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Tolt Middle School
Registration Bulletin Belief Statement Students and the learning process – we believe:
· Students are taught to respect each other. · All students can learn, achieve, and succeed. · Students are challenged to think independently. Curriculum and instruction – we believe: · Instructional methods should be varied and geared toward different learning styles. · Educators who are passionate about their subject matter inspire learning. · Effective planning, presentation, and assessment ensure excellence in learning. · Challenging expectations increase student outcomes. · Diversity increases student understanding of the community and the world. Community – we believe: · Students, teachers, parents and the community share the responsibility of education. · Schools and communities that work together mutually benefit one another. · Communication with parents is essential. · Motivation is the responsibility of student, educator, and parent. Teaming at Tolt Each student at Tolt is placed on a team. This allows students to be organized into smaller groups and experience common expectations for classroom management. Team teachers attempt to coordinate tests and homework, as well as organize some instructional units based upon themes. This model allows teachers to teach within their area of expertise and helps students develop critical thinking skills, learn educational concepts, and find a comfortable “home” within which to grow. In addition to these benefits, teaming allows students and parents to become comfortable with the idea of separate classrooms and teachers. We believe in building classrooms as heterogeneous as possible with mixed ability groupings while working to meet multiple student needs. Tolt also offers a Multi-Age Program. This will be our twelfth year of offering this teaming option. The Multi-Age Team is composed of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students grouped together for three core subjects (social studies, language arts, and science). Parental involvement is encouraged in this program. There is a three-year commitment required for students interested in the Multi-Age Team. You must complete an application for your student to be considered for the Multi-Age Team. Mission Statement Tolt Middle School, in partnership with families and community, ensures a safe and respectful environment which inspires excellence and challenges all students to develop their talents as healthy, life-long learners, achievers, and responsible citizens. Class Offerings for 6th Grade All students in the sixth grade are required to take math, science, language arts, social studies, and a fitness rotation. In addition, each student will have one elective period all year (see next page for more detail). The following is a sample 6th grade student schedule:
· Students will be placed in Math 6 or Advanced Math 6 based on 4th grade WASL scores and 5th grade teacher recommendation. · Tolt Middle School strives to provide Honors Level Projects that are designed to give students opportunities for higher level engagement in the curriculum. Each year the projects will be refined and will change, as appropriate, in order to offer a unique learning experience. Language Arts Honors options will be presented to all students in the fall. · The Title program at Tolt Middle School offers services to students who qualify for assistance in reading. · Enrollment in Special Education programs is based on eligibility and due to scheduling limitations, may eliminate or alter elective choices. Period 6 (in the sample schedule) would be one of the following elective options:
Placement in an elective class is subject to master schedule constraints. Description of Elective Classes Beginning Band: This is a full-year course that meets during the school day. Students do not need any musical background to join Beginning Band. This class performs several concerts for parents and has extra activities. Many students stay in the band program for years so that they can go to contests, parades, band trips, and join the high school band. Students may choose to play flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or percussion (bell/drums). Some large instruments are available to borrow free-of-charge, although most students rent an instrument from a music store. There are limits on the number of each instrument allowed, so please do not get your instrument yet. Students will try all instruments and pick a favorite in the first few weeks of class. Intermediate Band: This is a full-year course that meets during the school day. This class is available to students who played in 5th grade band and wish to continue with their instrument. Intermediate Band students will have the opportunity to play more advanced music. Many students stay in the program for years so that they may play in parades, contests, band trips, and in the high school band. Students perform several concerts for parents, and may play solos and in small groups at our yearly contest. Intermediate Band members may also audition for the after-school Jazz Band. Strand: There are four components to the Strand elective: Citizenship, Daily Living Skills, Fine Arts, and Introduction to Drama. Students who choose Strand as an elective will spend one quarter (9 weeks) in each area. Citizenship: This one-quarter class helps students understand the characteristics of successful people and identify specific leadership skills through a variety of literature, such as short stories, poetry, magazine articles, and novels. Students will also complete hands-on projects. There is also a 4-hour community service requirement. Daily Living Skills: This class is designed to help the 6th grade student learn, apply, and practice a variety of personal, professional, and basic living skills needed for the middle years and beyond. Students may encounter topics dealing with organization and daily planning, test-taking skills, phone etiquette, simple sewing techniques, microwave cooking, pet care, ironing and laundry skills, babysitting, bicycle safety, simple budgeting, reading and following directions for making hands-on practical projects, and other assorted topics of interest. Fine Arts: In this quarter long class, students explore the elements of design using different art methods. Students will use a variety of media (pencil, watercolor, chalk and oil pastels, and clay) to create unique projects. Students will explore the art methods of painting, drawing, animation, and ceramics, with an emphasis on color, design, and texture. Students will also do weekly sketch assignments. Introduction to Drama: This one-quarter class aims to give 6th grade students ongoing confidence and increased skills in verbal communication. Students participate in a wide range of activities covering speech, improvisation, dialogue developments, mini scripts and production. 6th Grade Math Plus: This is a support class for students who struggle with mathematics. This class is a second math class during the day where students can spend extra time on homework from their regular math class, ask more questions, receive extra assistance with math and organization, plus check their regular math class grades weekly. In class, students work on general math skills in addition to working on the skills being learned in the regular math class. Due to the design of the class, students receive more one-on-one attention and there is no additional homework from this class. Since the regular math classes follow the same timeline, students in Math Plus can pre-learn concepts, have extra time for test review, re-do assignments from their regular math class as appropriate, and correct misconceptions even after taking a test or a WASL practice. Time is also spent on learning how to “show the math” so students can be more successful in their regular math class. Students will be placed in Math Plus based on 4th grade WASL scores and 5th grade teacher recommendation. Class Offerings for 7th Grade All students in the seventh grade are required to take math, science, language arts, social studies, and a fitness rotation. In addition, each student will have one elective period all year (see next page for more detail). The following is a sample 7th grade student schedule:
· Students will be placed in Math 7 or Advanced Math 7 based on 5th grade WASL scores and 6th grade teacher recommendation. · Tolt Middle School strives to provide Honors Level Projects that are designed to give students opportunities for higher level engagement in the curriculum. Each year the projects will be refined and will change, as appropriate, in order to offer a unique learning experience. Language Arts Honors options will be presented to all students in the fall. · The Title program at Tolt Middle School offers services to students who qualify for assistance in reading. · Enrollment in Special Education programs is based on eligibility and due to scheduling limitations, may eliminate or alter elective choices. Period 6 (in the sample schedule) would be one of the following elective options:
Placement in an elective class is subject to master schedule constraints. Description of 7th Grade Elective Courses 7th Grade Band: Students must have participated in 6th Grade Band in order to join 7th Grade Band. Students will experience the excitement of being an advanced musician by playing in 7th Grade Band. The music is especially dramatic and exciting at this level. The Band will play in several concerts and a parade and sometimes combine with the 8th grade or high school bands for special performances. Many students play solos and in small ensembles, and audition for the after school jazz band. This class provides the experience necessary to be successful with the advanced music of the 8th grade band. Band is a full-year course. Success Skills: This year-long course is designed to help students develop skills needed for improved personal and academic success, including organization, time use, and study skills. While there is opportunity to receive assistance on daily homework and projects, this class is not a study hall. Strand: There are four components to 7th Grade Strand class: Fine Arts, Citizenship, Personal Finance, and Technology. Students take the class for the entire year and rotate between two, three, or four teachers. Units in Fine Arts may include: painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, art history, and study of the elements of design. Students also complete weekly sketch book assignments. Units in Citizenship may include: oral presentations, elements of effective listening, non-verbal communication and exploring what it means to be a leader. There is also a seven hour community service requirement. Personal Finance is designed to make students more educated earners, consumers and savers. Units include: basic economic concepts, earning income, savings plans, establishing and using credit, and cash management. Units in Technology may include: desk-top publishing, keyboarding, Power Point presentations, MS Paint, and Internet research projects. Office/Teacher’s Assistant (TA) Positions: Teacher’s Assistant positions are for a full-year, and open to 7th and 8th graders. Students who choose to be TAs must fill out an application, be recommended by staff, have good attendance, be responsible, and demonstrate good citizenship skills. Depending on the type of TA position, students have the opportunity to gain experience similar to on-the-job training. The types of TA positions are: Main Office Assistant, Counseling Office Assistant, Attendance Office Assistant, Library Assistant, and Classroom Teacher Assistant. TA positions are limited. Applications are available in the Counseling Center. |
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Class Offerings for 8th Grade All students in the eighth grade are required to take math, science, language arts, social studies, and a fitness rotation. In addition, each student will have one elective period all year (see next page for more detail). The following is a sample 8th grade student schedule:
· Students will be placed in Math 8 or Advanced Math 8 based on 6th grade WASL scores and 7th grade teacher recommendation. · Students will be placed in Pre-Honors Language Arts based on 6th and 7th Grade Language Arts teacher recommendations. Students in Pre-Honors Language Arts receive will read more challenging literature and do more in-depth critical thinking and writing regarding the literature. · The Title program at Tolt Middle School offers services to students who qualify for assistance in reading. · Enrollment in Special Education programs is based on eligibility and due to scheduling limitations, may eliminate or alter elective choices. Period 6 (in the sample schedule) would be one of the following elective options:
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