Welcome to Ms. Campbell’s 6 th Grade English Classroom!

1. Welcome to Ms. Campbell’s6th Grade English Classroom!

2. A Little About Me • My background • I grew up in Ellicott City, MD, and Lexington, MA • I attended Worthington and Ilchester Elementary, Lexington High School, and… Ellicott Mills Middle School! • I attended UMD and UMBC • My experience • I taught 9th and 10th grade English at Mt. Hebron High School • I taught 6th grade Reading and Advanced Reader three years ago and 6th grade English and GT English the last two years • I teach Middle School Reading/Writing during Summer School • I’m looking forward to another great year! 

3. My Goals • To help you build on the basic language arts skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, and literature • To help you enjoy language as art and entertainment • To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment • To help you discover new interests in reading and writing

4. 6th Grade English Units • Coming of Age • Literary Nonfiction: Red Scarf Girl • Courage • Historical Fiction: Out of the Dust • Heroes • Heroic Literature: Freak the Mighty

5. 6th Grade GT English Units • Coming of Age • Literary Nonfiction: Red Scarf Girl • Courage • Historical Fiction: Out of the Dust and Number the Stars • Heroes • Heroic Literature: The Sword in the Stone

6. My Philosophy • I know that all of you can learn, and I will teach everyone to the best of my ability • I will never call on you to read aloud without giving you advanced notice • I will give you at least 2-3 seconds to come up with a response to any question I ask • I am here to teach you, not to torture you, and I will always be fair and open to your questions and concerns • On that note, please, please, please leave me comments and questions in the Suggestions Box on the file cabinet

7. Classroom Expectationsand Procedures

8. Expectation # 1 Respect yourself and the other people in this room. This is the golden rule in my classroom, and I will always treat you with respect and fairness.

9. Expectation # 2 Follow directions the first time they’re given.

10. Expectation # 3 Raise your hand for permission to speak and to leave your seat.

11. Expectation # 4 Make smart choices. This includes NO PUT-DOWNS!

12. Expectation # 5 Keep your teacher happy! 

13. Partner Quiz • What is the most important rule in my classroom? Respect yourself and the other people in this room. • When should you follow directions? The first time they’re given. • When should you raise your hand? For permission to speak or to leave your seat. • Can you make fun of someone in my classroom? No. This is not a smart choice for a community of learners. • Why is it important to keep me happy? I need to be able to concentrate in order to teach everyone, and you want a teacher who smiles and makes jokes!

14. Why Follow Expectations? • No one will be distracted from learning • You will help to create a stress-free and fun learning environment • You will feel comfortable, prepared, and relaxed in my classroom

15. Consequences 1st warning: Verbal message 2nd warning: Behavior card 3rd warning: Time out and parental contact 4th warning: Action Plan, parental and administrative contact, and conference with me (during lunch detention) 5th warning: Disciplinary referral

16. Behavior Card Mine says: Your present behavior is unacceptable. I know you can be more polite. Please do so. Sign and return this card to me in person after class. Thank you.

17. Ms. Campbell’s Action Plan • What’s the problem? • 2. What’s causing the problem? • (Please list the factors) • 3. What plan will you use to solve the problem? • ________________ • Date • _______________________ ______________________ • Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

18. Severe Clause If I deem your behavior to be uncontrollable or too disruptive for the learning environment, I will send you to the guidance counselor or the assistant principal’s office immediately. You will NOT receive any warnings.

19. Procedure # 1:Entering the Room • Enter the room quietly and take your seat. • Review the objective for the day. Then write your homework in your Agenda Book. • Begin the “Caught Ya,” SSR, or writing prompt.

20. Procedure # 2:Getting Your Attention • When I say, “Class,” you will answer, “Yes,” however I said, “Class.” • When I say, “Hands and Eyes,” you will fold your hands and look at me. • When I have everyone’s attention, I will begin talking.

21. Procedure # 3:Turning in Work • I will ask you to hold up the assignment. • A student that I choose will collect your papers to place in the “In Bin.” If you have any notes for me, please hold them up as well.

22. Procedure # 4:No Homework? • Take a Pink Slip from the side table and fill it out. • Turn in the Pink Slip when I collect homework that day, and turn in the missing work as soon as possible. If you miss homework regularly, I will contact your parents/guardians.

23. Date: _____________________________ • Printed Name:_______________________ • Period:_______________________ • You’ve been Pink-Slipped! • Completing your homework is your responsibility as a student. • Missing Assignment: ____________________________________________ • I do not have my homework today because: • _____ I did the assigned homework, but I did not bring it to class. • _____ I chose not to do my homework. • _____ I forgot to do my homework. • _____ I did not have the appropriate materials at home. • _____ Other—please explain below. • ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Student Signature: _______________________________________

24. Procedure # 5:Class Discussions • Please participate! I want to hear your opinions. • Occasionally, I will call on random students by pulling fairsticks. • Make all questions and comments relevant to the discussion.

25. Procedure # 6:After an EXCUSED absence • Check my website before coming back to school. • Find the work you missed in your class’s folder on the back board. • You have the same number of days that you were absent to make up missed work.

26. Procedure # 7:Finished Early? • Read your SSR book. • Ask if you may go to the Media Center to check out a book. • Start/continue working on English assignments or review your English notes.

27. Procedure # 8:Class Dismissal • I dismiss you, not the clock. • I will normally dismiss you 30 seconds earlier than scheduled. • Do not start packing up before class ends. • Wait until I finish and officially dismiss you by saying, “Have a nice day!”

28. “Special” Procedures Additional procedures, such as the ones listed below, will be introduced as needed. • Forming groups • Media Center • Mobile lab • Special guests • Progress Reports/Report Cards • Fire drill • Intercom announcements • Assemblies • Substitute teachers

29. One Last Policy… Don’t cheat! • I trust you not to cheat, but if you do decide to cheat, the consequence will be on a case-by-case basis • Possible consequences: • Write a one-page essay titled “Why I Decided to Cheat” • Complete a similar assignment during lunch in my room • Receive the score divided by the number of students who cheated

30. A Little Inspiration LEARNING is an individual activity but not a solitary one. It is more effective when it takes place within a supportive community of learners. -Harry Wong Please remember that we are learning together as a community. I’m looking forward to a great year together!