7 th Grade Orientation 2014

1. Midland Park Jr./Sr. High School 7th Grade Orientation 2014

2. Agenda 7th & 8thGrade: Philosophy Program Activities Transition Guided Tours of MPHS MPHS Peer Leaders

3. Our Philosophy of Education • Our Philosophy • To develop well rounded young men and women who not only expand their knowledge, but more importantly, hone the necessary skills that will allow them to be successful in what they choose to do. Skills • We want all our students to know how to… • Think (divergent) • Research • Collaborate • Be efficient • Be Punctual/Timely • Self Reflect • Speak/Advocate • Create • Work hard (work ethic) • Be Resilient / Adapt CEO’s identified these skills as the most important attributes for their employees.

4. How do we build skills? • 21st Century Learning Skills • Making real world connections in learning through media and technology, with a focus on collaboration and creativity to come up with an end product • PBL’s (Problem Based Learning) • Students identify a problem and use resources to come up with a solution/ explanation

5. Philosophy (cont.) The Middle School is NOT the High School “ I will care for these students personally, listen to their voices, respect their concerns, and engage them in meaningful educational experiences.” International Center for Leadership in Education • The Team Approach • MS Teachers engage in weekly academic inquiry teams, which allows time to… • Identify/act on individual student needs • Coordinate testing/project schedules • Develop interdisciplinary curricula • Set up Parent Meetings

6. 7th & 8th Grade Program Core Classes • English • Math • Social Studies • Science • Physical Education/Health * English & Math honors inception 3 years ago • Electives • Band • Chorus • Exploratory Classes(Marking Period Classes) • Reading Lab • Writing Lab • Math Lab • Technology (7th Grade) • Art (8th Grade)

7. English 7 • Reading: • Long & short fiction/non-fiction • Edgar Allen Poe (Author Study) • Novels: • My brother Sam is Dead • The Outsiders • Holocaust Literature • Writing: • Persuasive, expository, creative, analytical writing • Constructing Thesis statements • Projects: • Interdisciplinary Research Paper • Non-Fiction book report • Field Trip to Pax Amicus Castle to see performance of Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories

8. English 8 • Focus on Grammar & Vocab • NJASK Preparation • Literature: • The Giver, by Lowry • Of Mice & Men, by Steinbeck • Expanding the Writing Process • Persuasive Writing • Ancient Greece Research Paper (interdisciplinary) • Skills: • Character Analysis • Theme Identification • Interpreting figurative language • Development of writing skills • The Giver Project: (students have options) • Create instagram poster with hashtags that connect to pictures • Scrapbooking • Comic Strip • Write a children’s book

9. US History 7 Ancient World History 8 • Native Americans through Reconstruction with a concentration on: • People over time • Formation of Country & Government • Expansion to Civil War • Skills: • Perspective- understanding events from multiple points of view • Analysis- the WHY of history • Reading for Understanding • Communication • Technology • Project Example: • Scrap Book: • Focus from colonists perspective • Focus from a British Loyalist • Retelling events from a news reporter perspective • Ancient World history from prehistory to the Renaissance • Skills: • Research and Analysis • Development of thesis statements • Showing support for thesis through research/documents • Assignments: • Election campaign for Hindu God • Research paper on Ancient Greece (with English) • Creating a Roman Newspaper • News/public service announcements about breaking events of the Middle Ages

10. Math 7 Math 8 • Content: • Algebraic Reasoning • Operations • Solving Equations • Rates,Ratio’s & Proportions • Similar & Congruent figures • Scale Drawings/Models • Graphs & Coordinate Planes • Percent’s & Basic Geometry • Perimeter and Area of Polygons • Experimental/Theoretical Probability • Skills: • Problem solving and application of content • Projects: • Scale drawing: (create life size Barbie) • Content • Pre-Algebra/Algebra I • Geometry & Percentages • Probability & Statistics • Skills • Number Sense & Mental Math (A LOT) • Assignments: • Percentage/interest rate project • Tessellation drawings • Focus on small group activities throughout year “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

11. MATH HONORS The content for the honors courses are rigorous and fast paced. The courses are designed to enrich the curricula to prepare students for higher level math courses in high school PRE-ALGEBRA Honors (7TH GRADE) Algebra I Honors (8th Grade) • Faster paced and more in depth. Some content is similar to Math 7 with the addition of… • Pythagorean Theorem • Slope and Graphing of lines using slope intercept • Area, Circumference & Volume • Probability & data analysis • Cover core Algebra 1 content, including some early Algebra II. • Discussions initiate the “Why’s” of algebra concepts to develop deeper understanding • Content focuses on solving complex linear equations, graphing and factoring polynomials

12. Marker Chromatography Life Science 7 Physical Science 8 • Focus on different domains and kingdoms of living things; • cells • bacteria, viruses and disease • cell division and reproduction • genetics and natural selection • Skills: • Focus on critical thinking and scientific writing (writing backed up by evidence) • Project Examples: • Public Service pamphlet promoting vaccination for a particular disease • SCAN- web tool that develops critical thinking, argument development, and writing skills. • Focus on… • Safety, Culture, History • Science & Technology • Matter & Chemical Reactions • Earth’s Properties & Materials • Processes that shape the earth • Earth, Moon, & Sun System • Skills • Habits of Mind • Inquiry • Problem Solving • Activity Examples: • Alka-Seltzer Lab • Marker Chromatography Lab

13. World Language French • Introduction to the French language and culture through authentic sources (video, podcasts,  magazines)  • Teaching fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading, & writing through interactive, fun activities • Building "personal connections" through a pen-pal exchange • Using the Language Lab to hone interpersonal and interpretive skills • Extra-curricular activities, such as the French Club; the French movie night - this Tuesday at 6 pm

14. World Language (cont.) Spanish 7 • Introduction to the Spanish Language and Culture • Communicate in real life situations • Cultural experience of Spanish speaking world • Fundamental skills • Utilize Language Lab Spanish 8 • Increase Proficiency in the Spanish language • Able to use grammar and vocabulary correctly • Appreciation and acceptance of the heritages and cultures of the Spanish speaking world • Utilize Language Lab

15. Physical Education and Health Physical Education Health 7 • Focus on fitness, cooperation, and participation • Students learn to work together • Increase physical fitness • P90X • Weight room • Introduced to many activities and games • Get their own gym locker • Interactive curriculum consists of… • Fitness • Nutrition • Hygiene • Character Education • Career Education

16. Exploratories • Offered to students not taking band • Concentrate on reading, writing, and math skills • Projects may be linked to core classes • Includes preparation for standardized testing • Focused on project based instruction

17. SHIP Program Secondary Hearing Impaired Program • Collaborative Classes with a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing • FM systems • CART (Communication Access Real Time Translation) • Important part of the Midland Park School District

18. For more information… The Middle School Program of Study can be found on the MPHS website http://www.mpsnj.org In the Academic Section under Programs of Study

19. Guidance/Assistance Counselors Guidance Counselors Student Assistance Counselor • Same Counselor 7-12 (Know you child/family) • Ms. Millman – A-Le • Ms. Simon – Li-Z • Liaison for Parents, Students, & Teachers • Help students prepare for their future (college) • Serve as academic advisor • Available to meet confidentially with students individually or in small groups • Promotes positive self esteem and wellness • Promotes healthy friendships and relationships • Provides substance abuse education and prevention

20. 7/8th Grade Extra Curricular Activities Clubs & Activities • Student Government • Color Guard/Marching Band & Concert Band • Musical • French/Spanish Club • Library Club • Homework Club • MS Newspaper • Poetry Club • Science Club • Ski Club • Stage Crew • REACT Club • Chess Club Sports • Fall • Boys/Girls Soccer • Volleyball • Cross Country • Winter • Boys/Girls Basketball • Wrestling • Spring • Baseball • Softball • Track & Field

21. Clubs (cont.) Newspaper Club • Panther Paws • MS students collaborate to produce a newspaper, they: • Pitch articles • Research • Write • Take pictures • Edit • Design lay out Marching/Concert Band • Dedicated individuals travel all over to perform and compete: • Syracuse (Championship) • Long Island • The Intrepid (NYC) • Battery Park (NYC) • Disneyland, CA

22. Clubs (Cont.) Ski Club • Run by Mr. Peters & Mr. Hershberger • Tuesday trips to Mountain Creek • 20+ Students attend • Bussed to Location Dramatics • Musical is open to 7-12th graders • Cast of 45 students • 4 performances in March (21st-23rd) • This year’s Musical: • Young Frankenstein

23. Junior High Athletics Midland Park sustains a successful Jr. High Athletic Program that supports 10 sports teams. We believe this helps the transition to the very competitive high school athletic programs • Bussing to and from events • Follow the rules of the NJSIAA • Uniforms supplied • Practice 3-4 days per week • Access to Athletic Trainer • Certified coaches that are in district • Many are/were successful varsity coaches as well 2013 State Sectional Champions: Juniors & Seniors played on the 7/8th team

24. Transition What to expect Helpful Tips • Departmentalized Classes • More Electives • More Independence • More Responsibility • Continued Accountability • Attendance (12 Absences) • Tardies (detention) • Retention/Summer School • Be Organized • (develop a system) • Write down HW • Seek Help • Utilize PowerSchool • Come to School • Get involved in activity(s) • Most of All: Do the Right Thing

25. The More Information-The Better www.mpsnj.org District Website • Register to receive E-Blasts (District Website) • Utilize district website to get information on: • Sports • Clubs/Activities • Board of Ed. Policies (etc.) • Curriculum • Faculty contact information • And more…. • Student Handbook (every students gets one- Thanks PTA) • Get involved in the school… Student Handbook

26. Thank-You for Attending Please listen for details regarding the building tours