This will be a series of Blog Posts (yes, that’s getting capitalized) about what I would do if I was in charge of my very own school. I’ll be doing the lay-out, subjects and electives, general information (name, district, etc.), and more. Some things are based on things at WRMS or at another school, but some things I think of on my own. I’ll love suggestions in the comments, too! Some things I won’t change, but most things I’ll have an open mind about. I’ll continue to do actual writing posts and assignments too, but I just really wanted to do this. So, I hope you’ll enjoy this series of blog posts.

PART ONE

Name: Dickinson’s Middle School
Ages: 6th-8th grade students
Location: Austin, Texas

Public or Private? Public
What district? Eanes Independent School District (EISD)

School Mascot: Boston Terriers (usually students and faculty just say ‘Terriers’)
School Colors: Orange and Gold

Subjects Offered
Required Courses
-Math
Students can be in grade-level math or advanced math. Double advanced math is not offered as a class, but students can take an optional after-school class where they will learn more difficult and interesting math lessons in fun ways. However, students must be recommended by a teacher or they must take a test to get in to the class.
-English
Grade-level English and advanced English learn basically the same thing, but they learn it in different ways. Throughout their years at Dickinson’s, students will be required to keep a blog. Blog assignments will be given over the summer, and students will be expected to do quality work on their blog regularly. Different levels of English have different blog assignments.
-Social Studies
For this class, different grade levels will be required to do different types of Social Studies. In 6th grade, students will be required to learn Texas History. In 7th grade, students will be required to learn U.S. History. In 8th grade, students will be required to learn Geography and World History.
-Science
For science, 6th graders and 7th graders will be required to learn Life Science, and in 8th grade students will be required to learn Chemistry and Physics. 8th graders can also be recommended to an advanced course where they will learn more advanced (high school level) science. Students must pass a test to get in.

Fine Arts Electives
Choir:
-Beginning Choir: 6th grade boys and girls; doesn’t travel or compete; no limit
-Honor Treble: 7th/8th grade girls; competes less and travels once; no limit
-Honor Tenor Bass: 7th/8th grade boys; competes less and travels once; no limit
-Varsity Treble: 7th/8th grade girls; competes more and travels more; limit of 30
-Varsity Tenor Bass: 7th/8th grade boys; competes more and travels more; limit of 30
-Varsity Treble and Tenor Bass: 8th grade girls/boys; highest level of choir; limit of 20-25

Band:
-Beginning Band: 6th grade boys and girls
-Concert Band: 7th grade boys and girls
-Honor Band: 7th/8th grade boys and girls
-Varsity Band: 8th grade boys and girls

Orchestra:
-Beginning Orchestra: 6th grade boys and girls
-Concert Orchestra: 7th grade boys and girls
-Honor Orchestra: 7th/8th grade boys and girls
-Varsity Orchestra: 8th grade boys and girls

Physical Education
Students are required to take at least four semesters of at least one Physical Education class that isn’t P.E. Two of these semesters will be in 6th grade where students will be taking P.E.

P.E.
Students will play mostly games and some sports for fun. Boys and girls aren’t seperated. Required course in 6th grade. Optional course in 7th and 8th grade, but does not count toward Physical Education credit.

Strengthening and Agility:
Students will run on the track, lift weights in the weight room, and occasionally play games to strengthen themselves. Exercises are like what students would do in offseason, but less intense. Boys and girls aren’t seperated.

Athletics:
Students will either train for one of the sports of be in offseason. In offseason, students will practice for a sport, work out in the weight room or on the track, or do agility exercises. Boys and girls are separate. The following sports are offered:
-Volleyball (for girls, first half of semester one)
-Football (for boys, first half of semester one)
-Basketball (for boys and girls, not on the same team, second half of semester one)
-Track (for boys and girls, one big team but training is not together, first half of semester two)
-Soccer (for boys and girls, not on the same team, second half of semester two)
-Tennis (meets after school, semester one)
-Golf (meets after school, semester two)
-Dance/Cheer (meets after school, full year)

Other Electives
-Art
-Life Skills
-Computer Tech
Students will learn how to use various technological devices, and will be doing conferences with other teachers and districts and will help other students and teachers when they have technology problems around the school. Students will also be taught how to fix various problems with devices.
-Languages
Languages include Spanish, French, Chinese, and Latin.
-Health
-Speech
-Yearbook
-School News