Sixth Grade Curriculum Night

1. Sixth Grade Curriculum Night Mrs. Fredrickson Mrs. Iyer Mrs. Miller Mrs. Tibke

2. Welcome to Sixth Grade! M/Th/Fri • 8:50-10:00 Specials, Homeroom, • 9:55-10:50 1st Period • 10:55-11:50 2nd Period • 11:55-12:35 Lunch • 12:45-I:40 3rd Period • 1:45-2:40 4th Period • 2:15-3:10 Homeroom Tues/Wed • 8:50-10:00 Specials, Homeroom, • 10:00-11:30 1st (Tues) 3rd (Wed) • 11:30-11:55 Homeroom • 11:55-12:35 Lunch • 12:45-2:15 2nd (Tues) 4th (Wed) • 2:15-3:10 Homeroom

3. Our Goals • To give students the academic and social skills they need to progress to the seventh grade. • To provide a supportive and challenging classroom environment. • To encourage students to take a leadership role in their education.

4. Class Subjects • Reading/Recitations/AR– Mrs. Tibke • Math – Mrs. Miller • Science/Social studies – Mrs. Iyer • Spalding/Writing/Grammar – Mrs. Fredrickson • Music, Library, PE, and Computers

5. Reading • Literature appreciation, vocabulary, comprehension, decoding, and fluency. • Titles of lit sets: A Wrinkle in Time, Kira Kira, Dragonwings, The Giver, Out of the Dust, and A Single Shard • Poetry: Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost and Walt Whitman

6. Common Core • Preparing students to be College and Career reading before graduating high school. • Greater emphasis on the depth of knowledge, critical thinking, and analyzing fiction and non-fiction pieces.

7. Lexile Score • Preparing students to be College and Career reading before graduating high school. • Greater emphasis on the depth of knowledge, critical thinking, and analyzing fiction and non-fiction pieces. http://lexile.com/search/filters/results/

8. Accelerated Reader • Reading software program which guides free choice reading during “AR Time” in class and the required reading for homework. It does not replace the reading curriculum. • Motivational for students and allows teachers and parents to monitor reading activity and progress. • Your child will have an individualized AR points goal to meet for each quarter. • The AR goal is obtainable if your child is reading regularly and taking AR quizzes. • Please note: We will no longer monitor the number of pages read for each quarter, we will now monitor points/percent towards the AR goal. Your child should reach 50% of his/her goal on the progress report and 100% of their goal by the end of each quarter.

9. Accelerated Reader • How does it work? • Student reads a book at their own pace. • Student takes a 10-20 question AR comprehension quiz on the computer. • If the book was read well and they pass the quiz, they earn points towards AR goal. • Log on to Home Connect to keep up to date with your AR activity. • Newly expanded program.. AR tests for ANY book in the AR database! • Visit www.arbookfind.com to search for available titles.

10. Grammar • Capitalization • Punctuation • Editing • Parts of speech

11. Writing • 6+1 Traits of Writing • Weekly Vocabulary Tests • Writing process • Final drafts: typed or in Spalding cursive • Rubrics • Types of Essays: • Argumentative/persuasive • Cause and Effect • Compare/Contrast • Descriptive • Expository • Literary Analysis • Reflective/Narrative • Research • Long term projects – cross curricular

12. Spelling • Spalding Method • ~30 words bi- weekly • Daily Spelling Homework • Quiz on Friday • Phonogram Test bi-weekly • Tues or Wed

13. Math • Saxon and McDougal Littell • Daily note-taking • Homework • Spiral Review • Real Word Labs and Activities

14. Where we’ve been…Snorkeling 2009-2010: • Narrowed the content • Beginning of deep investigation into mathematics problem solving • Much less repetition

15. Where we are…Scuba Diving 2011 to present: • Standards are fewer, much deeper • Even greater focus on problem solving • Each grade level has only the domains (major topics) relevant to their focus

16. Key Advances in 2010 Mathematics Standards • K-12: Focus on problem-solving, • reasoning about numbers, and modeling • K-5: Focus on number sense and operations • K-7: Fractions, ratios, and proportional reasoning to support algebra • 6-8: Modeling with ratios, geometry, statistics, and probability • High School: Rigorous algebra, geometry, modeling, statistics and probability

17. Building Foundations across K-12

18. Critical Areas: 6th Grade • Connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems • Completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative number • Writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations • Developing an understanding of statistical thinking

19. Reasoning and Explaining MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively. MP.3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Habits of Mind of a Productive Mathematical Thinker MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. MP.6 Attend to precision. Modeling and Using Tools MP.4 Model with mathematics. MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically. Seeing Structure and Generalizing MP.7 Look for and make use of structure. MP.8 Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Standards for Mathematical Practices

20. What does that mean for mathematics instruction? • Procedural fluency is one-fourth of the focus of mathematics instruction. • Fluency is defined as accurate and flexible. • The other three-fourths of mathematics instruction include: • Strategy in problem solving • Reasoning • Reasoning about connections (transfer)

21. How Parents Can Help… • Word problems, especially problems of the day, may seem very complicated and advanced. • Students will need support thinking about these ideas before they begin to solve: • What they know about the problem • What they know about the answer • Whether this looks like a problem they have seen before

22. How Parents Can Help… • Often times students will be encouraged to use sense-making strategies to solve mathematical problems. • These strategies will support their growth. • Teachers may delay showing students short cuts or standard algorithms. • Please honor that delay, it is by design to develop a deep understanding of the concept.

23. Science • Life Science: cells, plants, & ecosystems. • Physical Science: transfer of energy, forms of energy, & electricity and magnetism. • Incorporating engineering and design challenges. • Earth Science: water cycle, ocean, atmosphere, & weather. • Science Fair: 1/24/13 Please help your students pick out their topic by visiting the district website and looking at the curriculum. http://www.mychandlerschools.org

24. Social Studies • Ancient Native American civilizations • Mesopotamia • Egypt • Rome & Greece • Middle Ages • Ancient Asia • Ancient Africa • World religions • Country Reports • Current Events • Geography is incorporated in the study of civilizations

25. Recitations • Two poems are memorized per quarter • Improves vocabulary, allows for understanding and use of complex syntax, increases comprehension and fluency, and develops skills in presenting. • Essays and projects may include a memorization piece that would happen in lieu of a poem recitation

26. Grading Scale • 90-100: A • 80-89: B • 70-79: C • 60-69: D • Below 59: F • Effort Grades in Special Areas will only be given twice a year at the end of each semester • Currently the district is switching grade books and Gradespeed is no longer available, and the current system is not set up for parents to check grades just yet.

27. Homework • Homework should take about 45 minutes every night. Sixth graders should also read for at least 30 minutes. • Students should be able to complete homework independently. • Projects and recitations will require extra time and effort but are the most memorable parts of the year. • Homework is just not paper/pencil, they need to be studying for upcoming tests.

28. Study Hall • We have incorporated this year time in each day for study hall. • This is a great time for students to get help or clarification from content area teachers. • Students can get a jump start on homework • Students can AR read ( AR reading time also occurs for 30 minutes in the morning).

29. Procedures • *3 strikes and you’re out (out being after school detention) format. • For each strike a slip will be sent home requiring parent signature and description of the offense. Examples include: • 3 missing/incomplete homework assignments per quarter. • Chewing gum • Disrespect toward peer or teacher

30. Communication • Agenda Please look over student’s work and sign the agenda Thursday night. Do not sign if the work has not been completed. If you see a large circle, your child has not written the assignment. An X means the entire assignment was not completed. A ‘/’ means the assignment was partially completed. A stamp or star indicates completion on time. • Newsletters • 4 separate ones ( one per subject) • Will be published at least once a quarter. • Thursday folder Weekly assignments will come home in Thursday folder. The folder should be signed and returned with your child on Friday.

31. Human Growth and Development • Adolescents ~ Toddlers • Might notice mental, physical, social, emotional changes • District has reviewed the content and it is now a 3 day long program. • Boys (Mr. Morris) and Girls (6th grade teachers) are separated • Covers: Puberty, hygiene, birth, conception, STDs • A signed permission slip is required.

32. Art Masterpiece & Junior Achievement • Thank you for covering our 6th grade in these areas! • We look forward to having you in our classrooms

33. ROOM PARENTS • We have parents who are able to help in every area assigned to room parents: spring fling basket/booth, class parties, pool party luncheon, etc. • All 6th grade classrooms work together for the Spring Fling booth-cakewalk

34. Tardiness • The first bell rings at 8:35, and we pick students up on the playground. • If students aren’t in the classroom by the time the second bell rings at 8:40, they should check in at the school office before coming to class. • Five unexcused tardies = one absence.

35. Students visit the principal’s office and receive a special gift and sticker on their birthday • Staff members wish your child happy birthday all day! • Classes will sing happy birthday to their classmate • Do not send cupcakes or other food items • Students may bring a small token pencil, eraser, etc. to pass out to classmates • Parents may donate a book to their teacher in honor of the birthday • Join your child for lunch! • Need more information? See our school website or the July/ • August school newsletter Birthday Celebrations

36. Field Trips • Arizona Science Center • Youth Frontiers Courage Retreat • 6th grade pool party/luncheon

37. Class Parties • Winter party (end of 1st semester) • Valentine party • 6th grade pool party • Treats for the classroom should be purchased rather than homemade. And easy to pass out to each child. • Thank you to anyone who can volunteer to help plan parties or attend

38. Let’s Have a Great Year!