1. 6th Grade Language Arts Meredy Smith
480*541*5901

2. A little about me:
Grew up in Nebraska and went to the University of Nebraska.
Started teaching in the Midwest and moved to Phoenix in 1994 and have been at Akimel since.
I am the Gifted Mentor at Akimel
Kyrene family- Husband works at Altadena, girls have attended Kyrene schools.
I coach the high jump at Desert Vista and my family is involved in the community.

3. Curriculum Language, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
Informational and Literary reading & writing
defending responses with evidence from the text
Annotation, analyzing text
Making notes as they read and making connections
Spelling/vocabulary using Greek and Latin roots, context clues, academic vocabulary (infer, context, defend, etc.)
Google docs, student accounts for collaboration

4. New ELA Curriculum Resources
My Perspectives; Pearson
Student editions are consumable (will stay in class)
Unit Themes
Childhood
Animal Allies
Modern Technology
Imagination
Exploration

5. Expectations for Advanced Language Arts Class
Vocabulary book (Classic Roots) SAT prep
Reading Responses with in-depth evidence
Expected to maintain a “B” average or above
Quicker pacing
Higher quality work, discussions, thinking
Shakespeare study- continued through 8th grade
Independent learning projects
Higher level Lexile reading (novels)
Freak the Mighty
Hero’s Journey
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Great Books titles

6. Organization of text
Students will use the “stoplight” method to highlight information in a text.
They will use the same method to structure their writing.
Green- topic
Yellow- main ideas/points
Red- examples, evidence

7. Grading
Students may receive grades for classwork and homework. This includes daily “walk-in” work. (20% of grade)
Larger assignments such as assessments, projects, reader’s response, research, creative writing work will receive more points than daily work. These are considered formal and informal assessments. (80% of grade)
Use the Parent Vue Portal on Kyrene website to check grade and work completion status. Students can check grades via Student Vue with their student number. Contact school office if you need an account.

9. Learning Goal Scale

10. Homework Read (for enjoyment and book reflections, literary elements)
Interactive Notebook- glue, cut, practice
Spelling/vocabulary/grammar practice
Unfinished classwork
Pre-reading of upcoming text
Additional research/writing time for projects
Absent/make-up or missing work

12. Supplies 2 Composition books Two pocket folder with three prongs
Highlighters- green, yellow, pink, blue
Sticky notes (little ones)
Toolkit/pencil pouch- with general needs (see handout from team)

13. Things to ask your kid… Can I see your agenda?
Did you reflect on your nightly reading?
Do you need to replenish your supplies?
Are you working on any long term projects?
Have you cleaned out your backpack recently?
Do you have a reading book in your backpack?

14. Best way to reach me: mesmith@kyrene.org 480-541-5901
Class website- resource, rubrics, and handouts
s and text reminders- look for paperwork on Thursday.
Thanks for coming!