Welcome to the 2012-13 School Year!

1. Welcome to the 2012-13 School Year! Mrs. Goheen’s 6th Grade APAAS Class Please sign in, sign up for a conference and take hand-outs

2. Thank you for your donations!

3. Philosophy “Simply learning is not enough.” -unknown

4. Goals • Foster higher-level thinking by providing opportunities for students to make connections between subject matter, the world around them, and their own lives • Inspire creativity and innovation to prepare children for a fulfilling career and the job market of the future • Create an energy charged environment in which thoughtful discourse is part of every day • Model and support compassion

5. Creativity and Innovation • “Employers are complaining that academic programs from schools to universities simply don’t teach what people need to know and be able to do. They want people who can think intuitively, who are imaginative and innovative, who can communicate well, work in teams and are flexible, adaptable and self confident.” • - Ken Robinson

6. Original Research • Problem solution • Local issues • World issues • Areas of interest

7. Classroom Management • Mutual respect • Humor • Clear, quick logical consequences accompanied by consistent follow-through

8. Homework • Should not exceed 1 ½ hours a night including 30 minutes of reading • Meant to be a meaningful extension of the school day • Math is practice and thinking- quality over quantity • Expect some struggle. It is what we want them to do. • Students need a quiet place to study • New research (New York Times) tells us that students should change study environments when possible • Edmodo • What work is sent home?

9. Parent’s role • Serve as a guide when necessary • Edit written work but please do not revise • Sign homework if student is struggling too much • Hugs and healthy treats • Monitor!

10. Late assignments • Incomplete math homework • 5 late assignments in one subject in one trimester will mean a lower report card grade • A new trimester is a clean slate

11. Adolescents entering the adult world in the 21st century will read and write morethan at any other time in history. They will need advanced levels of literacy to perform their jobs, run their households, act as citizens, and conduct their personal lives.-Richard Vacca

12. Authentic Literacy • Reading and Writing with purpose • Deep reading with pen in hand • Discussion/ argument

13. Reading • Variety of texts and types of media • Students make connections • State standards- informational reading, literary analysis • Frequency • support areas of interest • independent reading level • Literature Circles (Depth and Complexity is emphasized) • Written work • Discussion • Oral interview • Reading Log

14. Writing is the very litmus of thought….the very center of schooling.-Ted SizerFor all our talk about the importance of higher-order thinking, we continue to overlook the fact that writing, linked to close reading, is the workshop of thought-with an almost miraculous effect on students’ critical thinking.-Mike Schmoker

15. Writing • Lots of it! • Goals • Enjoyment (less stress): writing what we really mean to say not what we think someone else wants to hear • Think Book • Thinking about essential ideas across curriculum • Literature Circles • Response and creative writing • Process pieces • Emphasis on persuasive, narrative and compare contrast • Also include descriptive, response to literature • On-demand expanded time • Rubric scored

16. Speaking • Essential skill in the 21st century • Support at home • Eye contact, clear voice • In class • Frequent presentations • Formal and informal • Poetry – dual purpose • Performance TBD

17. Math • Goals • Understanding the ‘why’ • Problem solving (non-routine problems) • Concepts across the strands • Computational skills • Application • The ability to have a conversation about mathematics verbally and in writing • Friday Morning Math Clinic (or as needed)

18. What do colleges want? • Students who have taken advantage of the highest levels of rigor offered by their high school. • “We do not care when a student takes a particular math course.” –Harvard, Yale • Students who make a long-term commitment to an interest/cause that reaches beyond the borders of their high school • Strong writers • Young people who have discovered a passion

19. Social Studies • Global Awareness • Long ago and far away…… • Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, China, India, Greece, Rome • Connect to 2012-13 current events • Text, other print resources, pictures, videos • informational reading- independent note taking • Research report • Newspaper, CNN for Students • IOLA, written assessments, group projects

20. Science • Support of Mrs. Leishman’s instruction • Text, pictures, video • Informational reading • Note taking skills (preparing for middle school and beyond) • Science Fair Project required • Online assessments with written component

21. P.E./Health • Integrated with 6th grade – social skills • Flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination • Exposure to sports • Proper attire • Sneakers • Light colored shirt • Girls- no skirts • Deodorant 

22. APAAS Enrichment • Depth and complexity across the curriculum • Brain Explosions • Shakespeare • Literature Circles/ Novel Studies • Original Research • Math and Art • Service Learning- student driven • Addresses 21st century goals, authentic experience • The discussion we have every day all day

23. The Adolescent Child • Desires greater independence- Don’t take it personally. • The push/pull begins • Begin to seek own identity – goodbye baby self • Look to peers for approval • Stay positive or children can begin to seek negative attention • Recommended reading: Get Out of My Life! (But first can you take me and Cheryl to the mall?) by Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D • Mindset byCarol Dweck • A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink

24. Keys to Success • Participation – question, comment or answer • Willingness to make mistakes • Organization • Study skills – build self-discipline • Careful parent involvement

25. 6th Grade is Special! • Leadership opportunities • Quikscience • Service Learning • CIMI- March • Fundraising • Payment schedule • Back Bay Bike Ride- May

26. Class Website • Textbook access • Test dates • General information • Hand-outs • Are you receiving e-mails?

27. School wide topics • PTA • Become a part of the Eastshore family • PTA is one of our greatest assets! • Lunch assistance • Apply prior to October 1st • Technology/Library Use Agreements • Volunteer Screening

28. I promise to take good care of them.