Welcome to the 2009-10 School Year!

Welcome to 6th Grade!

Simply learning is not enough.-unknown

I strive to cultivate curiosity

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.Employers are complaining that academic programs from schools to universities simply dont 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 RobinsonAn Effective Learning/Thinking EnvironmentMutual respectClear, student-generated behavior expectationsLogical, consistent consequencesFun and Humor

ReadingLots of it!support areas of interestGreater emphasis on non-fictionInteraction with textNot letting go of good literatureDepth and Complexity and Content Imperatives are emphasizedReading Log

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

WritingAcross the curriculumGoalsClear, fluent communicationWriting what we really mean to sayThink BookProcess piecesEmphasis on argument, informative/explanatory, narrativeLiterature CirclesWriting practiceResponse and creative writingRubric scored

Speaking

Happy it is backEssential skill in the 21st centurySupport at homeEye contact, clear voice, complete sentencesCarries over into writingIn classFrequent presentationsFormal and informalOne minute speeches

MathematicsBlue book/ Green book/ Other ResourcesHands-on activitiesTeaching for understandingLooking for the WhyCommunicating thinking

Standards for Mathematical PracticeMake 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.

Currently:6th Grade MathPre-AlgebraAlgebra 1Common Core Math:6th Grade Common Core7th Grade Common Core8th Grade Common CoreAlgebra 1

Acceleration in Middle SchoolCommon 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.

Social StudiesGlobal AwarenessLong ago and far awayAncient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, China, India, Greece, Rome Connect to 2012-13 current eventsText, other print resources, pictures, videosinformational readingResearch reportNewspaper, CNN for StudentsIOLA, written assessments, group projects

ScienceSupport of Mr. Dunns instructionText, pictures, videoInformational readingNote taking skills (preparing for middle school and beyond)Science Fair Project requiredOnline assessments with written componentP.E./HealthIntegrated with 6th grade social skillsFlexibility, strength, endurance, coordinationExposure to sportsProper attireSneakersLight colored shirtGirls- no skirtsDeodorant

HomeworkExpect some struggle. It is what we want them to do. Should not exceed 1 hours a night including 30 minutes of readingMeant to be a meaningful extension of the school dayMath is practice and thinking- quality over quantityStudents need a quiet place to studyResearch tells us that students should change study environments when possibleWhat work is sent home?

Parents RolesValue effortModel thinkingProofread written work but please do not reviseSign homework if student is struggling too muchHugs and healthy treatsMonitor!

Late AssignmentsIncomplete math homeworkHomework Club during lunch5 late assignments in one subject, in one trimester, will mean a lower report card gradeA new trimester is a clean slate

APAAS EnrichmentDepth and complexity across the curriculumOpen ended questions (uncomfortable ambiguity)Literature Circles/ Novel StudiesOriginal ResearchMath and ArtService Learning- student driven Addresses 21st century goals, authentic experienceThe discussions we have every day all dayThe Adolescent ChildDesires greater independence- Dont take it personally.The push/pull beginsBegin to seek own identity goodbye baby selfLook to peers for approvalStay positive or children can begin to seek negative attentionRecommended reading: Get Out of My Life! (But first can you take me and Cheryl to the mall?) by Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.DMindset by Carol DweckA Whole New Mind by Daniel PinkKeys to SuccessParticipation question, comment or answerWillingness to make mistakesOrganizationStudy skills build self-disciplineCareful parent involvement 6th Grade is Special!Leadership opportunitiesService LearningCIMI- MarchFundraisingPayment scheduleBack Bay Bike Ride- MayCrystal Cove Beach Party

Class WebsiteTextbook accessGeneral informationSpecial Events EdmodoDaily homeworkPlannerSpecific assignments accessed through EdmodoKids helping kids

BYODD (Bring Your Own Device Days)BenefitsAccess Edmodo in class which allows multimedia assignments and saves paperResearchResponsibilitySecuritySchool wide topicsPTABecome a part of the Eastshore familyPTA is one of our greatest assets!Volunteer ScreeningDress code

Thank you for sharing your children with me!