Welcome Back to School! Vanessa Heller: 6 th grade Humanities Language Arts and Social Studies Periods 6/7 Medea Creek Middle School

8/24/08Created by V. Heller2 Mrs. Heller in a Nutshell  Newbury Park  Family 1 husband 2 daughters 2 cats  Hobbies Anything relaxing  12 th year teaching  BA: UCI  Credential: UCI  MA: CSUN  R/LASC: CSUN  CLAD

8/24/08Created by V. Heller3 Communication  Schoolwires (Website) Important dates, info, links  Handbook: assignments & due dates  Review nightly  Notes to Mrs. Heller  Zangle: grades   Schedule a meeting

8/24/08Created by V. Heller4 Curriculum What should my child know and be able to do by the end of sixth grade?  Curriculum aligned with state standards What can I do to help my child?  Work with the teacher (a united front!)  Supervise their independence  Check over homework Did they get the gist of the lesson?  AR 20 minutes M-Th.

8/24/08Created by V. Heller5  Strategy Based: ex. identifying motive, compare &contrast, using context cues  Language & Literature: fluency & comprehension Genres of lit, vocabulary, grammar, & “No Excuses” spelling  Novels: The Giver & Ulysses  Writing : journaling, stories, essays, & poetry  Reading & writing in social studies Language Arts

Accelerated Reader (AR)  1 novel per student’s reading level 6 th gr. level min., modified w/ Mrs. H’s okay Choose book from list in class or online  http: // Fill out “AR Approval Form” before reading  Parent signs & Mrs. H’s approval required Take AR test after reading (by week 5) AR book MUST be with you each day, in each class 8/24/08Created by V. Heller6

8/24/08Created by V. Heller7 Social Studies Access online! Focus: ancient civilizations & geography Early humans Africa Mesopotamia Egypt India China Israelites Greece Roman Empire

Homework  Monday –Thursday Explained in class Usually due next day Completed independently Reinforces skill/concepts learned in class Reading for AR a must  Stuff happens… Mrs. Heller Write a note in handbook and/or on HW.  Student must show it to teacher 8/24/088Created by V. Heller

Responsibilities  Turning in all work assigned in class.  Incomplete classwork = homework Due next day for maximum ½ credit Zero credit given after one day late.  Responsible for group work & own work  Be prepared with materials & studying  Corrections in class… fill in missing info  Do ‘corrections” for tests & quizzes Make appointment for retesting w/ Mrs. H 8/24/08Created by V. Heller9

8/24/08Created by V. Heller10 Discipline  Be prepared  Be respectful  Be responsible  Be helpful  Be in control See 6 th grade Responsibilities Letter for details)

Absences/Make Up Work  Excused absences Student may make up classwork, homework, & tests. Student will have time = to # days absent to make up work. Student makes arrangements with teacher for make ups the day s/he returns If absent on test day only, student takes test day s/he returns.  Use a “Study Buddy” when absent 8/24/08Created by V. Heller11

Grading  Each assignment has a point value  Students receive points for assignments completed on time & each test/quiz taken  Points also earned for group work  Student points added up, total earned divided by total possible, percentage then calculated 72%-70%=C-  Grades updated every two weeks in Zangle. Please check Zangle regularly. 8/24/0812Created by V. Heller

These grades based on following:  Arrives to class on time  Has all materials & is prepared to work  Conveys positive attitude  Respects peers& adults  Cooperates with peers & adults  Follows MCMS guidelines in Student Handbook 8/24/08Created by V. Heller13 Citizenship Grades

8/24/08Created by V. Heller14 Thank you for attending BTSN at MCMS.