Sixth Grade

Back to School Night

August 16, 2016

Reading/Language Arts

Reading/Writing Across

the Curriculum

• Our curriculum will also follow the CRR

Reading and Writing Standards for

Literacy in History/Social Studies and

Science. Language Arts instruction will

focus on expository/nonfiction reading

and writing in the content areas.

• Note: Students are expected to

practice and apply ELA skills in social

studies and science.

Including but not limited to:

• Close readings

• Citing textual evidence

• Summarizing text

• Determining point of view

• Determining the meaning of words & phrases

• Integrating visual graphics with text

• Distinguishing between fact and opinion

Reading/Writing

Across the Curriculum

What Your Child Will Learn in

Language Arts Class

Reading

Students will:

• Read a variety of texts

• Learn to read deeply and analytically for subtext and understanding

• Broaden their reading experiences by working with multiple genres

• Explore and have choice in creative class projects based on text read

in class

• Continue to develop their vocabulary knowledge through Word

Studies – Greek/Latin Roots; SAT Words

What Your Child Will Learn in

Language Arts Class

Reading Text Used in Class

• Wonders Reading Series

– Reading Writing Workshop Book, Anthology & Leveled Readers

• Novel Studies

– Whole Class Book Studies/Reading

• AR Books

– Independent Reading

• To meet their Reading Goal, students must read at least 10 books each nine weeks from a variety of genres. The goal is to read 40 books throughout the year on each students Reading Level.

• Requirements:– 5 Realistic Fiction - 3 Historical Fiction -3 Mystery

– 5 Fantasy - 3 Traditional Literature

– 3 Poetry Books -3 Biography - 5 Informational

– 5 FREE CHOICE Chapter Book -5 FREE CHOICE

– To count toward the challenge, the book must be on their level. Students will not be earning AR Points, but must take an AR Test on each book with at least 80% Accuracy for the book to count.

Requirements

• To write a book on your grid…1. The book must be on your level. This level is written at the top of your 40 Book

Challenge Grid. Levels will change after each STAR Reading Test depending

on student progress.

2. Take an AR Test and score at least 80%. If you score less than 80%, you cannot

write the book on your grid. AR Test must be take on books read during the

school year.

3. Make sure it’s the correct genre. Remember your genre knowledge. If you

have a question about the genre, ask. If you have filled a certain genre, you

must pick another one to read!

Students will complete this grid in class after they finish a book, take an AR test, and I will initial the box.

• Students will have some time at school to read after

completing class work, and during RAM Time on

Tuesday & Thursday afternoons.

• To be a good reader, you must PRACTICE!

– Students need to read 20 minutes at home each

night.

• If students meet their goal for the 9 weeks, they

will get to attend an Reading Celebration.

What Your Child Will Learn in

Language Arts Class

English

Students will:

• Study forms of writing including narrative, expository, persuasive,

and creative writing

• Study grammar and apply concepts learned in class in student

writing

• Learn and practice research skills

• Learn and practice public speaking skills

• Use the writing process

Language Arts Grades

• Language Assessments – 40%

(vocabulary, grammar, writing)

• Reading Assessments – 40%

(informational text/nonfiction, literature)

• ELA Unit Test – 20%

Leader in Me• 7 Habits covered in

all subjects

• ELA: 7Up Daily

Habit focus, journal

• Classroom Leadership

Roles

• School Leadership

Roles

• Morning Show

• Leader of the Month

Science/Social Studies

SCIENCE

The important thing is to not stop questioning.

-Albert Einstein

Asking questions and defining problems

Developing and using models

Planning and carrying out investigations

Analyzing and interpreting data

Using mathematics and computational thinking

Constructing explanations and designing solutions

Engaging in argument from evidence

Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Earth in Space

Student Project

ExpectationsPurpose:

• Extends learning outside the classroom

• Provides student choice and enrichment

opportunities

Guidelines:

• Student work, not parent work

• Written in student’s own words; resources cited

• Thinking outside the box is encouraged

• Time and personal effort will be rewarded

Sixth Grade Social Studies

U.S. History – Late 1800s to

present

“If you want to understand

today, you have to search

yesterday.” ~Pearl Buck

Units of Study

2nd Industrial Revolution

• Inventions

Progressive Reform

Immigration & Urban Life

World War I

Roaring Twenties

• Harlem Renaissance

Great Depression

• The New Deal

Units of Study

World War II

The Cold War

• Korean War

• Vietnam

• The Fall of Communism

Civil Rights Movement

• Leaders & Unsung Heroes

The Modern Era

Math

Sixth Grade Mathematics

Big Ideas Series

Standards

There are five main standards taught in sixth grade:

• Expressions and Equations

• Statistics and Probability

• The Number System

• Geometry

• Rates and Proportional Relationships

Sixth Grade Mathematics

Big Ideas Series Topics

• Chapter 1 - Expressions and Number Properties

• Chapter 2 - Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

• Chapter 3 - Multiplying and Dividing Decimals

• Chapter 4 - Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

• Chapter 5 - Ratios, Rates, and Data Analysis

• Chapter 6 - Circles and Area

• Chapter 7 – Equations

• Chapter 8 – Inequalities

• Chapter 9 - Tables, Graphs, and Functions

• Additional Topics

• B.1 The Number Line

• B.2 Number Line Operations

• B.3 Fractions on the Number Line

• B.4 Decimals on the Number Line

• B.5 Fractions and Decimals on the Number Line

• B.6 The Coordinate Plane

• B.7 Graphing in the Coordinate Plane

A Little Bit About Grading in Math

• Assessments (to include chapter tests, weekly tests,

quizzes) – 50%

• Application – 20%

• Timed tests (3rd, 6th, 9th timed test) – 10%

• 9 weeks test – 20%

• I am very particular about students showing all

steps in Math, whether it is classwork, homework,

tests, or Math journals. In my classroom the policy

is, “No steps, no credit.” Every single step NEEDS

to be shown.

Math Homework

• Assignments should be written in math notebook daily.

• HW should be done in pencil…neat, legible, and organized.

• HW should have an appropriate heading.

6th Grade Discipline Plan

Be safe.

Be respectful.

Be responsible.

A Behavior Book will be kept in order to record student

misconduct.

The consequences are as follows:

• First offense—Verbal warning

• Second offense—Silent lunch

• Third offense—Loss of recess and silent lunch

• Fourth offense—All of the above and After School Detention

• Fifth offense—All of the above and Office Referral

Be Responsible.

• Not prepared for

class

• No homework

• Incomplete

classwork

• Misuse of class

materials

• Off task

• Left desk messy

• Forgetting items in

class

• Inappropriate use of

technology

Be Respectful.

• Disrupting

instruction

• Disturbing others

• Showing Disrespect

• Inappropriate

Language

• Not keeping hands

to self

• Not following

directions

• Talking w/out

permission

• Out of seat w/out

permission

Be Safe.

• Not in correct

location

• Horseplay

• Pushing/shoving

• Safety Drills

• Disobeying school

rules

• Misuse of school

property

• Throwing items

Example of Possible Infractions:

Missing/Late Work:

5 points will be deducted from an assignment each day it is

late. After 5 days, the assignment will receive a 0.

Students will be given sufficient time to finish all classwork

either in class or during our weekly RAM time. If a student

habitually turns in late work, a parent conference will be

requested.

Graded papers:

Graded papers will be given to

students as they are graded. It is

the student’s responsibility to place

it in their accordion folder for

parent/guardian to review.

Digital Devices

• Students are under the same guidelines with personal digital devices as they are when using computers and other digital devices at school. The Technology Usage Policy that all students and parents sign each year applies to, but is not limited to, all digital devices, storage devices/media, and digital content. Students are subject to disciplinary action for misuse of personal devices.

• Students are expected to use digital devices only for reading and academic purposes upon teacher discretion.

Classroom Technology Procedures

Red Light Yellow Light Green Light

All devices are off

and in students’

backpacks

Students may use

devices for specific

purpose/ with

permission from

teacher

All students using

devices responsibly

per MCS

Technology Usage

Policy

Heritage ElementarySchool-wide Expectations

2016-2017

•For excused absences, students have 3 school

days to make up work for each day absent.

•We only send home work if a student is absent for

3 or more days. Please contact a classmate if the

student wants assignments or books to come

home.

•Make-up work requiring teacher assistance may

be worked on during RAM Time. Check with the

teacher ahead of time to be sure he/she is

available.

•10 written excuses (Mom notes) allowed all

school year.

Absences

•Please place all $$ in an envelope with

student name & amount of money on

envelope

•Make sure your DL# is on all checks

Sending Money to School

Medicines – through clinic only

Snacks – nutritious please

Lunch – meet us lunchroom

Lunch or Food –

• May ONLY be brought in for your OWN

child.

• You are NOT allowed to bring food for

any other child.

Test Calendar:

No more than two major tests will be given on the same

day. Teachers will announce tests via email before they are

given.

Take Home Folder:

Students should place any school/organization hand-

outs in their designated file.

Parties / Special Snacks

• We are only allowed 2 parties each school year. Our sixth grade classes will celebrate the end of each semester.

• Please be sure that any treats brought to school:

– Must follow our school nutritional guidelines. *Please don’t ask us to violate this district-wide rule.

– Are free of nuts, nut by-products, and other allergens

– Are prepackaged, not homemade.

Inclement Weather

• Every “walker” student should have a “rainy day plan.”

• Prediction of severe weather may prompt early dismissal. Please make sure you are signed up for our School Messenger and stay tuned to our local weather channels on potential weather days.

• In the event that dangerous or potentially dangerous weather conditions are actually present at the time that school is normally dismissed, the school principal may strongly request that students remain in school until such conditions are no longer present; under such conditions, only parents or guardians may check students out from school.

Field Trips

• Space Camp

• Date: May 14th-19th, 2017, Sunday-Friday

• Weather Day: Even though May 15th is a weather day holiday if not used earlier, students will still attend and be at Space Camp that day.

• Cost: $510. Space Camp folders are going home today. Please sign and return with the best payment option for your family.

• Students will be dropped off AND picked up at Space Camp by the parent.

• Overnight Field Trip Form needs to be notarized and turned in.

Dress Code

• GIRLS:

• No spaghetti straps. You can wear this ONLY if you have a jacket on top as a cover.

• Lasagna straps are allowed, not spaghetti straps.

• No low cut shirts or cut off shirts.

• No sports shorts.

• BOYS:

• No sagging.

• If a student does not follow the dress code, we will ask her/him to call her/his parent to bring her/him a

change of clothes.