All About Mrs. Peters My Kindergarten Picture!

I am from Minnesota. Ooof-da! (confused, stumble, drop something) Catsup is the popular condiment. People can be “OR-nery” not “Ahn-ry” It is the land of 10,000 lakes and 10,000,000,000 mosquitoes!

I have been a teacher for over 30 years. I have degrees from BYU and USU. I have special endorsements in Math, Gifted/Talented, ESL, and Special Ed. I am also a National Board Certified Teacher.

I am married to Dave and we have 3 sons: Bob, Danny, and John

These are my sons now. (sort of)

I love to read, do calligraphy, sing, and watch my sons play hockey and perform musically.

I love to take computer classes. I was happy to finally have my own laptop computer. Now I need an iPad mini!

I love to cook. I especially like to make soups, unusual sandwiches, holiday cookies, and caramels.

Some Housekeeping details..  Change of lunch schedule: Students will eat lunch first and then go to recess  Please be conscious of good hygiene: shower and use deodorant every day; wear clean clothes every day  Science Fair projects will be done differently this year…PPT presentations  Science Fair projects will be completed, shared with the class, and graded by October 29  History Fair work will begin Nov 1  We will be using the Think Through Math online program grades 3-6

New Curriculum Science World Magazine stic.com/  Online version of the magazine  Video clips  Games Class password: spectrum2016

New Curriculum Advanced Academic Writing  4 projects  10 focus points per project  We will do one per term  Analysis of literature: themes In The Giver  Analysis of literature: use of metaphor in Choosing Up Sides  A Revolutionary Character  An Abstract Concept

New Curriculum The Magic Lens Grammar4 Practice  100 sentences about the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans  Challenges students on points of grammar, vocabulary, and writing  Need to use reference materials to understand the context

Continuing Curriculum Word Within The Word Literature Unit: Utopia  Primary novel study : The Giver by Lois Lowry  Literature circle choices from Utopian/Dystopian book choices

Continuing Curriculum The DBQ Project  High lexile levels  Analysis of primary source documents  Full essays Topics for this year:  Hammaurabi’s code  Influence of the Nile on Ancient Egypt  Education in Sparta  Alexander the Great  Primary Reasons for the Fall of Rome  The Black Death  Underlying Causes of WWI

Other Writing  Argument essays  DARE Essay  6 Week Writing Homework  Poetry  Creative Writing  Fiction/Non-Fiction projects  Daily Thoughts

Icons of Depth and Complexity

The Math Icons

Math 6 Honors  Daily 6 question quiz: review, reasoning, build number sense  Daily task: high difficulty, complex task, focus on problem solving  KUDOS: KNOW…Understand…DO  Math Icons  Hands On Equations (3 levels)  Math Olympiad  Stock Market Simulation  Algebra Mystery Maze ComplexityEnrichment

Thirst For Knowledge

Exercise Your Mind

Be Curious

Look At Things From Different Perspectives

Set Goals

Come to School With the Tools You Need

Save Your Work and Your Ideas

Use Multiple Sources of Information

Think On Purpose

You Are Becoming An Achiever!!

The Learner License  This year our class will be participating in an organization structure called the “Learner License.” This program is designed to aid you in working toward increasing levels of autonomy and personal choice in your education.

Temporary Permit  Everyone will begin with a temporary permit.  We will review your license status after 2 weeks of school, at mid-term and at the end of the term.  Each new license offers an increased number of privileges and levels of responsibility. Learner License: Temporary Permit Name: 6 th Grade Room 20 Mrs. Peters Restrictions: For Review: Probationary status * No missing work for attendance at * Procedures followed assemblies & events * Spectrum standard * 1 purple slip max/no white

Temporary Permit, con’t.  Mrs. Peters makes all the decisions  Probationary status for attendance at assemblies and 6 th grade events  Books must be chosen from teacher pick list  Classroom procedures are to be followed  School rules are to be followed  Participate appropriately in class  Use your planner  No missing work

 Spectrum standards are met  You may leave the room for drinks or the restroom only at recess or excused times  You may receive one purple slip (you needed to be excused from the room for “think time”) without having your license revoked  Receipt of a white slip will result in immediate loss of license

Red Learner License  All previous standards must continue to be met.  New privileges will be granted. Learner License Name: 6 th Grade Room 20 Mrs. Peters Restrictions: Privileges: All previous standards * Eligible to attend 6 th grade events are to be fully * Choose own books maintained * Earn homework/late coupon * Eligible for “ 5 hardest ”

Red Learner License con’t.  You will be able to work with a First Grade Buddy  You may earn a “no homework” pass (limit 2)  You may earn a late coupon (limit 2)  You are eligible for “5 Hardest First”  You may choose your books for reading  You may nominate another student for a blue slip  You may fulfill duties assigned to the 6 th grade (Flag duty, lunch room duty, etc.)

Green Learner License  All previous standards must be maintained  All previous privileges are available Learner License Name: 6 th Grade Room 20 Mrs. Peters Restrictions: Privileges: All previous standards * Drink/restroom on own are to be fully * Choice of who to sit by at maintained; all previous events and assemblies privileges are available * Eligible for service * Extra computer time

Green Learner License con’t.  You may leave the room for drinks or the restroom at your discretion at non-instructional times  You may choose who you would like to sit by at assemblies and events (that student must have at least a green license)  You may choose your seat at our table in the lunchroom.  You are eligible for extra free choice computer time  You are eligible for extra time to spend with our buddies

Blue Learner License  You could have this license by the middle of the second term of school.  All previous standards and privileges remain in place. Learner License Name: 6 th Grade Room 20 Mrs. Peters Restrictions: Privileges: All previous standards * Schedule choices are to be fully * Choice of where to sit in class maintained; all previous * Earn extra recess privileges are available * Extra time w/1 st grade buddies * Can repeat QB partners

Blue Learner License con’t.  You will be allowed choice in how your day is scheduled.  You may earn once extra recess a week (this also includes the choice to stay in for recess if desired).  You may choose where you want to sit in the classroom (the student you want to sit by must have al least a green license).  You may repeat a QB.

Purple Learner License Learner License Name: 6 th Grade Room 20 Mrs. Peters Restrictions: Privileges: All previous standards * Planner does not need to be signed are to be fully maintained * Can earn “opt out” coupons Additional privileges are * You may re-design any assignment Available * You may volunteer in the library or office This level of Learner License will probably be earned by only a few. The highest level of good citizenship and superior classroom behavior is needed for this level to be earned.

Purple Learner License con’t.  You no longer need to have your planner signed by your parents. You will still use your planner.  You may re-design any assignment to something more of your choosing; work out the details with Mrs. Peters  You will receive two or more “opt out” coupons which will allow you to decline an assignment if you wish. (not valid on a DBQ or major project)  You may volunteer in the library or in the office.

Can You Lose Your License? Yes. If you do not maintain the required standards, you can loose your license and will return to a temporary permit. Your license is automatically revoked if you receive a white slip. All privileges are suspended. At the next review, if the problems have been solved, then your license can be reinstated.

One Class….One Year…. One Universe of Possibilities!!

BICYCLE ANALOGY 6 th Grade Spectrum

Kindergarten – 2 nd Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Sixth Grade