Mrs. Dillon’s 5/6 grade Renaissance Canyon Springs STEM School Canyon Springs is a leader in STEM education. All student needs are met by the integration of the STEM model, differentiation of learner aptitudes, and incorporation of the Systems Approach to Learning. Together, with our community, we prepare and inspire generations of learners to succeed in our global society.

CLASS MISSION Canyon Springs Renaissance students are enthusiastic, imaginative, and positive. Together we will excel and master the common core and state standards by staying focused, helping others, and trying our best.

JENNIFER DILLON

 How is this classroom different? In this classroom we have the ability to differentiate the curriculum to match the needs of the students. Students can move along the learning continuum at different speeds. Instruction is designed to teach and assess the “whole” child.

Academic Goals for Students Acquire a solid foundation in the content areas of mathematics, language and communication arts, social studies and science. Work at an advanced level within these content areas. Produce work within these areas that reflects individuality and creativity at a level that is advanced in relationship to other students of the same grade. Use technology as a productivity tool.

Reading  Students will work at least one level ahead of their peers.  Curriculum will include: Junior Great Books Socratic Discussions Literature Circles Teacher read aloud

WRITING Students write everyday in every subject. Curriculum will include:  Write from the beginning  Step up to writing  The Six Traits of writing

MATH  Students will work at least one grade level above their peers on the Az College and Career Ready Math standards Curriculm will include:  Engage New York In class:  Students rotate through leveled groups based on Pretest At Home:  Finish any work from class and Tenmarks.com

SOCIAL STUDIES  In the sixth grade Social Studies students explore how ancient civilization influenced modern civilizations. This year students will learn about mapping, early humans, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greeks, India, China, Rome, Mayans, Incas, and Medieval Europe. We will also briefly cover the scientific revolution, WW1 and WW2. Curriculum: McGraw Hill textbook Videos from brain pop Project Based learning

SOCIAL STUDIES YEAR LONG PROJECT  Creating a civilization from scratch.

SCIENCE  Students will be learning 6 th grade AZ science standards. Students will be working at an accelerated level and digging deeper in to the concepts. They will do this through inquiry based learning, hands on labs, and the use of multimedia. Major focus of the year:  Inquiry Process  Earth Science  Life Science Foss Kits College of William and Mary Investigations STEM Days

GRADES  Formative grades are only worth 5% of your child's grade. They are the small check for understandings we do on a daily basis. Most of the grades in the grade book right now are formative. Use these as a learning tool for improvement.  Summative grades are tests and projects that allow your child to showcase their mastery of a subject/unit. These are worth 95% of the grade.

HOMEWORK AND PROJECTS  Check your child’s agenda for homework and upcoming projects  Students are responsible for writing down any homework that they have. Homework examples:  Completing math  Research  Reading goal  Asking questions/ discussing their learning with you

CLASSROOM ECONOMY  They are responsible for completing a job in order to receive a paycheck, to pay taxes and rent. These jobs are held for the entire quarter.  Students have the opportunity to receive bonuses for going above and beyond what is expected.  They are also fined when they are missing work, not prepared, or being a distraction to their classmates.  Students will have an auction every quarter to spend their hard earned money.

FIELD TRIPS Camp Surf  April 18, 19, 20  Parent Meeting September 23 rd at 5:30  Tax Credit  Volunteers

MISCELLANEOUS  Garden  Art Masterpiece  Volunteering in the classroom

QUESTIONS?