Mrs. Bohrmann's

Sixth Grade Handbook2015-2016

Mrs.

Molly BohrmannEmail: bohrmann@fox.k12.mo.us

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/742498635860507Twitter: @bohrmannfes

Phone: (636) 296-3396 ext. 2052

Dear Parents,

Welcome to a new school year! I am looking forward to working with you and your child. Sixth grade is an exciting and GIANT step for your child. New concepts are introduced and work responsibilities are increased leading to more independence. Your child needs your support and encouragement for this to be a productive year. I am very excited to help your child GROW into a bright, young 6th grader and a lifelong learner.

This handbook is designed to inform and guide you to understand how things will work in our classroom. I want all my sixth graders to be successful and this handbook will enable you to support your child throughout the upcoming year.

Please refer to this handbook throughout the school year. I will have a copy on my website, too! If you have any questions or concerns that cannot be answered here, please feel free to contact me. Again, with your cooperation and support, I know we can make this a successful school year!

Thank you, Mrs. Bohrmann

Sixth GradeResponsibilities

Teacher Responsibilities1. To meet the individual needs of each student by providing tasks that are developmentally appropriate. 2. To stimulate thought and creativity. 3. To provide questions that will aid children in solving their own problems.

4. To be a good role model. 5. To guide, rather than dictate, giving our students room to grow and develop. 6. To provide a safe, positive environment where students are encouraged to be themselves. 7. To be a good listener. 8. To be certain your child has a successful year. Parent Responsibilities1. Look at your child’s work. Ask about it. It is very important to them that you take an interest. 2. Review your child’s assignment planner daily and check SIS regularly. 3. Help your child on homework assignments if needed. 4. Listen to your child read. Even though they have been reading for a while, it is still important they practice this skill. They are working on READING TO LEARN! 5. Be encouraging and positive. Your child’s attitude towards school is affected by the attitude you project. Avoid negative talk about teachers and school when children are near.6. Make sure your child gets enough rest. A student’s performance is better when well rested.

Student Responsibilities1. Respect peers, adults, and property of others with your actions and words. 2. Be responsible, organized, and come to class prepared to learn. 3. Keep hands, feet, and all other objects to yourself. 4. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given. 5. Remain seated, walk, and raise hands appropriately.

Sixth Grade Curriculum

Sixth is a very challenging grade. The state curriculum requires that content is taught at a steady, but quick pace. It is very important that your child stays on top of assignments that are given. That means that the assignments are completed to the best of the child’s ability, and

that they are turned in on time. Organization is key to success, and I will do all that I can to assist your child throughout the course of the year.

ReadingStudents will be learning both reading strategies and skills to assist them with their reading comprehension. Strategies we will be using are whole group and small group instruction. Some small groups will change throughout the year based on my observations and testing results. Independent reading will be stressed using classroom and library books.

Writing As part of our Units of Study writing program, students will be writing a variety of genres such as argument, information, and narrative writing, Students will also be learning and demonstrating correct use of grammar, punctuation, and capitalization in their writing and on daily assignments.

SpellingWe will focus on spelling correctly in everyday assignments (i.e. ALL subjects), recognizing and understanding the meaning of unknown words, and using correct capitalization when using proper nouns and proper adjectives. Grades will be taken on vocabulary worksheets, daily assignments, and projects.

MathGO Math moves quickly, building on previous knowledge. A few of the topics we will cover are rates, proportions, geometry, fractions, and algebra. We will also apply multiplication and division operations to fractions and decimals. Problem solving will be stressed. A math notebook will be

kept for math concepts students need to remember. This notebook may be graded periodically throughout the year. I recommend Khan Academy and MobyMax as two websites that can help parents and students at home when doing assignments.

ScienceScience units will involve such skills as predicting,observing, describing, identifying, and drawing conclusions. We will achieve this by reading, discussing, working in cooperative groups, writing, and hands on activities. Our units of study include Ecosystems, Cells, Plants,Scientific Inquiry, Matter and Energy, and Earth’s Life Cycles.

Social StudiesSocial studies will involve the study of world history. The students will have the opportunity to involve themselves in discussions, special projects, and reports using reference materials, cooperative learning, writing and map skills. We will look at the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, Greece, and India to name a few.

The Leader in MeOur class will be engaging in a book

study, 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey together. This is a remarkable book that aligns with our Fox Five character traits (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Honest, Be Cooperative, Have Self Control) that our school has been focusing on the past two years!

I am eager to share this experience with you and your family about the 7 habits. This book focuses on teaching your child the power of living according to principles - principles such as

responsibility, planning ahead, respect for others, teamwork, and balance.

We will spend the first 8 to 9 weeks learning this program. I will be teaching your child what each habit means and looks like. The first week, I will introduce the main idea and have your child set up their Leadership Binder. The Leadership Binder will be the ultimate guide for you to see your child’s growth in both behavior and academics. This binder will contain the red communication folder, planner, and many new “tabs” that your child will explain to you.

I am excited to share this experience with you and your family. Please feel free to share how The Leader In Me is positively impacting your family at home.

Leadership BinderAs part of The Leader in Me program, it is important for your child to take more responsibility for their own learning. Each student will create a Leadership Binder that they will maintain throughout the school year. This binder will be shown at 1st and 3rd quarter conferences and will be part of your child’s grade throughout the school year. Please feel free to ask about your child’s Leadership Binder frequently and hold your child accountable for keeping it up to date. Some items included in the binder are as follows:

*Important websites and passwords *Book Report tracker*Daily Behavior Circles *Reading Log*Weekly goals *AR Goal tracker*Grade Trackers *Work Samples

Classroom Organization

Red FolderStudents will carry this folder home nightly in the Leadership Binder. It will contain informational handouts as well as any graded papers. The Assignment Book will be kept in the outside front pocket and needs to be signed nightly. The Student Progress Sheet will be kept in the outside back pocket and needs to be signed weekly.

Assignment BookThe assignment book will be found in the Leadership Binder in the outside front pocket of the Red Folder. Please look over it nightly. While 6th grade is a big step in independence, it is essential that you take in interest in what your child accomplished in school daily. This will make you aware of the type of effort your child is giving in class, keep grades on track, and create great communication between you, your child, and myself.

Homework Expect some sort of work daily. Work coming home will be assignments that were not completed in class. All work is due the next day unless otherwise noted. All assignments not completed by 8:40 am will be considered late. Practice assignments will be checked for completion, not accuracy. You will know that an assignment was a practice assignment because instead of having a number grade on it, there will be a check mark, stamp, star, or sticker. If a practice assignment is late or incomplete, it will receive a check with a minus next to it. Projects will be completed at home with minimal time spent in the classroom working on the project.

In Class WorkStudent will also earn points in class for oral and Post-It Note participation, focused partner reading, pop quizzes, listening, and

effort. If a student is absent, in class work is unable to be made up.

CommunicationConferencesFirst and third quarter conferences in sixth grade are student-led. Your child will discuss his or her Leadership Binder, grades, and overall effort in class during each conference. I will be there to support your child when you have questions and to help guide him or her through this new experience.

EmailEmail will serve as a communication tool between parent,student, and teacher. If you have questions or concerns, email can be the quickest way to receive a response. Students may also email me with homework questions. I cannot guarantee a response in the evening, but will trymy best to check it nightly.

FacebookNew this year, I will be communicating through a Facebook group dedicated to our classroom. Please visit us to see updates and reminders and to ask questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/742498635860507/

TwitterParents and students can follow the Braves on Twitter. Sign in or sign up with Twitter and follow us @bohrmannfes. I will use this often to inform parents and students about the “haps” in class. ☺

TylerYour child’s grades will be available online on Tyler. Grades will be posted in a timely fashion. Please check often to monitor your child’s progress. Regular monitoring is very important because it is my primary way of letting you know how your child is doing in school. This will help to catch and rectify any falling grades early. It will also let you know of any papers that are missing or need corrections. If you are ever concerned with your child’s grades, please email or call and set up an appointment for a conference.

Odds and Ends from A to Z

AbsencesExcused- In the event that your child is ill and misses school, I will send work home if you request it. Please be sure to mention you want work sent home and let me know with whom I should send the work when you call the absent line. At times, it is impossible for me to gather your child’s work to send that day. If this were to happen, I will have it ready for your child the following day. If a request is not made, your child will be responsible for checking another student’s Assignment Book and finding worksheets. Worksheets can be found on your child’s desk and/or in our Absent Work Bin. All make-up work should be completed and returned to school two days from your child’s excused absence.Unexcused- Students are unable to make up work when having an unexcused absence.

BirthdaysPlease feel free to bring a treat for the entire class to celebrate your child’s birthday. This is a special day and deserves to be recognized. If your child has a summer birthday, they are welcome to celebrate on their half birthday. Please include all the

necessary utensils with the treat (i.e. napkins, plates, forks, etc.). If your child chooses a cookie cake, please send it in pre-sliced.

Book ReportsPlease refer to the Book Report information located behind this packet in your Open House Folder. You will find a schedule to help keep track of your child’s book reports in the Open House Folder. Your child will also have a schedule in their Leadership Binder that is their responsibility to maintain..

Catching ComplimentsWhen the class has earned 100 baseballs on our Catching Compliments poster, we will have a whole class celebration. The class can earn baseballs for showing good character, receiving compliments from other teachers, whole class attendance, and all homework being completed. Poor choicesmade by students may result in a warning, loss of recess minutes, a phone call home, or write-up to the office. See Student Progress Sheet for more information about poor choices.

Effort LevelStudents are often graded on their effort given in our classroom and on assignments. Each level represents the number of points given for the grade. For example a level 4 is worth 4 points, a level 3 is worth 3 points, and so on. The grading Effort scale is as follows:Level 4- Staying on task, focusing, showing work, researching & using notes and textbooks, being quiet, taking your time, staying in your seat, making sure to understand/follow the directions before starting, asking questions, PQPA, no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, neat, MAKING SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING WE ARE LEARNING

Level 3-Staying on task, focusing, showing most work, using notes and textbooks, asking a question, little talking, little movement, taking time, reading/following the directions, 1-2 spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, neat, PQPA, MAKING SURE I UNDERSTAND MOST OF WHAT WE ARE LEARNING

Level 2-Partially staying on task, little focus, sometimes using notes or researching, some movement, some talking, not asking questions, rushing, skimming the directions, 3-4 spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, sloppy, not in cursive, I MAKE SURE I GET DONE

Level 1- Not on task, not working independently, not reading/following/understanding directions, mostly talking, mostly movement, no notes or research, no focus, rushing, incomplete, procrastinating, 5+ spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, sloppy, not in cursive I DON’T CARE IF I GET DONE

Level 0-Not working, walking around, goofing off, talking, little to no work, cheating, not caring didn’t read/understand/follow directions, not in cursive

Field TripsSixth grade takes one field trip each year that aligns with our curriculum. The field trip will be in the fall and is TBA. Information will be sent home a few weeks before we attend a field trip.

Free BreakfastThe choice of a hot breakfast or cereal will be offered free of charge this year. Students are to retrieve their breakfast first thing in the morning and are expected to complete their morning work while eating breakfast.

Green CirclesEach day your child will fill in two circles in their Leadership Binder indicating the type of behavior they had in class and if their work was done on time with their best effort. Green circles mean your child had a great day. Yellow circles mean your child had a warning for their behavior or did not have all work completed with best effort. Red circles mean there was an issue in class and will need to be discussed at home with you. Red circles will need your signature. Khan Academy.orgIf you or your child need a refresher on a math skill, this website is the place to turn!! Khan Academy has videos teaching all of the skills we will learn this year in Math and is a great way for your child to get more practice. I encourage your child to spend 10 minutes a day practicing. This will go a long way towards your child mastering and retaining the Math skills taught this year. LunchAt lunchtime, students use their four-digit code to purchase lunch. You will be notified if the lunch account reaches a negative balance. Please be sure your child knows if he/she can by extras.

Medicine

If your child needs to take any prescription medication during the school day, please make sure the prescription label is on the medication.

Moby Max.comMobyMax is a website tailored to your child's individual needs, and I think you will be very impressed by how fast your child will excel while using Moby to practice 6th grade skills. MobyMax will first assess your child and then begin giving lessons geared towards improving his/her skills. You can sign in as a parent as well by selecting "Parent" from the drop-down menu and entering your child's username and password. You will be able to monitor your child's progress.. We will use MobyMax in class and I encourage you to have your child practice at home.

MoneyOccasionally, your child will need to bring money to school for lunch, field trips, etc.  When sending money please be sure to use an envelope with your child’s name, what the money is for, and the amount enclosed.  A few expenses you may see are:  Party Money ($6.00 August), Class T-Shirts (September), Field Trip (October), Walk-a-Thon (October), Chili Supper (October), Adopt-a-Child (November-December), more events to be announced as they come up.  Thank you in advance for your support in these areas of your child’s education. 

Redo AssignmentsAssignments CANNOT be redone. As part of The Leader in Me, students will be expected to give their best effort the first time. Best effort means neat, on time, fully complete, asking questions, and making clarifications prior to turning in. Students who have given their best effort and are still struggling with a skill/concept will receive more individualized instruction. You play a vital role in your child putting forth their best effort the first time. I appreciate all the time and energy you put in at home to keep up with your child’s progress.

School VisitsIf you plan to come to school during the regular school day for any reason, please sign in at the office first. You will need to wear a nametag while you are in the building.

Sixth Grade Party

Sixth graders celebrate the end of their elementary life with a party. In years past, some parties we have had were skating, bowling, Cardinals game, barbecue, and River City Rascals game. Information about this year’s party will come home in the spring. We are always in need of parent volunteers for our party. Please let me know if you would be willing to fundraise, plan, or chaperone.SnacksStudents are allowed to have a healthy snack each day and are able to eat it whenever they are hungry. Students may also bring a water bottle each day.

Student Progress SheetsThe Student Progress Sheet is also known as the “strike system”. Students receive “strikes” for not following directions, not being fight free, talking excessively, lying, etc. These strikes are given after a warning has been issued and the student has chosen not to comply. There are circumstances that arise when a student may receive a strike without a warning. In addition to behavior concerns, I will also be including any strikes students receive for each missing and incomplete assignment. Students receiving five strikes in a week will earn an in school detention. Further information about the Student Progress Sheet will go home in the next few weeks. My hope is to phase out this system as your child becomes a LEADER ☺

Synergy LevelStudents are often graded on their ability to work with others in our classroom and on assignments. Each level represents the number of points given for the grade. For example a level 4 is worth 4 points, a level 3 is worth 3 points, and so on. The grading Synergy scale is as follows:Level 4-Sitting side by side, talking with each other, working until everyone agrees, stays on task, I MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN MY GROUP UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE ARE LEARNING

Level 3-Sitting side by side, talking with each other, working until most agree, stays on task, I MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE LEARNING

Level 2-Sitting across from each other, Not a lot of talking to each other, not agreeing/cooperative, working ahead, thinking of yourself, I MAKE SURE I GET DONE

Level 1-Arguing, disrespectful, working independently I DON’T CARE IF I OR OTHERS GET DONE

Level 0-Not working, yelling, walking around, blaming others for not understanding, goofing off, talking over partners

Transportation ChangesAny time that you know your child will have a change from the normal routine, please write a note or send an email to inform me. You may also call the office to inform us of a transportation change. If the change comes after 2:30, please call the office directly. Your child will not be allowed to go home any way other than the usual way unless we are notified.

I hope you have found this handbook informative and helpful. Once again, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I know this is going to be a successful year and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s education!

Reference Page

Phone Numbers*Fox C-6 School District: (636) 296- 8000

*Fox Elementary: (636) 296-3396

*Mrs. Bohrmann’s Classroom: (636) 296-3396 ext. 2052

Computer *Email: bohrmann@fox.k12.mo.us

*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/742498635860507/

*Twitter: @bohrmannfes

*Tyler: 1.) Go to Fox C-6 Homepage 2.) Scroll over Parents 3.) Click Parent Portal

*Website: http://foxes.fox.k12.mo.us/students/teacher_pages/molly_bohrmann/

PeoplePrincipal: Mrs. Lisa SellAsst Principal: Mr. John McNeillSecretary: Ms. Lisa BrownNurse: Mrs. Tina SumnerCounselor: Mrs. Joy Gilman