Middle Level Philosophy

							 Welcome to LOJ’s
Back to School Night
    Characteristics of Adolescents
Fastest and Greatest Growth Period in Life (except
infancy)
Extreme dissimilarity in development which has
significant impact on academic growth
Increasing capacity for conceptualization,
considering multiple-perspectives, and planning
steps to self-direct learning
Search for Personal Identity
Increasing Need for Peer Approval
      Student Activities and Interests
Guitar         Football        Choir
Violin         Baseball        Snow boarding
Cello          Cross country   Rollerblading
Saxophone      Basketball      Dirt bikes
Trumpet        Lacrosse        Ski Racing
Piano          Softball        Art
Upright base   Volleyball      Dance
Drumming       Surfing         Boy Scouts
Clarinet       Soccer          Cooking
Viola          Tennis          Horses
Trombone       Lego Robotics   Writing
Obo            Swimming        Drama
       Middle Level TAG
TAG is an identification, not a program
School/Classroom Based
Classroom Teachers
TAG Coordinators – One Period/Day
TAG Written Plans for each student
Scheduling
Flexible Grouping Strategies
Differentiation / Merit Choices
  Middle Level TAG Coordinator
Student Support and Assistance
Teacher Support and Assistance
Parent Support and Information
        Counselor Roles
Distribute TAG lists to teachers
Referrals and Identification
Differentiation
The student knows and understands the required
curriculum OR has demonstrated capacity to learn at a
different rate and level.
Means different to address the rate and level of learning,
not just more or in addition to the regular classroom
assignment / activity.           Concrete




                    Simple                     Complex




                                Abstract
   Academic Merit Program
          (AMP)
Purpose:
 To acknowledge students who
 choose to challenge themselves,
 even when it means going beyond
 the minimum required.
 Language Arts, Social Studies,
 Math, and Science
               Requirements
  B average in class
  Successful completion of at least 80% of
  challenge activities
  Receive an 80% or better on all academic
  merit assignments

Teachers will explain subject specific requirements
  in their own classrooms.
Commitment and Next Steps
 Trimester long       Commitment Form
 commitment;          is ONLINE on LOJ
 students will        TAG website
 recommit each        (paper copies by
 trimester
                      request in office)
 Trimester 1 Sign     Recognition on
 Up Forms are         report cards
 ONLINE, please
                      Recognition at team
 complete by Friday
 Sept. 25             assembly
      Classroom Electives
Foreign Language Courses
Advanced Writing
Seed - Space Exploration Engineering and
Design
Environmental Research
Art
Drama
Leadership (8th Grade)
Clubs
 Destination Imagination meets weekly to learn and
 promote problem -solving strategies
 The Geography Bee is held later in the fall, but sign-
 ups are now. This involves an oral test just like a
 Spelling Bee
 Math Club will begin this fall.
 Science Club will participate in the 2009 Science
 Bowl competition and work on science projects this
 spring
 Lego Robotics through LOJ (for 7th graders only) and
 The Community School
 Rotary Speech Contest occurs in the Spring
 Scrabble Club begins soon
Parent Involvement
 Website
 TAG Plan Input
 Encourage Students to Complete Merit
 Assignments
 Raising Minds with Superintendent Bill
 Korach in October: Informational Meeting
 Tuesday, September 29th , 7pm at LOHS
Keep your eyes open for …
 Raising Minds with Superintendent Bill
 Korach in October
 Parent input forms regarding Instructional
 Plans
 Student input and perspective
   7th Grade
   8th Grade
 Team Written Plans
What 7th grade students have said
about AMP:
“ It allows kids to go above and beyond and
  be rewarded for it.”
“It gives people a chance to strive farther.”
“I like how it is different work, not more
  work.”
“It’s optional so you are not forced to do it.”
“You can be more creative.”
“I like how we get to stretch our abilities.”
 What 8th grade students have said
 about AMP:

“It challenges people to think in a new
  way.”
“The Merit Program gets you ready for the
  challenges of high school.”
“Projects encourage deep thinking.”
“It helps make classes more interesting.”
“It challenges people to think in a new
  way.”