1. Mrs. Staples (Formally Miss Matthews)
Welcome to the 6th Grade!
Mrs. Staples
(Formally Miss Matthews)

2. Who AM I?

3. Get to Know Me My experience My background
I’ve been teaching for 7 years.
I’ve worked with all grades through my work as a recreational leader, my time in the Americorps, and student teaching.
I have taught 6th grade for my formal teaching experience and for a first a 5/6 combo last year. So I know exactly where they are coming from.
I grew up in Vacaville. However, my family is from the South (South Carolina and Texas).
I attended Elm Elementary, Jepson Middle School and Graduation from Vacaville High School in 2003.
I received my BA in Liberal Studies at CSU Sacramento State, my teaching credential at CSU Monterey Bay and just recently received my masters degree in Administration through Brandman University.

4. Communication My
School phone:
teacherease.com

5. Newsletter
Every Monday I will send out a newsletter via outlining the highlights of our week
What I plan on teaching
A plan for homework
Information about what’s going on in the classroom or around school.

6. Class Goal
To become prepared for the 7th grade..... (To be continued by students!)  

7. Classroom Community
Our basic classroom and school rules help us get along with each other:
Be respectful
Be responsible
Be Safe
On first day of school students will create a set of classroom rules that I will share in first newsletter.

8. Discipline 1st offense – Whole Class Warning
2nd offense – Individual Warning
3rd offense – Moved to “counselor center” fill out reflection – communication with parents
4th offense – referral to Mrs. Rushfords office, phone call home at end of day.

9. Celebrations
Celebrations are related to things that need to be celebrated 
AR goal – Ice Cream!
Trimester Auctions
Free time
Class Meetings
DR. SEUSS DAY!! (pajamas and reading)
Birthdays
If you bring a treat for your child’s birthday, I request that it’s at the end of the day. Please be mindful as we have C18 students who have food allergies.

10. Class Subjects and Happenings
Math
Reading Writing
Science
Social Studies
Music
PE (taught be another teacher)
Computer Lab
Library

11. Pledge/Attendance/Daily News
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8:15
Pledge/Attendance/Daily News
8:30
Math Regrouping
9:00
Band/Music *9:15-10:00
Math
PE 10:00-10:30
10:00: Math
10:30
Recess
10:40
English Language Arts
*Library 11:15-11:45 Wednesdays*
11:55
Lunch
12:30 PE
Together time
Science
1:05 Dismissal 
1:15
Social Studies
Class Meeting 2:15
2:30
Clean/Dismissal 
Clean/Dismissal

12. Reading Springboard by The College Board AR reading
Reading/Writing curriculum
Very different look than Wonders
Adjustment period – but set up for middle school success
What I’ve seen …
AR reading
Homework grade
Students get individual goals
Ice Cream party is goal is exceeded!

13. Math Glencoe Math Course 1 First out of 3 courses (6th, 7th and 8th)
More traditional approach to mathematics
Standards are close to 5th grade – very close.
It’s probably been a long time since you’ve done this kind of math 
Khanacadamy.org

14. Science and Technology
Macmillan/McGraw “Earth Science.”
Earths Ecosystems
Earth’s Land and Water
Heat Energy
Energy in the Earth System
Plate Techtonics
Shapping Earths Surface
Earth’s Resources

15. Social Studies Pearson's My World Interactive “Ancient Civilization”
Origins of Civilization
Civilizations and Peoples of the Fertile Crescent
Ancient Egypt and Kush
Early Civilizations of India
Early Civilizations of China
Ancient Greece
The Roman Republic
The Roman and Byzantine Empires

16. “Don’t knock it until you try it!”
Music
“Don’t knock it until you try it!”
Monday’s
Band/Music 9:15-10:00 AM 
Depending on what setting the students are in the remaining students will be hanging back with me for art class! 

17. Grades Projects/Embedded Assessments – 30% Tests – 30% Quizzes – 20%
Classwork – 10%
Homework – 10%

18. Missing Work
Every two weeks (Fridays) I will print a missing work report from teacherease 
Students will be given a time to meet with me and turn in any assignment they have missed. 
Starting the follow Monday that the missing work report has been given assignments will be deducted 10% a day. When the next missing report comes out all assignments from the previous missing work report will be marked at 0.
Students can earn 1 extra credit point for turning in a signed missing work report. EVEN IF THE STUDENT IS NOT MISSING ANYWORK.
Projects are excluded from this policy as students are given plenty of time to complete. 

19. Homework 60 minutes MAX of homework every night. Due the following day
Independent Reading and Math
Work unfinished from the day
Good way to communicate any concerns you see from your child.
The next couple of weeks they will talk time as they are getting used to new textbook. IT’S OKAY!!

20. Tardiness School starts at 8:15 A.M.
Running late? Check in at the school office before coming to class.

21. Questions?

22. Let’s Have a Great Year!