Blacksburg Middle School
Academic and Career Planning Curriculum Night
for Rising 6th Graders
The Beginning is the Most Important Part of the Work. Plato
Welcomes you to our
BMS Family
Blacksburg Middle School
About our school:
Our Mission Statement
All students have the potential for individual greatness. Our vision at Blacksburg Middle School is to recognize and support this diversity in a positive educational environment rich with mutual respect.
Revealing Potential and Realizing Dreams
Blacksburg Middle School
Caring
Respect
Creativity
Dreams
Relationships
Engagement
Exploration
Safety
6th Grade Curriculum
Standard Middle School
Schedule
| 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade |
1 | Math | Math | Math |
2 | English 6 | English 7 | English 8 |
3 | U.S. History I | U.S. History II | Civics |
4 | Science 6 | Science 7 | Earth Science |
5 | HPE 6 | HPE 7 | HPE 8 |
I/E | |||
6 | Digital Technology Foundations Career Investigations | 2 Semester Electives | 2 Semester Electives |
7 | Year-long Fine Arts�or �Exploratory Electives | Year-long Fine Arts�or �2 Semester Electives | Year-long Fine Arts �or �2 Semester Electives |
Math Placement
Intervention Course Placement
Middle School Student Schedule with Intervention Class
| 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade |
1 | Math | Math | Math |
2 | English 6 | English 7 | English 8 |
3 | U.S. History I | U.S. History II | Civics |
4 | Science 6 | Science 7 | Earth Science |
5 | HPE 6 | HPE 7 | HPE 8 |
I/E | |||
6 | Intervention Class | Intervention Class | Intervention Class |
7 | Digital Technology Foundations Career Investigations | Year-Long Fine Arts�or �2 Semester Electives | Year-Long Fine Arts�or �2 Semester Electives |
Digital Technology Foundations
All students are issued a Chromebook in middle school.
Students will learn to
Career Investigations
Sixth Grade Health and Physical Education
Each student has Health and PE daily for a full year.
�
Activities include traditional team sports, individual sports, and
recreational activities.
Students are assigned a locker in the boys or girls locker room.
Students dress out for PE.
HPE 6 includes units of physical activity and health instruction in the classroom.
Beginning Band
Band 6 is a year long elective.
Beginning Choir
Chorus is a year long elective.
Art 6
Exploratory Electives - The Wheel
CTE Exploratory Courses
Fine Arts Courses
For this option, students will rank their choices for exploratory electives courses. They are not guaranteed their first choices.
Intervention/Enrichment Period
Information about Course Registration
Your child will be part of a learning community called a “team.”
There are three sixth grade teams that consist of four core teachers.
Sixth Grade Teams
Students spend four periods of their day on team for core classes. Each team provides instruction for mathematics, science, English/language arts, and social studies.
The design of the building allows us to create learning communities on each grade level. Each team is housed in a pod area with four classrooms, a science lab, and individual meeting rooms.
Sixth Grade Teams in Action
Sixth Grade Freedom
Some of the changes from elementary school that our sixth graders experience:
BMS Counseling Department
�Some services we provide:�
Bully Prevention Posters
The Bruin Anti-Bullying
Principles�
1. We will not bully others.
2. We will try to help students who are bullied.
3. We will try to include students who are left out.
will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
PBIS Core Values
Positive
Compassionate
Courageous
Hardworking
Additional Services
What do 6th graders say is the best thing about Sixth Grade at BMS?
“The freedom and responsibility.”
“All the new people that become friends.”
“I love all of the teachers.”
“The freedom and a chance to meet new friends.”
“I think that the best part of 6th grade is that you are able to have more freedom.”
“Definitely the electives. You get to do some stuff that you actually want to do.”
What do 6th graders say is the most challenging thing about Sixth Grade?
“I think the most challenging part is remembering everything that you need to do.”
“Advanced math 6”
“All the responsibilities, keeping up with your work, and improving yourself.”
“There is a little bit more hard work and homework if you don't finish in class.”
“Having more homework and trying to get to class on time.”
“Getting up in the morning.”
“The most challenging thing is that you have more challenging classes.”
What do 6th graders say surprised them most about 6th grade?
“How interesting it has been.”
“It's a lot less stressful.”
“How hard it is to be tardy.”
“The teachers are super supportive and kind and that the lockers aren't that hard to open when you really try.”
“How relaxed everybody is.”
“How fast I made new friends.”
“How fun it is. I thought it was going to be boring but it is pretty fun.”
The best advice 6th graders �can give to 5th graders is:
“It's a lot different from elementary school, but most would agree that it's better.”
“Branch out and be you.” “Don't stress about it.”
“I would say that just doing your best and being you is the best way to start 6th grade. Be kind and respectful and you'll do great!”
“You don't have to be freaked out about 6th grade.You just need to try your best, and be kind.”
“You will meet new people and meet new friends. Also you will be able to connect with people that you knew outside of school. Just go with the flow.”
“It's going to be good.”
“I think I would give the advice to not be nervous for 6th grade. You will have a better year if you have a positive attitude.”
Your Questions
David Byrd, Principal
Emily Redding, Assistant Principal
David Hurd, Assistant Principal
Tim Saddler, Assistant Principal
Katie Conaway, 6th Grade Counselor
Tammy Veit, Special Education Consulting Teacher
Your Questions
Core Curriculum Teachers
Jamie McCall, Carrie Sanderson, Lead Math Teachers
Erin Bond, Lead Science Teacher
Tracy Goforth, Lead Social Studies Teacher
Sarah Moore, Lead English Teacher
Speciality Teachers