Back to School Night 2014-2015

Back to School Night 2014-2015 Mrs. Allison Nau Room 106 6th Grade Reading and Science 7th Grade Reading

About Me • University of Nevada Las Vegas and University of Phoenix • Completed extensive coursework in UNLV’s film program before switching to education. • First year at St. Lawrence • Experience teaching 6th grade self-contained class in Phoenix, AZ, and 5th and 6th grade self-contained class in Scottsdale, AZ • Experience teaching common core standards for both ELA and mathematics

Middle School Websites and Communication Main SLEMS page: http://www.saintlawrence.org/slem/ SchoolLoop: (grades, assignments, important dates, extra resources for support) http://stl-dsj-ca.schoolloop.com

Important Dates (Sept.) • 9/8-9/12 – IOWA Testing Week • 9/10 – 8:30 AM – Bishop’s Mass • 9/12 – 4 PM - Back to School BBQ in the Pool Pavillion • 9/19 – 8 AM – New Parent Coffee (Parish Hall) • 9/26 – 8:05 AM – Assembly (Gym) • 9/27 – 9 AM – Restoration Day

Science Camp – 6th Grade • Caritas Creek at CYO - March 2nd – March 7th • Comprehensive Environmental Education • Science curriculum; social, spiritual, and academic development • Focus placed on recognizing student’s unique gifts and strengths • May or may not be with other Bay Area schools • Tentative Science Camp Preview Night – 10/15 • More information coming soon!

Parent-Teacher Conferences • October 14th- October 17th • After School – 12:30 dismissal • No written progress report will be given. It will be a chance to ask questions, discuss strengths & weaknesses, and strategies for helping students succeed.

Conduct and Effort Grades • Conduct and effort are both important for Catholic school acceptance. • Conduct and effort grades will be discussed and decided between all middle school teachers.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Cont. • All parents will receive an email to sign up for a 20 minute conference slot in the classroom with me. • Middle school students should plan to attend the conferences with parents. • Feedback from other teachers will be provided to me before the conference so I can share it with you.

Report Cards • Sent home trimesterly (3x a year) • A report card confirmation sheet will be sent home with the students for parents to sign. • Parents and students can check SchoolLoopintermittently. for progress reports.

Report Cards (Cont.) • 6th grade students will receive letter grades for the first time. • Report cards will show the percent ranges for A’s, B’s, C’s, etc. • Elective grades will appear on a separate report card. • Some classes have letter grades, some are pass/no pass.

Parent Involvement • DSJ Volunteering Requirements • Fingerprints taken • Tuberculosis test • Shield the Vulnerable training • http://www.saintlawrence.org/slemserviceopportunities

Late Work Policy (Middle School) Late work will be accepted for two weeks after the initial due date for up to 50% credit. After two weeks, late work is not accepted.

Drop-Off Reminder Please remember: If students are dropped off before 7:45 or picked up after 3:45, they must go to the Children’s Center Early release days (12:30 or 2:00 PM Release): Students not picked up 15 minutes after the last bell will go to the teen center. Middle Schoolers will go to the teen center in room 107.

Questions? Please feel free to contact me at anau@saintlawrence.org at any time. I will respond promptly to your message!

6th Grade Reading • Focus on close-reading of complex texts, both literary and informational • Citing evidence from texts to support claims • Analyzing literature to find theme, main idea, text structure, point of view, purpose, tone, and hidden meaning in texts

Grading Scale • 6th Grade Reading: • Tests/Projects = 40% • Quizzes/Smaller Projects = 30% • Classwork = 20% • Homework = 10%

Reading Logs (Weekly) • Students must read a minimum of 20 minutes a night, 5 days a week. • Reading logs will be checked the first time we meet for reading once a week. • Students must log the number of pages read,minutes read, write a brief summary, and get it initialed each night. • Please remind students to bring an independent reading book daily.

Units What Does it Take to be a Rockstar Reader? Genres of Literature/Text Structure Plot and Setting: Building a Foundation for Understanding Characters: The People You’ll Meet Themes and Conclusions: The Heart of the Matter Showing Equality: Equality shown in different forms and patterns Point of View: Author’s Experience Literary Devices: The Author’s Craft Poetry: A Person’s Expression Analyzing Propaganda

7th Grade Reading • Focus on close-reading of complex texts, both literary and informational • Citing evidence from texts to support claims • Analyzing literature to find theme, main idea, text structure, point of view, purpose, tone, and hidden meaning in texts

Reading Logs (Weekly) • Students must read a minimum of 20 minutes a night, 5 days a week. • Reading logs will be checked the first time we meet for reading once a week. • Students must log the number of pages read, minutes read, write a brief summary, and get it initialed each night. • Please remind students to bring an independent reading book daily.

Units Reading Using Common Core Strategies What’s the Big Idea? (Finding the Main Idea) Word Meaning in Context Plot and Text Structure Folktales Characters – Living Many Lives What is Theme? 3 P’s – Purpose, Point of View, and Perspective World of Words: Poetry and Prose Identifying a claim/main argument in persuasive text Citing multiple sources Sum it up! Literary Analyses

Grading Scale • 7thGrade Reading: • Tests/Projects = 40% • Quizzes/Smaller Projects = 30% • Classwork = 20% • Homework = 10%

6th Grade Science • Focus on: • Reading scientific texts • Developing scientific questioning skills and processes • Hands-on, inquiry-based learning • Developing technical language and recording/reporting techniques • Creating a love and curiosity for science!

Science Units The Scientific Method Practicing Map Skills Plate Tectonics and the Earth’s Structure The Ocean Floor Biomes and Ecosystems Shaping Earth’s Surface Heat (Thermal Energy) Energy in the Earth System Renewable and Non-renewable resources

Science Fair • Should take place sometime during the beginning of the year – dates are tentative. • 6th grade competes in the school-wide competition • 7th & 8th grade can go on to compete in the district-wide competition • Run by Mr. Oliver

6th Grade Science Grading Scale • Tests/Projects = 40% • Quizzes/Labs = 30% • Classwork = 20% • Homework = 10%

Science Camp – 6th Grade • Caritas Creek at CYO - March 2nd – March 7th • Comprehensive Environmental Education • Science curriculum; social, spiritual, and academic development • Focus placed on recognizing student’s unique gifts and strengths • May or may not be with other Bay Area schools • Tentative Science Camp Preview Night – 10/15 • More information coming soon!

Back to School Night 2014-2015