1. 2015-2016 WELCOME! Mrs. Lowery Mrs. Dyer Mrs. Phillips Mrs. Vinson
Mrs. Rodopoulos

2. English—Dyer and Rodo 6th grade level
Notebooks for each unit—count as daily grade (Organization is KEY!)
Don’t worry if you don’t see the English book come home—we use note sheets from a variety of sources.
First two daily grades—not in book (Procedures Quiz and Using a Planner Quiz)
Unit 1 (Grammar) started this week.

3. Writing—Dyer and Rodo *Paragraphs and essays
* Home and in-class assignments
* Essays count as major grade in Language Arts
* Writing is across the curriculum
**System assessments each nine weeks count as major grade

4. Wordly Wise—Dyer and Rodo
6th grade level
Test each week and a half
Spelling and definitions
Tests consist of synonyms, antonyms, and sentences using words in context
for words and activities
practice
source for practice tests
Wordly Wise app also available
Flash cards encouraged, not required

5. READING—Lowery and Dyer
Novel based curriculum
Supplemented by basal reader
Projects—1st nine weeks speeches
Skills and vocabulary taught according to novel or basal story
6th grade level
Accelerated Reader

6. Social Studies—Lowery and Vinson
5th Grade Level
Projects—Globe project 1st nine weeks
**BUY GLOBES EARLY—Styrofoam, ball, etc.
U.S. History
Cover Indians and early explorers through Civil War
Novels to supplement book
Study guides given prior to unit tests

7. Math—Phillips and Vinson
6th Grade Level
Project—Information will come home soon regarding 1st nine weeks project
Book available online (encouraged)
Expect homework regularly
Compass Learning

8. Science—Phillips and Vinson
5th Grade Level
In class project first nine weeks on weather patterns
Science included in ACT Aspire testing in spring
Study guides given prior to unit tests

9. “O” and “R” Preparing students for Baldwin Write down assignments
Homework each night—studying is homework
Keep backpack clean
Restock supplies as needed
Child is held responsible for all school-related tasks.
Only emergency phone calls from the office—forgotten projects or field trip forms are NOT emergencies.

10. Field Trips Summary of field trips for the year
Policy--$1000 BB for getting forms and payments in on first day
PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE OR DAY OF THE TRIP TO SIGN FORMS/PAY! We have our deadlines, so we give you deadlines.

11. Miscellaneous Christmas shopping trip
Book covers provided
Conduct and homework logs are located in planner.
Homework will be counted as a minor grade at the end of the nine weeks.
Micro economy
Contact by preferred—24 hour response time
INow for grades
Conferences through office
Check planner for homework
Instant Replay
Water bottles and snacks each day

12. Social Media
Students, please be careful what is put on Instagram, Facebook, etc. It can be hurtful to classmates, and sometimes those hurt feelings affect our school day.
Parents, remember that your posts are shared and spread around—even to teachers. Complaints should be directed to us by or through a conference. Complaining on social media provides very little in the way of solutions to your problems.
MPS/Forest Avenue needs all of the “positive” that it can get! Keep your comments focused on what is good about school, and contact us directly if you have concerns or questions.

13. Homework/Tests      
*Homework is not considered complete unless:
1. All directions have been followed completely.
2. Homework has been completed. Students should ask parents for help rather than leave blanks.
*Students will sign homework log for incomplete work or if directions were not followed.
*Points will be deducted on tests if directions are not followed completely/accurately OR if a student fails to answer test questions.
*Students should always check their work to be sure all directions were followed and no answers were left blank.

14. Don’t panic with early grade averages! We have to “settle in”.
One Last Thing…
Don’t panic with early grade averages! We have to “settle in”.