August 25, 2014
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to 6th grade! I look forward to a fun-filled year and have spent the summer working on some new ideas for us to incorporate into the classroom this year, so I hope you enjoy it!
You will have a Reading block of approximately 70 minutes and an English block of roughly 55 minutes. While you will have these subjects at separate times, they are very much blended and related, and you will have an OAA test that covers both the Reading and English topics. Though you will be with Mrs. Martz and Mrs. Boroski on some of the days for English, I will be writing the lesson plans, supplying the materials to them for you to work on with their guidance, and issuing the grades to you for both subjects.
On my home page, I have posted a link to the Zaner Bloser Spelling website that we will be using in English class. When you click on this link, you will be directed to the 6th grade Spelling Connections program where you can print off each spelling list and worksheets to go with each unit. I will provide you with a hard copy of each list/worksheet we use in class; therefore, if you should lose your copy you can simply go online and print another one. This will also enable you to get a jump start on studying the words because you can access them at will. My home page is also where you can find the daily homework assignments posted for each week, as well as any updates on camp, fundraisers, or special 6th grade events.
In addition to Spelling, we will be working on grammar, punctuation, proof reading, editing, revising and writing skills as well as vocabulary and handwriting. You will find a daily “starter” in the folders hanging by the bulletin board. When you come into class each day, pick up the practice worksheet for the appropriate day and complete it independently; we will check it together and you will be able to track your weekly progress. After the “starter” activity we will begin the regular English lesson for the day. (If you have Mrs. Martz or Mrs. Boroski you will pick up your daily “starter” from them.)
In Reading class, we will be focusing on many different strategies to help you to become better readers, as well as focusing on the actual reading process itself, along with vocabulary skills. Your Literature textbook and your Buckle Down Workbooks, the primary sources for these tasks, will be stored on the counter/table in my classroom. You will only need to take them home if you are given a homework assignment to complete in one of the books, otherwise, at the end of each class the textbooks and workbooks can be placed back in the appropriate places.
As part of the Reading class, I will have a “Genre Feature” from which you will be given time to read during Academic Extensions. (Schedule of “Genre Feature” on back). When you complete a book or an article from the Genre Feature, you will then complete and return a worksheet about the book or article. Upon satisfactory completion of 5 books/articles from the Genre Feature, you will be awarded extra credit points. (2 points for every 5 books and 1 point for every 5 articles). These points will be put into the grade book at the end of each quarter. Books and articles may be hard copy or electronic print.
Finally, 6th graders are awarded 50 Employability points at the start of each quarter. In order to keep these points, you must come to class prepared everyday. This means having all of your materials when you come in for class, (pencils, binders, agenda, homework, etc..), as well as remaining attentive and exhibiting appropriate “on task” behaviors during class. It’s an easy way to collect 50 points, but it is also easy to lose these points if you are not careful. These points will be displayed and factored into your grade at the end of each quarter.
Below is the “Genre Feature” schedule for this year.
· September/October Nonfiction
-Autobiography
-Biography
-Informational Text, ex: Time for Kids, Junior Scholastic, etc...
· November/December Fiction
-Realisitc fiction
-Historical fiction
-Science Fiction
-Fantasy/Fairy Tales
-Mystery
· January/February
-Poetry & Plays
· March/April
-Folktales
· May
-Genre of your choice
I hope you enjoy your year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Swartz