Family of Ms. Stone ’ s Seaside Explorers! Please sign in at table.

I am SO pleased to be teaching your student! To begin, I will inform you about sixth grade. If you have any questions, please save them for the end of the presentation. Additionally, If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student, please sign up for a conference, me, or call the school.

This is my 2nd year at McAuliffe. I am committed to meeting each student at his/her level and helping them achieve academic excellence. I obtained my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Cal State University, Bakersfield, where I also obtained my B.A. in Liberal Studies. Lived in Bakersfield my whole life. PBVUSD alumna.

To provide my students with the academic and social skills they need. To provide a supportive and nurturing classroom environment. To help students discover and pursue new interests. To provide a structured schedule and meaningful school day, everyday. To help your student develop independence, organization, and strong work habits.

8:20 Attendance, SSR, ELD intervention, Morning Work: Journal Write and Daily Paragraph editing 9:00 Math 10:20 Recess 10:40 Reading, Writing, and Language Arts 12:30 Lunch 1:40 Social Studies/Science/Enrichment 2:50 Wrap up/ Pack up *This schedule is tentative as we have many pullouts/enrichments throughout the week.

Music: Tuesdays 9:40-10:20 Chorus: Tuesdays 1:30-2:10 Library: Thursdays 2:15-3:00 Band/Orchestra: Subject to instrument

The subjects we cover in Sixth grade are: Language Arts Math Social Studies Science

Language Arts focuses on the following: –Reading Comprehension and Fluency –Greek/Latin Roots –Linguistics –Writing –Grammar –Listening/Speaking Skills

Sixth grade focuses on the following writing skills: –Topic Development –Descriptive Writing –Noting Details –Sequence of Events –Text Organization –Strong Paragraphs –Personal Narrative –Persuasive Essay –Expository Essay –Response to Literature

Sixth grade focuses on the following writing skills:  Sentences  Personal Narrative  Nouns  Instructions  Verbs  Story  Adjectives  Description  Capitalization and Punctuation  Persuasive Letter  Pronouns  Research Report  Adverbs and Prepositions

Reading is crucial to success in education. Throughout the year we will be reading books from our Core Literature. My Side of the Mountain The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Golden Goblet Summer of the Monkeys Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe Sounder

–Algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities –Fractions and Decimals –Units of Measure –Ratios, Proportions, and Percents –Analyzing Data and Using Probability –Geometric Figures, Measurement, and Area –Surface Area, Volume, and Graphing

(taught by Mrs. Schroeder) Ancient Civilizations Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, India, China, Greeks, Romans, and the Americas

(taught by Ms. Stone) Earth Science Earth’s Structure and Plate Tectonics Shaping Earth’s Surface Energy in the Earth System Ecology and Resources

1.Listen when others are talking. 2.Quickly and quietly follow directions. 3.Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 4.Work quietly and do not disturb others. 5.Show respect for others, their property, and the school. 6.Work and play in a safe manner. Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us model leadership and get along with others.

Students will be observed during the school day. If a student chooses not to follow one of the classroom guidelines there will be consequences. The first “reminder” to follow the rules will be considered a “warning”. The second “reminder” will result in the loss of recess time. A third “reminder” will result in detention. All students begin fresh each day. Infractions are recorded on the teacher’s spreadsheet and then transferred each week to the student’s Friday Folder.

Rewards include verbal praise, notes home, lunch in the classroom, treats, and other special privileges.

Norms: Homework is USUALLY sent home nightly (Unfinished work becomes homework even on Fridays) Homework should not take longer than 60 min. with the exception of reading/unfinished assignments. Assignments are recorded in Daily Student Planners each day, please check daily. (Please send $3 so that your student may purchase one) Assignments will be posted on my classroom website (access through the school website) Assignments account for 10% of students’ weighted grade.

Expectations: Students should come to school with homework completed. In most cases I give points based on completeness rather than correctness. I want students to try their best even if they do not completely understand. Then, they will be able to ask questions when we grade assignments together. Work should be legible, properly labeled, and on time. Students should show any work necessary for completing math assignments and not just the answer.

When is it due?? Math, English, Reading, and Language Arts assignments are due the next day Reading -20 minutes required per day Science/Social Studies-as assigned

Of course, there are some exceptions, such as when a child is absent or if there is a family emergency. Please write a note or send an so that I may give your child the extra time they need to complete their assignment. Students are given an extra day to complete work for every day they are absent due to illness. Students are not excused from classwork because of vacations. Please do not schedule doctor, dentist, or any other appointments during our “Protected Time” of 8:30-12:30. Math, Reading, and Language Arts are covered during this time.

Late Work: Late work can be turned in within a reasonable time. (1 week depending on circumstance) Small daily homework assignments’ point value will not be penalized, if turned in within a reasonable amount of time. Larger assignments and projects will be penalized up to 30% if late. Missing Work/Incomplete Work: Missing work will be entered as a zero in the grade book until turned in completely finished. Incomplete homework will be treated as a missing assignment until it is completed, as it is the student’s responsibility to complete their assignments. Incomplete assignments/projects will be graded as they are when turned in.

Thursday Quizzes- Reading Selection Quizzes. Friday – Greek and Latin Root Quizzes. End of each chapter/unit- Math, English, Science, and Social Studies tests will vary on the day depending on when we finish the chapter or unit. Students will always be given notice as to when tests and quizzes will occur. Your child should have these quizzes and tests written in their Planner ahead of time so they can study and be prepared. Quizzes and tests will also be listed under Daily Assignments on the web page. The goal is for them to LEARN.

Each Friday your students will be sent home with a blue folder that has a weekly conduct report and lets you know if they have any missing assignments. It will also have any tests/quizzes that were completed that week. Please review the contents, sign and return it on the following Monday. The week is recorded from Friday-Thursday.

Now that grades are available on-line, you will be able to monitor your child’s progress. Students will receive letter grades for Reading, English, Writing, Math, Math Facts, Science, and Social Studies. Parent Conferences are held at the end of first quarter. Paperwork for dates and times will come home with your child closer to that time. Conferences are held Monday through Thursday, 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. and 2:15 – 4:30 p.m. in 15 minute increments.

Your child’s Student Planner is filled out with the day’s assignments before they leave each day. Writing all assignments in their planner helps them keep track of assignment due dates. The same information can be found on my website under Daily Assignments. Students are reminded each week when they have a missing assignment and are prompted to highlight the missing assignment in their planner. Check student assignments, in their planners, DAILY to keep on top of assignments and due dates. Students can always check their missing assignments by referring to their highlighted planner and on StudentVue.

Grades 4-8 Only. Account activation information is the same as previous years, if you need this again please contact the school office. District Provided real-time information on assignments, grades, immunization compliance, transcripts, and more.

Camp KEEP dates: February 9-12 (Tues.-Fri.) Students will delve deeper into science through hands-on activities and hikes, while exploring the beautiful surrounding area of Cambria. Please complete/return form that was sent home August 28 th to reserve your child’s spot. Chaperones 15 counselor spots (sign up in back if interested) Mrs. Roberts will contact you regarding the application process. Supervising students 23/24 hours a day Please be advised fingerprinting is required. Each prospective chaperone is required to pay the $60 fingerprinting fee. If the fingerprinting screening is passed, the chaperone will be reimbursed the cost.

Cost: $375 There will be several fundraisers generously organized by our Parent Club to help with the costs of Camp KEEP. We strongly encourage you to participate in these fundraisers. We are asking that you set aside money each week to put toward your bill. Payments may be made to the front office.

Encourage your kids to read! Read with them! Remember, they need to reach their AR goal each quarter. Classroom Donations (wish list handout) Restroom policy: Students may go to the restroom anytime they need as long as they ask, and did not just come in from recess/lunch or we are leaving for recess/lunch in a few moments. I will only dismiss one student to the restroom at a time. Students will be dismissed at 2:05 every Wednesday.

McAuliffe Elementary (661) (Ms. Stone, room 2) Send a note

Thank you for coming to Back to School Night! Have a beautiful night!