Sixth Grade Open House Murray Elementary September 4, 2013

1
Sixth Grade Open HouseMurray ElementarySeptember
4, 2013
2
Meet the Teacher

• Ms. Gaines
• 12years of teaching experience
• Masters Teaching Certificate National Board for
  Professional Teaching Standard English Language
  Arts
• M. Ed., Educational Leadership
• M.S., Instructional Design Technology
• B.A., Elementary Education
• Endorsements Language Arts, Social Science, Math
  
• Taught grades 1st , 2nd , 5th , 6th , 7th , 8th
  (language arts)
• Literacy Coach

3
Meet the Teacher

•  Ms. Paulinski

4
Meet the Teacher

•  Mr. Rowell
• 6th Grade Science Teacher

5
Language Arts

• This year in reading we will learn
• Curriculum Language Arts- McDougal Littell The
  Language of Literature, Social Studies-
  MacMillan/ McGraw-Hill, Our World
• Our developmental reading class creates
  readers and writers who are able to comprehend a
  variety of selections then analyze, synthesize,
  and apply what they read through writing and
  speaking in a clearly developed manner.
• Classroom Goals
• Read and analyze a variety of genres in class and
  independently.
• Successfully apply various reading strategies for
  monitoring comprehension.
• Write clear, well-developed essays, reports, etc.
  to enhance comprehension and build your knowledge
  base.
• Effectively prepare and present orally.
• Class Expectations
• Read assigned selections and complete
  comprehension activities such as structured
  overviews, essays, projects, summaries, journals,
  etc.
• Complete daily readings, embedded questions,
  written assignments, constructed-response quizzes
  and objective / essay test.
• Participate in class discussion and group work.
• Learn and apply comprehension skills and literary
  terminology.
•  

6
Sixth Grade Social Studies

•  
• The Sixth Grade curriculum has the students step
  back into the ancient world while studying the
  archaeology of early man followed by
  investigations into the cultures of Mesopotamia,
  Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Mesoamerica.
  These civilizations all share components of
  culture
• Geography
• Economics
• Religion
• The Arts
• Communication
• Technology
• By examining these ancient peoples, students come
  to understand the links between past and present
  societies, with each building on others
  accomplishments, failures, and advances in
  technology. Teachers target common
  misunderstandings held by students.

7
Sixth Grade Math

• Course Description to prepare for high school and
  beyond.   During this course, students will
  develop the reasoning, problem solving, and
  communication skills that enable them to apply
  mathematics to real life situations.   The
  following topics will be covered
• Multiply and Divide Decimals and Fractions
• Ratios and Rates
• Comparing and Converting Fractions, Decimals and
  Percents
• Algebraic Expressions
• Equations
• Functions, Inequalities, and Integers
• Properties of Triangles and Quadrilaterals
• Perimeter, Area, and Volume
• Volume and Surface Area
• Analyzing Data and Graphs
• Probability

8
Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra

• Course Description to prepare for high school and
  beyond.   During this course, students will
  develop the reasoning, problem solving, and
  communication skills that enable them to apply
  mathematics to real life situations.   The
  following topics will be covered
• Operations with Integers and Rational Numbers
• Expression and Equations
• Multi-Step Equations and Inequalities
• Ratio, Proportion, and Similar Figures
• Properties of Triangles and Quadrilaterals
• Perimeter, Area, and Volume
• Volume and Surface Area
• Analyzing Data and Graphs
• Probability

9
Sixth Grade Science

• This year in science we will cover a variety of
  topics that relate to earth sciences. Throughout
  the year we will incorporate mathematical
  reasoning to build and strengthen math skills.
  Students may find it heavy in math, yet math is
  the primary tool a scientist uses, and the math
  we will be using this year will provide a good
  foundation for further study in science, and well
  as algebra. Already students are learning
  calculate speed, distance, and time given two of
  the three variables, and they are learning to
  manipulate the speed equation using just the
  variables. This year we will cover
• Forces, Motion and Energy
• The Changing Earth
• Earth's Processes
• Climate and Weather
• Space Science
• We will be doing most of our major lab
  investigations at the Museum of Science and
  Industry through their programs. Please make sure
  your child has a walking permission slip signed
  and on file as we will be walking to the museum
  on these field trips

10
Sixth Grade Science Fair

• Science Fair
• It is time to begin planning a science fair
  project that will demonstrate the use of the
  scientific method. The topic you choose should
  be on interest to you. It should be something
  you can investigate yourself, worded as a
  question so you can answer it through
  experimentation. Your results must be measurable
  by numbers (timed, weighed, measured, etc.) in
  metric units.
•  
• Topics may include aerospace, behavioral
  science, biochemistry, botany, chemistry,
  computer science, earth science, electronics,
  engineering, environmental science, mathematics,
  and physics. Be aware that there are strict
  guidelines that need to be followed in order to
  get the proper endorsements for experiments with
  animals or bacteria. If you are interested in
  growing plants you must present your idea to me
  as soon as possible to allow time to complete the
  project.
• Due dates have not been set yet, however you need
  to have your idea by the 13th of September.
• Helpful websites
• For information and requirements
• http//cpsscifair.org/
• For help in choosing a topic
• http//www.sciencebuddies.org/

11
Literature integrating Social Studies (example)

• ELA and Social Studies are a natural fit. I use a
  theme approach, focus on a few social studies
  concepts (e.g. diversity/change), and choose the
  literature to match. A novel might be the
  starting point, but then the kids get into
  researching topics that arise from that reading.
• Picture books are valuable in exploring social
  studies concepts. I have done this with grade
  5-8. For example, I may have 5 groups reading 5
  different novels that fit into a "Unity Within
  Diversity" theme. Although the books dealt with
  different events in history, we spent a lot of
  time connecting the themes and exploring how they
  fit into our Diversity theme. So, in short, the
  Language Arts processes were used to explore the
  social studies concepts.

12
Structure of Reading BlockReaders Workshop

• Reader's Workshop provides students with a
  supportive environment that involves them in
  authentic reading experiences that focus on the
  strengths and needs of each individual student.
• Reader's Workshop helps kids develop strong
  reading skills through the use of a mini-lesson,
  shared reading, read aloud, conferencing,
  independent reading, paired reading, literature
  response, and Reader's Chair.

13
Reading ModelReaders Workshop

• The basic philosophy behind the Reading Workshop
  is to allow students to spend an extended amount
  of time reading authentic texts that interest
  them on a daily basis and to provide
  opportunities to talk about literature. The
  ultimate goal of a Reading Workshop is always to
  develop life-long passionate readers.

14
Classroom Rules

• Stay on task
• Talk politely and work quietly
• Always follow directions and procedures
• Respect everyone and everything
• In addition to the rules, Muuray Language Academy
  is a CHAMPS school.  The CHAMPS acronym stands
  for "Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, and
  Participation."Each major classroom genre of
  activity or transition has a CHAMPS procedure
  associated with to help students know and
  understand what the teacher expects of them.  We
  will be reinforcing this program and its elements
  during the first several weeks of school and will
  expect full adherence to this program by all of
  all my students.

15
Behavior Management System

• Each student has a clothespin and they all start
  the day in the middle of the chart on "Ready to
  Learn." The clothespins move throughout the day.
  Positive choices will move you up one level at a
  time. Negative choices move you down. There is a
  buffer zone between "Ready to Learn" and facing
  any form of consequence so if a child "clips
  down" he has the opportunity to clip back up.
• 1st warning- move clip to slow down
• 2nd warning- reflection sheet and conference
  with teacher
• 3rd warning- contact
• Students will earn incentives for displaying
  positive behavior, turning in homework, and
  attendance

16
Daily Schedule

• 216

17
Daily Schedule

• 219

18
216 Special Classes

• Students will visit six special classes each
  week. Our schedule is as follows
• Monday World Language
• Tuesday World Language
• Wednesday Art/ World Language
• Thursday P.E/Library
• Friday Art
• On P.E. days please make sure your child wears
  gym shoes and dresses appropriately. If they do
  not dress appropriately they will have to sit out
  of P.E. and this does effect their grade.

19
219 Special Classes

• Students will visit six special classes each
  week. Our schedule is as follows
• Monday World Language
• Tuesday World Language
• Wednesday Art/ World Language
• Thursday P.E/Library
• Friday Art
• On P.E. days please make sure your child wears
  gym shoes and dresses appropriately. If they do
  not dress appropriately they will have to sit out
  of P.E. and this does effect their grade.

20
Grading

• Assessments 50
• Homework 25
• Classwork and Participation 25
• Grade book will be updated weekly and will be
  accessible in Parent Portal and Student Portal

21
Assessments

• NWEA Once in May
• ISAT March 2013
• Weekly or bi-weekly comprehension assessments
• Timed Multiplication/Division tests twice a
  month, once you reach 100 you no longer are
  tested on them

22
Parent Involvement

• We will be working with room parents this year.
  These parents will help organize special projects
  and events. All parents are important to me. No
  one will be left out. Volunteers will be called
  during the year to help with various activities.
  Occasionally you will receive a note or a call
  from me for help on various activities or
  assistance in our classroom. We would like to
  thank you in advance for your help this year.

23
LA Homework

• Written homework will usually be assigned on
  Monday through Thursday of each week.
  Occasionally, students will bring home a reading
  assignment to read with you. There will also be
  several projects and/or writing assignments
  throughout the year that require more time to
  complete. For these, I will provide at least a
  two week written notice of the assignment before
  it is due.
• Each student should have a homework assignment
  book which will be brought home each day. I ask
  that you sign it at home each evening,
  acknowledging that you are aware of your child's
  homework assignment. Assignments are written on
  the white board in the classroom. Students will
  have 2 days beyond an absence to submit missing
  work for full credit.
•  

24
MATH Homework

• Math Homework is assigned everyday Monday through
  Friday. All homework is to be done in Math
  Homework Notebook, all work is to be shown.
• Sometimes the homework is to read and take notes.
  Students are learning the Cornell Notetaking
  Method.
• Each student should have a homework assignment
  book which will be brought home each day. I ask
  that you sign it at home each evening,
  acknowledging that you are aware of your child's
  homework assignment. Assignments are written on
  the white board in the classroom. Late work is
  only accepted if there is an absence.
• Assessments will be graded and returned, students
  can make up the wrong problems by re-doing them
  on a separate sheet of paper, getting a parent
  signature, stapling the MAKE UP on top of the
  assessment and turning it in within 2 days.
•  

25
Stay Connected!

• 216 - Newsletters will be sent home weekly. Check
  your childs binder.
• Class website http//teacherweb.com/IL/MurrayLang
  uageAcademy/mrsgaines
• My Email nljones4_at_cps.edu
• 219 Blog will be updated weekly. Please check
• mspaulinskiblog.wordprress.com
• My Email jnpaulinski_at_cps.edu

26
Welcome to a great yearin 6th Grade!