INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION for SCHOOL YEAR 2014-2015 GRADE 6

Dear Parents, Middle School is a fun and exciting time for you and your child. The years of adolescence are a time for discovery and exploration when your child seeks to assert more independence yet continues to need adult guidance. The information provided in this letter outlines the grade 6 course options that are available to your child. Please read through the information with your child and spend some time in thoughtful discussion about the options. You can also visit the Middle School blog at http://ms.ism-online.org/ to view the Middle School Program Guide for additional information. Our belief is that students need a strong foundation in the core subjects and should have opportunities to explore specialist subjects. During the Middle School years we hope that your child will discover a new interest or deepen their understanding of a familiar interest. What courses are required? English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Wellness, Art and Drama are required. Students must also take at least one semester of a Music course. What is offered through the Modern Languages program? The course offerings are Chinese, French and Spanish. The courses are designed for non-native speakers, and students are strongly encouraged to study the same language throughout their Middle School years. Students whose language ability is beyond exploratory exposure and awareness (more than beginner skill level in reading, writing, listening and speaking) must select a language other than their home or dominant language. What is the Electives program? The Electives program is rich and varied in the Middle School, and the number of available options increases as your child moves through the different grade levels. An Elective class allows your child to explore a new subject or continue studying a subject or a skill that they have previously studied. Elective courses are either yearlong or semester long. After discussing the options with my child, what is the next step? With your child, please write their course choices in order of preference. Modern Language Course Offerings Modern Language Choices Chinese 1st Choice: French 2nd Choice: Spanish Please note that ESL, Learning Support level 2 and level 3 students are not required to take a Modern Language. Elective: Music Course Offerings Band 1st Year (no/limited experience) Band 2nd Year (one year or more experience) Strings 1st Year (no/limited experience) Strings 2nd Year (one year or more experience) Chorus (semester long) General Music (semester long) Music Course Choices 1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

If your child chose Chorus or General Music as an option, please select a second elective course: Elective Course Offerings PE Team Sports (semester long) IT iDesign (semester long) Elective Course Choices 1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

MS Course Registration Regular Program

My child and I have selected Modern Language and Elective Courses. What happens next? If your child is a returning ISM student, you should save the information. During the first week of March in a Modern Language class period, your child will input the choices using the online course registration system. If your child is a new student to ISM Middle School, this letter should be returned to the Middle School Guidance Office. What can I expect after the online course registration process is completed? After your child registers for courses, a confirmation letter will be sent to your email address on record and your childs ISM school address. Please review the information carefully. If you believe there is an error, please contact the Middle School Guidance Office. If there is no error, then your childs requested choices will be active in the system. What if my child wants to change a course preference after the course registration process is finished? In this situation, please call the Middle School Guidance Office so that one of the counselors can speak to you and discuss the situation. Every effort will be made to honor your childs Modern Language and Elective choices. However, class enrollment and program conflicts may be a determining factor in your childs final schedule. We cannot guarantee that your childs top choices will be scheduled. When are class schedules distributed? Your childs class schedule can be picked up three days prior to the first day of school in August. If this is not possible, the class schedule will be available in the Middle School Office on the first day of school. Please note that all efforts are made to finalize student schedules by August; however, in some cases fine-tuning student schedules continues during the first two weeks of school. If you have additional questions or wish to discuss your childs program, please call the Middle School Guidance Office and speak with a counselor at 840-8555.

Respectfully yours, Diana Van Der Merwe Guidance Counselor for Surnames A-H Erin Hardison Guidance Counselor for Surnames I-P Marc St. Laurent Guidance Counselor for Surnames Q-Z

Parents Signature

Students Name

Date

MS Course Registration Regular Program

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION for SCHOOL YEAR 2014-2015 GRADE 6
Dear Parents, Middle School is a fun and exciting time for you and your child. The years of adolescence are a time for discovery and exploration when your child seeks to assert more independence yet continues to need adult guidance. The information provided in this letter outlines the grade 6 course options that are available to your child. Please read through the information with your child and spend some time in thoughtful discussion about the options. You can also visit the Middle School blog at http://ms.ism-online.org/ to view the Middle School Program Guide for additional information. Our belief is that students need a strong foundation in the core subjects and should have opportunities to explore specialist subjects. During the Middle School years we hope that your child will discover a new interest or deepen their understanding of a familiar interest. What courses are required? English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Wellness, Art, Drama and English for Academic Purposes are required. Students must also take at least one semester of a Music course. What is offered through the English for Academic Purposes class? The EAP class is designed to provide English language learners with explicit instruction to complement and support the academic classes at your childs grade level. What is the Electives program? The Electives program is rich and varied in the Middle School, and the number of available options increases as your child moves through the different grade levels. An Elective class allows your child to explore a new subject or continue studying a subject or a skill that they have previously studied. Elective courses are either yearlong or semester long. After discussing the options with my child, what is the next step? With your child, please write their course choices in order of preference. Elective: Music Course Offerings Band 1st Year (no/limited experience) Band 2nd Year (one year or more experience) Strings 1st Year (no/limited experience) Strings 2nd Year (one year or more experience) Chorus (semester long) General Music (semester long) Music Course Choices 1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

If your child chose Chorus or General Music as an option, please select a second elective course: Elective Course Offerings PE Team Sports (semester long) IT iDesign (semester long) Elective Course Choices 1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

My child and I have selected Modern Language and Elective Courses. What happens next? If your child is a returning ISM student, you should save the information. During the first week of March during an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) class period, your child will input the choices using the online course registration system. If your child is a new student to ISM Middle School, this letter should be returned to the Middle School Guidance Office.

MS Course Registration ESL Program

What can I expect after the online course registration process is completed? After your child registers for courses, a confirmation letter will be sent to your email address on record and your childs ISM school address. Please review the information carefully. If you believe there is an error, please contact the Middle School Guidance Office. If there is no error, then your childs requested choices will be active in the system. What if my child wants to change a course preference after the course registration process is finished? In this situation, please call the Middle School Guidance Office so that one of the counselors can speak to you and discuss the situation. Every effort will be made to honor your childs Elective choices. However, class enrollment and program conflicts may be a determining factor in your childs final schedule. We cannot guarantee that your childs top choices will be scheduled. When are class schedules distributed? Your childs class schedule can be picked up three days prior to the first day of school in August. If this is not possible, the class schedule will be available in the Middle School Office on the first day of school. Please note that all efforts are made to finalize student schedules by August; however, in some cases fine-tuning student schedules continues during the first two weeks of school. If you have additional questions or wish to discuss your childs program, please call the Middle School Guidance Office and speak with a counselor at 840-8555.

Respectfully yours, Diana Van Der Merwe Guidance Counselor for Surnames A-H Erin Hardison Guidance Counselor for Surnames I-P Marc St. Laurent Guidance Counselor for Surnames Q-Z

Parents Signature

Students Name

Date

MS Course Registration ESL Program

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION for SCHOOL YEAR 2014-2015 GRADE 6
Dear Parents, Middle School is a fun and exciting time for you and your child. The years of adolescence are a time for discovery and exploration when your child seeks to assert more independence yet continues to need adult guidance. The information provided in this letter outlines the grade 6 course options that are available to your child. Please read through the information with your child and spend some time in thoughtful discussion about the options. You can also visit the Middle School blog at http://ms.ism-online.org/ to view the Middle School Program Guide for additional information. Our belief is that students need a strong foundation in the core subjects and should have opportunities to explore specialist subjects. During the Middle School years we hope that your child will discover a new interest or deepen their understanding of a familiar interest. What courses are required? English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Wellness, Art, Drama and Strategy Instruction are required. Students must also take at least one semester of a Music course. What is offered through the Strategy Instruction class? Strategy Instruction class is designed to further support students in Learning Support through small group instruction with a focus on the development and application of specific strategies that address students various learning styles. Areas of focus are organization and study skills, written expression, vocabulary development, math, social thinking skills, and self-advocacy. Support with curriculum content is also an aspect of the Strategy Instruction class; the goal is that learning and using the strategies taught will allow the general curriculum to be more accessible to the Learning Support students. Strategy Instruction class, taught by the grade level Learning Support teacher, meets twice a week for 70 minute blocks. What is the Electives program? The Electives program is rich and varied in the Middle School, and the number of available options increases as your child moves through the different grade levels. An Elective class allows your child to explore a new subject or continue studying a subject or a skill that they have previously studied. Elective courses are either yearlong or semester long. After discussing the options with my child, what is the next step? With your child, please write their course choices in order of preference. Elective: Music Course Offerings Band 1st Year (no/limited experience) Band 2nd Year (one year or more experience) Strings 1st Year (no/limited experience) Strings 2nd Year (one year or more experience) Chorus (semester long) General Music (semester long) Music Course Choices 1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

If your child chose Chorus or General Music as an option, please select a second elective course: Elective Course Offerings PE Team Sports (semester long) IT iDesign (semester long) Elective Course Choices 1 Choice: 2nd Choice:
st

MS Course Registration LS Program

My child and I have selected Modern Language and Elective Courses. What happens next? If your child is a returning ISM student, you should save the information. During the first week of March during a Strategy Instruction class period, your child will input the choices using the online course registration system. If your child is a new student to ISM Middle School, this letter should be returned to the Middle School Guidance Office. What can I expect after the online course registration process is completed? After your child registers for courses, a confirmation letter will be sent to your email address on record and your childs ISM school address. Please review the information carefully. If you believe there is an error, please contact the Middle School Guidance Office. If there is no error, then your childs requested choices will be active in the system. What if my child wants to change a course preference after the course registration process is finished? In this situation, please call the Middle School Guidance Office so that one of the counselors can speak to you and discuss the situation. Every effort will be made to honor your childs Elective choices. However, class enrollment and program conflicts may be a determining factor in your childs final schedule. We cannot guarantee that your childs top choices will be scheduled. When are class schedules distributed? Your childs class schedule can be picked up three days prior to the first day of school in August. If this is not possible, the class schedule will be available in the Middle School Office on the first day of school. Please note that all efforts are made to finalize student schedules by August; however, in some cases fine-tuning student schedules continues during the first two weeks of school. If you have additional questions or wish to discuss your childs program, please call the Middle School Guidance Office and speak with a counselor at 840-8555.

Respectfully yours, Diana Van Der Merwe Guidance Counselor for Surnames A-H Erin Hardison Guidance Counselor for Surnames I-P Marc St. Laurent Guidance Counselor for Surnames Q-Z

Parents Signature

Students Name

Date

MS Course Registration LS Program