FLOOD MIDDLE FLOOD MIDDLE SCHOOLSCHOOL

Honors Open HouseHonors Open House

Grades 7 & 8Grades 7 & 8

June 20, 2011June 20, 2011

• On April 27, 2009 an Honors Program On April 27, 2009 an Honors Program Pilot at Wooster Middle School was Pilot at Wooster Middle School was approved by the Stratford Board of approved by the Stratford Board of Education.Education.

• For the 2011-2012 school year the For the 2011-2012 school year the Stratford Board of Education Stratford Board of Education approved the Honors Program here approved the Honors Program here at Flood Middle School.at Flood Middle School.

Honors HistoryHonors History

• Students will be integrated with other Students will be integrated with other students during: students during: – Homeroom (Same Team/Different Classes)Homeroom (Same Team/Different Classes)– Physical Education/HealthPhysical Education/Health– Experiencing Music/Band/ChorusExperiencing Music/Band/Chorus– World LanguageWorld Language– FCS/Project Lead The Way/ArtFCS/Project Lead The Way/Art– Cafeteria/Assemblies/FLASH/Field TripsCafeteria/Assemblies/FLASH/Field Trips

Daily ScheduleDaily Schedule

Sample FMS Student Honors Sample FMS Student Honors ScheduleSchedule

11 Honors Language ArtsHonors Language Arts Music/Physical Music/Physical EducationEducation

22 Music/Physical EducationMusic/Physical Education Honors Language ArtsHonors Language Arts

33 Art/F&CSArt/F&CS Honors ScienceHonors Science

44 Honors ScienceHonors Science Honors AlgebraHonors Algebra

55 Honors Social StudiesHonors Social Studies World LanguageWorld Language

66 Honors Pre-AlgebraHonors Pre-Algebra Honors Social StudiesHonors Social Studies

77 World LanguageWorld Language PLTW/ArtPLTW/Art

Grade 7 Grade 8Period

HonorsHonorsLanguage ArtsLanguage Arts

Presented by Janet ZeinerPresented by Janet Zeiner

CurriculumCurriculumThe Honors Language Arts curriculum was The Honors Language Arts curriculum was

created:created:•based on the need for rigorous and enhanced units based on the need for rigorous and enhanced units for the for the

advanced learners of Flood Middle School.advanced learners of Flood Middle School.

•to model the high school curriculum, delving into to model the high school curriculum, delving into inquiry- inquiry-

based exploration of literary themes and real-world based exploration of literary themes and real-world

applications of the units.applications of the units.

•to ensure that honors students are challenged with to ensure that honors students are challenged with high high

academic expectations, and that they have the academic expectations, and that they have the opportunity opportunity

to creatively demonstrate their knowledge and to creatively demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of mastery of

the content and standards of the curriculum in a the content and standards of the curriculum in a meaningful meaningful

way.way.

Seventh GradeSeventh GradeThe 7The 7thth grade Honors Language Arts curriculum incorporates the skills grade Honors Language Arts curriculum incorporates the skills

necessary for advanced learning within thematic-based literature units.necessary for advanced learning within thematic-based literature units.

Enhancements to the regular curriculum which develop literacy Enhancements to the regular curriculum which develop literacy fluency and fluency and

2121stst century skills will include: century skills will include:

• PoetryPoetry – Images, Sounds, and Messages – Images, Sounds, and Messages

• Classical Poetry Classical Poetry (Shakespeare, Whitman, Frost)(Shakespeare, Whitman, Frost)

• Forms and Structures Forms and Structures (sonnet, haiku, free verse, concrete)(sonnet, haiku, free verse, concrete)

• Poetic Devices Poetic Devices (imagery, sounds, figures of speech)(imagery, sounds, figures of speech)

• Thematic Novel UnitsThematic Novel Units• Family and Social Structure: Family and Social Structure:

– The Prince and the Pauper –The Prince and the Pauper – Mark Twain Mark Twain

• Identity/Coming of AgeIdentity/Coming of Age– Jump the Cracks – Jump the Cracks – Stacey DeKeyserStacey DeKeyser

• Utopia/DystopiaUtopia/Dystopia– Life As We Knew It – Life As We Knew It – Susan Beth PfefferSusan Beth Pfeffer

Eighth GradeEighth GradeThe 8The 8thth grade Language Arts Honors curriculum builds upon the grade Language Arts Honors curriculum builds upon the foundations that were generated in the 7foundations that were generated in the 7thth grade. It incorporates grade. It incorporates

additional novels, plays, and performance tasks.additional novels, plays, and performance tasks.

Enhancements to the regular curriculum which develop Enhancements to the regular curriculum which develop literacy fluency and 21literacy fluency and 21stst century skills will include: century skills will include:

Overarching Literature-Based Theme of “A Study of Human Overarching Literature-Based Theme of “A Study of Human Nature”Nature”– Drama Unit:Drama Unit:

• The Tempest – The Tempest – William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

• A Raisin in the Sun – A Raisin in the Sun – Lorraine HansberryLorraine Hansberry

– Novel Unit:Novel Unit:• The Book Thief – The Book Thief – Martin ZusakMartin Zusak

• The Old Man and the Sea – The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest HemmingwayErnest Hemmingway

Honors Honors MathematicsMathematics

Presented by Susan SchultzPresented by Susan Schultz

Honors Pre-AlgebraHonors Pre-Algebra

• The Honors Pre-The Honors Pre-Algebra class uses Algebra class uses the same text as the same text as the other Pre-the other Pre-Algebra classesAlgebra classes

• The Pre-Algebra The Pre-Algebra curriculum includes curriculum includes 8 units 8 units

Pre-Algebra UnitsPre-Algebra Units

• Patterns in AlgebraPatterns in Algebra• Patterns in NumbersPatterns in Numbers• Ratio, Proportion and PercentageRatio, Proportion and Percentage• Side and Angle RelationshipsSide and Angle Relationships• Surface Area and VolumeSurface Area and Volume• Patterns and FunctionsPatterns and Functions• Making Decisions with StatisticsMaking Decisions with Statistics• Permutations and Combinations Permutations and Combinations

Honors Algebra IHonors Algebra I

• The Honors Algebra The Honors Algebra class uses the same class uses the same text as the other text as the other Algebra classes.Algebra classes.

• Honors Algebra Honors Algebra follows the same follows the same Honors level Honors level curriculum as the curriculum as the high school. high school.

Honors AlgebraHonors Algebra

This course introduces the student to the This course introduces the student to the language and fundamentals of Algebra and language and fundamentals of Algebra and the real number system. Students develop the real number system. Students develop an understanding of important concepts, an understanding of important concepts,

skills, procedures and ways of thinking and skills, procedures and ways of thinking and reasoning in Algebra. Students investigate reasoning in Algebra. Students investigate math concepts in everyday situations and math concepts in everyday situations and

develop mathematical skills through develop mathematical skills through investigations and projects.investigations and projects.

Algebra UnitsAlgebra Units• Unit 1: Unit 1: Tools of Algebra - Using variables and Tools of Algebra - Using variables and

real real numbers numbers

• Unit 2: Unit 2: Solving Equations – Solving multi-step Solving Equations – Solving multi-step equation with variablesequation with variables

• Unit 3:Unit 3: Proportion applicationsProportion applications

• Unit 4:Unit 4: Graphs and FunctionsGraphs and Functions

• Unit 5:Unit 5: Linear Equations – Working with slope Linear Equations – Working with slope and and equationsequations

• Unit 6:Unit 6: Exponential ReasoningExponential Reasoning

• Unit 7:Unit 7: Applying Math Properties to InequalitiesApplying Math Properties to Inequalities

• Unit 8:Unit 8: Systems of Equations and InequalitiesSystems of Equations and Inequalities

• Unit 9:Unit 9: Polynomials and FactoringPolynomials and Factoring

Honors Honors ScienceScience

Presented By Phil DiMeolaPresented By Phil DiMeola

77thth Grade Honors Science Grade Honors Science curriculum includes:curriculum includes:

• The entire regular 7The entire regular 7thth grade science grade science curriculum, with the addition of more curriculum, with the addition of more advanced content.advanced content.

• The addition of the standards from the The addition of the standards from the 99thth grade Studies in Science curriculum grade Studies in Science curriculum that fit into the curriculum.that fit into the curriculum.

• More rigorous and challenging More rigorous and challenging performance assessments, performance assessments, assignments, and advanced hands-on assignments, and advanced hands-on laboratory experiences and projects.laboratory experiences and projects.

Science ContinuedScience Continued• Human Body SystemsHuman Body Systems – focus on – focus on

skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems.and respiratory systems.

• Reproduction and HeredityReproduction and Heredity – focus on – focus on inherited traits, structure/importance of inherited traits, structure/importance of chromosomes, use of Punnett squares.chromosomes, use of Punnett squares.

• EcosystemsEcosystems – focus on populations and – focus on populations and the physical factors that affect them.the physical factors that affect them.

• Food-Borne Illnesses and Food Food-Borne Illnesses and Food PreservationPreservation

77thth Grade Honors Science includes Grade Honors Science includes everything from the previous slide, everything from the previous slide, with the addition of the following:with the addition of the following:

• Human Body Systems:Human Body Systems:– Enhanced topics:Enhanced topics: immune, nervous, immune, nervous,

endocrine systems, concentration on medical endocrine systems, concentration on medical conditions associated with each systemconditions associated with each system

– Scientific Literacy:Scientific Literacy: unit on novel, unit on novel, Code Code OrangeOrange (infectious diseases) (infectious diseases)

– Additional Performance AssessmentsAdditional Performance Assessments included with each body system, including lab included with each body system, including lab dissectiondissection

77thth Grade Science continued Grade Science continued

• Reproduction and HeredityReproduction and Heredity– Enhanced topics:Enhanced topics: structure of DNA/RNA, human structure of DNA/RNA, human

genetic disorders, biotechnology, cloninggenetic disorders, biotechnology, cloning– Enhanced Performance AssessmentsEnhanced Performance Assessments on on

karyotyping, genetic disorders, and biotechnologykaryotyping, genetic disorders, and biotechnology

• EcosystemsEcosystems - - Inclusion of the 9Inclusion of the 9thth Grade Studies in Grade Studies in Science standardsScience standards

• Cycles of Matter in Earth’s SystemsCycles of Matter in Earth’s Systems (carbon and (carbon and water cycle, solar energy)water cycle, solar energy)

• Human Environmental ImpactsHuman Environmental Impacts

• Embedded TasksEmbedded Tasks on Acid Rain and CT Brownfields on Acid Rain and CT Brownfields (landfills) – CAPT Tasks(landfills) – CAPT Tasks

88thth Grade Science Curriculum Grade Science Curriculum

• Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry

How scientists investigate problems and write up How scientists investigate problems and write up formal lab reports, designing experiments and formal lab reports, designing experiments and carrying them out with proper techniquescarrying them out with proper techniques

• EnergyEnergy

Types of energies and energy transformationsTypes of energies and energy transformations

• Study of MatterStudy of Matter

Structure of the atom, properties of the periodic Structure of the atom, properties of the periodic table including elements and compounds, table including elements and compounds, mixtures, properties of matter including densitymixtures, properties of matter including density

88thth Grade Continued Grade Continued

• Forces and MotionForces and Motion

Speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Circular motion and gravity. Motion, Circular motion and gravity. Embedded Embedded tasktask: Slipping and Sliding –friction: Slipping and Sliding –friction

• Bridges Bridges

Different types of and forces acting on bridges, Different types of and forces acting on bridges, and designing bridges.and designing bridges.

• Simple MachinesSimple Machines

6 types of machines, calculating work and power, 6 types of machines, calculating work and power, Mechanical Advantage and Mechanical EfficiencyMechanical Advantage and Mechanical Efficiency

88thth Grade Honors Curriculum Grade Honors Curriculum The following will be added:The following will be added:

• Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry Continuation of how scientists investigate problems, and more Continuation of how scientists investigate problems, and more

elaborately written lab reports, Analyzing and writing up literature elaborately written lab reports, Analyzing and writing up literature reviews, independent projects and designing more complicated reviews, independent projects and designing more complicated experiments. experiments.

• EnergyEnergy More intensive study of the More intensive study of the kinetic theorykinetic theory, that is, the way , that is, the way

molecules behave. molecules behave. Embedded TaskEmbedded Task: Solar Cookers : Solar Cookers • Energy SourcesEnergy Sources Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Embedded TaskEmbedded Task: : Energy Use in CTEnergy Use in CT• Chemical InteractionsChemical Interactions Ionic and Covalent bonding, ions, isotopes, acid and bases, and Ionic and Covalent bonding, ions, isotopes, acid and bases, and chemical reactionschemical reactions

88thth Grade HONORS CURRICULUM Grade HONORS CURRICULUM enhancements (continued)enhancements (continued)

• Organic and Inorganic Compounds/PolymersOrganic and Inorganic Compounds/Polymers

2 Embedded Tasks2 Embedded Tasks: Synthetic Polymers: Synthetic Polymers

• Electricity and MagnetismElectricity and Magnetism

Electrical charges, electric force, current and electric field. Study Electrical charges, electric force, current and electric field. Study

of conductors, insulators, superconductors and semiconductors of conductors, insulators, superconductors and semiconductors as as

well.well.

**Other independent projects, enrichment **Other independent projects, enrichment activities and labs will be added accordingly**activities and labs will be added accordingly**

HonorsHonorsSocial StudiesSocial Studies

Presented by Kevin SchockPresented by Kevin Schock

CURRICULUMCURRICULUM

The honors curriculum will consist of an American The honors curriculum will consist of an American history survey course that has geographic themes history survey course that has geographic themes and skills embedded throughout each unit. Grade and skills embedded throughout each unit. Grade

seven will cover Exploration through the Civil seven will cover Exploration through the Civil War era. Grade eight will continue with post-Civil War War era. Grade eight will continue with post-Civil War

through the modern era. through the modern era.

It will be designed to promote self-motivated It will be designed to promote self-motivated learning with the inclusion of independent learning with the inclusion of independent

research and information literacy projects. An research and information literacy projects. An inquiry-based approach, supplemented with primary source inquiry-based approach, supplemented with primary source

documents, will be used to documents, will be used to encourage critical thinking skills.encourage critical thinking skills.

77thth Grade GradeEnhancements for the grade seven curriculum include:Enhancements for the grade seven curriculum include:

• Document Based Questions (primary source analysis followed by an open- Document Based Questions (primary source analysis followed by an open- ended response) ended response)

• Redcoat’s guilt/innocence in the Boston MassacreRedcoat’s guilt/innocence in the Boston Massacre• Evaluation of the Fugitive Slave Act (1850)Evaluation of the Fugitive Slave Act (1850)

• Reflective writingReflective writing• Webquests related to periods of history and/or geographic Webquests related to periods of history and/or geographic themes and themes and skills (possible topics may include the Lewis and Clark expedition, Oregon skills (possible topics may include the Lewis and Clark expedition, Oregon Trail, and the Underground Railroad)Trail, and the Underground Railroad)• Possible incorporation of historical fiction Possible incorporation of historical fiction • Research/Information literacy projects on various topics related to the Research/Information literacy projects on various topics related to the curriculum with increased/exclusive reservations of the library media curriculum with increased/exclusive reservations of the library media centercenter• In-depth analysis, criticism, and synthesis of Constitutional amendmentsIn-depth analysis, criticism, and synthesis of Constitutional amendments• Geography infused thematic approach to course contentGeography infused thematic approach to course content

88thth Grade GradeEnhancements for the grade eight curriculum include:Enhancements for the grade eight curriculum include:

• Geography themes and connections infused throughout each unit.Geography themes and connections infused throughout each unit.

• Document-based Questions on various topics including the cause of World Document-based Questions on various topics including the cause of World

War I and the leaders of the Depression EraWar I and the leaders of the Depression Era

• Webquests related to periods of history and/or geographic themes and skills. Webquests related to periods of history and/or geographic themes and skills. Topics will include:Topics will include:

• Child labor in America’s past and in the world todayChild labor in America’s past and in the world today

• The impact of the Dust BowlThe impact of the Dust Bowl

• Major events during the Cold WarMajor events during the Cold War

• Information literacy projects with increased/exclusive library media center Information literacy projects with increased/exclusive library media center reservations focusing on different perspectives throughout the nation’s history. reservations focusing on different perspectives throughout the nation’s history. Topics to include:Topics to include:• The Immigrant ExperienceThe Immigrant Experience• Reform movements in American historyReform movements in American history• The impact of the New Deal on future generationsThe impact of the New Deal on future generations• 2020thth Century Conflicts Century Conflicts

• Student-centered discussionsStudent-centered discussions

• Technology-centered activitiesTechnology-centered activities includingincluding the ICONS project, creation of the ICONS project, creation of slideshows and resumes, and the use of reference material databases available slideshows and resumes, and the use of reference material databases available online via the Stratford Library and the Flood Middle School library media online via the Stratford Library and the Flood Middle School library media center.center.

University of Maryland ICONSUniversity of Maryland ICONSA web-based international decision-making environment A web-based international decision-making environment

with with dynamic role-playing simulations focused on critical dynamic role-playing simulations focused on critical

world issues.world issues.

““International Whaling Commission”International Whaling Commission”The students will represent ten different nations, each with The students will represent ten different nations, each with their own position and level of involvement in whaling issues. their own position and level of involvement in whaling issues. They will meet in this simulation to discuss a controversial They will meet in this simulation to discuss a controversial commercial whaling moratorium. Negotiations focus on commercial whaling moratorium. Negotiations focus on whether the current moratorium should continue, although whether the current moratorium should continue, although many countries have additional concerns. The ten roles in many countries have additional concerns. The ten roles in represent pro-whaling, anti-whaling, and neutral countries. A represent pro-whaling, anti-whaling, and neutral countries. A scenario is provided along with a private role sheet to give scenario is provided along with a private role sheet to give students additional information about their country’s position students additional information about their country’s position on the issue. This simulation includes an opportunity for on the issue. This simulation includes an opportunity for students to develop, debate, and vote on specific proposal students to develop, debate, and vote on specific proposal plans to address the issues in the scenario. Students will plans to address the issues in the scenario. Students will debate the issue in an online forum with students in the debate the issue in an online forum with students in the Honors program at Flood Middle School.Honors program at Flood Middle School.

ResearchResearch

• Honors Social Studies students will Honors Social Studies students will use the Stratford Public Schools use the Stratford Public Schools research problem-solving process to research problem-solving process to solve multiple information problems solve multiple information problems throughout the yearthroughout the year

Students WillStudents Will

• Evaluate currency, accuracy, relevancy, Evaluate currency, accuracy, relevancy, reliability, purpose, point of view and bias reliability, purpose, point of view and bias in print and non-print resourcesin print and non-print resources

• Synthesize accurate information from Synthesize accurate information from multiple resources and provide supporting multiple resources and provide supporting evidenceevidence

• Synthesize written, oral and visual Synthesize written, oral and visual products demonstrating knowledge products demonstrating knowledge gained through researchgained through research

Students will…Students will…

• Define tasks, frame questions and identify Define tasks, frame questions and identify information needs information needs

• Articulate the essential questionArticulate the essential question

• Differentiate between fact, opinion and Differentiate between fact, opinion and bias bias

• Develop more advanced search strategies Develop more advanced search strategies

• Record information in their own words Record information in their own words using appropriate formats and following using appropriate formats and following MLA guidelines for citing work MLA guidelines for citing work

Finally, Students willFinally, Students will

• Demonstrate ethical behavior when using Demonstrate ethical behavior when using technology and accessing networkstechnology and accessing networks

• Demonstrate and understand the concept Demonstrate and understand the concept of ownership of ideas and informationof ownership of ideas and information

• Apply MLA citation format to all research Apply MLA citation format to all research papers and apply MLA parenthetical papers and apply MLA parenthetical documentation to all research papers documentation to all research papers

Study SkillsStudy Skills

• Study Skills are taught in all classes Study Skills are taught in all classes and are important for student and are important for student success.success.

• They Include: note taking, active They Include: note taking, active listening, test/quiz study skills, listening, test/quiz study skills, organization, outlining and other organization, outlining and other strategies.strategies.

HomeworkHomework

• Students should expect daily Students should expect daily homework during the week. This homework during the week. This may include: skill reinforcement, may include: skill reinforcement, studying, long term project work, studying, long term project work, writing assignments, reading writing assignments, reading assignments, question answers, lab assignments, question answers, lab write-ups, or other assignments.write-ups, or other assignments.