Welcome to 6th Grade GATE We are so excited to be “Letting our Dreams Set Sail” in 6th grade GATE Academy this year! Teacher Contact Information Kathryn Anderson- Room #157 kathryn.andersonuhri@allenisd.org Mechelle Galyon- Room #158 mechelle.galyon@allenisd.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVUqv0v1EE&list=PL4111402B45D10AFC

Grade Level Curriculum Allen ISD’s curriculum is aligned with the state’s guidelines. To obtain a copy of our grade level objectives, you may view TEA’s website http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/ or Allen ISD’s website http://www.allenisd.org. We will add Genius Hour, STEM Challenges, and Maker Space opportunities for our gifted learners, as well as extend on the grade level standards for the state to ensure differentiation in the classroom. Please continue to send Maker Space items. We welcome all recycled materials and will update the list in our weekly newsletter. What is Genius Hour? https://youtu.be/fDZ0-pmnprM Jenn

Math Overview Mrs. Anderson Key Concepts: Coordinate Plane & Graphing Order of Operations Integer Operations Fraction Operations Decimal Operations Introduction to Algebra Writing & Solving Equations Ratios, Rates & Probability Percent & Data Analysis Geometry & Measurement Inequalities Financial Literacy

Science Overview Mrs. Anderson Key Concepts: Scientific Investigation & Reasoning: Modes of scientific inquiry, rules of evidence, formulating questions, and proposing explanations Matter & Energy: Origins and uses of resources, renewable / non-renewable resources, ethical/social issues surrounding use of resources, and advantages / disadvantages of long-term use of natural resources Force, Motion & Energy: Potential / kinetic energy, thermal energy transfer, and the relationship between force and motion, including calculations and measurements Earth & Space Science: Earth’s processes, organization of the solar system, the role of gravity, and space exploration Organisms & Environments: Taxonomy classifications and characteristics, and the interdependence between organisms and environments Science Fair Projects: Project using the scientific method & design process

ELA Overview Mrs. Galyon Key Concepts: Reader/Writer Journals Focus on Independent Reading Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Writing Writing Poetry and Scripts Genre Study, Critical Reading in Fiction and Non-Fiction, Exploring Poetry and Drama Research

World Cultures Overview Key Concepts: World geography/culture Economy Types of government Current events Locations: Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica Mrs. Galyon

Homework Our philosophy on homework is that it is a means for students to practice skills in order to develop weaknesses into strengths. Homework will be sent home periodically and will be due back the next day unless otherwise indicated. Students should be reading for pleasure each night in a genre of their choosing. Imagine Math will be an additional resource for students to practice their skills on a weekly basis. Julie

Google Classroom Many assignments will be accessed through Google Classroom. Students can access it through the portal https://portal.allenisd.org OR http://classroom.google.org Students log in with their portal password

Grading Grading Policy Late work is any assignment that is not turned on the date it is due as long as the student is not absent that day. 10 points will be taken off per school day for late work up to three school days Points to Remember Grades can be accessed through Skyward 

Vaughan Viking Expectations for Smooth Sailing Be respectful of all people and property Follow teacher/adult directions Practice kindness and honesty Keep all body parts and objects to yourself Be punctual and have materials ready every day Jenn

6th Grade GATE Behavior Expectations Be respectful Be responsible Be resourceful Jenn

Conduct Marks Conduct marks are recorded behaviors of a student to indicate his/her progress in following school-wide and classroom expectations. Conduct marks can come from all teachers and/or classes, except specials. In sixth grade, the total amount of conduct marks during a 9 week period reflects the student’s conduct grade on his/her report card. 0-3 = Outstanding 4-8 = Satisfactory 9-13 = Needs Improvement 14+ = Unsatisfactory Jenn

Communication Each student will have an agenda, conduct card/late assignment log, and a RED homework folder. These should be brought home each day and reviewed by the parent and child. The Agenda is a great source of communication and a way for students to keep track of due dates for homework assignments, tests, etc. Please encourage your child to use his/her agenda and review the agenda with your child daily. Julie

Communication RED Homework Folder- Any work that needs to be completed at home will be in the red folder. The work needs to be put back in the red folder and returned to school the next day. The Behavior Communication Log / Late Assignment Log should be checked nightly for any changes. If a conduct mark is earned, a parent/guardian needs to sign the behavior side. On the reverse side, will be a list of any late or missing assignments. Parents are to sign to confirm they are aware of an assignment that is past due. Julie

Wednesday Folder Each Wednesday, your child will bring home their purple Vaughan Viking folder. This will have any notes home from the office or classroom as well as additional checked papers from the previous week. Please sign and have your child return their folder the next day. Julie

SNACK TIME! We have snack time each morning Please make sure that your student brings a healthy snack We are a peanut/tree nut-free pair of classrooms due to life threatening allergies

Lunch Sixth grade GATE lunch will be from 11:55 to 12:30. Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children in the designated visitor section of the cafeteria. They may not bring food for other children or ask other children to join them for lunch. Jenn

Captains One per class selected every two weeks based on having an empty communication card, and exemplifying the character trait of the month Captains get the privilege of sitting with a friend at the Captains’ Table in the cafeteria each day for two weeks

SAIL TICKETS Given for outstanding behavior or helpfulness Get signed and return in exchange for classroom incentives Will be put in the school-wide drawing for privileges

Vaughan Valets All 6th graders are eligible Help younger students in and out of cars Pick morning or afternoon 7:35-7:55 AM 2:55-3:10 PM It is a commitment Schedule will be available soon

THANK YOU We appreciate your support in and outside of the classroom. Thank you for all you do! If you ever have any questions or concerns, our doors are always open. It is going to be a great year! Jenn