1. Welcome to 6 th Grade Humanities Block Julie St.Hilaire & Jeannie Joseph 425.837.6828website Or better yet…..email us! sthilairej@issaquah.wednet.edujosephj@issaquah.wednet.edu

2. 6th grade 6 th grade is certainly a transition year for students but also is….. A transition year for parents What can you do?

3. Transition year for students & parents Meet the school staff Meet the school staff Make sure your child understands that they are held responsible for knowing school rules and following them Make sure your child understands that they are held responsible for knowing school rules and following them Help your children realize that inappropriate actions in school have consequences Help your children realize that inappropriate actions in school have consequences Foster engagement in school activities Foster engagement in school activities Make sure homework is being completed. Make sure homework is being completed.

4. 2 period blocks LANGUAGE ARTS LANGUAGE ARTS Reading Reading Writing Writing Grammar Grammar Vocabulary Vocabulary Novels Novels Art Art SOCIAL STUDIES SOCIAL STUDIES Mesopotamia Mesopotamia Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Ancient Rome Ancient China Ancient China 2 separate grades on report card

5. Activities & Projects Individual work Individual work Group & Partner projects Group & Partner projects Simulations Simulations Presentations Presentations Participation Participation Incorporate technology when applicable Incorporate technology when applicable Microsoft Word & PowerPoint Microsoft Word & PowerPoint

6. Social Studies Mesopotamia Ancient Egypt Mesopotamia Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Ancient China Ancient China We will use our SS textbooks, simulations, art projects and presentations to make history come alive.

7. WRITING Continue focus on Continue focus on 6 Trait Writing Voice Sentence Fluency Word Choice Ideas & Content Organization Conventions (punctuation) Journal Writing Journal Writing (Mon, Wed, Fri) Effort Grading  All essays completed in class  All students need memory (USB) stick

8. Planners Students should keep it with them always!! It contains bathroom & hall passes---time needs to be used wisely Planner includes all teacher emails, phone #s, bell times, map of school & all school rules NO BACKPACKS! Each student has their own locker where backpacks should be kept

9. HOMEWORK! Yes, there will be homework for each core class; Humanities, Math & Science Yes, there will be homework for each core class; Humanities, Math & Science Around one hour of homework for all classes combined is what we aim for---but that depends on each student….keeping the following in mind… Around one hour of homework for all classes combined is what we aim for---but that depends on each student….keeping the following in mind… The EXACT SAME homework assignment might take one student 10 minutes and another student an hour and a half! The EXACT SAME homework assignment might take one student 10 minutes and another student an hour and a half! Pink Slip handed out each time homework is not turned in. Pink Slip handed out each time homework is not turned in. Check grades on Family Access once a week. Check grades on Family Access once a week.

10. Required Reading How many points are required for each trimester? How many points are required for each trimester? 40 40 How do I earn points? How do I earn points? There are four ways to earn points: There are four ways to earn points: Take an Accelerated Reading (AR) test on the computer. Take an Accelerated Reading (AR) test on the computer. Complete a plot mountain worksheet. These can be found in the absent binder. Complete a plot mountain worksheet. These can be found in the absent binder. Have a book chat with your teacher. Schedule a 5-10 minute window with your LA teacher to discuss the book. Be ready to talk characters, plot, and give your opinion. Have a book chat with your teacher. Schedule a 5-10 minute window with your LA teacher to discuss the book. Be ready to talk characters, plot, and give your opinion. Present your book to the class. This can be open ended and creative! You can make a PowerPoint, dramatize a scene, or be as creative as you would like to inform and entertain us. Present your book to the class. This can be open ended and creative! You can make a PowerPoint, dramatize a scene, or be as creative as you would like to inform and entertain us. How are points determined? How are points determined? By the level of book read. Check the AR list or with your teacher. By the level of book read. Check the AR list or with your teacher.

11. Accelerated Reader Each student is STAR tested at the beginning of the year to determine an appropriate reading “range” Each student is STAR tested at the beginning of the year to determine an appropriate reading “range” Students will read novels within his or her range and complete quizzes on the computer for class points in Language Arts and prizes through the Library program Students will read novels within his or her range and complete quizzes on the computer for class points in Language Arts and prizes through the Library program Look for yellow stickers on spines to signify “AR” books Look for yellow stickers on spines to signify “AR” books Look for exact level on the title page of the book Look for exact level on the title page of the book

12. AR at Home Go to IMS homepage Go to IMS homepage Click on LIBRARY Click on LIBRARY On left margin, click on On left margin, click on ACCELERATED READER Here you can browse book lists, levels & points. Prizes 3 and 6 quizzes passed = Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies

13. How to be Successful in 6 th Grade Bring materials needed to class every day. Bring materials needed to class every day. Write assignments in planner every day. Write assignments in planner every day. Put your best effort into work every day. Put your best effort into work every day. Turn it in on time! Turn it in on time! Call homework hotline when absent. Call homework hotline when absent. Go over planner with parent once a week. Go over planner with parent once a week. (Planner should be FULL of writing for all core classes!) (Planner should be FULL of writing for all core classes!)

14. QUESTIONS? Julie St.Hilaire & Jeannie Joseph Homework Hotline Phone Number 425.837.6828 sthilairej@issaquah.wednet.edu & josephj@issaquah.wednet.edu

15. My Teacher Thinks I’m Special My teacher thinks I’m special, It comes as no surprise. She doesn’t have to say so, I see it in her eyes. She tells me all about herself, Her family, friends, and dreams. That makes me feel important, She trusts me with those things. She says I have potential. She sees things others don’t. She sees things that I WILL DO, And not the things I won’t. She puts her hand on top of mine And tells me, “Way to go!” “You can do it! Try again! I’m proud of you, you know!” My teacher thinks I’m special, Unique and very bright, A shining star in my own way. Know what… I’m sure she’s right! Mary C. Howard