Rising 6th Grade Orientation Meeting

1. Rising 6th Grade Orientation Meeting

2. Welcome • It is a new year with lots of changes. • We will all work together this year to make it a positive and successful transition. • Communication, responsibility, and effort are essential elements for your child’s success. MAJOR DIFFERENCES FROM 5th GRADE: • Increase in amount and type of homework • Increased expectations for organizational skills

3. Meet the Teachers • Jennifer Neel • Math • Susan Nielsson • Literature • Composition • Robin Thoman • Social Studies • Science

4. Jennifer Neel • Common Core Math 6 and Common Core Math 6 PLUS • Math class challenges students to develop, communicate, and analyze mathematical reasoning using many different tools • There are a variety of instructional strategies used including direct instruction, open-ended problem solving, project-based learning, investigations and hands-on learning

5. The 5 Domains of Common Core Math 6 • Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems. • The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions; multiply and divide multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples; apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers. • Expressions and Equations: Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions; reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities; represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables. • Geometry: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume. • Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical variability; summarize and describe distributions

6. The 5 Domains of Common Core Math 6 PLUS • Common Core Math 6 PLUS is a compacted course that contains all of the Common Core Math 6 standards in addition to a portion of select Common Core Math 7 standards.   • Students analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems. • Students solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle and measure.

7. Student Criteria for Eligibility Into Common Core Math 6 PLUS • EVAAS is a computer program owned by SAS Institute- a Cary-based, privately-held corporation that develops and sells specialized software for a variety of industries.  EVAAS uses all available end-of-grade testing data for every student.  Based on past test performance, EVAAS establishes a predicted score for each student.  One score that is generated is a probability proficiency which determines the anticipated score each student might receive in Math I (formerly Algebra I) based on their prior test history.

8. Susan Nielsson • Literature and Composition • Literature is an exploration of poetry, historical fiction, realistic fiction, nonfiction, short stories and author studies. • Literature class is a combination of individual and group activities, book clubs and projects. • Composition class is rich in grammar and writing instruction. Students are encouraged to find their individual voice through the writing of journals, poetry and biographical vignettes.

9. Robin Thoman • Science and Social Studies • Both science and social studies classes are rich in the use informational text. • Science class is filled with laboratory experiences, hands on projects, and field investigations. New information is presented through discovery, informational text, and guided notes . • Social Studies involves investigation of new information through dramatizations, individual and group projects, and reading informational text followed by a collaborative, intellectual dialogue.

10. Fine Arts $5 Fine Arts Fee Next year 6th graders will have Fine Arts in an elective based format once a week. At the beginning of the semester 6th grade students will choose two electives (art, music or drama based electives) per quarter. Students will fill out a form and take it home to be signed by parents the first week of school. A syllabus will be given in the 1st week of classes with supplies and classroom expectations. Students should expect to have homework in Fine Arts classes. Sample class offerings:

11. Fine Arts • Drama Club is offered as an extracurricular activity • Band and Chorus are offered as a before school enrichment class • Fine Arts Extravaganza (tentative date March 11th and 12th) Please see the Fine Arts webpage for information on behavior expectations, curriculum information, quarterly newsletters, and important dates and events. Feel free to e-mail the Fine Arts team at finearts@endeavorcharter.com with any questions you may have.

12. Our Daily Schedule 8:20-8:45 Homeroom 8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting 9:00-9:50 Core 1 9:50-10:40 Core 2 10:40-11:10 Recess 11:10-11:35 Lunch 11:40-12:30 Core 3 12:30-1:20 Core 4 1:25-2:15 Core 5 2:15-3:05 Core 6

13. Lunch Coverage • Recess 10:40-11:10 • Lunch 11:10-11:40 You can sign up for lunch with your homeroom parent. PLEASE try to join us for at least 3 lunches per quarter. This helps make coverage equitable for all families . If we do not have coverage, YOUR child may not get to meet with us if needed, we may not get to do other important things during this time, and you will miss out on a great chance to volunteer and come see your middle school child in their natural habitat. ☺

14. Communication/Conferences • Email! We return emails promptly and professionally. Contact us anytime • for questions, clarification, or concerns. • **Please do not rely solely on a student’s account for complete information. • Conferences are typically scheduled by request • ** Most conferences are a “team approach” meaning more than one core teacher • may be present. • Newsletters will be posted bi-monthly on our website. Please read all the • information written in these newsletters as this is the best way to • communicate all the WONDERFUL things that are occurring throughout • the year.

15. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS ● Behavior affects learning. We foster the best learning environment possible for all students. ● We encourage and reward positive behavior and expect students to be: Prepared with ALL materials Polite &Respectful to all adults and peers Engaged in learning and on task during class ● Multiple or excessive class disruptions will result in at recess detention for the day. ● Detention held before and after school will be reserved for major infractions ● We want students to make the BEST choices, take responsibility, and learn from their mistakes.

16. ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS Parents are notified of late or missed assignments through amessagefromyour6thgrader@gmail.com. Late work policy for homework - students will receive a zero, but need to complete the work for partial credit. There is a 10% deduction per day for late work. Failure to complete assignments is not an option. Students should complete all assigned work.

17. Make Up Work Policy ● If your child is absent or plans to be absent, he or she will need to ask each teacher for make-up work upon returning to school. ● Each teacher has designated folders for students to get make up work, and it is the student’s responsibility to get the work. ● Websites are updated weekly, but asking a teacher is best.

18. Grading Breakdown • Homework 15% • Classwork 15% • Quizzes and minor projects 30% • Tests and major projects 40%

19. Special Events • Carolina Tiger Rescue • Festival of the Ancients • Space Camp • Renaissance Faire • Spring Art and Music Extravaganza • Winter Concert • Day of Reading, Math, and Writing

20. When in doubt…. Please contact us through e-mail or by calling the school office at 919 848-0333 jneel@endeavorcharter.com snielsson@endeavorcharter.com rthoman@endeavorcharter.com

21. Can’t wait to see YOU next year!

22. …and here’s what you need to bring!

23. Classroom Shared Supplies

24. School Fees • Agenda = $3.32 • DGP = $6.37 • DRP = $6.37 • Fine Arts Fee = $5.00