E.N. Peirce Middle School Course Selection Meeting 6th and 7th grade Parents January 25, 2022 Dr. Philip Matilla
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E.N. Peirce Middle School
Course Selection Meeting
6th and 7th grade Parents
January 25, 2022
Dr. Philip Matilla
Middle School Course Description
Guide Distribution
• Will be pushed out on student laptops
• Also available on the WCASD and
Peirce website
https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/6623
Course Selection Timeline
February 1 through February 11 Teacher recommendation window
February 14 through February 25 Student and parent course selection weeks
Course selections may be viewed on the
Parent Portal. All requests to change
March 7 through March 18 course selections and/or recommendations
must be submitted to Ms. DeMarco or Ms.
Behlin during this window.
March 23 Course change deadline Course change deadline - Course level
– Course level waiver waiver recommendations require
recommendations administrative approval beyond this date.
February 1st – 11th ➢ Teacher Recommendation Window ➢ Teachers will make recommendations for English, Math, Reading/World Language, Science (7th grade teachers only), and Social Studies (7th grade teachers only)
Middle School Leveling ➢ Leveling in the core courses of English (6th – 8th grade), Reading (6th & 7th grade), Mathematics (6th – 8th grade), Science and Social Studies (8th grade only) ➢ Three different levels designed to challenge students based on their learning ability and needs ➢ Rigor level descriptors closely align to WCASD high schools’ rigor levels
Middle School Leveling
Grade Level Honors Accelerated Honors
➢ Students who can ➢ Students who can ➢ Students who can
learn at a learn enriched learn advanced
continuous pace content at a content at an
➢ Courses provide challenging pace accelerated pace
essential skills & ➢ Rigorous grade ➢ Rigorous
content level curriculum curriculum that
knowledge ➢ Collaborative, extends beyond
aligned to grade guided, & self- grade level
level standards directed learning ➢ Collaborative &
➢ Collaborative & through a variety self-directed
guided learning of instructional learning through a
through a variety activities and variety of
of instructional assessments instructional
activities and activities and
assessments assessments
Academic Course Recommendation Process for
6th and 7th Grade Students in 2022-2023
➢ 6th Grade Academic Teachers in the areas of Reading, Math, and
English will make recommendations for students for 7th Grade.
➢ 7th Grade Academic Teachers in the areas of Math, English, Science,
Social Studies (History), and World Language (if applicable) will make
recommendations for students for 8th Grade.
➢ For both students/parents going to 7th and 8th grade, these academic
recommendations will be able to be viewed online beginning February 14th.
➢ If students/parents choose to follow these recommendations, then nothing further
is required.
➢ If students/parents would like to change courses from what was recommended, a
Course Change Form must be submitted to the school counselor.
Placement Decisions ➢ Placement of students into appropriate courses is an important factor that contributes to student success. ➢ Multiple data points: PSSA, student performance in class (report card grades), and teacher recommendations. ➢ Additional assessment data may be considered should any be available for individual students.
Courses where no student
selection is necessary
7th Grade 8th Grade
➢ 7th Grade Health ➢ 8th Grade Health
➢ 7th Grade Phys Ed ➢ 8th Grade Phys Ed
➢ Art 7
➢ Computer Science 7
➢ Energy/Comm. Tech
➢ FCS 7
7th Grade Recommendations (current 6th grade students)
English 7th Grade Courses ➢ English 7 Accelerated Honors ➢ English 7 Honors ➢ English 7 Grade Level
Mathematics 7th Grade Courses ➢ Algebra 1 Accelerated Honors ➢ Mathematics 7 Honors ➢ Mathematics 7 Grade Level ➢ Math Plus 7 (2-day class during Unified Arts)
Science 7th Grade Courses ➢ No levels in 7th grade ➢ Leveled in 8th grade ONLY (two levels)
Social Studies (History) 7th Grade Courses ➢ No levels in 7th grade ➢ Leveled in 8th grade ONLY (two levels)
Reading OR World Language ➢ 7th grade is students’ last official year to take reading and build upon comprehension skills and practice reading strategies. ➢ Students will be recommended for either Reading or a World Language. ➢ If recommended for a World Language, students may still choose to take a Reading Class instead. ➢ Reading Courses: Reading Through Time 7 Honors, Reading Through Time 7 Grade Level, or Reading Plus 7 ➢ World Language: Spanish 1 or French 1
Reading OR World Language
IMPORTANT!
➢ If recommended for Reading:
➢ You will see a Reading class listed as part of the schedule
when you view recommendations (do not select a World
Language)
➢ If NOT recommended for Reading:
➢ Select either French 1, Spanish 1, or Reading Through Time 7
HonorsWorld Language ➢ Spanish 1 or French 1 ➢ High-proficient or advanced in reading PSSA in 5th and 6th grades (when test scores are available) ➢ Grades of As and Bs in English and Reading classes in 6th grade.
Reading ➢ Reading Through Time Students will apply reading skills and strategies developed in this class in all content areas. ➢ Reading Plus Provides intense, formal reading intervention by a reading specialist. Students who are required to take this course will be selected based on need as determined by multiple criteria.
8th Grade Recommendations (current 7th grade students)
English 8th Grade Courses ➢ English 8 Accelerated Honors ➢ English 8 Honors ➢ English 8 Grade Level
Mathematics 8th Grade Courses ➢ Geometry 8 ➢ Algebra 1- Grade 8 ➢ Pre-Algebra 8 ➢ Math Plus 8 (2-day class during Unified Arts)
Science
8th Grade Courses
➢ Leveled in 8th grade ONLY (two levels)
➢ 7th Grade Teachers will complete
recommendations
➢ Course Options:
➢ Science 8 Honors
➢ Science 8 Grade LevelSocial Studies (History)
8th Grade Courses
➢ Leveled in 8th grade ONLY (two levels)
➢ 7th Grade Teachers will complete
recommendations
➢ Course Options:
➢ US History (1787-1914) Honors
➢ US History (1787-1914) Grade LevelReading and Writing for Life
Grade Level or
World LanguageReading and Writing for Life Grade Level
➢ Apply reading strategies for non-fiction and fiction
text
➢ Develop critical thinking skills and analysis of text
➢ Develop note-taking techniques to locate essential
information
➢ Develop inquiry and research skills
➢ Increase vocabulary from reading a variety of genre
and academic vocabulary from content area subjects8th grade World Language choices ➢ French 1 ➢ Spanish 1 ➢ German 1 ➢ Italian 1 ➢ Latin 1 ➢ French 2 ➢ Spanish 2
7 th Grade Schedule
Sample 7th Grade Schedule
Seven full periods plus lunch
1. English
2. American History
3. Unified Arts
4. Unified Arts
5. Lunch
6. Science
7. Reading Through Time OR World Language
8. Math7th Grade Unified Arts
UA Period #1 UA Period #2
2-Day year long 6-Day Quarterly
classes Classes
➢ Health ➢ Art
➢ P.E. ➢ Computer Science
➢ *Music (Band 7, Chorus 7, ➢ Family and Consumer
Orchestra 7 OR Classroom Sciences
Music 7) ➢ Technology
Education
*Students must choose a music class.Performing Music ➢ All rising 7th Grade students must select a music class: Classroom Music 7 OR a Performing Music-Chorus 7, Band 7, or Orchestra 7 ➢ Students in Chorus 7, Band 7, and Orchestra 7 will perform individually, in small groups, and in an ensemble. ➢ Students in all music classes will receive a grade. ➢ Students in a performing music class must have an interest in improving their singing or playing an instrument.
8 th Grade Schedule
Sample 8th Grade Schedule
Seven full periods plus lunch
1. Unified Arts
2. Unified Arts
3. English
4. Reading and Writing for Life Grade Level or World
Language
5. Science
6. Lunch
7. Math
8. U.S. History8th Grade Unified Arts Course Selection
UA Period 1 (6-day Quarterly Class)
Arts and Humanities Technology
➢ Choose 2 + 1 Alternate ➢ Choose 2 + 1 Alternate
➢ Art in 2-D ➢ Culture, Cuisine,
➢ Art in 3-D Connections
➢ Family, Food, Finance ➢ Transportation
➢ Popular Music Engineering, and Design
➢ Guitar ➢ Sustainable Design
➢ Innovative Coding
➢ Junior EntrepreneurUA Period 2 (2-day classes)
Option A Option B
➢ Health 8 (2 days all year) ➢ Health 8 (2 days all year)
➢ PE 8 (2 days all year) ➢ PE 8 (2 days all year)
➢ AND AND
➢ Performing Music (2 days ➢ “Tech Ed Courses” Option
(each class is 2 days for a
all year)
➢ Chorus 8, Band 8, or
quarter)
➢ *Teen Impact (Q1)
Orchestra 8
➢ *Intro to Internet/Web Design
(Q2)
➢ *Design for the Real World
(Q3)
➢ *Digital Media Creator (Q4)
*(order of courses may vary)8th Grade Unified Arts
UA Period #1 UA Period #2
2-Day classes 6-Day Quarterly Classes
➢ Two quarters of these Arts and
➢ Health (yearlong class) Humanities Electives
➢ P.E. (yearlong class) ➢ Art in 2-D
➢ Performing Music (yearlong ➢ Art in 3-D
➢ Family, Food, Finance
class) OR “Tech Ed Courses” ➢ Popular Music
Option (each class is 2 days for ➢ Guitar
a quarter) ➢ Two quarters of these Technology
➢ Teen Impact Electives
➢ Intro to Internet/Web Design ➢ Culture, Cuisine, Connections
➢ Design for the Real World ➢ Transportation Engineering, and
Design
➢ Digital Media Creator
➢ Sustainable Design
➢ Innovative Coding
➢ Junior Entrepreneur8th Grade Music
Performing Music
Band 8, Chorus 8, and Orchestra 8
➢ These are for people who want to perform with a group and give concerts
in those groups. They function the same way they did in 6th and 7th grade.
➢ They are elective, meaning they are not required. However, if you have
been in these groups, we encourage you to stay in them.
➢ Concert Chorale for next year is auditioned at the end of this year and is
your homeroom for 8th grade. Orchestra, Band, and Chorus students
can do this.
➢ It may be possible for students to be enrolled in more than one performing
music in 8th grade.8th Grade Music
Music Electives
➢ 8th Grade Music Electives - Marking Period Courses that meet 6
days per cycle
➢ Guitar
➢ Popular Music
➢ Any student can sign up for one or both of these.
➢ Students can take these courses in addition to Band 8, Chorus 8,
and Orchestra 8.
➢ Example: An 8th Grade Band student can also be enrolled in
Guitar and Popular Music.Course Selection Procedure
February 14th – 25th
6th Grade Students/Parents 7th Grade Students/Parents
➢ View teacher recommendations ➢ View teacher recommendations from
from content area classes content area classes
➢ If not recommended for Reading,
➢ If not recommended for select a World Language or the
Reading, select a World Reading and Writing for Life Grade
Language or Reading Through Level class
Time 7 Honors ➢ Select a music (Chorus 8, Band 8,
➢ Select a music: Orchestra 8)
OR
➢ Chorus 7, Band 7, *Tech Ed Courses Option
Orchestra 7 or Classroom ➢ Select 4 Unified Arts classes (and two
Music 7 alternates)
*See following slides for more
informationCourse Selection Screens
Course Selection Screens (example is 7th grade)
Course Selection Screens (example is 7th grade)
Course Selection Screens (example is 7th grade)
Course Selection Screens (example is 8th grade)
Course Selection Screens
(example is 8th grade- continued
from previous slide)Course Selection Screens (example is 8th grade)
Course Selection Screens (example is 8th grade)
Special Education Students &
the Course Selection Process
➢ Regular Education teachers will make
recommendations for special education students
in their classes.
➢ Special Education students will be able to view
these recommendations on-line.Special Education Students &
the Course Selection Process
➢ IEP needs of each student is paramount and may
exclude Special Education students from taking
requested Unified Arts classes.
➢ Special Education students should still request
their preferred Unified Arts Electives.March 7th – March 18th ➢ Review recommendations on-line ➢ Submit any course change requests by using a Course Request Form found in the main office or on the Peirce website ➢ A few days after submitting a course change, check to see that the changes are reflected online ➢ If after a few days the changes are not reflected online, students should see their school counselor or Dr. Matilla
Course Waiver Form
March 23rd
DEADLINE FOR
Course Level Change Waivers and
Elective CoursesCourse Selection Timeline Recap
February 1 through February 11 Teacher recommendation window
February 14 through February 25 Student and parent course selection weeks
Course selections may be viewed on the
Parent Portal. All requests to change
March 7 through March 18 course selections and/or recommendations
must be submitted to Ms. Behlin or Ms.
DeMarco during this window.
March 23 Course change deadline Course change deadline - Course level
– Course level waiver waiver recommendations require
recommendations administrative approval beyond this date.Where to view course recommendations
and make course selections
Important!
To view recommendations and select classes,
you MUST use your Parent Portal account.
➢ Access the WCASD Website at http://www.wcasd.net
➢ There you will be able to access the Parent Portal link and get to
the Parent Portal sign-in pageParent Portal HELP Need to Create an Account or Add a Child? Call Ms. Shanyse Hill (Peirce Attendance Secretary) for assistance at 484-266-2518 or shill@wcasd.net Lost User Name or Password? On Parent Portal parent sign in page, click on “Forgot User Name or Password.” Enter your email address, the system will email your credentials so you can log in to the Parent Portal.
Who will I contact if I have a question?
Building Scheduler
Dr. Matilla Please contact the office if
you have any questions!
484-266-2503
pmatilla@wcasd.net
6th Grade Counselor
Ms. DeMarco
484-266-2511
cdemarco@wcasd.net
7th Grade Counselor
Ms. Behlin
484-266-2512
abehlin@wcasd.net
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