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_{The Middle Years:   What to expect in 6th grade at ACCESS Academy}

• _{How long is each period?} 
• _{Generally about 52-55 minutes}
• _{How many periods a day?} 
• _Six
• _{What are sixth grade classes?}  
• _{Core Classes: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Language Enrichment (Spanish & Chinese), Physical Education & Enrichment (Science & Technology)}
• _{How do electives work? Choices? Semester? Quarter?} 
• _{"Electives" generally refer to non-core classes that students get to choose.  Due to the rigidness of the ACCESS Middle School schedule centered around Walk-to-Math placements and a limited staff size, we offer "Enrichments" where students are placed in classes based on the availability within the Master Schedule.  In 2017-18, we project to offer two language "enrichments" to 6th Graders, each a semester in length (Chinese & Spanish) and two quarter long enrichments (Bike Elective and Technology-Computer Science/Digital Imaging)}
• _{What is homeroom like?} 
• _{Homeroom is identified as the time middle school students are to receive general all school announcements and information flyers such as SCRIP order forms, After School Enrichment papers, etc.  Homeroom is often scheduled at the beginning of the school day but fluctuates depending on the schedule needs of the school on any given year.}
• _{What about lockers?} 
• _{Lockers are assigned during the beginning of the school year through the student's homeroom class. Lockers are a helpful place to store larger textbooks needed in class, binders, extra school supplies, and lunches.  While many students carry their backpacks to each class, it is often much easier on students to "lighten their load" by placing materials for afternoon classes in their locker until the passing time following lunch.}
• _{Passing time?} 
• _{Passing time between classes at ACCESS Academy is typically around 3-4 minutes since our classrooms are relatively close together.}
• _Homework? 
• _{Homework loads will vary per class, per teacher, and per subject.} 
• _{You should expect about 3-5 hours a week.}
• _{What is class time like? Workshops? Lectures with note taking?} 
• _{Each class, teacher, and subject will vary in the structure of the class.  Generally speaking, middle school students are expected to become more proficient at note-taking over their time in middle school. Some classes focus more on bigger projects using various methods to demonstrate learning: building a project, investigative science or math labs, video and music projects, play productions, posters, etc.}
• _{Any clubs?} 
• _{There are multiple clubs around school including:}  
• _{Battle of the Books}
• _{Game Club}
• _{Feminist Union}
• _{Math Competition groups (AMC 8, Perennial Math, MathCounts)}
• _{SAGA (Sexuality And Gender Acceptance/Appreciation)}
• _{Chess Club}
• _{Science Bowl}
• _{Extra responsibilities?} 
• _{Arriving to and transitioning from classes on time}
• _{Being ready to learn at the beginning of class, including having homework assignments complete, notebooks and pencils ready to work, and listening for instructions from teachers}
• _{Opportunities to earn high school credits in different subject areas}
• _{Higher expectations to be a role model for younger students around school}
• _{Help in organizing various school activities, including Haunted House, Renaissance Faire, Awards Ceremony, etc.}
• _{Specific grade level trips?} 
• _{6th Graders participate in the overnight Outdoor School program in the Spring}
• _{7th Graders participate in a 2-3 Day Maker Faire experience (not overnight)}
• _{8th Graders participate in multiple activities and field trips throughout the year connected with different classes}
• _Teachers? 
• _{Chinese: Ms. Yun}
• _{Language Arts teachers: Ms. McBride, Ms. Kelly, and a yet-to-be- announced teacher}
• _{Mathematics: Ms. MacKinnon, Mr. Lanners, and Mr. Johnson.} 
• _{P.E. & Health: Mr. Kreuz}
• _{Social Studies: Ms. Kelly, Ms. McBride, and a yet-to-be-announced teacher}
• _{Science: Mr. Garcia, Mr. Lanners}
• _{Spanish: Profe Salmon}