5th Grade Transition Bulletin 2020
Bulletin - April 3, 2020
Dear 5th Grade Families,
I hope all of you are doing well and staying healthy. I will be sending a final 5th Grade Transition bulletin next week. We will be postponing our incoming 6th grade parent orientation that was scheduled for Thursday, April 23 from 6:00-8:00 at Julian Middle School. We will be rescheduling this event once there is more clarity related to our current situation with the pandemic.
This weekly transition bulletin includes information regarding the following topic:
- Technology
- STEM
- Math
Sincerely,
Dr. Todd T. Fitzgerald
Principal, Julian Middle School
[email protected]
District 97 Vision
Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will create a positive learning environment for all students that is equitable, inclusive and focused on the whole child.
TECHNOLOGY / STEM / MATH
Technology at Julian Middle School
Students at Julian Middle School are issued a Chromebook at the beginning of the school year upon the submission of appropriate agreements. Julian students use Chromebooks for in class note taking, collaboration, research, and project creation. Additionally, teachers provide supplemental work to support learning from various web-based programs. The Chromebook is also used to access certain online textbooks available to students. Applications such as Book Creator, Notability, Explain Everything, Socrative, Canvas, and GAFE (Google Apps for Education) are some of the most commonly used at Julian.
STEM / Design and Modeling Class
Sixth grade students take a Design and Modeling class for one trimester during the school year. This is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) class that focuses on the design process. This hands on experience introduces students to CAD (Computer Aided Design) software that is used by architects and engineers. As students progress through middle school, they also take a semester of robotics (7th Grade) and electronics (8th Grade).
Math at Julian Middle School
Math Courses
There are two Math courses provided to students in the 6th grade:
Math 7/8
Math 6/7
Summer Math Opportunities
Click here for more information about the summer math opportunities offered by D97 for incoming 6th grade students.
Math Placement
We typically have students take a math placement test designed by D97 math teachers that focuses on a combination of 5th and 6th grade Common Core State Standards. This assessment normally occurs in the spring and is used in combination with MAP scores to determine math placement for the next school year. If students are unable to take the math placement test and spring MAP assessment, we will use the Fall and Winter MAP tests from the 2019-2020 school year to determine math placement. The 6th grade math placement matrix reflects students taking both the math placement test and MAP assessments for the 19-20 school year. This will be modified if they are unable to complete all of these assessments as a result of the school closures and remote learning that is occurring for D97 students.
When will we learn about our student’s math placement?
Letters will be mailed home to families in July with math placement for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have questions about your student’s math placement, you should contact Dr. Fitzgerald.