All middle schools will implement an A/B day schedule, which involves organizing the school day into larger units of time. Students will meet half of their classes for 90 minutes each on one day and the remaining four of their classes on the following school day. There are many benefits when implementing these schedules. Some middle schools will double block math and literacy, which will meet every day. In a block schedule, the number of class changes is reduced and teachers are better able to plan extended lessons that engage students as active learners. Homework is better balanced because fewer classes meet on a given day than in a 45-minute schedule. Students also perform at higher levels of achievement when they focus on fewer classes. The A/B Day Schedule is printed on page 67.

A teaching position, which serves as a support to other teachers, is known as an academic facilitator. The academic facilitator is familiar with all areas of the state curriculum and assists in designing lessons, analyzing assessments, providing resources which support the state guidelines, leading and facilitating on-site professional development activities in the instructional area. The academic facilitator works with the classroom teacher(s) to develop rigorous, accelerated curriculum and identify effective instructional strategies for use in the areas of math, literacy, science and social studies. The academic facilitator models lessons, observes lessons and provides instructional feedback through collaboration and consultation.

The advisor/advisee programs provide a smaller ratio of students to a staff member to help with learning and to provide a forum for academic advice. A staff member meets with a group of students daily andbecomes an advocate for these advisees. The advisor’s role may include making suggestions about course selections or monitoring academic progress. Time may be spent in administrative procedures, such as taking attendance or collecting fees; however, it also includes time for interpersonal skills to be developed. Intramurals are frequently scheduled during A/A time. The advisor may refer students who may benefit from counseling to the school counselor.

Block/flexible scheduling involves the organization of the school day into large units of time that may be utilized in varied and productive ways by the school staff.

Character Education is encouraged in the development and use of character traits which promote a safe and healthy community. The traits being emphasized throughout CMS are caring, cooperation, citizenship, honesty, justice and fairness, perseverance, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness and work ethic. As part of the emphasis on citizenship, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited each morning.

Common planning time is a regularly scheduled time during the school day in which a given team of teachers who are responsible for the same group of students are available for joint planning, parent conferencing or lesson preparation.

Literacy, mathematics, science and social studies make up the core classes.

Differentiation is the process of varying teaching strategies, learner outcomes, methods of assessing progress and performance expectations to accommodate and reflect differences in the student’s learning.

Early adolescence is defined as the stage of development between the ages of 10-14 when students begin to experience puberty.

Exploratories are regularly scheduled curriculum experiences designed to help students discover and/or examine learning related to their changing needs, aptitudes and interests. These are often referred to as the “wheel” or mini-classes.

A heterogeneous grouping of students does not divide learners solely on the basis of ability or academic achievement.

A homogeneous grouping of students divides learners on the basis of specific levels of ability or achievement.

Instruction that integrates and combines subject matter ordinarily taught separately into a single organizational structure is known as “Interdisciplinary Activities.”

Instructional organizations formed by two to six teachers representing varied disciplines who pool their resources, interests, expertise and knowledge of students to jointly take the responsibility for meeting educational needs of a common group of students are known as Interdisciplinary Teams.

Interscholastic activities are athletic activities or events that primarily foster competition between different schools and school Districts.

Intrascholastic or Intramural athletic activities or events that are held within the school day (and within the school) for the purpose of encouraging all students to participate regardless of athletic ability.