Curriculum Night 2012/2013 Mrs. Comptons Sixth Grade While we wait for 7:00, please make sure you have signed in at the back counter, and signed up for.

Curriculum Night2012/2013

Mrs. Compton’s Sixth Grade

While we wait for 7:00, please make sure you have signed in at the back counter, and signed up for a conference time.

Thank you…

A few of my favorite quotes...

“As a teacher or parent, you will rarely get more than you expect from a child, so set your expectations high.” Author Unknown

“How high is high? Let’s give our children a chance to soar beyond our wildest dreams.” Mrs. Compton

Standards Based Program

I will be passing around the math and language arts standards check-off lists I use throughout the school year for your perusal.

Please review, sign, and return.

Classroom Helpers Needed

Copy parents

Egyptian Mask Parents

Field Trips

General Daily Schedule 8:05 - 8:15: Check in, Roll & Warm Up (Grammar/Math)

8:30 – 10:05: Language Arts 8:15 to 9:30: Writer’s Workshop Focus (Wed. Morning) 9:30 - 10:05: Grammar and Conventions (Library W.) Reading daily (alternates between Anthology/Lit.)

10:05 - 10:25: Recess

10:25 – 11:40: Mathematics (Art Wednesdays)

11:40 - 12:15: Science (MTW) Literature (TuTh)

12:15 - 12:45: Lunch

12:45-1:015: Soc. Studies/DEAR/Literature/Music

1:15-2:05: P.E. (T, F) Soc. Studies (M, W) Black = Core

2:05-2:10: Clean up/Pack up/Dismissal

2:10: Dismissal

Special Section ScheduleTests: Reading, Vocabulary, and Spelling will

usually be on Fridays. Other subjects vary.Homework Thursdays: Primarily studying for

exams. Please consider study time for exams as regular homework on Thursdays; to include a practice spelling test signed by a parent or guardian, and verbal vocabulary quiz. Math tests may fall on different days, so please check web page/SchoolLoop for upcoming exams.

Weekly art or special science lesson taught on Wednesdays after morning recess. (Teacher prep. period)

Music & Band programs may require class pull out or schedule adjustments on Monday or Tuesday after lunch.

Library visits every other Wednesday at 9:30.

Language ArtsReading Literature studies and reports AR goals/grade Class novels (The Phantom Tollbooth, The Hobbit.Holes, The

Giver, etc...) California Treasures Language Arts Anthology, 6th Grade

Writing Writing proficiency

Narrative (Personal & Fictional) Expository Persuasive Biography Summary

Spelling (Leveled, using an assortment of resources.)

Grammar (Leveled, using an assortment of resources.)

MathGlencoe/McGraw-Hill Textbook.Leveled groups and differentiated

work accomplished by switching classes. Chapter tests, mid-chapter tests & lesson quizzes common.

Homework counts for points, but not excessively. Used as incentive…

Benchmark Exams each trimester are now on report card.

Science “Holt Earth Science” textbook with assorted

hard copy and web based resources.Less time than Social Studies this yearSupplemented strongly with field tripsScience FairScience Report and PresentationCross-curricular focus with writing and

reading programs.Incorporates technology standards.

Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations

New History Alive ProgramBuilding a comprehensive portfolioProject based learningOnline text/account for each childWill include role-play, technology, art,

investigations, collaboration, and study.Textbook will be used for support,

research, summarization writing, and a few exams.

PEEvery Tuesday and FridayWear comfortable clothes and shoesExercise, run, and activity PE is graded this year! Effort

essential!Focus on learning team sports

correctly & understanding importance of fitness.

Unit teacher switches (Ms. Sutton & Ms. Shirley)

Field Trips!

The trips and their prospective costs will be reviewed during

The 6th Grade presentation.

GradingAll grades will be posted

on SchoolLoop to allow for an ongoing progress report and assignment list.

Final report card grade may be slightly different based upon my standards based assessments.

Academic Grades:A+ 97-100+%

A 94-96% A- 90-93% B+ 87-89% B 84-86% B- 80-83% C+ 77-79% C 74-76% C- 70-73% D+ 67-69% D 64-66% D- 60-63% F 0-59%

Homework

Assorted Subjects assigned Monday - Thursday (Math sometimes Friday)

Read 30 min., log update daily, collected rarely. (Don’t get behind.)

Various projects (Book reports, Research Reports, Unit Projects)

Homework Policy All students are responsible for turning in their own homework on time.

No late homework will be accepted (except with excused absences.)

Homework will usually be posted on SchoolLoop daily, yet should also be written in the students’ agenda. If the updates do not publish promptly, please check back later that evening or use agenda.

Each homework assignment may be worth five points. Incomplete work will be given 2.5 points, and late work will receive 0 points. Even if homework is not turned in, it should still be completed prior to an exam covering the material. Homework may not be given points based upon teacher’s discretion. This work should not influence standards based grading policy.

Incorrect homework does not lose points unless it obviously reflects lack of effort. Help is available in class, after class on most days, from peers through SchoolLoop, etc. On math assignments, students must show their work to receive credit.

Portfolios What goes in the portfolio?

All Vocabulary PapersWriting ResourcesMost Special ProjectsReading JournalsAll final draft writing not on displayAnything the children are proud to save and

displayWork goes behind the dividerNo loose papers

Student ResponsibilityEach student is expected to: Be prepared Show Respect and

Responsibility Use their best judgment Take care of each other and the

classroom Be accountable

Agenda contract needs parent’s signature please! (turn in tomorrow)

We are trying to teach children to be responsible, so “no excuses” are accepted for forgotten materials, or unfinished work, etc.

If your child cannot keep up with homework or class-work, please request a conference to discuss special needs or accommodations.

No work will be accepted late without a parent note and signature explaining the emergency situation.

In-class Consequences“Here to Learn” Chart

On “Red” at end of week consequences.

Citation sent home for parent’s signature

Possible behavior action planModified programLoss of “Special Privileges” and

AAA Day celebrations

Class Jobs and RewardsThe students rotate around the job

chart, and learn each responsibility.Each table has a captain each week

that can earn a reward.Tables compete each week for points

to receive a reward or a homework pass.

Five homework passes can be traded in for a special prize.

AAA days (Academic Accountability Academy.)

Testing and Other Important Events

Benchmark exams in Math & Language arts each trimester are now on the report card.

Writing Proficiency (also on report card.)

STAR testing

Speech ContestJanuary (Mid)

Science FairMarch (Mid)

Friday Folders....Work graded and eligible to be sent

home.Forms from schoolPapers requiring parent signatureOccasionally, a test or pre-assessment

that will need to be reviewed, signed, and then returned for teacher’s permanent file.

We are A SMARTboard Classroom with a Full Smart Response System!

Special interactive lesson formats.

Huge improvement in engagement level of students.

New strategies at our fingertips.

Internet and film available with a few finger movements.

Kids love it!

Meets the needs of children that need to move.

Meets the needs of the visual learner.

Prepares students for the future.

Interacts with Smart Response System.

Classroom Budget DonationsThank you so much to the parents who have

already given financial support... Wow!!! Matsumoto parents are amazing!

We promise to spend every penny during this school year so that your children receive the full benefit.

Sincere thanks for the help with classroom supplies like tissue, printer paper, soap, and binder paper.

Classroom Helpers...

Thank you parents for the generous donations!Thank you to the parents who are willing to help

with copies this year.We have a Project Cornerstone parent. Mrs.

TarverField trip chaperones are always welcome and

usually we can invite at least three parents. Helpers for special art projects (like the

upcoming Egyptian mask project) will be needed.

Parents who are willing to take home papers for grading are also a great support.

CommunicationSchoolLoop daily email which includes

progressWeb page news and notesMid-trimester progress reportsTrimester report cardsEmail - [email protected] between 2:40 and 4:00

Monday - Friday - 223-4873 (meetings may have me away from desk)

Before you leave….I want to thank you for your attention this

evening.

Sorry this was so rushed, but the whole 6th grade presentation will be very informative.

Now. Lets quickly move into the forum for the 6th grade rules, expectations and School Loop information so I have time to set-up the computer.

Have a nice evening and I’ll see you all soon.