Dorothy Hamm Middle School

Dorothy Hamm
Middle School

DOROTHY HAMM

       COURSE
    INFORMATION
       NIGHT
7TH & 8TH GRADE ACADEMIC PLANNING

WELCOME TO 2019-2020

Principal              Director of Counseling
Ellen Smith            Janae Rittenhouse
ellen.smith@apsva.us   janae.rittenhouse@apsva.us

AGENDA:

1.PLANNING LONG TERM

2.PLANNING NEXT YEAR

HIGH SCHOOL
 GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS

STANDARD DIPLOMA
9TH GRADE CLASS OF 2018-2019
        AND BEYOND

ADVANCED DIPLOMA
9TH GRADE CLASS OF 2018-2019 AND
            BEYOND

DIPLOMA OPTIONS

• Standard Diploma
   • 22 credits and 5 verified credits

• Advanced Studies Diploma
   • 26 credits and 5 verified credits

*Verified credit: received when a student passes the
Standards of Learning (SOL) test

HIGH SCHOOL COURSES
               FOR CREDIT

• A high school credit is earned by taking and
  passing a high school level class

• Students may begin earning high school credits
  in 7th grade

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL COURSES
 WHICH MAY BE TAKEN IN MIDDLE
       SCHOOL INCLUDE:
•High school languages can begin in 7th grade
•High school level math starts with Algebra I
•World Geography (8th grade Social Studies course)
•Investigating Computer Science (7th & 8th gr elective)
•Technology of Robotic Design (8th gr only elective)

HIGH SCHOOL COURSES FOR CREDIT

• Students planning to pursue an IB Diploma at W&L need
  to start a language in 7th (Spanish, French, Chinese, or
  Latin) & take Algebra I by 8th grade

• You will have the option at the end of each year to
  decline the credit AND the grade so that it is not
  included on the High School transcript or in the GPA

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

     • Important when considering language and math courses
     • Refer to WL’s website for additional information

• 7th and 8th grade students have 4 core classes:
  • English
  • Science
     • Life Science (7th grade)
     • Physical Science (8th grade)
  • Social Studies
     • U.S. History, Civics and Economics 1865 to the
       Present (7th grade)
     • World Geography (8th grade)
  • Math

CHOOSING CLASSES
                                            https://www.apsva.us/wp-
• Students will have two elective periods   content/uploads/2018/12/Middl
                                            e-School-POS-2019-20.pdf

• They may be filled with:
    • Two year long classes
    • OR
    • One year long class and two
      semester classes
    • OR
    • Four semester classes

YEAR LONG ELECTIVES
    World                     Other Year Long
  Languages                      Classes
   Classes
          Arabic              Investigating Computer Science*
                                 (Coding) *can’t take twice
         Chinese                   Robotics (8th gr only)

          Latin                         Journalism

          French                        Orchestra

         Spanish                           Band

Spanish for Fluent Speakers               Chorus

 American Sign Language                   Guitar

7TH GRADE SEMESTER ELECTIVES

  • Inventions and Innovations
  • Teen Living
  • Digital Input Technologies
  • Theatre Arts
  • Visual Arts I
  • Media Journalism

8TH GRADE SEMESTER ELECTIVES
• Computer Applications & Internet Technologies
• Digital Input Technologies
• Life Management
• Taking Charge
• Technological Systems
• Theater Arts (Drama)
• Visual Arts II

• TA (Teacher Advisory) assignment

• Team assignments
  • Balanced for gender and academic ability

• Supply lists online

• ~30 minute TA for teambuilding, study
  skills and social emotional learning

• Teachers available for support and
  primary advocates for students

• Every class except one and TA will meet
  every other day

• Classes are about 90 minutes per subject
  so longer time for deeper learning

• Reduces amount of classes per day and
  less transitions

• The school day ends at 2:24

• Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri
  After School Periods
  (ASP=After School Program)
   • ASP 1: 2:30-3:20
   • ASP 2: 3:25-4:10

• ACT II Classes
   • May include theatre, art, technology

• After School Clubs

• Sports

• Get involved!

Intramurals:                    Interscholastic:
   Do not require a physical      Students MUST have a
                                    current physical on file with
   Mondays, Tuesdays and           the Activities Coordinator
    Thursdays during ASP 2          (dated after May 1st)

   Drop in, no tryouts            Most sports require tryouts

WE LOOK
FORWARD
 TO NEXT
 SCHOOL
  YEAR!
   AND
 GETTING
 TO KNOW
 YOU ALL.