AIG Certified Staff:
Mark Samuel - Math
Stacey Samuel - ELA
Lou Cicero - Math
Kirsti Meador - ELA
Amber Adams - Math
Michael Harper ELA
Melissa Sova - ELA
email address - michael.harper@nhcs.net (910) 350-2142 X 303
Trask Middle School
Ms. Kim Clark, Principal Ms. Erica Norris, Asst. Principal Mr. Lloyd Brown, Asst. Principal
Mr. Michael. Harper, AIG Coordinator 2900 N. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28405
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August 25, 2022
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the Trask AIG Advanced Language Arts Program. What follows is a letter designed to restate what I addressed at our open house - or to inform those of you who were unable to attend - as to our expectations. Please read it carefully, provide your signature and email address on the back page (along with your child’s signature) and then have your son or daughter return it to me.
Ours is a project-based curriculum that uses multiple units to reinforce reading, writing, research, organization and speaking skills. It is heavy on academics and a departure from enrichment programs your child may have come from. Our two most significant areas of focus come through in our vocabulary program and our public speaking program. I believe strongly in the former because a deep knowledge of our language is crucial for everything we hope to achieve in reading, writing and speaking. I value the latter because the ability to communicate orally is just as important to your child’s future as their competence in reading or writing.
As to writing, most of our composition assignments will involve persuasion as sixth grade becomes a preparation year for eighth grade debate; a fourth quarter unit that has a heavy emphasis on argumentation. Most of our writing homework assignments will be ones that focus on sentence structure, spelling, punctuation and the use of conjunctions. Along with our vocabulary program, we want to establish a strong base in the fundamentals.
The last portion of this letter will be a bit lengthy, but I think it’s important to understand our philosophy as much as our curriculum. We value excellence in our program and celebrate it whenever we receive it, but we don’t place a high emphasis on “A” grades. To receive a mark of “A” in a class is a good thing. It makes everyone proud and validates everything you ever wanted to instill in your children about the importance of academics. However, to be completely practical about it, at the middle school level such assessments aren’t going to gain you much in terms of tangible rewards. Consider: “A” grades won’t put your son or daughter into an honors course at the high school, because anyone who wants to take such a class can simply sign up and take part. Middle school grades will never be a part of your child’s college application packet, since colleges do not consider them relevant; additionally, they won’t play a role in the student’s high school GPA. While they look good posted on the refrigerator, they won’t necessarily make your child the best prepared student that they can be. Addressing weaknesses, not strengths, will make your child better and the process of doing so rarely results in “A” grades.
Being a part of our program can be difficult, which is good because it’s supposed to be difficult. Our job is to make your son or daughter better. To make them that way, we need to push them in a lot of areas they might never have been challenged in before. Students don't get noticeably better without making mistakes, leaving their comfort zone and hitting walls where they're not as sure of themselves as they might have been before. That said, you can expect that many students will come home with lesser grades for a variety of reasons. Many times students will run into a project, program or assignment that they’ve never had to deal with in the past – or at a level they haven’t had to contend with. Perhaps they won’t be as accomplished because they haven’t had to be so organized and prepared on a constant basis. Perhaps they won’t be as successful because they haven’t had to come to terms with firm deadlines, and they aren’t used to being penalized for not following through on assignments.
The most common reason for a lack of achievement is because they have gotten by well enough at the elementary school level on natural talent, but have never been challenged by a rigorous course that makes demands of them on a daily basis. Our view on all of this is that it is better to be pushed hard and bring home “B” grades now so that the student will be that much better prepared for high school - where their grades and GPA play a larger role in their future. Based on what our returning parents and students have told us, it is a philosophy that, while sometimes frustrating in the short term, has served our students well for the long term.
We ask that you be patient with your son or daughter if they struggle – but not too patient, for the class has requirements that must be met in order to remain in it. We ask that students achieve an 85% grade (a mid “B”) in each quarter. Additionally, we ask that they achieve a level 5 and an 85% grade on their EOG exams. Finally, all students must receive a recommendation from me for their efforts and the seriousness with which they address the course. Keep in mind that high EOG scores are all well and good, but it's their aptitude and academics that will keep them in the program. Too many students are moved to our other advanced class because they don't have the discipline, focus, organization and trustworthiness to handle the main advanced classes. A desire to be challenged is important.
Sincerely,
Michael Harper
AIG Coordinator
Advanced Language Arts
UPCOMING PROJECTS!
Our advanced classes are based on a project-based curriculum that emphasizes oral communication and public reading skills.
Upcoming projects for the 2021 - 2023 school year:
8th Grade
The Toast
Rock and Roll Persuasion
The Box (preparation for Team Theater
The Advanced Radio Project
7th Grade
The Toast
Small Scene Theater
Rock and Roll Persuasion
Readers Theater
6th Grade
Poetry Reading
Narrative Joke Telling
The Radio Project
Children's Story Telling