Pleasant Plains Middle School

Team 7

CORE 

Exploratory

& Encore

Learning Today, Tomorrow, For The Rest Of Your Life!

PLEASANT PLAINS MIDDLE SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Pleasant Plains Middle School practices a philosophy that focuses on students making a successful transition from the elementary school to the high school.  The Middle School is organized in a “school within a school” concept.  Each grade level (fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth) has its own area within the building.  Teachers are organized into teams whereby a group of teachers representing the core learning areas pool their expertise, interest and resources to serve their respective students.

Other key components of Team 7 are:

1. Exploratory classes designed to expose students to enrichment activities.

2. Core Curriculum

3. Encore Curriculum

4. An Advisory program in which a small group of students meet with one teacher daily.  This teacher serves as an advocate for his or her students.

Special Education Services

Pleasant Plains Middle School provides a full spectrum of special education services in partnership with the Sangamon Area Special Education District. 

CORE Curriculum

English Composition

· Grammar and Sentence Structure

· Vocabulary development

· Writing Modes:  Persuasive, Expository, Descriptive, and Narrative

· Research Project (autobiography)

· Speech

Literature

· Literary terms and reading for understanding and fluency

· Classic and Contemporary Novels

· Poetry

· Mythology

· Fables

· Folk Tales

· Drama

Science

· Scientific Method

· Chemistry

· Astronomy

· Meteorology

· Cells

· Heredity, and Genetics

· Monera (Bacteria) & Protista

· Classification

· Invertebrates

Social Science—World Awareness

· Five themes of Geography around the World (USA, Canada, Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Pacific Islands

· Current Events

· Geography

· People

· Government

· Economy

· Arts & Recreation

Mathematics

· (Traditional 7th Math) Teaching/Reviewing concepts pertaining to decimals and fractions, integers, geometry, percents, solving equations, and probability.

· (Pre-algebra) Teaching/Reviewing the concepts above, but using higher order thinking to solve critical thinking problems.  This is a fast paced class that essentially covers two years of math in one year.  This class prepares middle school students to take high school algebra during their 8th grade year.

Exploratory/Encore

Career Education

· Research career fields

· Resume Writing

· Interview and application skills

· Career Placement Test                 

Writers Workshop - This class encourages students to develop their writing skills for now and in the future.

· Creative Writing in a “non-graded” environment

· ISAT aligned writing standards

AYP Math - Review of basic math facts

· Explore “life” skills with math

· Homework Assistance (Re-teach and Review)

· Strengthen Problem Solving and Logic Skills

Newton’s Laws of Physics

· Roller-coasters

· Kelvin Crasher

· Crane Competition

· Meg-lev

Software 7 - Microsoft Power Point  is taught to introduce presentation skills for creating slide shows.

General Music - Students in grades 5-7 can build upon previous musical experiences by listening and performing.

· Piano keyboarding

· History of Music

· Study of musical notation

Choir - 7/8 grade students can explore their voices in performing with both small and large ensembles.  Students perform for local gatherings as well as organizational contests sponsored by IMEA, IESA, and SEMA.

7/8 Band - Performs at several concerts each year.  They participate in organizational contests and  play at many sporting events.  Students have the opportunity to perform at solo and ensemble contest and IMEA District Festival.

Jazz Band - This instrumental activity is extra-curricular.  They meet once a week before school all year.  They  perform at two concerts and  contests.

Scholastic Team - This is an academic team  that competes  as a member of the IESA.   Students in the 6-8 grade may try out for this team. 

Scholastic Team - This is an academic team  that competes  as a member of the IESA.   Students in the 6-8 grade may try out for this team.  The season lasts from January - May. 

Student Council -   Student Council is the elected student government and is responsible or various school functions and for charitable contributions to the school and the community.  Student Council helps with Veterans Day activities, arranges Angel Week, and raises funds for school and community needs. 

Physical Education - Physical fitness is a major portion of this class.  Students will participate in daily physical fitness to     improve individual fitness level; increase cardiovascular endurance and help develop a healthier lifestyle.

· Cardiovascular Fitness

· Team & Individual Sports

Grades 6-8 dress out for PE, including red shorts, royal blue shirt and tennis shoes. 5th grade students are required to wear tennis shoes daily.

Health - Students learn about who they are as a human being.

· Heredity and Environment

· Diseases, Medicines and CPR and Life Saving First Aid

· Illegal/Street Drugs

All-Stars (Encore) - Growing Up Safe.

· Illegal Drugs

· Stereotyping and Bullying

· Family Issues and Friendship

· Decision Making (Choices)

Prairie Creek Habitat is a seventeen acre outdoor classroom located adjacent to Pleasant Plains Middle School.  It   includes prairie, wetlands and trees.  This habitat is utilized by all grade levels to enhance lessons in many curricular areas.  Prairie Creek Habitat construction is completely funded by  government and private grants in addition to private donations.

Beta Club  -  Service organization that participates in school and community projects.

Yearbook - Students from all grade levels will assemble and edit our annual yearbook.

Art Exploratory - Emphasis on product design and expressive elements of art.

Art - Marriage of dramatic and visual arts in a comprehensive project in puppet making .   Study of the art of painting stressing nature.