Welcome to Curriculum Night!

Katie Forshee6th Grade Language Arts

Room 615

Paper, pens & pencils are located on the back table if you’d like to take notes…

Contact Information

Email address: katiej.forshee@cms.k12.nc.usWebsite: http://forshee.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/

What exactly is language arts?

Language Arts is a class consisting of thinking, reading and writing opportunities focusing on personal

experiences and expression.

Students will read poetry, novels, short stories, news articles, and other non-fiction selections as well as write

poems, stories, and essays.

Students will have presentations as well as work in groups to develop and enhance their communication

and public speaking skills.

Supplies

Daily supplies needed: binder, pencil, highlighter, agenda

EXPO markers and colored pencils/markers (child will be informed day ahead of time)

Grading Policy

Percentage Breakdown

1. Informal Assessments- 35% of quarter grade– Quizzes- 25% of informal– Homework- 10% of informal

2. Formal Assessments(tests and projects)-65% of quarter grade

My expectations & rules

• Rules posted above board-easy to remember and straightforward– Enter the room prepared to learn.– Always show respect.– Follow all classroom procedures and rules.

• No cheating or bullying

Homework

• Homework will be assigned weekly.

• Students are expected to complete assignments to the best of their abilities.

• Imperative that students write their homework in their agendas every day!!! – I write the assignments on the board, they are posted

on my website and I discuss them in class-no excuses!

Novels

• 3 novel studies this year1. Touching Spirit Bear2. Crispin-The Cross of Lead3. The Call of the Wild

Library/media center

• September 19th-students will learn procedures of checking out books and using computers

• Once every two weeks

• Can check out up to three books per visit

• Students will pay late fees on overdue books after 10 days- 10 cents per day

Topics/Skills• Literary elements- character, plot, theme, mood, tone

conflict (all parts that make up stories)

• Foreshadowing, making inferences, character traits

• Grammar, writing, dialogue

• Essays, poems, novel studies

• Socratic seminars & group projects

Common CoreMission Statement

– The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.

– Common Core is being implemented across the USA in order to maintain an accurate and equal educational experience from students from New York to Washington state, California to Florida

Tutoring

• I will be available for tutoring will on Wednesday mornings from 7:15 - 7:45 a.m.

• Students should come with a specific assignment or

skill they need to work on– do not show up and say, “I need help.”

• Please remind your child to let me know in advance when they plan on attending, so that I know how many students to expect.

Academic Assistance Program

Program Description:• There are a number of different academic programs within our building that we

provide to support our struggling students. This year we will be implementing an Academic Assistance Program that will be offered during lunch. Once a student’s team identifies a child that is in need of more individualized support, he or she will receive an invitation to our program. This invitation will provide the student with an opportunity to receive remediation and small group tutoring in all academic areas.

• AAP provides students with the opportunity to:– Complete missing assignments– Make up/retake test or quizzes– Complete any missed work due to absence– Group Work– Remediation

Test

• The first test will be on the material the students have learned thus far (Unit One: Literary Elements).

• The test will be on September 24th

Wish List

• Located on back wall

• Thank you for coming. I hope you found this information to be helpful.

• I wish your child great success this year!

Where to go next…

• Hoyle is across hall (Social Studies)

• Arcaini is room next to mine (Science)

• Torrence/Vanderhill down hall (Math)