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Answers to Questions Parents Frequently Ask About Teaming at the Middle School |
- What is the philosophy behind teaming?
Teams are the organizational structure that creates opportunities for a group of teachers to work with a common set of students, allowing for collaboration among teachers, integration of the curriculum, and coordination of activities to best promote learning for every child. Each team is designed as a learning community within the larger middle school. These groups allow for greater flexibility in grouping, scheduling, and staffing and reduce student isolation.
- Why is teaming better for middle school students?
Teams create a social and academic climate that promotes developmentally appropriate activities for adolescents with a core area group of teachers. A team has been compared to a small neighborhood in a big city, enabling educators and adolescents to interact daily. This allows teachers to better meet the needs of teams of students as a whole as well as their individual needs.
- How are teams of teachers and students created?
The building administration assigns teachers to teams based on their areas of specialization. Core area teachers serving on the team also consult with support staff, such as the learning support and ATP teachers as well as the grade-level guidance counselor, when appropriate. Incoming students are randomly mixed from the various elementary centers to create heterogeneous groups, giving them an opportunity to maintain old friendships and meet a variety of new students as well. Seventh and eighth grade students are also placed in heterogeneous groups, with consideration for certain academic placements and world language selection.
- What decisions about my child’s academic and social life in the middle school are made at the team level?
Your child’s team teachers meet regularly to discuss team issues and plan social and academic activities to enhance his or her middle school experience. Teams set common goals, monitor individual student progress, coordinate communication with parents, plan curriculum integrations, coordinate homework, and plan special team activities.
- What are the Owen J. Roberts Middle School teams?
Students in sixth grade are assigned to a two-teacher team, and the entire sixth grade is divided into two larger teams. Students in seventh and eighth grade belong to five-teacher teams. There may also be a team of teachers who teach both seventh and eighth grade classes. Stream Watch is a team of sixth and seventh grade students who stay together for two years in an interdisciplinary study of the environment. Presently, the teams are designated by colors. Refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for the names of specific teachers assigned to a team.
- How can I get involved on my son or daughter’s team?
Team teachers usually meet daily to work on team responsibilities. Once a month, PTA parent representatives attend meetings to help produce the team newsletter and coordinate activities. Consider becoming a PTA volunteer to assist with team activities, field trips, and newsletters.
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