Transcript Welcome to the 2009

Welcome
to the
2012-13
School
Year!
Mrs. Goheen’s 6th Grade
APAAS Class
Please sign in,
sign up for a
conference and
take hand-outs
Thank you for your donations!
Philosophy
“Simply learning is not
enough.”
-unknown
Goals
 Foster higher-level thinking by providing
opportunities for students to make connections
between subject matter, the world around them, and
their own lives
 Inspire creativity and innovation to prepare children
for a fulfilling career and the job market of the future
 Create an energy charged environment in which
thoughtful discourse is part of every day
 Model and support compassion
Creativity and Innovation
 “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.”
• - Ken Robinson
Original Research
Problem
solution
Local issues
World issues
Areas of interest
Classroom Management
1. Mutual respect
2. Humor
3. Clear, quick logical consequences accompanied by
consistent follow-through
Homework
 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
 Expect some struggle. It is what we want them to do.
 Students need a quiet place to study
 New research (New York Times) tells us that students should
change study environments when possible
 Edmodo
 What work is sent home?
Parent’s role
 Serve as a guide when necessary
 Edit 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
 5 late assignments in one subject in one
trimester will mean a lower report card
grade
 A new trimester is a clean slate
Adolescents entering the adult world in the
21st century will read and write more
than at any other time in history. They will
need advanced levels of literacy to perform
their jobs, run their households, act as
citizens, and conduct their personal lives.
-Richard Vacca
Authentic Literacy
Reading and Writing with purpose
Deep reading with pen in hand
Discussion/ argument
Reading
 Variety of texts and types of media
 Students make connections
 State standards- informational reading, literary
analysis
 Frequency
 support areas of interest
 independent reading level
 Literature Circles (Depth and Complexity is emphasized)
 Written work
 Discussion
 Oral interview
 Reading Log
Writing is the very litmus of thought….the very center of
schooling.
-Ted Sizer
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
 Lots of it!
 Goals
 Enjoyment (less stress): writing what we really mean to say not
what we think someone else wants to hear
 Think Book
 Thinking about essential ideas across curriculum
 Literature Circles
 Response and creative writing
 Process pieces
 Emphasis on persuasive, narrative and compare contrast
 Also include descriptive, response to literature
 On-demand expanded time
 Rubric scored
Speaking
 Essential skill in the 21st century
 Support at home

Eye contact, clear voice
 In class
 Frequent presentations


Formal and informal
Poetry – dual purpose
 Performance TBD
Math
 Goals
 Understanding the ‘why’
 Problem solving (non-routine problems)
 Concepts across the strands
 Computational skills
 Application
 The ability to have a conversation about mathematics
verbally and in writing
 Friday Morning Math Clinic (or as needed)
What do colleges want?
 Students who have taken advantage of the highest




levels of rigor offered by their high school.
“We do not care when a student takes a particular
math course.” –Harvard, Yale
Students who make a long-term commitment to an
interest/cause that reaches beyond the borders of their
high school
Strong writers
Young people who have discovered a passion
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- independent note taking
 Research report
 Newspaper, CNN for Students
 IOLA, written assessments, group projects
Science
 Support of Mrs. Leishman’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 
APAAS Enrichment
 Depth and complexity across the curriculum
 Brain Explosions
 Shakespeare
 Literature Circles/ Novel Studies
 Original Research
 Math and Art
 Service Learning- student driven
 Addresses 21st century goals, authentic experience
 The discussion 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
 Quikscience
 Service Learning
 CIMI- March
 Fundraising
 Payment schedule
 Back Bay Bike Ride- May
Class Website
 Textbook access
 Test dates
 General information
 Hand-outs
 Are you receiving e-mails?
School wide topics
 PTA
 Become a part of the Eastshore family
 PTA is one of our greatest assets!
 Lunch assistance
 Apply prior to October 1st
 Technology/Library Use Agreements
 Volunteer Screening
I promise to take good care of
them.