WELCOME TO SIXTH GRADE

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WELCOME TO SIXTH GRADE 2009-2010
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Welcome to 6th Grade

• As sixth grade teachers, we have three
  objectives. The first is to allow our students
  to acquire the knowledge and skills required in
  sixth grade while challenging each student
  academically. The second is to prepare each
  student socially and emotionally for middle
  school. The third is to have a fabulous time
  achieving the first two objectives!!
• One goal is to gradually create an environment
  that is similar to the middle school structure.
  The developmental stage of a sixth grader is
  quite unique and creating a setting that better
  matches their needs is a priority. Some of the
  ways we are trying to meet those needs is by
  rotating classes, offering SALSA, off campus
  parties and clubs during fourth quarter.

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EXPECTATIONS

• A students behavior should not interfere with
  instruction or other students safety or
  learning.
• Students are expected to arrive to class on time
  at the start of each block period with the
  appropriate supplies.
• Students are expected to complete daily
  assignments and/or homework on time and in their
  entirety.

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Classroom management system

• Ticket system
• 6 tickets/ reward period
• Forfeit tickets for not following school and
  classroom rules, not coming to class prepared
  and/or having homework completed.
• Remaining tickets earn your way to the Reward Day
  activity and a chance for prizes!
• We will continue to follow the BIST program with
  think sheets, safe spots and buddy rooms when
  necessary.

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We need your help!!

• Any donations of pencils, candy bars, individual
  bags of snacks, granola bars, notepads, stickers,
  trinkets, books, McDonalds bucks, etc. for our
  Reward Day prizes would be most appreciated!!!

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2009-2010 Schedule

• 805-830 Students arrive/morning assignments
• 830-930 Specials/Recess
• 935-1100 Block 1
• 1100-1125 Band/Strings (M-W)/SALSA
• 1125-1140 Lunch
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• 1140-1200 Homeroom
• 1200-125 Block 2
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• 125-250 Block 3
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• 250-255 Prepare for dismissal

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S.A.L.S.A.

• Students Achieving Leading Serving Assisting
• Not a replacement for band or strings
• Responsible monthly jobs around the school
• A privilege that can be revoked, if necessary
• Examples office assistant, cafeteria helper,
  playground assistant, teacher assistant, recycling

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Teacher Contacts

• Ms. Babcock renee.babcock_at_leesummit.k12.mo.us
• Comm. Arts
• Mrs. Hassler kimberly.hassler_at_leesummit.k12.mo.us
• S.S. Science
• Ms. Rasmussen tracy.rasmussen_at_leesummit.k12.mo.us
• Math
• Email is the most efficient method of contacting
  us!

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MATHMs. Rasmussen

• We will be exploring
• Numbers Operations
• Geometry
• Algebra
• Data
• Measurement
• My job is to understand what your child knows,
  needs to learn, and then challenge and support
  them to learn it WELL!
• Some class time will be provided for assignments.
  Homework should not take them longer than 45
  minutes a night.
• New textbook/new technology

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SCIENCEMrs. Hassler

• Students learn through hands-on lab activities,
  recording all work in their science journal.
• Units of study include biomes, ecosystems,
  ecology, earths surfaces, resources, climate
  weather, plants and cells, the universe, matter,
  energy, force and motion.
• Student knowledge of the curriculum will be
  assessed through lab work, notebook completion,
  vocabulary quizzes, tests and projects.

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COMMUNICATION ARTSMs. Babcock

• Readers workshop
• Crafting-consists of mini lessons focusing on one
  of the eight comprehension strategies
• Composing-independent/guided use of comprehension
  strategies applied to assigned or independent
  reading
• Reflecting-written response to question focusing
  on use of the comprehension strategy-
  discussion/sharing is necessary
• Writers workshop
• Same structure as readers workshop (crafting,
  composing, reflecting)
• Use examples of literature to notice what writers
  do and how they convey meaning (reading like a
  writer)
• Apply what we notice writers doing to our own
  writing
• Vocabulary
• Develop vocabulary through the district spelling
  program
• Expand vocabulary by recognizing and breaking
  down words in the literature read in class and
  independently
• Demonstrate ability to learn and apply learned
  vocabulary in written work
• Expectations
• Home reading journal-2 entries each week
• Choose from 4 questions related to comprehension
  strategies
• Scoring guide will be sent home the second week
  of school
• One book talk each semester
• In addition, I will strongly encourage every
  child to enter their writing in at least one
  writing conference this year (Young Authors
  Conference, poetry contest, father of the year,
  etc)

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Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)

• School wide time to focus on reading
• All members of the school community reading the
  literature of their choice
• No interruptions!!
• The single greatest exercise to improve reading
  strength is to READ!

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SOCIAL STUDIES Mrs. Hassler

• Western Hemisphere
• 5 Themes of Geography, Immigration, Canada,
  Pirates, Caribbean, Mexico, South America,
  Ancient Civilizations
• Chiefs Geography
• 4 major projects travel brochure, oral history
  book, Canadian project, Aztec city of food
• Parlez vous francais?

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Homework/Assignment Books

• Assignment Books
• Organization, planning and time management are
  skills we work on throughout the year to prepare
  for middle school. Assignments will be posted
  daily on the 6th grade website. Students are
  expected to record daily assignments in their
  assignment book.
• Checkpoints
• Checkpoints will be given midway through each
  quarter for those with scores below an 80 or a
  2. They may also be given for behavior.

• Homework/Study Sessions
• Study Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from
  320-350. These sessions are available for any
  student to attend with written permission. This
  time will be for extra homework help, enrichment,
  computer use or may be required due to late
  assignments. 3 missed/late assignments in one
  subject area will require an assigned study
  session.

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Earnest Shepherd RADICAL CHALLENGE

• Our first field trip will be Tuesday, Oct. 6.
• We will be going to the Earnest Shepherd
• Center in Liberty for a team building day!
• We will need approx. 10-18 parent
• volunteers willing to be the station
• facilitators. Let your homeroom teacher
• know if you are interested
• Watch for more info coming home soon!!

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We look forward to a great year!

• See you on Tuesday!