Welcome to 6 th Grade!

1. Welcome to 6th Grade!

2. “ “Simply learning is not enough.” -unknown

3. I strive to cultivate curiosity

4. and……. • create a collaborative, energy-charged environment in which risk-taking, failure, experimentation and inquiry all exist. • inspire creativity and innovation. • maintain high expectations. • model and support compassion.

5. “Employers are complaining that academic programs from schools to universities simply don’t teach what people need to know and be able to do. They want people who can think intuitively, who are imaginative and innovative, who can communicate well, work in teams and are flexible, adaptable and self confident.” - Sir Ken Robinson

6. An Effective Learning/Thinking Environment • Mutual respect • Clear, student-generated behavior expectations • Logical, consistent consequences • Fun and Humor

7. Reading • Lots of it! • support areas of interest • Greater emphasis on non-fiction • Interaction with text • Not letting go of good literature • Depth and Complexity and Content Imperatives are emphasized • Reading Log

8. “For all our talk about the importance of higher-order thinking, we continue to overlook the fact that writing, linked to close reading, is the workshop of thought-with an almost miraculous effect on students’ critical thinking.”-Mike Schmoker

9. Writing • Across the curriculum • Goals • Clear, fluent communication • Writing what we really mean to say • Think Book • Process pieces • Emphasis on argument, informative/explanatory, narrative • Literature Circles • Writing practice • Response and creative writing • Rubric scored

10. Speaking • Happy it is back • Essential skill in the 21st century • Support at home • Eye contact, clear voice, complete sentences • Carries over into writing • In class • Frequent presentations • Formal and informal • One minute speeches

11. Mathematics • Blue book/ Green book/ Other Resources • Hands-on activities • Teaching for understanding • Looking for the Why • Communicating thinking

12. Standards for Mathematical Practice • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. • Reason abstractly and quantitatively. • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. • Model with mathematics. • Use appropriate tools strategically. • Attend to precision. • Look for and make use of structure. • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

13. Currently: • 6th Grade Math • Pre-Algebra • Algebra 1 • Common Core Math: • 6th Grade Common Core • 7th Grade Common Core • 8th Grade Common Core • Algebra 1

14. Acceleration in Middle School • Common Core Standards for Gr. 6-8 are comprehensive, rigorous, and non-redundant. Acceleration will require compaction and not the former strategy of deletion. • The previous models for acceleration will no longer be viable, so that critical concepts are not omitted and that the continuity of the mathematics learning progression is not disrupted.

15. Social Studies • Global Awareness • Long ago and far away…… • Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, China, India, Greece, Rome • Connect to 2012-13 current events • Text, other print resources, pictures, videos • informational reading • Research report • Newspaper, CNN for Students • IOLA, written assessments, group projects

16. Science • Support of Mr. Dunn’s instruction • Text, pictures, video • Informational reading • Note taking skills (preparing for middle school and beyond) • Science Fair Project required • Online assessments with written component

17. P.E./Health • Integrated with 6th grade – social skills • Flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination • Exposure to sports • Proper attire • Sneakers • Light colored shirt • Girls- no skirts • Deodorant 

18. Homework • Expect some struggle. It is what we want them to do. • Should not exceed 1 ½ hours a night including 30 minutes of reading • Meant to be a meaningful extension of the school day • Math is practice and thinking- quality over quantity • Students need a quiet place to study • Research tells us that students should change study environments when possible • What work is sent home?

19. Parents’ Roles • Value effort • Model thinking • Proofread written work but please do not revise • Sign homework if student is struggling too much • Hugs and healthy treats • Monitor!

20. Late Assignments • Incomplete math homework • Homework Club during lunch • 5 late assignments in one subject, in one trimester, will mean a lower report card grade • A new trimester is a clean slate

21. APAAS Enrichment • Depth and complexity across the curriculum • Open ended questions (uncomfortable ambiguity) • Literature Circles/ Novel Studies • Original Research • Math and Art • Service Learning- student driven • Addresses 21st century goals, authentic experience • The discussions we have every day all day

22. The Adolescent Child • Desires greater independence- Don’t take it personally. • The push/pull begins • Begin to seek own identity – goodbye baby self • Look to peers for approval • Stay positive or children can begin to seek negative attention • Recommended reading: Get Out of My Life! (But first can you take me and Cheryl to the mall?) by Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D • Mindset byCarol Dweck • A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink

23. Keys to Success • Participation – question, comment or answer • Willingness to make mistakes • Organization • Study skills – build self-discipline • Careful parent involvement

24. 6th Grade is Special! • Leadership opportunities • Service Learning • CIMI- March • Fundraising • Payment schedule • Back Bay Bike Ride- May • Crystal Cove Beach Party

25. Class Website • Textbook access • General information • Special Events

26. Edmodo • Daily homework • Planner • Specific assignments accessed through Edmodo • Kids helping kids

27. BYODD (Bring Your Own Device Days) • Benefits • Access Edmodo in class which allows multimedia assignments and saves paper • Research • Responsibility • Security

28. School wide topics • PTA • Become a part of the Eastshore family • PTA is one of our greatest assets! • Volunteer Screening • Dress code

29. Thank you for sharing your children with me!