Welcome to 6th Grade Life “in the middle” is just beginning to get interesting!Ben DeJong- Math, ELA Nicole Goertz – ELA, Science

Molly Kroemer – ELA, SS Lucy Reeve – SS, ELA

Robin Linnemanstons – Math, Science, SS

Kurt Roeker – math Samantha Champion – all subjects

Tracey Schley – Reading and Literacy Specialist

Keys to success in 6th grade: Be prepared and organized (books /

locker) Use assignment notebook Know schedule: have a routine for

knowing what to take to class & when to stop at locker Have a routine for homework time /

space Pack backpack at night Communication – child, home, school

Goals for students : Advocate for themselves

Respect self and others

Develop and use critical thinking skills

Become career and college ready

Increase independence

MathWhat’s this about Common Core? We are continually working in the Mequon-Thiensville School District to improve teaching and learning to ensure that all children will graduate high school with the college and career readiness skills they need to be successful.

In mathematics, adopting the common core standards means three major changes in our approach to delivering the curriculum.

1.Focus – Teachers will concentrate on teaching a more focused set of major math concepts and skills.

Coherence – Students will master important ideas and skills in a more organized way throughout the year and from one grade to the next.

Rigor – A focus will be put on involving students in rich and challenging math content and authentic problem solving to foster perseverance and greater interest/curiosity in mathematics.

What Materials Will Be Used to Support Student Learning?

District Adopted Resource: MathThematics Book 2

Supplemental resources are used to address Fraction Skills and Concepts Ratio and Proportional Reasoning

Each module (chapter) focuses on a theme that extends throughout the module. The theme helps students to see important connections to other disciplines and identifies real life applications of the concept/skill being taught.

goals of the math program:

help all students develop their abilities to reason logically

apply mathematical skills to real-life situations

communicate mathematical ideas (strategies and solutions) and arguments in a variety of ways using appropriate vocabulary, equations, and visual models

feel confident in using quantitative and spatial information to analyze and solve both routine and non routine problems.

Key skills and concepts developed include, but are not limited to:

Apply and extend previous work with fractions and decimals to understand the concept of rational numbers

Learn the concept of ratio and proportional reasoning and use tools and visual models to solve word problems.

Write and solve equations—mathematical statements using symbols, such as 20+x = 35—and apply these skills in solving multi-step word problems.

Apply and extend knowledge of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions using visual models and equations to represent the problem.

Solve word problems involving ratios, fractions, multi-digit numbers, rational numbers, polygons, and statistical data and explain and justify a solution strategy.

How will the mathematics be taught/delivered?

Learning opportunities thatConnect conceptual understanding with real world applications to build powerful mathematical thinking and expand mathematical proficiency.

Develop critical thinking through high-level questioning.

Utilize concrete and visual models and mathematical diagrams (appropriate to each grade) to bring meaning to abstract mathematical concepts, procedures, and properties.

While Working With Your Student at Home…

Ask your student to explain how they got their answer or to explain their thinking. Restate back to them what you heard them say so they can self-check for accuracy and clarity.

Ask your student to use a representation, such as a mathematical diagram drawing or visual model, when they are explaining their thinking.

Curriculum is being aligned with the Common Core State Standards

Goal: To prepare students to be college and career ready when they graduate from high school

Integrated literacy model of instruction Reading, writing, speaking, thinking, and

listening

Sub skills grammar, vocabulary analysis, classical root

word study

ELA - ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

6th Grade Units of Study in ELA Plot

Character

Theme

Autobiography / Biography

Mythology, fables, folklore

Poetry

Independent Reading: •Read every night 15-20-30 minutes •Improve vocabulary, word attack skills, and fluency

Instructional Methods in ELA

ELA = two full class periods each day

Structure of class: whole group, small group, partner, independent work, one-on-one

Variety of texts (fiction, non-fiction, textbook, novels)

Flexible grouping to meet the needs of learners

Assessing Student Learning in ELA

Assessment looks different depending on

the goal

Assessed in a variety of ways in reading, writing, language, speaking and

listening

Assessments FOR learning and assessments OF student learning are embedded throughout the course

WeatherCatastrophic Events Energy, Machines, & Motion

SCIENCE Units

Inquiry Labs / Investigations Projects Written Assessments Technology Group work / individual Writing activities

What Science looks like

Learning Targets are addressed and assessed through these activities.

Social Studies

SS textbook is online!

Learning Targets for SS

Learning targets will be handed out to students at the beginning of each chapter

Learning targets guide teaching and learning throughout the chapter

Assessments are based on the chapter’s learning targets

Assignments / assessments in SS

Notes / learning packets for each lesson

Quizzes after each lesson (every few days)

Chapter tests

Projects

Document-based questions

Resources – for students & Parents MTSD site

BYOC (Build Your Own Curriculum) & Calendars

Lake Shore site: Announcements /forms IMC reference page Teacher websites: homework posted at end of day Online book access for science and social studies

Power School – online grade book for students & parentsUpdated weeklyHelp monitor student’s academic progressSeparate login / password for student and parent

Grading - Grade level

Process: Homework and Daily Classwork 15% of final grade

Progress: Quizzes / Check-in assessments 35% of final grade

Performance: Chapter Tests, Projects 50% of final grade

Camp Anokijig – next week!Thursday Sept. 19 & Friday Sept. 20

Two FULL day field trips. Leave at 8 AM . . . .return at 3:15 PM each day

Focus on teamwork, collaboration, personal challenge and growth

Dress accordingly to weather. . . be prepared!

COLD lunch and drink / water bottle / 2 snacks (please NO soda)

Activities at Camp

Canoeing

Glacial hike

Aquatic Habitats – lake & pond water exploration

Team building activities / adventure challenge

Orienteering (map and compass skills)

Extreme living / outdoor architects

Thank you for joining us!

Please make sure you take a copy of all the policies for the various academic

classes.

Remember to pick up your Power School Parent Login Envelope.

We look forward to a great year!