WELCOME, 6B TEAM EVEREST!

Literature and Composition Standards Higher, clearer and deeper set of national learning standards (CCSS for ELA). Goal: Better prepare students for college and the workforce. Emphasis on more complex content, problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills

Literature and Composition Curriculum SchoolWide - District-wide curriculum that follows Common Core State Standards. Used as a guideline but allows for teacher flexibility 6th grade: heavy emphasis on reading time, skills, and comprehension Journaling reflection, stop and jots, textual evidence

Reading INDIVIDUAL READING GOALS Varies by quarter Minimum of 500 pages will be read 1st Quarter goals due by October 18th 7 KEYS TO COMPREHENSION

L&C Assessments and Grades Activities, Homework Must be done for learning to occur Parent help is encouraged It is for practice and is not graded In-Class Assignments, Quizzes, and Tests Students show what they have learned No Pop Quizzes Grade is recorded for report card Retakes/Rewrites are allowed on quizzes— old grade is replaced All have the same basic learning targets. Students that have already mastered these targets will have different targets. Encourage students that their success should not be measured by comparing themselves to other students. Instead encourage them to find success in their own progress and finding answers to previous mistakes. A person's intelligence is not based on whether or not you make a mistake; it is based on what you do after you make the mistake. 5

Differentiating in L&C Students have different experiences and talents – it would be unfair to treat them all the same. Pre-tests–used to determine what students already know and what they still need to achieve. Activities are based on pre-test results and how quickly a student learns information. All grades are based on meeting the curriculum for the L&C class. The more reading a student does, the better the skills develop. 6

How to help your child at home Have them read to you and you read to them whenever possible. Discuss the readings in detail and ask open- ended questions that encourage them to refer back to specific spots in the reading. Encourage journaling of their day. Visit the local libraries. Review their work with them but have them “steer their own boat” so as to create independent learners.

L&C Websites Whooo’s Reading: https://www.whooosreading.org/ Username: SIS # and Password: Abcd1234 Students can log their reading and earn coins for answering questions, taking quizzes, and writing book reviews Flocabulary.com Freerice.com TweenTribune.com

Grades Standards-Based Grading: 4 point scale https://www.unit5.org/dom ain/2975

Language Arts READING WRITING SPEAKING LISTENING

Writing 6+1 Writing Traits School Wide Narrative, Argumentative, Feature Article

Speaking & Listening SPEAKING Oral Reports, Small/Large Group Discussions/Community Circles LISTENING Respectful listening