Welcome to Grade 6 ELA!

1. Welcome to Grade 6 ELA! Mrs. Joanne Greco 2019 -2020

2. Joanne Greco • About Me… • This is my 8th year at Greenwich Catholic School, and my first year in the middle school! • I grew up in Yonkers, NY and live in Westport, CT. • My husband Peter and I have two children – Matthew, who is 29 years old, and Allison, who is 27. • My classroom environment is built on kindness, respect, and communication among children, teachers and parents.

3. ELA Workshop Mini-Lesson Read Aloud Direct Instruction Weekly ELA Workshop Menu Students engage in a variety of Daily 5 ELA activities to build skills in reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Small group instruction focused on developing and refining skills Independent Reading • Child-selected reading material • Focus on choosing “Just Right” books • Annotating to develop thinking strategies • Digital Classroom Library to track reading habits

4. ELA Assessments Standardized Testing IOWA NWEA/Map • Chapter Check-Ins • Unit Assessments • Book Packets • Project-Based Assessments • Published Writing Pieces • Weekly Vocabulary Quizzes • Weekly ELA Menus • Grammar Quizzes

5. Grade 6 Reading Curriculum: Literature Study Harriet the Spy (Coming of Age) The Magician’s Nephew (Fantasy) Refugee (Historical Fiction) Tuck Everlasting (Classics) Three Book Projects - to be completed at home - Coming of Age - Fantasy - Classics

6. Grade 6 Reading Independent Reading • Builds reading stamina • Positive impact on literacy development • Comprehension • Vocabulary • Fluency • Encourages students to become avid, life-long readers • Improves academic achievement across all subject areas.

7. Writing Lab Mini- Lesson Specific focus on writing technique Gradual Release – scaffolding instruction Guided Practice Small group and targeted instruction Independent • Writer’s Notebook • Explore, Write & Reflect • “Seeds” (story ideas) • Pre-write, Draft, Edit, Revise, Publish

8. Grade 6 Writing Curriculum: Writing Pathways – Lucy Calkins Narrative Writing (P.N. Essay) Information Writing (Research Report) Argument Writing (Literary Essay) Assessments Published Writing Pieces Writer’s Notebook

9. Grade 6 Vocabulary Vocabulary Workshop • Word list drawn from vocabulary that students will encounter in their reading. • Reading passages promote the use of context clues. • Digital and print components meets needs of variety of learning styles. • Encourages use of a range of strategies to determine the meaning of unknown words.

10. Grade 6 Grammar Daily Language Review • Daily practice in conventions of standard English • Grammar and usage • Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling • Daily practice in vocabulary acquisition and use • Determine or clarify word meaning • Demonstrate understanding of word relationships • Acquire and use words and phrases

11. Homework • Review of daily lessons/practice new skills. • Due following school day unless noted. • Reinforces personal responsibility, routine, and organization skills. • Repeatedly late/missing homework affects grade. • Homework posted on my webpage daily.

12. Birthdays • Parents are welcome to send in a birthday treat to celebrate your child’s birthday. • Please send enough for every child (37), along with napkins, plates, etc., if needed. Students will bring treats to the cafeteria. • Our classrooms are NUT/PEANUT FREE! Please check ingredient lists carefully.

13. Questions, Comments and Concerns… • Please fill out the questionnaire on the side table. On the back, feel free to share any information about your child you would like me to know. You can complete it at home and send it in at any time.

14. Room Coordinators • In advance, I’d like to thank our Room Parents this year, Marie Rocha (6G) and Sarah Gengo (6N), for all their time and support.

15. Thank you for coming tonight!