1. Mrs. Anestad English language arts Voyager

2. A little about me This is my fourth year as a teacher in PVSD
This is my third year teaching sixth grade at East (I was at West my first year in PVSD)
I have been teaching for 9 ½ years
Worked in Human Resources as well as teaching preschool before becoming a public school teacher
I have been married for 21 years and have two teenaged children, a 15 year old girl Rebecca and a 17 year old boy Marcus (a high school senior!!)

3. Contacts
is the best was to contact me! I check it regularly and will get back to you as soon as I can.
(listed in the staff directory on the PVSD web page)
If you prefer to talk over the phone, me and let me know and I’ll call you

4. Teacher web page
On my staff page there is a calendar which will have assignments and upcoming quizzes and tests
Mrs. Terry’s homework assignments are also listed on this same calendar
Students should be using their assignment books to write down homework and tests/quizzes
All students get an assignment book thanks to our great Home and School Association

5. Class structure 53 minutes Reading Comprehension and Writing Skills
Big focus
When answering a question about something we have read, using text based evidence to support it
Close reading - Reading the selection two or three times for increased comprehension.
Different types of writing (narrative, argumentative, informational). Some done in ELA and some during Literacy Explorations.

6. Independent Reading
Students are expected to read during Advisory for at least 20 minutes
Students should always have an independent reading book with them (not just to ELA, but to other classes as well)
For the first marking period students are expected to read 650 pages. (This is about 15 pages per school day.)
Each book for the marking period must be from a different genre (genre examples: biography, poetry, historical fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, sports fiction, humor, graphic novels…)
Read at their level, something they enjoy – NO project afterwards, this helps support more authentic reading.

7. Independent Reading Continued
For every 50 pages in the book, a written response is completed. This helps with reading comprehension and is also a way to hold them accountable for their reading.
When book is finished they turn in their written responses and then I meet with them for a book talk
The 650 pages per marking period counts towards the practice portion of their grade (more on grades in a moment…). If 650 pages or more are read, then 25/25. If less than 650 pages then grade is based on pages read, for example 500 pages would be 19/25.

8. Where can my child get books?
Borrow from my classroom library
Scholastic Book Orders – each month, starting in October, Scholastic flyers will be sent home. It’s a great way to get books without spending a lot – most books are $1 - $7 (unless hardcover). Books typically arrive 7-10 days after I place the order, so about 2-3 weeks from the day the flyers are handed out.
Go to the library during Advisory to borrow books.

9. Grade What is your child’s grade based on? 25% Practice
75% Assessments
All of the English Language Arts teachers use this same grade breakdown (both at East and West)

10. Practice 25% of your child’s grade
Typical practice assignments include
Homework assignments (more about this in a moment)
Classwork that’s mainly graded for completion
Open book “quiz” on reading selection we did in class – can work with partners
“5 lines” of writing
In class worksheets
Parts of the writing process before the final writing piece (such as a graphic organizer)

11. Homework I rarely give new work for homework.
When classwork is not finished in class, it is to be finished at home.
Typically finishing the classwork at home will take minutes.
If you find it is taking your child more than 30 minutes of on-task time on a regular basis, please let me know.
Keep up with the independent reading; especially if in chorus/band/orchestra and have less advisory time for reading

12. Assessments
75% of grade
Quizzes – point value varies, but typically10-40 points
Collections unit assessments – one per marking period (approximately 50 points for multiple choice and points for written response)
Graded writing assignments (points will vary based on assignments, typically points)
Projects (points will vary depending on length and depth of project, could be as little as 10 points or as high as 50)

13. Collections Assessments
The Collections assessments can be quite challenging. The grades on these assessments will most likely be lower than other graded assignments in the class.

14. Collections – Main resource we will be using this year
Balance of complex texts with including fiction, nonfiction, and informational
Many of the texts are challenging – read and reread
Textbook – both hardcover and online
Different reading selections about similar topic
Fear
Animal intelligence
Making your voice heard
Decisions that matter
Tales and Myths

15. Other resources that we use
In addition to Collections we use
Yellow lit book and workbook
Selected poetry
Selected nonfiction texts
Newsela articles