2. Good evening. Please sit at your child’s desk. Name tags are on the front. Read the letter they left for you. Write something back if you’d like.

3. Welcome to Mr. Knobbe’s Class Room 17 Curriculum Night

4. Typical Day 8:20 – 9:40 Math 9:40 – 9:45 snack 9:45 – 10:35 Special (gym, art, etc.) 10:40 – 11:25 Social Studies with Mrs. Morgan 11:30 – 12:15 Lunch 12:20 – 1:05 Science 1:05 – 1:20 Language Arts 1:20 1:40 Recess 1:40 – 3:00 Language Arts (Readin’ and Writin’) 3:00 – 3:15 Study Hall, clean-up, Dismissal

5. Mathematics Math Warm-ups every morning consisting of ten (10) problems. A quiz will be given on most Fridays covering these essential skills. Number Systems, Ratio and Proportional Relationships, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability Common Core Mathematics, meaning inquiry- based learning with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. There will be a focus on discovery, math vocabulary, problem solving and critical thinking skills

6. Mathematics continued Math practice daily Use notes and textbook Show your work!!! If they said they did it mentally, question them. Use your best judgment!!! No calculators unless directed!

7. Mathematics Grading Grading – Math practice graded for completion on a 3-point scale, tallied up for one homework grade per week leading up to the weekly skills quiz. 3 points given if assignment is done AND work is shown. 2 points given if mostly completed AND work is shown. 1 point given if many problems are incomplete. 0 points if over half are incomplete or it is missing. Math practice points are tallied up in Powerschool. 25% of final grade. This is to encourage students to practice. Quizzes – every Friday (unless we don’t have one.) 25% of final grade Tests – 50% of final grade

8. Mathematics continued In case of a mathematics emergency, go to www.Khanacademy.comwww.Khanacademy.com -This is a great resource if your child is absent, confused, or both. Interactive Math Journal

9. Science DISCOVERY SCIENCE – web-based science curriculum for the “digital learner.” Online simulations, videos, reading passages Taught through informational reading lessons, demonstrations, and investigations Science Videos can be viewed at home. At times, they will be assigned to watch these at home. Ask ‘em about this. Be sure they click the “marked as complete” button on the screen. Topics of study include: Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Populations, Fossils and Geological time, The Rock Cycle, Weathering and Soil Formation, Matter and Energy

10. Social Studies Taught by Mrs. Morgan Study of our northern and southern neighbors in the Western Hemisphere. Lessons will focus on geography, history, and cultures Note-taking will be emphasized Binders are used to help students stay organized “Mini-Society” economics unit will begin in January

11. Language Arts – Grammar and Writing Lessons taught with a balance between the reading series and the white Grammar textbook. Grammar lessons stressed through use of creative writing lessons. Writing projects include personal narratives, compare and contrast essays, research reports, problem-solution essays, etc. A “Flash Drive” can be very helpful for slow typers or those suffering from writer’s block. Our version of word uses a.docx file extension.

12. Language Arts - Reading Whole group instruction from the anthology Reading skills for comprehension Spiral notebook for written responses to prompts Small group with leveled readers Skill reinforcement Leveled novels Weekly quizzes on assigned chapters

13. Spelling Pre-tests given on Friday Spelling concept for that unit taught immediately afterwards. Spelling practice is typically due on Thursday Final spelling tests are typically given on Thursdays We skip around from unit to unit based on the support from the reading anthology.

14. Handwriting Cursive skills will be taught periodically throughout the year. It appears on the report card. People are still asked for their signature, aren’t they?

15. Agenda Notebooks These are filled out daily as practice is assigned. You should see it out while they practice their lessons. If you don’t see their agenda, ask about it. This is a great tool to keep them organized, especially if your child has had issues in the past with missing or late work.

16. Absences If your child is absent for any reason, it is important that they keep up on their studies. It’s easy to fall behind but hard to catch up. The sooner they start to feel better, the sooner they should complete lessons they may have missed. If you call the office, I can arrange to have the work left in the office after school or send it home with a sibling or buddy.

17. Conferences Conferences will be held in November. I hold conferences in which I expect the student to also attend. It is, after all, about their progress. I have found that it helps the student to hear a consistent message from both parent(s) and myself.

18. Report Cards The first marking period report will be discussed at the November conferences. It will be sent home with the student for all other marking periods. Grades are earned, not given. True learning is often accompanied by frustration in the beginning. Expect this, and encourage your child to have grit! I do not offer extra credit. The effort needs to be put forth throughout the marking period. Watch their progress on the Parent Portal.

19. Citizenship and Work Habits Citizenship and Work Habits: The report card states that a “3” means “Meets Expectations”. If your child desires a higher marking, they need to work for it.

20. Completed Assignments Completed work and notes are sent home on Mondays. Look over their work and check their progress. Talk about what they did well and what they need to work on. Communication is the key.

21. What if they do poorly on an assignment in my class? Students can redo homework assignments if : They made an honest effort and completed the lesson, or they just “didn’t get it!”, AND They actually completed the lesson before they received a low score. Sorry! This doesn’t apply to low scores because it was incomplete or late.

22. Parent Portal Allows you to monitor your child’s academic progress This SHOULD replace progress reports. Your portal ID will allow you to track your child’s progress through high school. There’s no need to get a new ID every year.

23. Field Trips A list of Dates to Remember will be updated on my website as the dates become firm. Check it before emailing me. Camp is on October 15 th from 7:00am to 3:00pm! Sign-up to work crowd-control or chaperone. A Volunteer Background check needs to be filled out prior to the trip.

24. D.A.R.E. Drug Abuse Resistance Education class is taught by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Twomey will teach the class again this year during the winter semester.

25. Birthday Treats Due to the prevalence of food allergies, we are transitioning away from food for birthday celebrations. Send in something else. How about crickets for Lucy and Ethel? Who are they? Ask your child.

26. Scholastic Book Club Please order the books online. Information letter was sent home. Our class code is: LBR9L

27. How to check out Beck’s website Get to the UCS home page Drag down the menu Schools Elementary A – E Choose Beck Click on Our Website located underneath the Viking ship on the right Click on “Click here to visit the official site…”here Click on Staff Info Find 6 th Grade – Mr. Knobbe Room 17

28. This year’s goal: Independence Learning to think problems through on their own Advocate for themselves. We should want our 6 th graders to solve problems on their own.

29. Disclaimer All classroom policies are subject to change.

30. My website mrknobbeswebsite.weebly.com Weekly Schedule Dates to Remember Discovery Science link This presentation will appear

31. Weird question of the evening! A re you a taxidermist? N o. Seriously. I f not, do you know of any? See me if you do.

32. Sign-up Please sign-up for class parties and field trip on table near the hallway door. Sign-up for your conference at the back table. Keep that date. If you change it, you’ll need to be flexible!

33. Good night.