1. Late Bloomers Some children have a more difficult time achieving in school. In many cases, these children are “late bloomers”. Many important people have had rough beginnings, yet have persevered, and have gone on to greatness. Beethoven’s music teacher said that as a composer, he was hopeless. Edison’s teacher told him he was unable to learn. Einstein couldn’t speak until the age of 4, and couldn’t read until the age of 7. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because he “had no good ideas”. Henry Ford was once evaluated as “showing no promise”. Isaac Newton’s work in elementary school was rather poor.

2. WELCOME TO CURRICULUM NIGHT Debbie Bonacci Michelle Young Michelle Webb Allison Rodak

3. Language Arts- presented by Debbie Bonacci Comprehensive Literacy ***Reading, Writing, Word Study The Solon City Schools district policy- Differentiation –Whole group –Small group –Individually Independent reading book Reading logs 3 on rubric is end of year goal. Vocabulary emphasis

4. Research for Reading Correlational studies The major finders were: –The amount of reading is related to their reading achievement. –Reading at home = higher achievement

5. Reading Benefits Achievement percentileMinutes of reading per day Words per year 90 th 40.42,357,000 50 th 12.9601,000 10 th 1.651,000

6. Math-Debbie Bonacci Curriculum is not the text Grade is based on a percent – It shows the child’s level of understanding. Math groups will be fluid. First in Math-only for students in need of intervention-based on math scores.

7. Science- presented by Michelle Webb Guided Inquiry Approach Rocks and Minerals Energy in the Environment Chemistry Cells Each unit will constitute a large chunk if not all of that grading period. Assessments in science: Process labs Application worksheets (formative) Final unit (summative) Vocabulary knowledge is necessary to answer application type questions. Links from my websites

8. Social Studies-presented by Michelle Young 6th Grade Social Studies Curriculum World Geography Ancient River Civilizations- WEB QUEST West Asia- RELIGIONS (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism) Africa- GOVERNMENTS East Asia- ECONOMICS Australia Europe Please share personal experiences-we love to have volunteers come and speak to the team MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS: Loose leaf paper 1 binder Books are provided in class for certain units

9. Achievement Tests and District Assessments- Michelle Young Reading Achievement Test: April 30th Math Achievement Test: May 1st Avoid making appointments on these days. Common Assessments- Pick up your sheet before you leave today. Formative Assessments: (exit slip/entrance slip)- a type of in class “quiz” given to check each child’s understanding along the way. These provide information as to who needs intervention/enrichment. Writing Assessments- Quarterly writing assessments will be given to all 6th grade classes. These are given in order to see progress at different stages during the year.

10. Learning Targets-Michelle Young state indicators for 6th grade terrific study tool for the assessment found in the binder for each subject filled out by the student

11. Grading-Michelle Webb Rubrics are used to grade writing. (Mechanics, Expository, Narrative, Persuasive) Reading is a letter grade- see the grading guidelines in the report card envelope. Science and Social Studies and Math are letter grades based on the grading guidelines-not a percentage grade.

12. Math/Reading is a letter grade- grading guidelines will also be in the report card envelope Word Study is a continuum number Interims-given to students not at benchmark Report cards- given every nine weeks

13. Homework/FIS- Debbie Bonacci Practice No more than an hour a night Use the agenda Posted on website Homework free weekends A homework DROP SPOT is a great idea.

14. Team Discipline Debbie Bonacci Team Rules I keep hands, feet, and objects to myself. I bring appropriate materials to class. I raise my hand and wait to be called on. I follow directions the first time given. I keep classroom materials in the proper place, in an orderly fashion. School Rules BE PROMPT Be POLITE BE PREPARED BE PRODUCTIVE Rewards Positive note home, Call home, Chip in jar, Luncheon, Quiet ball, Good apples *Be sure to look at the behavior checklist each week as you sign your child’s agenda- this is due on Monday. ***PTA sponsoring a quarterly reward-Tailgate party for 1 st quarter *student must have less than 5 signatures from behavior or academic section combined *parent will be notified when student reaches 3 signatures-Warning

15. Calling Home Per the office, students will only be able to call home for glasses, lunches, instruments and transportation reasons. We will be avoiding phone calls for things such as homework, books, jackets, etc… This is effective immediately!