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Advanced English

Advanced English. What you need to know. A long time ago and Far away. When I was the Assistant Principal at Pine Lake Middle School…. Humanities Plus One extra novel Vocabulary at the next grade up Day Books. Present day and Location. PCMS opened in 2010.

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Advanced English

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  1. Advanced English What you need to know

  2. A long time ago and Far away • When I was the Assistant Principal at Pine Lake Middle School… • Humanities Plus • One extra novel • Vocabulary at the next grade up • Day Books

  3. Present day and Location • PCMS opened in 2010 • No clear and articulated vision of Humanities Plus • 6th and 7th grade teachers had not been plus teachers • Year long work with Plus teachers to strengthen the curriculum and the rigor.

  4. Previous pathway • Application at the end of 5th grade • Students who applied were rank ordered • Top 64 students in the program • Pro • High caliber of student • “block” teaching possible • Con • Inconsistent cut scores across district • Students moving in after April of 5th grade year were excluded

  5. Decision to change • Optimal high school experience project spoke directly to “access” • District mission to equity • Last example of seat assignment rather than skill set • Central decision • Feedback elicited for the implementation and suggested skills • Building decision • Implementation • Teacher assignment

  6. Why are we moving forward? 2013-14 2014-15 Changes to math pathway to address the new legislation in Common Core. • Changes to Humanities Plus • Changes to Health • (not for PCMS, but for other middle schools) We need to make manageable change… can’t do a great job with significant change in too many areas at once.

  7. New pathway • 432 on most recent Reading MSP • B+ or higher on most recent report card (English) • Writing assignments consistently at “A” quality • Excellent study habits • Summer reading required • High level thinking skills • Strong discussion skills • Complete list on district website • Pro • Greater access • Can continue to offer blocks • Con • Difficulty in scheduling/staffing • Might have some errors (students in wrong class)

  8. What to expect at PCMS • Block: our teachers are committed to teaching as much as possible in the block. • Rigor: I expect this class to be taught at the level it is now.. And maybe a little higher. • Social Studies: • While the social studies will not hold the designation of honors, advanced, or plus… • Good teaching dictates that you teach to the level of the students..

  9. Specifics! 7th grade Advanced English 7th grade Social Studies short response and essay questions on common assessments project based learning that is student driven, requiring student initiated tasks, student driven processes and varied end products extended reading in subject matter extended use of current events READING • advanced literary analysis: (example: The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Harrison Bergeron) • Great Books Socratic seminars • extended choice in reader’s workshop (example: dystopia;-Animal Farm, 1984 vs. the Hunger Games) WRITING • higher expectations of larger writing pieces (narrative, explanatory, research paper) • understanding of the fundamentals of grammar • ability to write longer pieces independently SKILLS • the ability to read longer and more complex materials at home • the ability to initiate and formalize longer writing pieces independently • the to learn new concepts and ideas quickly • the ability to initiate and complete work independently when working on project based learning • the ability to speak frequently in the class and give presentations • the ability to critically analyze literature • the maturity to deal with complex and controversial subject matter

  10. General Differences • Some differences in content • Level of sophistication and depth of analysis • Emphasis on higher level thinking skills • More project-based assignments and curriculum integration • Faster pace • And yes, a heavier work load

  11. 8th Grade Literature • Short Stories • Warriors Don’t Cry • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer • To Be a Slave • The Killer Angels • Biography of student’s choice

  12. 8th GradeAmerican Journey Project • Colonial America – Diary Entries • Revolutionary War – Newspaper • Constitution & Government – Conversation • Lewis and Clark – Personal Reflection • Westward Movement – Descriptive Writing • Native American Culture – Creative Writing • Civil War – Diary Entries

  13. How to register • Carefully review the self select guidelines • Select “Advanced English” on your registration paperwork • Note if you prefer a block, a split block or no preference

  14. Final Thoughts What I Expect What I Do NOT Expect Complaining about the workload Complaining about getting a B “Point Grubbing” or debating with your teacher over every point possible. • I can likely move up to 5 or 6 students who misjudge this class… not more, so please choose carefully. • I expect that we have more students who can really shine in an advanced class

  15. What you might find interesting • In our current 6th grade class, 16 students would not have made the mark on the self select guidelines. • This is very much like the model that I created while our school was PCFC. • I advocated to make this change now, especially after the science pathway 2 was announced last year. (and because of the math CCSS pressure for the following year)

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