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 • Master’s Teaching Certificate: National Board forProfessional 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 Block:Reader’s 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 Model:Reader’s 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 child’s binder. Class website: http://teacherweb.com/IL/MurrayLanguageAcademy/mrsgaines My Email: nljones4@cps.edu 219 – Blog will be updated weekly. Please check: mspaulinskiblog.wordprress.com My Email: jnpaulinski@cps.edu

26. Welcome to a great yearin 6th Grade!