Middle Years Scholars Program Handbook  

(In addition to this handbook, all MYSP students will receive a middle school handbook published by the Springfield school district. It includes a citizenship standards form that must be signed by the student and parent and returned to school. The district handbook includes the discipline policy as well as dress code, calendars, and other important information. Parents are encouraged to keep it as well as the MYSP Handbook in a readily accessible area.)

Program Mission, Vision, and Goals

The mission of the Middle Years Scholars Program is to provide highly gifted middle school students with appropriate academic opportunities and a cohort of intellectual peers.

The Middle Years Scholars Program will support the transition of each profoundly gifted student from a heavily supported learning environment to a more independent and academically rigorous one, through the use of specially designed courses and resources unique to a high school setting.

MYSP Goals:

Students will improve oral and written communication.

Students will actively develop critical, creative, and organizational thinking skills.

Students will improve performance on MAP through integration of content standards into curriculum.

Students will develop the ability to design, research, and present independent projects.

Students will match needs, interests, and abilities through placement in appropriate high school courses.

The staff will increase awareness among Central faculty and staff of the goals of the Middle Years Scholars Program and the needs of profoundly gifted students.

Orientation

Formal orientation for all MYSP students will be scheduled in August before school starts. Schedules, lockers, ID pictures, and other important information will passed out at this time.

Course descriptions and syllabus

Courses offered in the high school are described in a booklet titled, “New Horizons.” Every student in the Middle Years Scholars Program will receive a current copy of this booklet as part of the scheduling process.

MYSP Communication Arts (6th grade)

The sixth grade Communication Arts class is designed to not only help students learn and practice the skills needed to become effective, superior students but also to instill a love for literature and learning throughout life. This class is a stepping stone to seventh and eighth grade Communication Arts. By practicing and becoming proficient in note-taking, oral speaking, research, and writing skills, as well as reading different types of literature, the student will gain the confidence that is necessary to insure clarity and understanding in this age of global communication. Students will learn to read for comprehension through the explication of literacy structure, metaphor, and language, to write creatively and critically using proper grammar, syntax, and spelling, and to express themselves verbally in formal and informal speaking situations. The class will focus on developing the basic techniques of communication through the study of literature (essays, poetry, drama, fiction, non-fiction, etc.), writing assignments (essays, poetry, technical information, fiction, biography, etc.), and speaking assignments (information, persuasive, inspirational, etc.).

MYSP Communication Arts (7th grade)

This course will focus on furthering students’ skills in visual, verbal, and written communication of ideas and feelings. Students will gain an understanding of different styles of communication through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. They will have the opportunity to compare and contrast a variety of works as well as create and critique their own individual projects. Students will also continue to develop their skills in critical reading, critical writing, organization, and thinking skills through literature and research.

MYSP Communication Arts (8th grade)

The study of humanities involves those branches of knowledge concerned with human beings and culture which include philosophy, literature, and the fine arts. The arts will serve as a vehicle by which students can learn thinking skills, and the understanding of self and others. Lecture and class discussions will establish the chronological evolution of political, philosophical, and artistic history. Oral presentations will give students the opportunity to share information as well as develop communication skills. Creative and academic writing assignments will add to the depth of the class discussions and develop writing and research skills.

MYSP Social Studies (6th grade) - World History

This social studies curriculum is based on the major instructional goals of Springfield Public Schools and the Missouri Department of Secondary Education grade level expectations. This course will concentrate on an historical and geographical study of Ancient Civilizations up to the Age of Exploration as well as the Eastern Hemisphere. The special needs of profoundly gifted students will be met through an assortment of methods including: acceleration of pace, increased depth and complexity of study, curriculum compacting, independent studies, cross curricular studies, and enrichment actiities. Students will be encouraged to reach the highest levels of Bloom's taxonomy of thinking skills: evaluation, synthesis and analysis.

Students will make connections between social studies and other disciplines including literature, art, and mathematics. They will also complete a semester study of Latin stems and vocabulary and participate in a research project designed for National History Day.

MYSP Social Studies (7th grade)

This course will focus on themes and issues in the social studies curriculum based on major instructional goals of Springfield Public Schools. This curriculum concentrates on a historical and geographical study of and the study of American history from the age of exploration to 1900. The special needs of profoundly gifted students will be met through an assortment of methods, including acceleration of pace, depth of study, curriculum compacting, independent studies, and enrichment activities. Students will be encouraged to reach the highest levels of Bloom's taxonomy of thinking skills: evaluation, synthesis and analysis. Seminar class is a supplement to Social Studies concentrating on contemporary issues such as global events, politics, and current local concerns.

MYSP Mathematics (6th grade)

Sixth grade mathematics in MYSP has as its primary goal the transition of our students from fifth grade math to readiness for Algebra I in a high school setting. The backbone of instruction is a seventh grade Pre-Algebra textbook, but the text is enriched and accelerated as appropriate. In addition, part of the curriculum is dedicated to the unique affective and cognitive needs of the gifted population.

MYSP Advanced Mathematics (6th grade)

The 6th grade Advanced Math class covers six selected chapters in the Middle School Math Course 2 during the first quarter. Then, starting with second quarter, the students complete Algebra I using the McDougal Littell Algebra Series. This is in preparation for honors geometry in 7th grade. In order to advance to honors geometry, a student must have a B or above in the class and 80% or better on the city-wide end-of-the-year algebra assessment.

Curriculum scope and sequence

Sixth graders are enrolled in 3 classes with Middle Years Scholars Program staff. These include: language arts, social studies, pre-algebra or algebra. Their high school courses are Environmental Chemistry and a choice of Art Fundamentals, MYSP Band, or MYSP Choir. MYSP Orchestra is also offerred.

Seventh graders enroll in two classes with our staff - language arts/seminar and social studies/seminar. In addition, they enroll in earth science honors, algebra or honors geometry, and various electives. These electives would include classes from all areas of the curriculum except physical education. Typically, MYSP students enroll in journalism, debate, electives in social studies or language arts, drama, choir, band, orchestra, keyboarding, I and II, broadcast media, IB Spanish I and II, IB French I and II,  and courses from the art and consumer and family studies.

Eighth graders enroll in one class with our staff - language arts/social studies/seminar (Humanities). Eighth grade MYSP students may also enroll in a science class, math class, usually a foreign language, and then select electives from the high school curriculum.

Exception: Students in the Middle Years Scholars Program do not enroll in the required high school language arts and social studies classes. MYSP students may not enroll in any IB classes restricted to juniors and seniors. Also, MYSP students do not enroll in health or P. E.

Physical Education/Health

MYSP students receive instruction in physical education and health in an integrated class taught by a certified teacher. The students receive sixty minutes of instruction per week in a mixed class of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.

Description of Affective Resources

Students in the MYSP continue to need support and direct instruction for social and emotional needs. The MYSP staff is trained in working with the social and emotional needs of gifted students. The counseling staff at Central and school district psychologists support the staff and students as needed..

The MYSP staff will include, as part of the MYSP curriculum, the affective curriculum developed at Phelps for middle school students.

Scheduling

Students entering sixth grade are required to take MYSP communication arts, math (pre-algebra and pre-algebra II or algebra), social studies,  art and Environmental Chemistry. They are assigned to classes during the Central scheduling process in the spring.

All students receive a copy of “The New Horizons”. Published every year, this booklet lists all the classes taught in the high schools and explains class requirements. It also provides an explanation of the grading system and honors system.

Students entering seventh or eighth grade are allowed to select many of their classes. Certain classes are not available to the MYSP student. The traditional high school language arts and social studies classes are not available because we provide our students with classes in those areas. Classes that require auditions (such as choir) may be limited by a student’s ability. Marching band is not encouraged because of out of town trips, extensive morning and summer practices. High School physical education classes are also not scheduled. A meeting of parents, students, a Central counselor and MYSP staff provides information and guidance in the scheduling process.

Seventh graders are required to take communication arts and social studies. They are expected to take earth science honors and the appropriate math class (usually algebra or honors geometry). They make these selections as well as the additional classes they would like to take in February.

Students entering eighth grade are required to take the MYSP Humanities class (communication arts). They are expected to take a science and math class. We encourage students to take a foreign language. They choose their classes plus alternates in February.

In late spring, the Central master schedule is finished and students are scheduled into their next year’s classes. Sometimes, due to class conflicts, students will not get their first choices and will need to make alternative selections. Every attempt is made to create a working schedule approved by students and parents by the end of school.

Students entering the ninth grade at Central will meet with their Central counselor to receive information about the high school schedule and recommendations of choices. Students will complete their choice sheet with their parents and return it to the Central counselor.

Students entering the ninth grade at another Springfield high school will need to arrange to meet with a counselor from that high school. The MYSP staff and Central counseling staff will assist by providing transcripts and any additional information that may not be needed by the high school students.

Assessment

Middle Years Scholars Program students are enrolled in the program based on evidence of advanced ability. The curriculum is therefore differentiated to provide the students with both an accelerated pace of instruction and enriched or alternative content and materials. While we are inclusive of the district’s instructional goals, they are contained in an academic framework much different than the one on which benchmarks are based. We do incorporate mastery of MIG’s in the scope of instruction, but how and when this occurs will be different and sometimes unique to each student.

Middle Years Scholars Program students do take the MAP in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Our 8th grade students take the Explore test. Additionally, many 7th grade students take the ACT/SAT as part of the Duke university TIP (Talent Identification Program). Students also participate in the district Algebra final. Ultimately, student performance is evaluated in their high school classes via grade and final exams.

Currently, over a 3 year period, Middle Years Scholars Program students will enroll in Middle Years Scholars Program classes including, communication arts, social studiies, pre-algebra/algebra, and humanities.. They will enroll in 14 high school classes. Some of the most powerful data for the program evaluation is the performance of MYSP students in these high school classes.

Grading

Students receive grades in both high school and MYSP classes. Grades are determined by performance on assignments, tests, projects, classroom activities, and attendance.

When students are enrolled in high school classes, their work is evaluated as if they were a high school student.

GPA

Springfield Public Schools encourages students to participate in a rigorous, challenging academic course of study. Honors classes, AP (Advanced Placement) classes, and certain other classes are designed to count toward a “weighted multiplier.” The number of designated classes that a student successfully completes in a school year determines a multiplier.

The students in the Middle Years Scholars Program will enroll in MYSP classes and high school classes. The high school classes they enroll in as part of MYSP are included in their high school GPA. Those classes that are weighted will count toward their freshman multiplier. At the end of their freshman year, all of their high school credits earned in the Middle Years Scholars Program and their freshman year will be multiplied by their multiplier to determine their class rank and GPA.

Dual transcript

Students enrolled in the Middle Years Scholars Program will receive a dual transcript. It includes MYSP classes which are not recorded for high school credit and high school classes. This information becomes part of their official high school transcript.

This information is valuable as a way to communicate to colleges and universities that these students participated in advanced classes before the traditional time.

Study Skills/Organizational Skills/Homework

During the 6th grade, the teachers and staff of the Middle Years Scholars Program will provide instruction in the areas of study skills and organizational skills. Parents, teachers, students, and staff will work as a team to develop and improve these building blocks which are very important to the students’ success in future high school and MYSP classes.

Students can expect at least an hour of homework each night. The assignments could be daily work, projects, tests, or papers. Many MYSP students, who learn quickly and perform tasks rapidly, have not had a significant amount of homework in earlier grades. Because they are receiving assignments designed for their academic level, they will need to reserve time at home for study and review. At first, parents may need to help by structuring a time and a place for these activities.