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| Core Curriculum |
| We set rigorous standards for our middle school students. They are expected to complete a core curriculum and pass state and local tests and/or meet the standards of the 8th grade New Standards Reference Examinations. |
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| Every America's Choice middle-school student studies a core curriculum that includes: |
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Three years of English language arts focused on the deep study of selected authors and writing genres |
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Three years of math focused on the development of mathematical skills, problem-solving ability and the understanding of math concepts |
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Three years of science that includes using the New Standards® Portfolio Science System |
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Three years of social studies |
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Three years of selected courses from second languages, physical fitness/health, art, music, theater, or technology |
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| English Language Arts |
| Our English language arts classes use the America's Choice workshop format that gives students opportunities to read and write on their own, conference in small groups and come together for whole-class mini-lessons and oral presentations by teachers and students. See a workshop in progress by taking a video tour. |
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| Two features of our reading and writing programs are author studies and genre studies. These 25-day units of instruction lead students through a series of assignments designed to make them competent and independent readers and writers by immersing them in work of important authors and in different types of writing. |
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| Mathematics |
| In the 6th grade, we ensure students' understanding of arithmetic, fractions and decimals and lay the ground work for the study of algebra. Seventh graders study the equivalent of pre-algebra, while 8th graders study algebra. |
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| Most school districts have adopted commercial mathematics programs that stress broad coverage of math curricula rather than a deep understanding of key concepts. The America's Choice design helps teachers "prune and graft" these programs, subtracting from and adding to the material so they can focus on the key concepts that students need to learn in order to master algebra by the end of 8th grade. |
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| Schoolwide Features |
| The 25 Books Campaign |
| To encourage students to read widely on a variety of topics in a range of subject areas, and to help students acquire the vocabulary they need to be successful in high school, every America's Choice middle-school student is expected to read 25 books or book equivalents a year. |
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| Book-of-the-Month |
| Another America's Choice strategy for engaging students in reading is the Book-of-the-Month program. Nine or ten times a year principals select books celebrating hard work or other attribute that teachers read aloud to every student and then discuss in class. |
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| Class Teacher |
| In America's Choice middle schools teachers or teams of teachers stay with the same group of students for two or three years, getting to know their students very well. We call teachers who serve in these extended relationships with students Class Teachers. |
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| Safety Nets |
| America's Choice schools establish safety nets for students who enter 6th grade two or three years behind their peers, or who fall behind once they get to middle school. These range from double-period, year-long ramp-up courses developed by America's Choice professionals in reading and math to tutoring and intensive summer school programs that help students master the core curriculum. |
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| Continue to High Performance Management, Leadership and Organization… |
