Idaho City Middle School Middle School Course Description Booklet |
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Mar 11, 2010 |
| ICMS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS For School Year 2008-2009 Welcome The faculty, staff and administration would like to welcome you to Idaho City Middle School. The information contained in this booklet is designed to acquaint you with our school and school policies so that your educational needs can best be met. Please take this opportunity to read through the booklet. Address any questions to the school counselor. Middle School students have seven classes each day. The day begins at 8:15 and ends at 3:18 PM (see Summer News Letter for details). Breakfast All students receive free breakfast. You may bring lunch from home or purchase lunch at school for $2.20. Free or reduced lunch forms will be available to fill out during registration (see Summer News Letter for times and dates). Student Supplies/Fees The student registration fee is $20 for the year. Fees may also be charged for athletic events/participation and some electives. Attendance School board policy requires 90% attendance. All absences must be excused by phone or in writing within 48 hours of the absence. If you know you will be absent for more than two days, please request your work ahead of time. Any student missing more than nine (9) days in one semester must petition for credit. Appeals for credit are granted on an individual basis based on extenuating circumstances and must be submitted with verification of absences within ten days of notification. Truancy A truancy is any absence from class without knowledge and permission of parent and/or school authority or classroom teacher; leaving school without permission, after reporting to school; leaving class without permission; or absences, even with approval of parents, which are excessive and/or interfere with the student’s educational program. Consequences for truancy are outlined in the student handbook. Tardy Students are considered tardy if they are late for school in the morning or late for any class during the day. Students who check-in late because they slept-in or missed the bus are considered tardy. Students who are more than 10 minutes late to any class will be counted absent for that class. (A complete attendance policy can be found in the student handbook). Students will earn a lunch detention for being tardy to class. Student Classes Middle school students will be enrolled in seven classes each year.
Cheating Students involved in cheating will be subject to the rules of the classroom teacher regarding cheating and/or may be referred to the principal for disciplinary action. Plagiarism is considered cheating. The following are also prohibited:
Code of Conduct It is our goal to meet the educational needs of every child by working with parents and the community. It is our philosophy that this goal is best met in an atmosphere of reasonable control and safety. Closed Campus Students in Idaho City Middle School have closed campus. This means that once students arrive on campus in the morning they must stay on campus until school is out for the day, unless a parent/guardian checks them out during the day. Students who live in Idaho City can request a lunch pass only if a parent is home during the day. Dress Code Students who wear inappropriate clothing to school will be asked to remove or cover the article. Inappropriate clothing includes:
Emergency Closing If school is going to be canceled due to snow, ice, or other emergency, an announcement of the closure will be on local radio and television stations. In addition, a call tree will be activated using the most current call list. Student Expectations Students are expected to support the learning environment with safe and orderly behavior. These are examples of desired behaviors:
After School Activities Idaho City Middle School offers a variety of sports (football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, and track) for student participation. All students are encouraged to try out for the sport or sports of their choice. You can pick up an activity packet in the office. A sports physical is required every two years. Other school activities include choir, band, cheerleading, after school art, and tutoring. Students can purchase tickets to ride the activity bus. Homework The faculty recognizes the value of extending learning opportunities for students and endorses the concept of assigned and monitored homework in all subjects of the curriculum. Homework serves to help the student learn study skills, as well as creates a sense of personal responsibility for the learner’s own education. Honor Roll An honor roll will be published on the bulletin board across from the office and in the Idaho World at the end of each quarter for those students with a 3.0 or better. To make the Honor Roll a student must have a 3.0 to 3.49; High Honors is between 3.5-3.74; Highest Honors is between 3.75 and 4.0. National Junior Honor Society Students who meet the academic guidelines of a consistent 3.5 GPA will be asked to apply to NJHS. Students who apply will have to interview for acceptance. Induction into NJHS takes place during the Academic Awards Ceremony at the end of each year. Internet Use Students will need to sign an Internet agreement before accessing school computers, agreeing to not intentionally visit inappropriate sites. Caution to parents: Staff members will make every effort to monitor student access to the internet, and block inappropriate sites. Medication Idaho City HS/MS does not provide any medication. If you with to have prescription drugs administered at school, contact the office personnel for the proper procedure. Students may not carry prescription medications with them. Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent/Teacher conferences are held each fall to review current progress and ISAT goals. In addition, teachers can be contacted via e-mail by teacher last name, first initial@ sd072.k12.id.us. Required Information for New Students In accordance with state and local policy, new students must present certain information to enroll:
Report Cards and Progress Reports Progress reports are sent home mid-nine weeks; report cards are sent home quarterly. Consult the district calendar to obtain exact dates. Telephone Use The office phones are business phones and should be used by students for emergencies only. There is a pay phone available in the cafeteria for student use. Student messages from home will be delivered between classes, at lunch, or after school; students will not be called out of class to take phone calls. Testing Middle school students will take the Idaho Scholastic Aptitude Test (ISAT) twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Winter testing is optional. In addition, seventh graders will take the Direct Writing Assessment (DWA) and eighth graders will take the Direct Math Assessment (DMA) annually. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is administered every two years to fourth and/or eighth grade students. Valuables Students are encouraged to leave their valuables at home. Middle school students do not have lockers. Valuables include money, CDs, CD players, or any other valuables that might be stolen. Visitors All visitors are required to check in at the office. Parents are encouraged to call if requesting to see a teacher. Appointments can be set up before school, after school, or during teacher planning periods. Students from other schools (even prior students) must obtain permission to visit from the building principal. New High School Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2013 The Idaho State Legislature passed new high school requirements beginning with the class of 2013. The new rules require that all graduating students:
Course Descriptions 7TH GRADE All seventh graders are required to take English, reading, life science, geography, math, and a combination physical education/health class; most 7 th graders will also take a study skills class. All classes are yearlong. State Standards can be viewed on the state website under Power Standards by grade and subject: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/ContentStandards/default.asp Course: 7th Grade English Content: Seventh grade English will include the study of basic grammar rules. Students will work on perfecting spelling skills and expanding vocabulary. They will incorporate a variety of elements in writing. Students will spend time writing paragraphs, short stories and essays. The class will include the study and analysis of literature. Text and Materials: Grading Procedure: Tests=100 points; Essays, Short stories=100 points; Quizzes=50 pints; Homework=25 points Course: Middle School Reading Content: In middle school reading, we will concentrate on improving reading fluency, improving comprehension, defining characteristics of a variety of literary genres, identifying a variety of literary devices, and writing book reports. Text and Materials: Prentice Hall Literature, Level 7 and Level 8 Grading Procedure: Grading is based on tests, timed reading, comprehension, and book reports Course: Mathematics 7 (Students will be placed in math classes commensurate with their ability) 7th Grade Math Content: Students review their knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals. Problem solving, equations, inequalities, exponents and proportions and geometry are stressed. This course provides a strong foundation for Pre-Algebra. Text and Materials: Text and supplementary ISAT materials. Grading Procedure: Students will be graded on class work, homework and chapter tests. Course: Life Science 7 Content: Students will focus on unifying concepts of science, concepts of scientific inquiry, technology and personal and social perspectives. Text and Materials: textbook and supplementary ISAT materials Grading Procedure: Students will be graded on daily work and chapter tests. Course: Geography 7 Content: This full year course includes the study of geography in regards to the 5 themes of geography; location, place, movement, human-environment interaction, and regions. These themes are applied to the continents of North America, South America, Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Antarctica. Text and Materials: Classroom set of Geography books and supplemental maps. Course: Physical Education/Health Content: Content: Students will develop skills to make responsible decisions in the social, mental and physical aspects of life and the concept of wellness using cooperative learning activities and decision making skills. Grading Procedure: Students will be graded on participation and the ability to get along with others. Course: Study Skills Content: The Success 4 Students curriculum is laid out in a series of topical lessons each of which builds on what came before. Content includes organizing the daily planner, listening and paraphrasing, memory skills, note taking, prioritizing and decision making, increasing reading speed, how to study, critical and creative thinking skills, test-taking strategies, and communicating through writing. There will also be time (with support) for daily homework. Text: Success 4 Students 8TH GRADE All eighth graders are required to take English, reading, earth science, world history, math, and two classes on the exploratory wheel. All classes are yearlong. State Standards can be viewed on the state website under Power Standards by grade and subject: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/ContentStandards/default.asp Course: 8th Grade English Content: Eight graders will continue to spend time perfecting the grammar and mechanics of writing. Writing will emphasize demonstrating skill and conventions according to purpose and audience. Strengthening spelling and vocabulary skills will continue this year. Emphasis will be placed on expository writing. Text and Materials: Grading Procedure: Tests=100 points; Writing assignments=100 points; Quizzes=50 points; Homework-25 points Course: Reading 8 Content: In middle school reading, we will concentrate on improving reading fluency, improving comprehension, defining characteristics of a variety of literary genres, identifying a variety of literary devices, and writing book reports Text and Materials: Prentice Hall Literature, Level 7 and Level 8 Grading Procedure: Grading is based on tests, timed reading, comprehension, and book reports. Course: Pre-Algebra 8 (Students will be placed in math classes commensurate with their ability) Content: This course focuses on algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, factors, fractions, exponents, proportions, linear functions and graphing. Students will learn geometric formulas, probability and data analysis. Text and Materials: Texbook and supplementary ISAT materials Grading Procedure: Students will be graded on class work, homework and chapter tests. Course: World History 8 Content: This course is a chronological survey of World history from prehistoric time to the Renaissance. The first semester includes the study of ancient civilizations along the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates, Indus, and Yellow Rivers, concluding with the study of Greece. The second semester covers Rome and the medieval period. Students use course material to compare and contrast historical conflicts, technological advances, geography, and key figures throughout history. Text and Materials: Classroom set of Textbooks with supplemental worksheets Grading Procedure: Grading is on a Scale of A – F, determined by daily grades and chapter test scores. Course: Earth Science 8 Content: Earth Science is a survey course examining the Earth and its place in the universe. Emphasis is placed on the formation of the Earth, its structure and the forces that continually change it. Identification of landforms and the use of topographic maps are also stressed. Title: Earth Science (1994) Grading Procedure: Emphasis placed on lab work, projects, and tests. Exploratory Wheel Eighth graders will experience a variety of visual and performance activities by rotating through future elective classes. Classes are semester long. Students will be asked to put Exploratory classes may include:
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