1. Welcome to 6th Grade GATE
We are so excited to be “Letting our Dreams Set Sail” in 6th grade GATE Academy this year!
Teacher Contact Information
Kathryn Anderson- Room #157
Mechelle Galyon- Room #158

2. Grade Level Curriculum
Allen ISD’s curriculum is aligned with the state’s guidelines.
To obtain a copy of our grade level objectives, you may view TEA’s website or Allen ISD’s website
We will add Genius Hour, STEM Challenges, and Maker Space opportunities for our gifted learners, as well as extend on the grade level standards for the state to ensure differentiation in the classroom.
Please continue to send Maker Space items. We welcome all recycled materials and will update the list in our weekly newsletter.
What is Genius Hour?
Jenn

3. Math Overview Mrs. Anderson Key Concepts: Coordinate Plane & Graphing
Order of Operations
Integer Operations
Fraction Operations
Decimal Operations
Introduction to Algebra
Writing & Solving Equations
Ratios, Rates & Probability
Percent & Data Analysis
Geometry & Measurement
Inequalities
Financial Literacy

4. Science Overview Mrs. Anderson Key Concepts:
Scientific Investigation & Reasoning: Modes of scientific inquiry, rules of evidence, formulating questions, and proposing explanations
Matter & Energy: Origins and uses of resources, renewable / non-renewable resources, ethical/social issues surrounding use of resources, and advantages / disadvantages of long-term use of natural resources
Force, Motion & Energy: Potential / kinetic energy, thermal energy transfer, and the relationship between force and motion, including calculations and measurements
Earth & Space Science: Earth’s processes, organization of the solar system, the role of gravity, and space exploration
Organisms & Environments: Taxonomy classifications and characteristics, and the interdependence between organisms and environments
Science Fair Projects: Project using the scientific method & design process

5. ELA Overview Mrs. Galyon Key Concepts: Reader/Writer Journals
Focus on Independent Reading
Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Writing
Writing Poetry and Scripts
Genre Study, Critical Reading in Fiction and Non-Fiction, Exploring Poetry and Drama
Research

6. World Cultures Overview
Key Concepts:
World geography/culture
Economy
Types of government
Current events
Locations: Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Mrs. Galyon

7. Homework
Our philosophy on homework is that it is a means for students to practice skills in order to develop weaknesses into strengths.
Homework will be sent home periodically and will be due back the next day unless otherwise indicated.
Students should be reading for pleasure each night in a genre of their choosing.
Imagine Math will be an additional resource for students to practice their skills on a weekly basis.
Julie

8. Google Classroom
Many assignments will be accessed through Google Classroom.
Students can access it through the portal OR
Students log in with their portal password

9. Grading Grading Policy
Late work is any assignment that is not turned on the date it is due as long as the student is not absent that day.
10 points will be taken off per school day for late work up to three school days
Points to Remember
Grades can be accessed through Skyward 

10. Vaughan Viking Expectations for Smooth Sailing
Be respectful of all people and property
Follow teacher/adult directions
Practice kindness and honesty
Keep all body parts and objects to yourself
Be punctual and have materials ready every day
Jenn

11. 6th Grade GATE Behavior Expectations
Be respectful
Be responsible
Be resourceful
Jenn

12. Conduct Marks
Conduct marks are recorded behaviors of a student to indicate his/her progress in following school-wide and classroom expectations.
Conduct marks can come from all teachers and/or classes, except specials. In sixth grade, the total amount of conduct marks during a 9 week period reflects the student’s conduct grade on his/her report card.
0-3 = Outstanding
4-8 = Satisfactory
9-13 = Needs Improvement
14+ = Unsatisfactory
Jenn

13. Communication
Each student will have an agenda, conduct card/late assignment log, and a RED homework folder. These should be brought home each day and reviewed by the parent and child.
The Agenda is a great source of communication and a way for students to keep track of due dates for homework assignments, tests, etc. Please encourage your child to use his/her agenda and review the agenda with your child daily.
Julie

14. Communication
RED Homework Folder- Any work that needs to be completed at home will be in the red folder. The work needs to be put back in the red folder and returned to school the next day.
The Behavior Communication Log / Late Assignment Log should be checked nightly for any changes. If a conduct mark is earned, a parent/guardian needs to sign the behavior side. On the reverse side, will be a list of any late or missing assignments. Parents are to sign to confirm they are aware of an assignment that is past due.
Julie

15. Wednesday Folder
Each Wednesday, your child will bring home their purple Vaughan Viking folder. This will have any notes home from the office or classroom as well as additional checked papers from the previous week. Please sign and have your child return their folder the next day.
Julie

16. SNACK TIME! We have snack time each morning
Please make sure that your student brings a healthy snack
We are a peanut/tree nut-free pair of classrooms due to life threatening allergies

17. Lunch Sixth grade GATE lunch will be from 11:55 to 12:30.
Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children in the designated visitor section of the cafeteria. They may not bring food for other children or ask other children to join them for lunch.
Jenn

18. Captains
One per class selected every two weeks based on having an empty communication card, and exemplifying the character trait of the month
Captains get the privilege of sitting with a friend at the Captains’ Table in the cafeteria each day for two weeks

19. SAIL TICKETS Given for outstanding behavior or helpfulness
Get signed and return in exchange for classroom incentives
Will be put in the school-wide drawing for privileges

20. Vaughan Valets All 6th graders are eligible
Help younger students in and out of cars
Pick morning or afternoon
7:35-7:55 AM
2:55-3:10 PM
It is a commitment
Schedule will be available soon

21. THANK YOU
We appreciate your support in and outside of the classroom. Thank you for all you do!
If you ever have any questions or concerns, our doors are always open.
It is going to be a great year!
Jenn