1. Welcome to Sixth Grade! Holland Elementary 2011-2012

2. Sixth Grade Teachers Ro Carcaci Julie Wetherill Jennifer Frawley Allison Bailey Erin Prozzillo Melanie Kiker Amy Malone Ken Rooney

3. Character Education  Four Pillars –Cooperation –Respect –Responsibility –Sportsmanship

4. Language Arts - Writing –RELA –Exposure to all writing genres –Writing Rubric –Teacher and peer conferences –Grammar-New Program –Vocabulary and spelling –Yes…we encourage cursive writing!

5. Language Arts - Reading –Making Meaning –Scholastic Reading Inventory - SRI –Class novels and self-selected novels –Mini-lessons on literary strategies –Book Clubs/Literature Circles –Response journals –Book projects –Conferences –Class discussions

6. Math Program  Curriculum –Problem Solving focus throughout –Middle School Math (McDougal Littell Course 1) –Areas of study include: graphing, fractions, integers, geometry, decimals, measurement, ratio, proportion, percent, probability algebra introduced throughout

7. www.classzone.com

8. Math  Assessment –Quizzes –Tests (chapter and quarterly) –Problem-solving activities (Daily and Weekly) –Performance tasks - Homework – 3 points each - Children to check answers on-line

9. Social Studies  Overview of topics –Constitution –Geography –Ancient Mesopotamia –Ancient Egypt & Nubia –Ancient China & India –Early Americas (Mayans, Incas, Aztecs)

10. Social Studies  Assessment –Participation –Current Events –Projects –Quizzes and tests

11. Social Studies  Projects –Creating an authentic civilization –Sarcophagus –Debates /Trials –Travel brochure about an ancient civilization –Computer/Self-selected projects

12. Science  Curriculum –Inquiry-based/hands-on –Units: Scientific Method Variables (Full Option Science Systems: FOSS Kit) Levers and Pulleys (Full Option Science Systems: FOSS Kit) Animal Adaptations / Biomes Astronomy “Earth, Moon, and Sun” (Delta Science Kit) Life Skills HIV/AIDS

13. Science  Assessment –Observation and participation –Notebook checks –Quizzes (pop and announced) –Tests Written and performance based –Lab Reports

14. Homework o Math every night o Reading or Language Arts nightly o Science & SS twice per week on avg. o Time Management skills o Personal responsibility o Homework Book/Organization skills o All tests and quizzes must be signed

15. Elementary Performance Assessment  3 day process that allows students to celebrate their success in learning –Create a question –Research –Write report –Create Visual (Power Point) –Present  Practice begins in the fall  Assessment in Spring

16. Middle School Transition  Goals for students: o Independence with HW, reading, & writing; organizational skills; work ethic; personal responsibility  Course recommendations in spring  Visits from Principal, Guidance Counselors; we visit Holland Middle School in spring

17. Other  Computer instruction/integration at least once per week  PSSA – Math and Reading beginning March 12th  Scholastic Book Orders - Monthly Please make checks payable to “Scholastic”  Field Trips – one in each half of the school year  School play this year Alice in Wonderland  Check E-Friday Folder, HES, 6 th Grade, and individual class webPages for school info.

18. Thank You  Questions? –Always feel welcome to write us with questions or concerns. rcarcaci@crsd.org krooney@crsd.org eprozzillo@crsd.org jwetherill@crsd.org abailey@crsd.org mkiker@crsd.org jfrawley@crsd.org