Timber Creek Elementary

1. Timber Creek Elementary We wish to welcome you and your child to sixth grade!

2. We are looking forward to a wonderful school year! • We believe students need to be provided with an environment that builds life long learners with a sense of community and cooperation.

3. Lunch/Recess Schedule: 12:15-12:45 Fine Arts Schedule: 1:45-2:30 P.E. Schedule: 9:30-10:15 (Days they do not have PE, they will have tutorials.) • Heefner HR & Burkhart Group B: • M/TH/every other Friday • Salinas HR & Burkhart Group A: • T/W/every other Friday Library Schedule: Tuesday during Language Arts

4. D.E.A.L. • This program is an 8-week presentation taught by Officer Thomas from the Tomball Police Department. • During this time, Officer Thomas will be dealing with alcohol, drugs, and other related topics.

5. Curriculum Areas

6. Language Arts • Reader’s Workshop • Writer’s Workshop • Focus Poetry

7. Reading • In 6th grade, we encourage and support independent reading while simultaneously building necessary skills to succeed. • Small group, guided reading, and individual student conferencing will be implemented to ensure success. • Homework: • Reading Log due every day. • Knowsys words need to be studied nightly • Other items that are assigned will be announced on the website and to students in class.

8. Knowsys VocabularyWords available on my teacher web • The student will be learning and applying vocabulary words. • Students are introduced to a new group of words every Monday. • Check my teacher web for various homework assigned throughout the week. • The student will be expected to understand the definition and apply it in their writing. • Knowsys quizzes will be on Friday.

9. Math • In math, there is a great emphasis on problem solving strategies and higher-level critical thinking skills, as well as the sixth grade math curriculum. • Throughout the year, students are expected to regularly practice math skills. Mastery of these skills will be tested at the completion of each unit. On a daily basis, students are completing higher-level problem solving activities.

10. Math • Homework is given each week night, Monday through Thursday. You can find this information on teacher web. • Tests will be announced several days before the test is given. Pop quizzes may occur at any time throughout the nine weeks. • There is an online textbook for specific pages, tutorials, and practice. You can find this on teacher web.

11. Science • Our focus this year in science is to teach problem solving skills that will enable the students to better understand the scientific process. • The students will be learning about Physical, Earth, and Life sciences. The investigations will reinforce the content that they learn in each area of science.

12. Social Studies • The sixth grade social studies curriculum includes the following topics: World Geography, World Government, and the World Cultures. • Some of the activities that we utilize in social studies are projects, reports, discussions, and readings from other various resources.

13. Home/School Connection

14. Organization • Your child is responsible for filling out and bringing home their student planner and homework folder on a daily basis. • Wednesday Folders: • This is our weekly parent communication tool. • Inside will be graded papers, information sheets, and parent signature sheet. • Please do not throw away your child’s papers until after report cards are received each nine weeks.

15. Interactive Notebooks (INB)/Journals/Reader’s & Writer’s Notebook • Your child is responsible for their Interactive notebook they have in each subject area. • These notebooks contain all lessons learned and will be used on a daily basis.

16. Conduct Card • Your child will receive a conduct grade for each class. • If your child receives a mark, it will be noted on the Wednesday Folder. • Accumulation of marks in a single nine weeks will determine their conduct grade for each class.

17. Progress Reports and Report Cards • At the 3rd and 6th week of each nine weeks, a progress report will be sent home to let you know how your child is doing thus far. Progress reports should be returned to the homeroom teacher after signing. • Every 9 weeks we will send home a report card for the average earned in each subject. Please sign the envelope and keep the report card.

18. Conferences • If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us via email or phone. • victoriasalinas@tomballisd.net • 281-357-3060 ext. 4681 • diannheefner@tomballisd.net • 281-357-3060 ext. 4682 • janburkhart@tomballisd.net • 281-357-3060 ext. 4685 • Our conference period is 1:45-2:30 every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays.

19. Dress Code Please read the dress code on the online hand book. We have gone over it with all our sixth graders. Some specifics, but not all: • No shorts above fingertips, cut offs, or running shorts. • No spaghetti straps even under shear tops or off the shoulder shirts. • Leggings are allowed with appropriate length of shorts/skirts/dresses. • Dresses and skirts must be long enough when sitting, bending or standing. • Boys hair must be collar length or shorter. First offense we will have your child call home to bring a change of clothes. If you can’t bring them, then they will wear some from the nurse. Please return them cleaned the next day. Repeated offenses will be referred to Mrs. Standefer, the AP in the office.

20. Teacher Web • If you have not signed up for All 3 teachers’News Flashes, please do so ASAP! • This tool is used to communicate what is going on in the classroom. Please go to www.teacherweb.com follow the drop downs to find each teacher. BOOKMARK TO YOUR FAVORITES!

21. Graded Papers

22. Graded Papers • Graded papers will be returned in Wednesday Folders. • If there is a check mark and not a numerical grade, this means that it was an assignment seen by the teacher.

23. Grading of Incomplete Assignments

24. Classwork, Projects, and Homework • 1st day late – 10 point deduction • 2nd day late – 20 point deduction • 3rd day late – 30 point deduction • 3+ days late – results in a 0. Please see student handbook for more information on grading policies.

25. Make-Up Work • It is your student’s responsibility to make up work when he or she has been absent. • Assigned work is important and must be completed by all students. • One day for each day of the absence is allowed for the make-up work. • Work not completed within the specified time will be recorded as a zero.

26. Attendance • Your child must be in class to learn. • If they are tardy or leave early they are missing vital instruction and this also effects Perfect Attendance awards.

27. STAAR Students will be taking the STAAR reading and math test this year. • Math – April 21st • Reading – April 22nd

28. Please take time to see your other child’s teachers. • Mrs. Culver – Choir • Mrs. Ellis – Art • Mrs. French – GT Specialist • Mrs. Kashin – Special Ed. • Mrs. Baudoin – Math Specialist • Mr. Brown – Reading Specialist • Mrs. Hudson – ESL Specialist

29. Thank you for your continued support and confidence. Have a great evening!