1. CURRICULUM NIGHT 2016 WELCOME!
IMS 6th Grade Language Arts

2. My Background Seattle area 20 years
Certified Teacher: Middle Level Humanities & 9th-12th Grade English and German
Issaquah School District--IMS

3. Why do I teach?
I want to provide ALL students with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to ensure a rich and fulfilling future. I want to inspire them to achieve their very best each day and to view learning as a lifelong endeavor.
FORMULA FOR SUCCESS:
Confidence + Hard Work + Perseverance
“I can do this/I got this” attitude fostered by positive classroom environment. Being a hard worker can make up for weaknesses in other areas and will allow you to achieve success. Perseverance is a life skill—the greatest learning moments are the ones that include setbacks that you overcome and don’t give up on.

4. Classroom Community Students create “IMS Way” classroom matrix:
Be Safe, Be Respectful & Kind, Be Responsible.
Students will feel safe and cared about in my classroom.
They will have a voice—their opinions and feelings matter!
If they help create the “rules,” they take ownership of them on a daily basis.

5. Language Arts Newly adopted reading and writing curriculum
Aligned with Common Core State Standards
Research shows that one of the key factors related to success in reading and writing is providing students CHOICE.

6. WORKSHOP MODEL Components Skill-Based Mini Lessons
Choice of books & writing topics
Great deal of time for practice
Individual or small group conferring

7. READER’S WORKSHOP Skill development lessons Vocabulary Discussions
Journaling (Written or Graphic) for reading comprehension & text analysis

8. READER’S WORKSHOP Choice of books for each unit
Range of reading levels and interests
Common focus or theme

9. WRITER’S WORKSHOP PROCESS: Immersion in MENTOR TEXTS
“READ LIKE A WRITER”
Generate & Select Ideas--CHOICE
Collect Information & Draft
Revise & Edit
Publish
Apply strategies of mentor texts to their own work/writing

10. Language Arts Independent Reading 10 minutes most class periods
Encourage reading at home
Variety of ways students will “interact” with their text
STAR test to determine reading level--they can read whatever they like, even at a lower level—because the point of this is to love reading. They will be challenged with the texts that are a part of the curriculum.

11. Language Arts Vocabulary Greek and Latin Roots SAT vocabulary cartoons
Vocabulary strategies
Presented Mondays--Quiz Fridays
Vocabulary strategies: Break word into parts and context clues

12. Language Arts Trimester I Freak the Mighty Interactive Read Aloud
Reading Informational Text--Scope
Writing
Narrative (Smarter Balanced Rubric)
CCSS—citing evidence, graded discussions

13. Language Arts Trimester II Reading Workshop: Humor
Reading Informational Text--Scope
Writing
Feature Article/Expository Writing
Research
Smarter Balanced Rubric
Complex, informational text

14. Language Arts Trimester III Reading Workshop: Hero’s Journey
Reading Informational Text--Scope
Writing
Argumentative/Persuasive (Smarter Balanced Rubric)
Argument/Persuasive techniques—writing and speaking

15. Language Arts Speaking and Listening
Individual and Group Presentations
Graded Discussions
Collaborative Work
Discussion Etiquette, Prepare ahead of time and have “cheat sheet,” Practice Rounds, Listening, Question Stems

16. Reading Strategies Notice and Note Fiction Signposts
Contrasts and Contradictions
Aha moments
Tough Questions character raises
Words of the Wiser
Again and Again

17. Homework IMS policy: 10-15 minutes per class
Finishing up any class work (most days ample time for this)
Posted on website
Reading (Encourage at least 20 minutes)

18. Classroom Website Daily Blog
Class work and homework—great place to go if absent
Files (Important Documents)
Syllabus, Major Assignments
Links

19. How can you help?
Quiet place to study without interruptions (no cell phone, no TV)
Be sure your child is recording homework and due dates in planner
Check website for essay, project, and test dates—help student learn to organize/manage time (use student planner)

20. Contact Information and Extra Help
CONTACT:
Phone: Leave message on voice mail:
EXTRA HELP:
After school--Best to make appointment

21. Please complete the Parent Survey.

22. Thank you for coming!
Write a short note to your child and I will leave it on their desk so that they see it when they come into class tomorrow