Welcome to the 2009
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Transcript Welcome to the 2009
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
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
An Effective Learning/Thinking
Environment
1. Mutual respect
2. Clear, student-generated behavior
expectations
3. Logical, consistent consequences
4. Fun and Humor
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
“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
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
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
Mathematics
Blue book/ Green book/ Other Resources
Hands-on activities
Teaching for understanding
Looking for the Why
Communicating thinking
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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?
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!
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
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
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 by Carol Dweck
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
Keys to Success
Participation – question, comment or
answer
Willingness to make mistakes
Organization
Study skills – build self-discipline
Careful parent involvement
th
6
Grade is Special!
Leadership opportunities
Service Learning
CIMI- March
Fundraising
Payment schedule
Back Bay Bike Ride- May
Crystal Cove Beach Party
Class Website
Textbook access
General information
Special Events
Edmodo
Daily homework
Planner
Specific assignments accessed through Edmodo
Kids helping kids
BYODD (Bring Your Own Device Days)
Benefits
Access Edmodo in class which allows multimedia
assignments and saves paper
Research
Responsibility
Security
School wide topics
PTA
Become a part of the Eastshore family
PTA is one of our greatest assets!
Volunteer Screening
Dress code
Thank you for sharing
your children with me!