1. Welcome to 6 th Grade Language Arts! Miss McCarthy Room 305

2. Contact Information O Email: hmccarthy@cwcboe.org O Website: www.cwcboe.org/gcmswww.cwcboe.org/gcms O Email is best! O Extra Help Hours: 8:15-8:30 am/3:00- 3:30pm (or by appointment)

3. Goals for the Year O Increased Literacy: O Elevated reading comprehension O Elevated critical thinking skills (lots of “why?” “how?” and explaining!) O Elevated writing skills (organization, depth, length) O Improved Speaking and Listening: O Broaden vocabulary O Refine communication skills O Refine listening skills

4. Overall Goal: O Prepare students for the upper grades by making them independent, critical thinkers, and learners!

5. Expectations of… me! O 100% effort at all times! O Open door policy and prompt communication! O Keep grades updated and posted weekly! O Motivator and encourager to create lifelong learners! O Supportive while creating independence! O Give students the skills and strategies they need to be successful! O Create a safe, productive, and fun learning environment!

6. Expectations of Students O 100% effort at all times O Seek extra help when needed O Come to class prepared and ready to learn O Keep an open mind O Be honest O RESPECT- self, adults, and others

7. Expectations of Parents O Facilitate independence O Encourage literacy O Encourage reading (ANYTHING!!!) O Read and comment on writing O Discuss school- ask for papers! O Check the website- homework & grades O Keep me posted on any questions, concerns, or issues!

8. Homework Website O Homework Website: 1. Go to www.cwcboe.org/gcmswww.cwcboe.org/gcms 2. Click “staff.” 3. Click Heather McCarthy 4. Click “Homework” 5. View most recent homework postings and descriptions for assignments

9. Independent Reading O Reading that will be done in the students’ own time and independently O Every Thursday a Reading Log is due O 3-4 sentences summarizing what they read for the week O Students will have about a month, or a little more, to read each novel O In the end, we will do an in-class project based on their independent reading O Sometimes, I will tell them they need to be reading a specific genre.

10. Grades O New grading scale:  100-91 = A  90-81 = B  80-71 = C  70-63 = D  62-0 = F O Grades will be listed as numbers on the report card.

11. Grades Continued O Can be accessed on PowerSchool O Updated once a week or after major tests, quizzes, or projects O Questions? Ask!

12. Website O Check out: O Daily homework postings O Upcoming tests, quizzes, and projects O Electronic copies of materials O Extra Credit