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
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Eye contact, clear voice, complete sentences
Carries over into writing
 In class
 Frequent presentations
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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
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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
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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!