Welcome to Team 6A’s Curriculum Night Team Teachers:Miss Griffin Mrs. Huffman Mr. Sheppard Interventionist: Mrs. Corbo

Science Life Science Strand: Cellular to Multi-cellular Physical Science Strand: Chemistry Earth and Space Strand:Rocks and Minerals

Integrated in all science units: Science Technology (Chromebooks, iPads, science tools, etc.) Scientific Inquiry Scientific Ways of Knowing

Science class is mostly hands-on in the form of lab work. Students are expected to work as teams when necessary. Students are assessed individually through checkpoints, formatives, and common assessments. Common Assessments are focused on understanding as well as the recall of information learned. Science

If you would like to see what we are doing in class, have your child show you in his/her binder. Study guide sheets with the learning targets are found in the front of students’ binders. We fill them out and complete each sheet as we move through the unit. Learning targets are aligned with CCSS. Science

Social Studies

Introduction: Five Themes of Geography Unit 1: Ancient River Civilizations Unit 2: West Asia Unit 3: Africa Unit 4: East Asia Unit 5: Europe Unit 6: Australia The sixth grade year focuses on the geography of the world.

Social Studies Students will learn through nonfiction texts, investigative research, simulation activities, small group projects and class discussions. We use the National Geographic: Reading Expeditions text series; however, these books are rarely sent home. Learning Targets and supplemental materials are in students’ binders.

Social Studies Ask your child what he or she learned that day. Referring to his or her binder is a great place to start. Help your child study his or her Learning Targets throughout the course of the unit. Play the Jeopardy game that I provide on my website before each assessment.

This year in Social Studies, there is a new generation ODE 6 th grade Social Studies assessment. It will be given in 2 parts: – In March – there will be a performance based assessment: essay, reading, simulation style test. – In May, there will be an EOY, mostly multiple choice style. Both test scores will be combined. Learning targets are aligned with CCSS Social Studies

Assessments Formative Assessments – Snapshots of ongoing learning, descriptive feedback provided.

Summative Assessments – Common Assessments are given at the end of each unit in all subjects. – Parents are required to sign and return the test regardless of the grade. This facilitates parent/student communication about school. Assessments

Comprehensive Literacy Program Sixth grade literacy will teach to the Common Core Standards. The Common Core Standards require that reading, writing and speaking/listening are integrated into learning experiences. The Common Core Standards focus on comprehending what is read, writing using text evidence, building vocabulary and working collaboratively in small groups. We are using reading and writing resources to support the transition to the new standards from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Comprehensive Literacy Program ReadingWriting Word Study/Vocab

Comprehensive Literacy Reading Workshop Model Mini Lessons (new resource) Shared Reading / Read Aloud (Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos) Guided Reading (10% of grade) Independent Reading (at least 100 pages per week, 1,000 pages per quarter) Reading increases vocabulary Reading and annotating text electronically

Comprehensive Literacy Reading Workshop Model Written responses to reading SignpostsMidterm Quarterly Assessment DRA 2 (Developmental Reading Assessment) PBA (Performance Based Assessment. One in March, and one at the end of the year. District will provide many opportunities for students to practice this type of assessment).

Writing Workshop Model Mini Lessons (new resource) Evidence based writing Independent writing Conferencing Quarterly Assessment Rubrics are used for grading (Conventions and Writing Unit)  Goal: Students should be at a 3 (competent) by the end of 6 th grade

Word Study (Spelling) / Vocabulary Development DSA (Diagnostic Spelling Analysis) Word Study Groups Word sorts by generalization Working with content to integrate reading, writing, and vocabulary development

Math College Preparatory Mathematics is the math series (physical copy and e copy). Common Core state standards

Collaborative learning Problem based learning Spaced learning Math

Because of the shear amount of indicators for 6 th grade math, students can expect to have homework every night. Accelerated students will have double the amount of homework. Please encourage your child to ask questions during math class. We frequently circulate our rooms during math periods and check in with kids, so this would be a good time for your child to call us over for extra help. Math

Math Assessments Formative Assessments – Snapshots of ongoing learning, descriptive feedback provided. – Not part of grade Checkpoint Quizzes – Assess for mastery of a concept – Part of the grade – Not part of Accelerated course

Math Assessments Team Tests – At conclusion of each chapter. – Table team collaborates. – 25% of grade Individual Tests – At conclusion of each chapter. – Roughly a week after the Team Test. – Cover a mix of current chapter material and previous chapter content. – 75% of grade (including the Checkpoints)

Grading Interims will only be sent home with students who need extra monitoring in any content area. We will not send interims to all students. Report Cards are sent home quarterly. Common Assessment grades make up the majority of the report card grade.

Technology Students are allowed to bring electronic devices to school to use in reading, science, social studies, and math. Misuse of technology: Phone rang in class, Facebook, texting, listening to music, playing a game, etc. Students must have access to computer/internet each night or they must come in early. See page 11 in student agenda.

OMS Discipline Policy Building-wide policy Positive Behavior Support System – Good Apples – Golden Apples (student of the month) – Team rewards – Quarterly parties are building sponsored

Negative Consequences – Signing agenda for missing assignments or inappropriate behavior. – Call parents once student has reached 3 signatures. – At 6 signatures, student loses quarterly reward. This is new this year! – Students have the option of getting a signature removed.

Negative Consequences – At 9 signatures, student will need to serve an after school detention. – At every additional 3 signatures, students will be assigned an after school detention (after the initial 9) – After school detentions will be served in the cafeteria from 3:35PM-4:15PM. A Detention Notice will be sent home alerting you to the date of the detention. – At 12 signatures, a conference will be held.

Team A Behavior Plan Good Apples Homeroom rewards Team rewards

Conferences Just like last year, Orchard will first offer conferences to students who are struggling behaviorally or academically. After those have been scheduled, there will be an option for parents to schedule a conference.

Keeping Track of Assignments and The Family Information System

Reminders 1.Sign-up for our team parties. 2.Take a moment and visit the DARE, Music, Art and PE teachers. 3.Visit the Book Fair and Spirit Wear table in the media center. THANK YOU