Carson Valley Middle School 6th Grade Program of Study SIXTH GRADE COURSE CATALOG
2016-2017
CVMS 6th Course Catalog 2016-2017
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CARSON VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL SIXTH GRADE COURSE CATALOG 2015-2016 THE NUTS AND BOLTS All 2016-2017 sixth grade students at Carson Valley Middle School are assigned a team comprised of two teachers:
4-6th grade teams. Each team is made up of two 6th grade teachers. Teacher A: Math/Science Teacher B: English/Social Studies 6th grade students alternate between teacher-A and teacher-B over the course of each day.
Additionally, each 6th grade student will participate in a four-spoke elective wheel. These electives are reoccurring, that is every nine weeks your student will participate in a different elective. The four quarter electives are:
2016-2017 6th Grade Elective Wheel Spokes: 1. PE-6 2. Art-6 3. Logic-6 4. World Language-6 Note: the elective rotation will change at quarter intervals to insure participation in each elective is equalivelant to one another. Further, each team has a time period built into the schedule to facilitate technology integration, specifically Google Classroom skills among other topics, into assigned classwork, this time is called “homeroom” time. This “homereoom” time may include, for example, a technology/STEM component, financial awaremess, current events, PBIS integration, career investigation, thematic development, etc. All of these topics are intended to support and enrich all core subject matter and support 21st Century classroom skills. Additionally, every 6th grade student will participate in the following areas (Not necessarly in the following order): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
English Social Studies “Homeroom” subject matter Science Mathematics Elective Wheel (4-Spoke, M-F full-year/9-week rotation)
NOTE: Students wishing to participate in 6th Grade Band will participate in the assigned homeroom time. Participation in the 4-spoke elective wheel will also occur in addition to Band-6, if selected.
CVMS 6th Course Catalog 2016-2017
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2016-2017 BELL SCHEDULE:
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2016-2017 CVMS SCHOOL MAP:
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2015-2016 CVMS SIGNIFICANT DATES: New To The Area Registration Begins: ................................................................................................. (Students already enrolled in the DCSD system are already registered) Infinite Campus Opens: .......................................................................................................................... Bus Schedules Published in Newspaper: ............................................................................................. 6th Grade Student Orientation: ................................................................... August 9, 2016 @ 9:00AM First Day of School: .....................................................................................Monday, August 15, 2016 Open House/Back To School Night: ................................................ Wednesday, September 7, 2016 Parent Teacher Conference Day (No School For Students): .................. Monday, October 17, 2016 Early Out, School Dismissal 11:45AM: ............................................... Thursday, November 23, 2016 End of Semester 1 ...................................................................................... Friday, December 23, 2016 Professional Development Day (No School For Students): ..................... Monday, January 9, 2017 Early Out, School Dismissal 11:45AM, Last Day of School: ........................ Thursday, June 7, 2017
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REQUIRED CORE COURSES
ENGLISH ENGLISH-6 Full Year (Course number: 1006) English-6 provides instruction in the English Language Arts strands identified by the Nevada Academic English Standards in the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking and language. This course is designed to build knowledge and critical-thinking skills through close reading of texts; writing to support claims, to clarify ideas, and/or to develop ideas; and a range of collaborative discussions. Writing tasks emphasizing the development of specific writing types; arguments, informative/ explanatory texts, and narratives. Students will be exposed to a variety of literature and informational text utilized to deepen their ability to analyze, evaluate, and critique text independently. Students actively seek to understand other perspectives and cultures through reading and listening. Technology is used thoughtfully to enhance and integrate reading, writing, speaking, listening and language use. 6th grade students will use Springboard, level 1, a nationally recognized Pre-Advanced Placement resource book, as the main focus of this class. Springboard activities are aligned with the Nevada Academic English Standards as well as the critical content of Douglas County. Students will each receive their own workbook at the beginning of the year.
SOCIAL STUDIES SOCIAL STUDIES/WORLD HISTORY-6 Full Year (Course number: 3060) World History-6 is an integrated language arts and social studies course focusing on ancient civilizations and the Middle Ages (Neolithic Revolution through 500 A.D.). Mythology and historical fiction are used to build critical reading skills and enhance the study of history. Students will explore various cultures, civilizations, customs and beliefs. Students practice critical thinking by interpreting primary sources and studying history through eyewitness accounts.
SCIENCE SCIENCE-6 Full Year (Course number: 4060) This one-year course is designed to integrate science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas from the life sciences, earth and space sciences, and the physical sciences. The topics covered in Science 6 include Earth’s Systems and Human Impact, Weather and Climate, Cells to Organisms, Energy and Matter, Body systems and Information Processing. Demonstrations and lab experiences that employ proper safety techniques and support the scientific inquiry process are a component of this course.
MATHEMATICS MATHEMATICS-6 Full Year (Course number: 2060) This course is designed to focus on four critical areas: 1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; 2) completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; 3) writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations; and 4) developing understanding of statistical thinking. The use of manipulatives, mathematical tools, and technology, including calculators and computer software, is an integral part of this course. CVMS 6th Course Catalog 2016-2017
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ELECTIVE WHEEL COURSES Students will participate in each of the electives indicated below. Students are assigned a different elective every nine weeks or quarter for the entire school year. For example: A student may have the following elective wheel rotation: Quarter 1: Quarter 2: Quarter 3: Quarter 4:
PE-6 Art-6 World Language-6 Logic-6
Or
Quarter 1: Quarter 2: Quarter 3: Quarter 4:
Art-6 World Language-6 Logic-6 PE-6
These wheel electives are taught by staff licensed, not specifically assigned to a 6th grade team, to teach in their area of expertise and are embedded into the student schedule.
Physical Education-6 Full Year/1 day/week (Course number: 5050) This portion of the 6th grade elective wheel focuses on the physical, mental, social and emotional development of the individual in a cooperative and competitive setting. The student will be provided with experiences in psychomotor skills and engage in movement and lifetime fitness. Students participate in team, individual, and dual sports as well as lifetime recreational activities. Health and wellness are explored through personal goal setting and self-evaluation. Rules, strategies, safety and life skills will be emphasized in relation to active participation and the development of becoming a knowledgeable spectator. Students are required to use the school P.E. uniform, allowing for freedom of movement and safe participation during physical education classes. *Students will be responsible for the uniform fee.
Visual Art-6 Full Year/1 day/week (Course number: 1060) This portion of the 6th grade elective wheel extend into the personal and academic development of each student. Visually literate students also develop the ability to concentrate, consider various points of view, problem solve, think critically, interpret visual media, works as a team member, and work on a task until completion.
World Language-6 Full Year/1 day/week (Course number: 3155) This portion of the 6th grade elective wheel introduces to the richness of the Spanish language and the diversity of cultures that can be found in the countries where Spanish is spoken. Students learn basic vocabulary and introductory grammar through songs, games, and the use of simple sentences. Students will work to develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing correct Spanish.
Logic-6 Full Year/1 day/week (Course number: 8501) This portion of the 6th grade elective wheel explores the Socratic Method where students learn to ask the important questions, instead of relying on their teachers to ask them. Activities include describing shapes, and words; following directions; antonyms and synonyms; analogy; parts of a whole; mapping and directionality; logical connectives; pattern folding; tracking, rotation, and reflection; mental manipulation of two dimensional objects; deductive reasoning; denotation/ connotation; following directions; map skills; time ranking; degree of meaning; logical connectives; flowcharts; parts of a whole; branching diagrams; analogy; congruence; etc.
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ELECTIVE COURSE OPTION Enollment in Band-6 year-long elective course at the expense of IN-TEAM elective
*Based upon student enrollment and staff availability.
Band-6 Full Year (Course number: 6077) This Band-6 course is open to all 6th grade students who want to play an instrument. Previous experience in band is not required. This course applies basic fundamentals of music and specific performance techniques to the instrument being studied. Much emphasis will be placed on reading music and general musicianship. This group will perform in several concerts throughout the school year. Students will be required to attend these performances as they are a part of the class grade. This course will help to prepare students for future placement in Intermediate, Advanced bands in the 7th and 8th grades. Participation in this Band-6 elective replaces the “In-Team” elective embedded into the student schedule.
ADDITIONAL CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITY Placement in all core subjects will be based on student need, academic readiness and MAP assessments. ESSENTIAL LITERACY-6 Full Year (Course number: TBD) This course is a reading intervention program designed to raise the reading levels and increase reading proficiency of struggling readers. Read-180 was developed to support middle schools in their efforts to create long-term reading success for students. This program features teacher-led instruction combined with adaptive computer based instructional software, systematic direct instruction in reading skills, and reading materials that motivate and engage the middle school student. Students are placed in this class according to their spring reading MAP scores. This course (based on availability) is recommended for any student who has a reading RIT below 205. This Literacy-6 class will augment reading instruction done in the 6th grade classroom.
SPECIAL EDUCATION This program serves students in the least restrictive environment through co-taught classes and cooperative/collaborative support in the general education setting as well as support in resource rooms and specialized programs. The educational goal for special needs students is to maximize participation with their peers and exposure to the general education curriculum in an effort to improve learning. Each student’s I.E.P. guides the instructional program and is implemented and supported by all administrative, special and support staff. Co-teaching of general education classes by general education and special education instructors benefit all students at Carson Valley Middle School.
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Carson Valley Middle School Academic Flowchart 2016-2017
Non-Discrimination Policy The Douglas County School District Board of Trustees supports equal educational opportunity for students free from discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin (Board Policy No. 103). This concept of equal opportunity serves as a guide for staff in making decisions relating to school facilities; and selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. In support of this policy and in compliance with the requirements of federal law, no student will be required to attend mandatory meetings solely based on the student’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
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CODE OF HONOR Nevada Department of Education There is a clear expectation that all students will perform academic tasks with honor and integrity, with the support of parents, staff, faculty, administration, and the community. The learning process requires students to think, process, organize, and create their own ideas. Throughout this process, students gain knowledge, self-respect, and ownership in the work that they do. These qualities provide a solid foundation for life skills, impacting people positively throughout their lives. Cheating and plagiarism violate the fundamental learning process and compromise personal integrity and one’s honor. Students demonstrate academic honesty and integrity by not cheating, plagiarizing, or using information unethically in any way. What is cheating? Cheating or academic dishonesty can take many forms, but always involves the improper taking of information from and/or giving of information to another student, individual, or other source. Examples of cheating can include, but are not limited to: Taking or copying answers on an examination or any other assignment from another student or other source Giving answers on an examination or any other assignment to another student Copying assignments that are turned in as original work Collaborating on exams, assignments, papers, and/or projects without specific teacher permission Allowing others to do the research or writing for an assigned paper Using unauthorized electronic devices Falsifying data or lab results, including changing grades electronically What is plagiarism? Plagiarism is a common form of cheating or academic dishonesty in the school setting. It is representing another person’s works or ideas as your own without giving credit to the proper source and submitting it for any purpose. Examples of plagiarism can include, but are not limited to: Submitting someone else’s work, such as published sources in part or whole, as your own without giving credit to the source Turning in purchased papers or papers from the Internet written by someone else Representing another person’s artistic or scholarly works such as musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, drawings, or paintings as your own Helping others plagiarize by giving them your work All stakeholders have a responsibility in maintaining academic honesty. Educators must provide the tools and teach the concepts that afford students the knowledge to understand the characteristics of cheating and plagiarism. Parents must support their students in making good decisions relative to completing coursework assignments and taking exams. Students must produce work that is theirs alone, recognizing the importance of thinking for themselves and learning independently, when that is the nature of the assignment. Adhering to the Code of Honor for the purposes of academic honesty promotes an essential skill that goes beyond the school environment. Honesty and integrity are useful and valuable traits impacting one’s life. Questions or concerns regarding the consequences associated with a violation of the Code of Honor may be directed towards your child’s school administration and/or the school district.
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Welcome to Carson Valley Middle School This is your 6th grade registration form Name (please print): ________________________ 5th grade School: __________________________________ All fifth grade students zoned for Carson Valley Middle School are automatically enrolled in six different class periods. One from each of the following content areas indicated below:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Content Area Course name English ...................................................... English 6 (#1006) Social Studies ........................................... Social Studies/World History 6 (#3060) Science ..................................................... Science 6 (#4060) Mathematics ............................................. Math 6 (#2060) Elective Wheel includes ............................ PE, Art, World Language, Logic “Homeroom” ....................................... Enrichment/remediation content to include, but not limited to, technology, financial literacy, thematic projects, guest speakers, etc. This enhancement to the classroom curriculium is taught by your core teachers.
Exeption to the rule: Band elective option in grade 6 will supercede homeroom: If beginning band is selected as an additional elective, beginning band replaces the “homeroom” instructional component. These components are also integrated into the core content throughout the day.
6th GRADE ELECTIVE COURSES* *Based upon student enrollment and staff availability Choose electives from the table below. Place an “X” in the yellow cell indicating your selection. Your band selection will replace the “value-added” time offered by your core teacher. You will participate in the elective wheel and band if beginning band is chosen. Band is a year-long commitment at the beginning of each day.
Year-Long Course Beginning Band, 1 Year-Long, Course #6077 If you selected band as an elective, did you participate in band at any time in 5 th grade or are currently in 5th grade band?
YES_ NO__
YES, you must return your registration form even if you are NOT taking band. Thank You!
Student Signature
CVMS 6th Course Catalog 2016-2017
Parent Signature
Date
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