Welcome to Sixth Grade at Tavares Middle School

1. Welcome to Sixth Grade at Tavares Middle School Please join us on the summer Remind group. Get reminders, notices, and be able to ask questions. Get the free Remind app for your smart phone. Link: rmd.at/922a8f Or Text the message @922a8f to the number 81010. Language Arts (ELA) Miss Francis Mr. Richardson Mrs. Weber

2. Miss Francis Miss Francis was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Her parents are from Jamaica so she likes to tell others that she’s from there as well. She received her bachelors from USF, and has been teaching for 5 years. Miss Francis is currently working on her Masters in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University, and hopes to become an administrator in the near future. Her overall goal is to open her own school.

3. Mr. Richardson Mr. Richardson grew up attending Lake County schools, and completed his bachelor’s degree in English education from UCF. He is currently earning his master’s in educational leadership at UCF, and plans to become a school administrator. He also serves as the school’s athletic director, and manages all sports at TMS. Mr. Richardson enjoys reading, weekend adventures, CrossFit, and going fishing.

4. Mrs. Weber Mrs. Weber is going into her 13th year with Tavares Middle School. She previously taught at Treadway Elementary. She has been married for almost 34 years to her best friend, has two awesome sons, and five beautiful grandchildren. Mrs. Weber loves her students, and loves sharing a love of reading with them. She enjoys her pets, being outside and working in her garden, and spending as much time as possible with her family. She looks forward to this school year with her students!

5. What will we do in Language Arts class? Our focus will include: Reading to build comprehension and analyze text. Writing effectively, using relevant evidence. Learning to be part of a cooperative group, which includes discussing and listening to others. and more . . .

6. What do we need for Language Arts class? Composition Book (stays in class) Pens/Pencils/Erasers (no mechanical pencils) Notebook Paper NOVELS (kept at home)

7. 3-Inch Binders All TMS students are required to carry a 3-inch, 3-ring binder. This binder is used for every class, so the student has just one binder to take care of. NO Trapper Keepers (zippered) binders. The binder must contain 6 pocket dividers, a pencil pouch, paper, pencils (no mechanical pencils), erasers, two pens, and two highlighters. For every 6th Grader

8. Will there be homework? Yes, there will be Language Arts homework. Students are required to read every school night, usually one chapter from the novel. Students who do not keep up with their reading will be behind in our classwork. Mrs. Weber’s students will also have homework in Commonlit.org. (computer- based articles).

9. Grades and Attendance #1 Reason 6th Graders Fail? *Not doing – or turning in - their assignments Zeroes are destructive to a student’s grade. Assignments that are not done, or turned in, receive a 0. Plan ahead, and make sure you do not earn any 0’s! #2 Reason 6th Graders Fail? *Attendance! You cannot learn, if you aren’t here. You also cannot make up the important instruction and practice you miss during class time. Take your attendance seriously. No vacations during school time. They are not excused absences. You have 5 days to make up work from an EXCUSED absence.

10. Intensive Reading Ms. Borowsky

11. Ms. Borowsky Ms. Borowsky has spent most of her 28 years teaching in the Elementary schools. She joined TMS in 2017 and absolutely LOVES it! She has 4 grown children, one of them special needs. She also has 6 grandchildren. Ms. Borowsky has a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Educational leadership. She has been recognized as a Highly Effective teacher for several years. Spending time with her family is very important to her. She also loves the beach! She is looking forward to meeting her new students and helping them reach their potential!

12. Intensive Reading • If your child’s score on FSA is a 1, or sometimes a low 2, he/she will be participating in this class as one of their electives. • We use the Achieve3000 computer program for this class. It begins by giving them a Level Set test, which will show what their reading level is. • Throughout the year, they will learn skills that will enable them to progress in their reading level. • They will need a 1” binder/paper/pencils.

13. TMS Summer Reading Challenge TMS is encouraging all students to read every day this summer for at least thirty minutes. The goal is to read at least six books by the end of the summer. Complete the reading challenge form and turn in on the first day of school. Students who complete this form (or write their info on notebook paper) will be given twenty Patriot Bucks (our in school currency that can be used to purchase goodies at our Patriot Buck store). These students will also be eligible to win a $50 gift card. The following books are recommended titles for the 6th grade. However, students may read any book as long as it is on their grade level. Recommended Titles for 6th grade • -The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan • -Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis • -Frightful’s Mountain by Jean Craighead George • Flush by Carl Hiaasen 100 pages of a fiction book = 1 novel (300 page book = 3 novels) Books can also be nonfiction, on grade level.

14. We cannot wait to see you in August! If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Weber through Remind, or at Weberg1@lake.k12.fl.us. I will get back to you as quickly as I can.