Welcome to Back-to-School Night 2015! Melissa Fisher B-2 Have a seat anywhere you’d like. THANK YOU!

First off, I want to thank you for attending Back-to-School Night

Who is Mrs. Fisher?

EDUCATION After graduating high school, I attended Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. While there I majored in Business and Economics, with a minor in Psychology. So…how did I end up becoming a teacher??? WELL…

After graduating, I received a job as a recruiter. Realized only after 9 months, that the business world just wasn’t for me.

Thoughts in my mind… Even though I was making good money in the business world, it just didn’t seem worth it to me. Thought back to what I was happiest doing and it ended up being my summer college job I did every summer at Saint Mary’s. I was a camp counselor and coach, and I absolutely loved it. So…

Chapman University in Concord I’ve been teaching for 12 years.

Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University

My Life Now… I’ve been married for a little over 7 years to my wonderful husband, Carson.

We have three little girls Gracie- January 8, Mia – Nov. 24, Emmie – 17 months

High graduation standards- Algebra II, three years of Math and Science, two years of a foreign language. What your son/daughter does now (in 6 th grade) will be critical in determining their success in high school and beyond. Increased Standards

Common Core Standards These are the standards for each subject that the state of California says your child should learn each year. Classroom instruction is geared to teach these standards. They can be viewed at the following web address:

Class Materials Single subject notebook (History Interactive Notebook) Single subject notebook (History Interactive Notebook) 3 subject notebook (Literature Circles, Six Traits Writing, Grammar/Vocabulary, Journals, Sentence Stalking) 3 subject notebook (Literature Circles, Six Traits Writing, Grammar/Vocabulary, Journals, Sentence Stalking) SSR book SSR book Colored pencils (used for maps, charts, graphs) Colored pencils (used for maps, charts, graphs) Glue or tape Glue or tape scissors scissors

Curriculum Areas of Study Language Arts Reading  Reader’s Workshop : reading strategies, comprehension, fluency, CORE Novels, book clubs, poetry, guided reading, silent reading, read alouds Writing  Writer’s Workshop : step by step skills to improve writing  Essays: narrative, expository, research, response to literature, and argumentative  Journals- these will be utilized EVERYDAY  Grammar: Sentence Stalking and mini-lessons to teach specific skills Vocabulary  roots, prefixes/suffixes, and words aligned with unit being taught

Curriculum Areas of Study Ancient Civilizations  Early Man, Mesopotamia, Egypt/Kush, Judaism, India, China, Greece, Rome. Students will be doing a lot of interactive work with the textbook as well as using outside resources.  EVERYDAY – History Interactive Notebook (H.I.N. – composition book)

HISTORY CONT. Projects: There will be several group and individual projects. The projects will require computer based research. Push toward students discovering their own learning.

Grading Homework – 10% Classwork – 10% Assessments/projects/essays – 80% NO extra credit

What About Homework? The purpose of homework is to review skills/information, practice new skills, or to prepare for class discussion. Homework volume varies from day to day and week to week, depending on skills, strategies, and information being taught.  Minder Binder  class website  Homework board select a school: Fallon click on “teacher sites” click on “Fisher, Melissa” (Homework may NOT always be updated on my website. It’s your child’s responsibility to write down homework EACH day)

Contact Info Please feel free to check in with me whenever you have a concern. The best way to communicate with me is through . Another way is via a note in your student’s minder binder (make sure the student shows me that note). I will do my best to answer all inquiries within 24 hours. address: