Welcome to 6 th Grade Language Arts with Mrs. Pinkham Curriculum Night 2014

About Mrs. Pinkham Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (Language Arts major) from Oakland University Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (Language Arts major) from Oakland University Master’s Degree in Reading from Marygrove College Master’s Degree in Reading from Marygrove College 7 th year of teaching, 6 th year teaching middle school Language Arts 7 th year of teaching, 6 th year teaching middle school Language Arts

What is 6 th Grade Language Arts? Formerly known as English class, Language Arts is a broader term that encompasses the three major components of being able to use and understand the English language (reading, writing, grammar). Formerly known as English class, Language Arts is a broader term that encompasses the three major components of being able to use and understand the English language (reading, writing, grammar).

What Will My Child Be Expected to Do? Read fluently and comprehend grade level text (fiction and nonfiction) Read fluently and comprehend grade level text (fiction and nonfiction) Use critical thinking to respond to prompts in writing Use critical thinking to respond to prompts in writing Correctly incorporate grammatical structures in his/her writing Correctly incorporate grammatical structures in his/her writing Constructively edit and revise their own work, as well as the work of their peers Constructively edit and revise their own work, as well as the work of their peers Participate in peer discussions Participate in peer discussions Develop an appreciation/love of reading and writing Develop an appreciation/love of reading and writing

What Are the Rules? Please encourage your child to: Please encourage your child to: 1. Be on time. 2. Bring all needed materials to class. 3. Follow directions. 4. Be kind and respectful to their peers, their teacher, and themselves.

What Kinds of Assignments Are There? Essays, tests, and projects Essays, tests, and projects Independent reading packets Independent reading packets Quizzes, in-class assignments, journals, homework, participation Quizzes, in-class assignments, journals, homework, participation

How Will I Monitor My Child’s Grade? Please make sure you sign up for MiStar on the Clawson Public Schools website if you are not already a member. Please make sure you sign up for MiStar on the Clawson Public Schools website if you are not already a member. MiStar allows parents and students 24/7 access to grades for all classes. MiStar allows parents and students 24/7 access to grades for all classes. All assignments are preloaded, then graded and recorded within a few days of the assignment due date in MiStar. All assignments are preloaded, then graded and recorded within a few days of the assignment due date in MiStar. MiStar is where the majority of communication addressing specific assignments will take place between the teacher with parents and students. MiStar is where the majority of communication addressing specific assignments will take place between the teacher with parents and students.

Additional Grading Notes With the exception of tests and quizzes, all assignments scored less than 70% can be redone and resubmitted before the end of the marking period deadline for the higher grade. With the exception of tests and quizzes, all assignments scored less than 70% can be redone and resubmitted before the end of the marking period deadline for the higher grade. Students can help themselves to any worksheets they need to fix an assignment or to make one up in the folder system by the door. They DO NOT need to ask for a worksheet unless they can’t find a copy in the folder. Students can help themselves to any worksheets they need to fix an assignment or to make one up in the folder system by the door. They DO NOT need to ask for a worksheet unless they can’t find a copy in the folder.

Suggested Supply List Students are expected to come to all classes with a pencil and his or her OWN agenda book. Students are expected to come to all classes with a pencil and his or her OWN agenda book. One composition notebook One composition notebook A regular class folder and a separate writing folder A regular class folder and a separate writing folder If this isn’t possible for you, we’ll make it work!

How Can I Help My Child Succeed? Understand that students have different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Encourage your child to reach his or her own potential. Understand that students have different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Encourage your child to reach his or her own potential. Check MiStar at least once a week. Many have found it beneficial to do so with their student as a weekly check-in. Check MiStar at least once a week. Many have found it beneficial to do so with their student as a weekly check-in. Ask your student about their day at school, what they did, if there is any homework. Don’t accept “nothing” as a response. Ask your student about their day at school, what they did, if there is any homework. Don’t accept “nothing” as a response. Phone or the teacher with any questions or concerns you may have (you will get a faster response via ). Phone or the teacher with any questions or concerns you may have (you will get a faster response via ).

Keep in Touch! With… With… Remind 3. MiStar 4. /telephone

Last Remarks Please review the syllabus with your student, if you haven’t already. Please review the syllabus with your student, if you haven’t already. Please sign and return the bottom portion of the syllabus, if you haven’t already (it is a graded assignment for the students). Please sign and return the bottom portion of the syllabus, if you haven’t already (it is a graded assignment for the students). If there is anything I should know about your child, please fill out the questionnaire in front of you. You do not need to fill out the entire page, only what you feel is important. You can give me the questionnaire on your way out, or fill it out at home and have your child return it. If there is anything I should know about your child, please fill out the questionnaire in front of you. You do not need to fill out the entire page, only what you feel is important. You can give me the questionnaire on your way out, or fill it out at home and have your child return it. Feel free to stretch, socialize, use the bathroom, get a drink, or take a stroll if you have no further questions. Feel free to stretch, socialize, use the bathroom, get a drink, or take a stroll if you have no further questions. Looking forward to a successful and exciting school year! Looking forward to a successful and exciting school year!