TACONIC HILLS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
GRADE 6
PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE
September 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to Grade 6!!!
We are very excited to we begin our new school year together. Our hope is
that this handbook will be utilized as a resource for you throughout the year. The
handbook will give you a clear explanation of what will be expected of your child
this year to make it a very successfully time.
Every school year brings with it a sense of optimism and expectations for
students, parents/guardians, and teachers. It’s a brand new beginning for our
students as they transition from 1 classroom all day to departmentalization.
Although this new format may seem a bit intimidating, we all believe that there is
potential for success that exists within each of us.
We are committed to working together to make this year the most
productive and successful school year yet for each child.
Thank you for your support, and for giving us the grand opportunity of
instructing your child.
Sincerely,
Your Grade 6 Teachers
~ GRADE 6 CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS ~
1. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 2. Treat others as you want to be treated. 3. Be prepared! 4. One person speaks at a time! 5. Show respect to ALL teachers, staff, and peers. 6. Class time is important. 7. NO IPODS or CELL PHONES. 8. Teacher passes must be used when leaving the classroom. ~ GRADE 6 AFTERSCHOOL WORK STUDY ~
What is Afterschool Work Study? Work Study is a great opportunity for you
to check over homework, practice skills, receive extra-help, work on long-term
projects, or catch-up on owed work.
WORK STUDY = VALUABLE WORK TIME
Some teachers may hold Afterschool Work Study by invitation only.
Students are required to have parent/guardian permission to stay after school.
**A one-time note will be sufficient.
Pick-up can be arranged by late bus or by parent/guardian sign out in the
Elementary School office.
~ GRADE 6 CONTENT AREA HOMEWORK POLICY ~
● Homework will be assigned Monday thru Thursday. It will be an extension of the
instruction given that day which will help reinforce the skills/content of our studied units
for each subject. There may be weekend/vacation homework for long-term projects.
● Homework is due the following day unless specified.
● If a student is absent, he/she should speak to his/her teacher about making-up any work
missed.
*Late work is accepted when students are legally absent from school.
*Please be advised that, according to Taconic Hills Central School District Attendance
Policy, going on vacation is NOT a legal absence from school.
● A student who does not complete his/her homework should speak to his/her teacher about
missed assignment(s).
*Parents may access School Tool - Parent Portal to monitor their student’s ongoing grades.
*If homework is completed by the end of that week, it will be graded accordingly, and
points will be deducted for being late.
*If homework is not completed by the end of that week, any owed assignments will be
recorded as zero (0).
● If a student is unable to complete his or her homework due to circumstances out of his/her
control, a note signed by a parent will be accepted and/or contact via email.
.
~ GRADE 6 GRADING POLICY ~
The goal of every student is the mastery of the Grade 6 district and NYS standards.
Sixth graders will be graded on a points and percentage system.
~ OVERALL QUARTERLY AVERAGES ~
High Honor
Honor
Merit
95-100 (minimum grade 80)
85-94.9 (minimum grade 75)
80-84.9 (minimum grade 65)
ELA (Composition and Writing)
Ms. Akerman – [email protected]
After School Night - Tuesday
This class, as well as our 7th and 8th grade ELA classes uses a
state-of-the-art English Language Arts program from Scholastic, called Expert
21. Expert 21 prepares students for the literacy demands of the 21st Century
through a powerful combination of explicit instruction, inquiry-based learning,
contemporary literature, informational texts and real-world writing.
EXPERT 21 WORKSHOPS
1.
Live Your Dream: How can I get what I want out of life?
2.
World Wonders: What makes something amazing?
3.
Earth Alert: How are we changing the Earth?
4.
We the People: What does it take to fit in?
5.
Stories of Survival: Who will survive?
6.
Animal Watch: How do humans and animals change each other?
7.
History Lost and Found: How do we find out what really happened?
8.
On A Mission: What is our responsibility to others?
GRADING
Classwork
25%
Homework
25%
Writing
25%
Quizzes/Tests
25%
~ READING ~
Mrs. Beattie – [email protected]
After School Night - Tuesday
UNITS of STUDY
Unit 1-Biography: The Wright Brothers
Unit 2-NYS Reading Module 1- parts 1, 2, 3: The Hero’s Journey-The
Lightning Thief and informational text
Unit 3-NYS Module 2: Bud, Not Buddy
Unit 4-NYS Module 3: Dragonwings
Unit 5-NYS Reading Module 4: Frightful’s Mountain
Unit 6- Drama
●
After an initial classic biography, students will read the new NYS Reading Modules,
a series of lessons based on the Common Core standards.
●
Homework will include reading assignments and vocabulary work. These assignments
will be 2-3 times per week.
●
Vocabulary growth is an important part of my reading program. Words are taken
from current texts and academic vocabulary lists. We have a well established
routine of context use and dictionary resources. Weekly word lists will be given.
End of the unit reviews culminate in tests.
●
Occasional quizzes are part of the Module program. They will ascertain homework
completion and comprehension.
●
The modules are based on student collaboration with partners and as “Triads,”
groups of three.
~ READING GRADING ~
Classwork
Homework
Quizzes and formative assessments
Tests and summative assessments
(such as written projects)
25%
25%
25%
25%
~ SCIENCE ~ Ms. Florio – [email protected]
After School Night - Monday
UNITS of STUDY
Introduction to Science, Technology, Branches of Science
Process of Discovery/Scientific Method/Microscope Use
Cells – Characteristics of Life/Cell Discovery/Cell Structure & Function
Genetics
Adaptations
Ecosystems & Biomes – Ecology/Cycles/Symbiosis
Environmental Science – Human Impact on the Environment
*
*
●
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
●
*
*
*
* Students have an opportunity to make corrections on homework assignments. So,
revisiting a homework for corrections will prove beneficial to the students.
The Science Fair is a large component in the Grade 6 science curriculum. All students will
be participating in the in-depth project.
We will have this paced out for the students throughout the year!
●
●
I also encourage students to read current events through local newspapers, magazines,
and/or internet to keep updated on local, state, national, and worldly events. Science is
advancing every day, and reading about it keeps us informed! It’s pretty exciting stuff
too!
~ SCIENCE GRADING ~
Bell Ringer/Classwork/Homework 50%
Labs/Projects/Science Fair
25%
Quizzes/Tests
25%
*
Students will participate in hands on labs and complete lab reports which will encourage
cooperative learning skills, problem solving skills,
critical thinking skills, and inferring skills.
*
~ SOCIAL STUDIES ~
Mrs. Karon – [email protected]
After School Night – Monday
Grade 6 Social Studies is based on geography and history of the Eastern
Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires;
interactions between societies; and the comparison of trends in government
and economics. The course will cover a time span from pre-history into the
1300s.
The texts will be supplemented with other materials to teach map skills,
study skills, current events, research, and reporting skills. Concepts and
critical thinking are part of the class discussion. There will be a couple of
projects throughout the year. Units of Study
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Geography
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient India
Ancient China
Ancient Rome
Ancient Greece
Ancient Arabia
Cultures of Medieval Europe
~Grading ~
Homework/Class work 50%
Projects 25%
Tests/ Quizzes 25%
~ MATH ~ Mrs. Sigler – [email protected] Co­teacher Mrs. McHugh ­ [email protected] After School Night – Monday
6th Grade Math is taught in accordance to the New York State Common Core
Curriculum Standards for Learning. Here are brief summaries of what information will be
covered under each unit during the school year.
Ratios & Proportional Relationships: ●
●
●
●
●
●
Understand the concept of ratios to describe the relationship between two quantities
Understand the concept of unit rate a/b or a:b
Make tables of equivalent ratios relating quantities
Solve unit rate problems using unit pricing and constant speed
Find percent of a quantity as a rate per 100
Use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units
The Number System: ●
●
●
●
Fluently add, subtract, multiply and divide multi-digit decimals
Find GCF and LCM
Apply the understanding of multiplying and dividing fractions by fractions
Understand the real world uses for rational numbers – positive and negative numbers. Such as on
a thermometer, account balances, or even electrical charges.
Expressions & Equations: ●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Write and evaluate numerical expressions
Identify parts of expressions using mathematical terms
Evaluate expressions using specific values that are used in the real-world
Apply properties of operations to create equivalent expressions
Identify when expressions are equivalent; y + y + y = 3y
Understand how to solve an equation or inequality
Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions in the real-world
Write an inequality of the form x>c or x<c that have infinite solutions
Geometry: ●
●
●
●
Find the area of right triangles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and polygons
Find the volume of a right rectangular prism
Draw polygons in the coordinate plane given coordinates for the vertices
Represent three dimensional figures using nets made up of rectangles and triangles
Statistics & Probability: Understand the a set of data collected to answer a statistical question describes its center,
spread, and overall shape
● Display numerical data in plots on a number line
●
GRADING POLICY Homework 30% Class work 20% Quizzes 25% Tests 25%
~ Integrated Co­Teaching ~ Mrs. McHugh – [email protected] After School Night ­ Monday Mrs. Pullen ­[email protected] After School Night ­ Thursday In sixth grade, instruction for many students with Individualized Education
Programs will be given through a service delivery model called Integrated
Co-Teaching. This model allows for a special education teacher to be present in
the general education settings with the classroom teachers. Integrated
Co-Teaching allows classroom teachers and special education teachers to deliver
instruction together through a variety of methods. All students in co-taught
classes will have the opportunity to learn from every teacher in their classrooms.
The following approaches will be used in our co-taught classes:
1. One Teach, One Observe: One teacher leads while the other collects data and monitors
student progress.
2. Station Teaching: Students are grouped in a way that allows independent practice and
opportunities for small group instruction with each teacher. Groups switch often.
3. Parallel Teaching: Both teachers deliver the same information in separate groups to
provide more opportunities for students to interact with the lesson.
4. Alternative Teaching: One teacher leads whole group instruction while the other works
with a small group as needed.
5. Teaming: Teachers work as a duo to deliver instruction to all students in the room at the
same time.
6. One Teach, One Assist: Teachers take turns delivering whole group instruction. One
teacher leads while the other helps students to understand material and remain on-task.
In addition to the Integrated Co-taught model, students will be seen every day or
every other day for a Structured Study Hall. During this time, students will be
working toward their individual goals listed for the 2014-2015 school year. It will
be a time to review what they are doing in their core classes and
preview/introduce new topics coming up in the curriculum.
~ GRADE 6 Reading Strategies ~
Mrs. Grady - [email protected] Afterschool ­ Monday Reading Strategies classes are to increase students' achievements and give additional support
in instruction. To qualify for Reading Strategies services, students scored below average on their
5th grade N.Y.S. ELA test. Reading Strategies follows the same curriculum as in the classroom but
is taught at a slower pace so that the topic is reinforced. Students are able
To help succeed in reading, it is recommended that students read 10 pages a night. This can
consist of books, magazines, newspapers (helps raise SAT scores), and comic books. By reading
every night, this will help students build vocabulary and reading skills. Students should use this
class time to ask any additional questions, clarify assignments, check work, and get any extra help
needed. Students will not receive a grade for Reading Strategies.
Some of the following reading programs and assessments will be used:
Wilson Just Words – a multisensory decoding and spelling program for students in grades 4 - 12
and adults who do not require intensive intervention but do require decoding and/or spelling
instruction. www.justwords.com
Lexia – a reading software program that provides a research-proven method for students to
acquire foundational reading skills. www.lexialearning.com
Fountas and Pinnell – a comprehensive benchmark assessment system to determine independent
and instructional reading levels and for placing students on the F&P Text Gradient™, A-Z.
www.fountasandpinnellleveledbooks.com
Grade 6 Technology Education
Mr. Halvorsen –
[email protected]
After School Night – Tuesday
The purpose of the 6th grade Technology Education course is to introduce the THES students to technology
education. The course is designed to allow students to explore many aspects of technology and discover
personal interests, aptitudes, and abilities. Students will have the opportunity to work on various hands-on
projects throughout this course. This could help determine what vocational or technical area the student may
be interested in.
LAB BASED MODULAR ACTIVITIES
Students generally work in pairs on numerous activities and projects. Students will be rotating through seven
or eight modules. Each module has a minimum of 10 activities to complete in 19 class periods. Each activity
has a video presentation, a work book assignment and a review test. Module choices are:
Computer Animation
Digital Audio
Digital Music
Digital Photography
DVD Production
Flight Transportation
Global Positioning Systems
Graphic Design
Vinyl Sign Making
Web Page Design
TECHNOLOGY GRADING
A. Module completion and Projects:
i. Each module contains 10 activities.
1. NOTES (20%)
2. WORKBOOK (30%)
ii. Work turned in late will receive a 20 point deduction for first day and 10 points for each day
thereafter.
iii. After 2 weeks late there is no credit!!
iv. At the end of the quarter there is no grade for late work.
v. DO NOT expect to make up a whole unit’s work at the end of the unit or provide an alternate
assignment to make up for work not completed.
B. Daily responses and posttests. (20%)
C. Bell Ringers (10%)
D. Work Habits (20%)
OTHER NOTES: Because of the nature of the materials work must be done in class and cannot be taken home. You can
see your grades at any time. It is your responsibility to see him if you believe you might be missing anything. After an
absence you must check for any missed assignments and make them up immediately.
~ Grade 6 Chorus ~ Mrs. Miller – [email protected] After School Night – Monday Sixth grade chorus is open to all students who have a desire to perform vocally. This course requires students to learn about the mechanics of vocal production, basic elements of music such as notation, dynamics, ensemble balance, and many others. Students are required to attend two concerts a year. Chorus members are also eligible to be chosen for the Columbia County Music Educators All County Chorus and may also participate in the New York State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. Chorus Grading Policy Bell Ringers/Classwork/Rehearsal Participation
Performances 40% 60% Mr. Russell [email protected] ~ Grade 6 General Music ~ All students will be taking general music this year! We will meet once a week for 40 minutes. Some of our music units are: ● Instruments ● Music Notation ●
Performance (bucket drums, piano keyboard) ●
Music Form and Structure ●
Elements of Music ●
●
Music History Music Technology Grading Policy Classwork ­ 50% Quizzes ­ 20%
Tests ­ 30% ~ Grade 6 Band ~ Mr. Webb – [email protected] After School Night – Thursday Instruction ­ Sixth grade band is slightly different from fifth grade band. We meet as a full group every other day and also have a weekly small group lesson. Lessons rotate between periods 1 and 2. One week it is period 1 and the next is period 2. SUPPLIES ­ Students will need the “Essential Elements 2000” book 2 this year. They should bring home a John Keal Music trip saver. You can order it through this flyer. GRADES ­ Grades are generated from participation, effort, band music/lesson book and lesson attendance. ~ Grade 6 Art ~
Mrs. Andell – [email protected]
After School Night – Wednesday
Instruction - Sixth grade art will meet one day a week, for the
entire year. Most of the projects that we are competing will take
between 2 to 3 class sessions. Students will typically take home
projects that they complete each quarter.
Supplies – All that students will need is a pencil and a smile!
Grades - Grades are generated from participation, effort, and art
projects.
~ GRADE 6 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ~
Mr. Davis – [email protected]
Mrs. Hallenbeck – [email protected]
Mr. Russo – [email protected]
After School Night – Tuesday
INSTRUCTION -
Students will receive 3 days of Physical Education per week during
9th period. 2 days will be instruction/activity in the gymnasium with Mr. Davis or Mrs.
Hallenbeck. The third day will be their swim day with Mr. Russo. Each class section will be
assigned their swim day and it will be the same all year long. If a student has a medical reason
they cannot swim, they need to have a medical note from a doctor of they will be sitting out
longer than one week.
SUPPLIES -
Clothing -. We encourage students to wear clothes they can move freely in.
Sneakers - The sneakers your child wears for PE class should be a traditional sneaker/athletic
shoe that covers the whole foot and has shoelaces or a velcro closure. The trendy wide/fat
shoelaces do not stay tied, zippers do not stay zipped, slip-ons fall off and the cute
shoe/sneaker combination does not stay securely on a child’s foot during PE. We see hundreds
of sneakers every year and if you’ve ever been hit by a flying sneaker or seen a child get hurt
because of their footwear you’ll understand why we are addressing this!
We strongly encourage antiperspirant/deodorant - Sprays, like “Axe”, tend to get overused
and often negatively affect peers.
TOPICS of STUDY - We will be covering a variety of topics, skills and sports throughout
the year. We will also be introducing the students to fitness testing. This is for the purpose of
assessing their fitness level so we have an idea of the area(s) specific students need to work on
to improve their performance. We stress lifelong fitness for a healthy body and mind.
GRADING – Students will be graded on effort, preparedness, and attitude.