1. Welcome Parents!
6th grade Language Arts, Mrs. Kassander
Please complete the “Parent Bell Ringer” while you wait. Drop it in the green bin on the back table before you leave. Thank you!

2. About Mrs. Kassander This is my fifth year at River Bend.
I have a Bachelors in Education from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a minor in Special Education.
I have a dual certification in English and Social Studies. I taught both in Pennsylvania before moving to Virginia.
I am currently earning my Masters in Administration.

3. During the B-Day Schedule…
When your child has Language Arts for the second time, there is no need to return here.
Instead, please report to the auditorium for a guidance presentation.

4. What can you expect from the teacher?
Professionalism
Respect
An open line of communication
Fairness
Enthusiasm and energy
Creativity

5. Course Overview
Our department believes that the best way to become a better reader and writer is to practice!
Everything we do in class is based on that belief, Loudoun’s curriculum, and Virginia’s Standards of Learning.
Our SOL will be in May. In 6th grade, students will take the Reading SOL to assess specific reading skills.

6. Project-Based Learning
RBMS is part of Loudoun’s Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative this year.
We will be incorporating more project-based learning (in both independent and group formats) that connects content to the real world.
This is designed to show students the relevance of what they are learning and take learning outside of the classroom walls.

7. Bring Your Own Technolgy
River Bend is also a BYOT school!
Your child is not required to bring a device.
Each core classroom has an iPad cart for student use.
Each classroom also has a “stoplight” system to let students know whether or not they can use their devices each day.

8. Class Practices
Students have already started creating their own “Readers Notebooks.”
Students are required to bring this to class every day.
We will go to the library every other Friday for lessons with the librarians and book check out.

9. Class Practices Our biggest class practice is reading! Why?
We have Independent Reading (IR) in class each day.
Homework (most nights) will be 20 minutes of reading.
Why?
The Power of Choice
Please feel free to take a green form from the table for more statistics

10. Reading 25 Book Challenge Interactive reading notebook Class novels
Book clubs
Close reading
Library lessons

11. Reading Reading Without Walls Reading Lounge Exploring books about…
Characters who look or live differently than you
Topics you haven’t discovered
Formats that you haven’t tried
Reading Lounge
Optional reading and writing time with Ms. Holzberger during lunch

12. Scholastic
I will send home Scholastic book orders each month. Our classroom code is MCW4T if you would like to order online.
It’s tax-free and there is no shipping/handling fee.
Orders help us to grow our classroom library and resources!
If you would like to order this month, I will submit our first order next Tuesday, Sept. 19th

13. Preparing for the Reading SOL
Readers Notebook
Vocabulary study
Reading Comprehension activities
Practice SOLs
Achieve 3000
OnTrac test system
“English Games” and “SOL Prep” sections on my staff site

14. Writing This year we will work on the following types of writing:
Descriptive
Narrative/Reflective
Poetry (including the spring Poetry Slam!)
Creative free-writes
Research
Grammar/editing focus pieces

15. How Do We Grade? Grading is calculated using percentages.
Tests = 50%
Quizzes = 30%
Classwork = 20%
Sign up for Phoenix so that you have access to your child’s grades whenever you’d like.
There is a link to ParentVue on my staff site.

16. Phoenix Assignments will be posted on Phoenix.
Some assignments will have additional resources (such as PowerPoints or notes) attached.
Certain homework assignments, like study guides, will be listed in Phoenix but are not weighted.

17. Incentives Ravens 25 Book Challenge
We are a PBIS school, so students will have the chance to earn “Ravens” for exhibiting outstanding behavior. Our main focuses are respect, responsibility and readiness.
25 Book Challenge
For every five books, your student can receive a Pizza Hut coupon for a free personal pan pizza. When a student finishes the challenge, they will also receive prize bag and will be encouraged to keep going with a special star behind their original.

18. Contact Information
Please be aware that I may not discuss grades via .
School phone number:
Planning blocks: 2nd and 8th
I often use this time to work with students when I am not in meetings. If you call during these blocks and I am unavailable, I will return your call as soon as possible! 

19. Thank you!
Everyone shares the goal of helping children learn and feel successful. I would like to thank everyone for coming in tonight. I am looking forward to a great school year! Mrs. Kassander