in PowerSchool Parent Conferences Unit Meeting Times Joint PTO (North and South) Principal’s Newsletter School Website Lockers Hallway/Gym Lunch34 Minutes; Middle School Menu; ID Card Arrival & Dismissal 8:10 (N) or 8:15 (S) Homeroom Bell 3:05 (N) or 3:10 (S) Dismissal Bell 5:15 Late Bus (Monday - Friday)

21. Health Concerns Required Immunizations for 6 th Graders Special Health Concerns Medication Policy Absences and Gym Notes Helping Your Child Make Good Nutritional Choices in Middle School

22. STUDENT PLACEMENT Placement into Units Based on Criteria Balance in Numbers Heterogeneous Grouping Gender Balance Learning/Teaching Styles Assessment Information Parent Requests - Additional information about your child, learning style, connections with other students or conflicts Send via e-mail to the building principal on or before June 30, 2013 Summer Communication Late August: parents will receive unit and math placement via Family Connect

23. CLOSING THOUGHTS... CODE OF CONDUCT SCHOOL CLOTHES SCHOOL SUPPLIES CELL PHONES ELECTRONIC DEVICES SNACKS