Whatever I Need (W.I.N.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the W.I.N. Period?
This year we are introducing a new W.I.N. (Whatever I Need) period in grades 6 and 7 to meet students’
needs by providing additional time for enrichment in Science and Social Studies and for supplemental
instruction in English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics. The programming will also provide a weekly
advisory/character education period to address the social and emotional needs of all students and to
strengthen relationships within the school community. The W.I.N. period concept is used in many
middle schools in New Jersey. It is a way to provide opportunities during the school day for enrichment
or supplemental instruction.
What will students do in W.I.N.?
Students will be placed in supplemental or enrichment programs, based on an assessment of their
current academic needs. If a child is placed in science enrichment for the first semester, then they will
be placed in social studies enrichment for the second semester, and vice versa. These placements are
flexible, and will be reviewed quarterly. The possible courses include:
Science
Enrichment
Social Studies
Enrichment
ELA Support
Math
Support
6th Grade
Students will participate for a semester in a
modified version of the Intel Middle School
Science Fair Program. This program exposes
students to research methodology and
inquiry based learning activities and
culminates in using the scientific method to
develop and present an original science
project.
7th Grade
Students will participate for a semester in
the Detectives in the Classroom Program
developed for middle schools by Montclair
State University. Students will develop the
understandings and skills of epidemiologists,
investigators who study the occurrence of
disease and other health-related outcomes
in populations of people for the purpose of
preventing or controlling health problems.
Students will participate for a semester in
Students will participate for a semester in
National History Day Program. Throughout
the Global Classrooms Model United
this experience they will learn the research
Nations Program. Global Classrooms is an
and historical thinking skills to develop an
innovative educational program that
original research project that will highlight a
engages middle school students in an
specific theme in history.
exploration of current world issues through
interactive simulations and curricular
materials. The semester will culminate in a
school based model UN simulation where
students take the role of a delegate of
assigned countries.
Students identified for supplemental English Language Arts will advance their reading
abilities and build upon existing analytic skills through the use of Scholastic's Comprehension
Clubs. The materials were piloted in a classroom at MMS this spring.
Students identified for supplemental mathematics will receive personalized instruction
targeted to their unique areas of needs by participating in a blended learning program that
includes online and small group instruction using the i-Ready Mathematics Program.
How will students be placed in Supplemental Programs?
Students’ needs will be assessed during September using benchmark assessments in ELA, and the iReady mathematics diagnostic assessment. Criteria for Placement:
ELA
Mathematics
6th Grade
Students will be placed into the supplemental
ELA W.I.N. period based on the results of the
common assessment that will be
administered in early September.
Students will be placed in supplemental
Mathematics during the W.I.N. period based
on their performance on the 5th grade
common assessments in Math in Focus.
Students who receive a 75% average or
below will be given the i-Ready diagnostic to
determine their placement.
7th Grade
Students will be placed in the ELA W.I.N.
period based on multiple measures.
Measures will include a 6th grade final
average of a 69% or below during the 20142015 school year and the results of the
common assessment.
Students who were in College Prep during
the 2014-2015 school year and received a
79% or lower will take the i-Ready diagnostic
test. Based upon the i-Ready diagnostic, if a
student is assessed as below-grade-level,
they will be placed into the supplemental
mathematics W.I.N. program.
When will W.I.N. programming start?
Programming for this year will begin in October once all assessments are administered and teachers
have had time to review the data and make programming decisions. Until W.I.N. programming formally
starts, the W.I.N. period is being used for team building activities, additional instructional time in the
core content areas, and an opportunity for students to ask for assistance with specific materials.
Will students be locked in to one placement for the entire year?
Data will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine if students’ placement is meeting their academic
needs. At the end of each quarter each team will review student data to determine if any students’
W.I.N. placement needs to change. The data that teams will review will include the following for each
subject matter:
Mathematics W.I.N.
ELA W.I.N
Marking Period Grade
Marking Period Grade
i-Ready Diagnostic
Lexile Score
District Assessments
Benchmark Assessment
What if my child needs support in both ELA and math?
Students needing both supplemental reading and mathematical intervention will receive the reading
intervention during the W.I.N. period and will receive the mathematical intervention either during one
of their related arts periods or during the after-school intervention academy.
What is the weekly Advisory Period?
Once a week, an Advisory Period will take place in the student’s W.I.N. class and will focus on building
community, relationships, and study skills. Activities will include restorative circles – a research-based
approach which emphasizes proactively building supportive school communities, increasing
communication skills, and helping students preview the possible consequences of their choices and take
responsibility for their behavior. Restorative practices cultivate a culture in which everyone feels like
they belong and in which every member of the school community feels that they are seen, heard, and
respected. The Advisory Period will also include other team building and character education material,
and will help students learn effective organizational and study skills.
What happened to the conference period that used to take place daily after school?
The conference period still exists and students can still go directly to teachers with questions or to make
up work. The period has been shortened to 9 minutes per day. We found that many students were not
taking full advantage of the conference period, and decided that extending the school day will provide
all students with more instructional time.