1. Sixth Grade Open House Murray Elementary September 9, 2014

2. Meet the Teacher Ms. Gaines 12 years of teaching experience Master’s Teaching Certificate: National Board for Professional Teaching Standard: English Language Arts M. Ed., Educational Leadership M.S., Instructional Design & Technology B.A., Elementary Education Endorsements: Language Arts, Social Science, Math Taught grades 1 st, 2 nd, 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th (language arts) Literacy Coach

3. Language Arts This year in reading we will learn: Curriculum: Language Arts- McDougal Littell: The Language of Literature, Social Studies- MacMillan/ McGraw-Hill, Our World Our developmental reading class creates readers and writers who are able to comprehend a variety of selections then analyze, synthesize, and apply what they read through writing and speaking in a clearly developed manner. Classroom Goals Read and analyze a variety of genres in class and independently. Successfully apply various reading strategies for monitoring comprehension. Write clear, well-developed essays, reports, etc. to enhance comprehension and build your knowledge base. Effectively prepare and present orally. Class Expectations Read assigned selections and complete comprehension activities such as structured overviews, essays, projects, summaries, journals, etc. Complete daily readings, embedded questions, written assignments, constructed- response quizzes and objective / essay test. Participate in class discussion and group work. Learn and apply comprehension skills and literary terminology.

4. Sixth Grade Social Studies The Sixth Grade curriculum has the students step back into the ancient world while studying the archaeology of early man followed by investigations into the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Mesoamerica. These civilizations all share components of culture: Geography Economics Religion The Arts Communication Technology By examining these ancient peoples, students come to understand the links between past and present societies, with each building on others’ accomplishments, failures, and advances in technology. Teachers target common misunderstandings held by students.

5. Think Cerca Think Cerca provides tools and content to enable teachers to be strategic in helping students think critically and make effective arguments about any topic. Each student was given their log in information. The lesson assigned will be completed in class until the students become familiar with the program. Please do not allow your child to work ahead unless I ask you to. www.thinkcerca.com

6. Classroom Rules Follow directions first time given Change tasks quickly and quietly Raise hand and wait for permission to speak Keep voice to an inside working level Report directly to assigned area In addition to the rules, Murray Language Academy is a CHAMPS school. The CHAMPS acronym stands for "Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, and Participation." Each major classroom genre of activity or transition has a CHAMPS procedure associated with to help students know and understand what the teacher expects of them. We will be reinforcing this program and its elements during the first several weeks of school and will expect full adherence to this program by all of all my students.

7. Class Dojo ClassDojo is a classroom tool that helps teachers improve behavior in their classrooms quickly and easily. It also captures and generates data on behavior that teachers can share with parents and administrators. Students were given passwords for themselves and parents www.classdojo.com

8. Behavior Management System Each student has a clothespin and they all start the day in the middle of the chart on "Ready to Learn." The clothespins move throughout the day. Positive choices will move you up one level at a time. Negative choices move you down. There is a buffer zone between "Ready to Learn" and facing any form of consequence so if a child "clips down" he has the opportunity to clip back up. 1 st warning- verbal reprimand 2 nd warning- reflection sheet and conference with teacher 3 rd warning- contact/demerit Students will earn incentives for displaying positive behavior, turning in homework, and attendance

9. Daily Schedule 216 Start TimeEnd TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday 8:308:40HOMEROOM 8:409:25 216 Social Studies Art (Prep)PE (Prep) 216 Social Studies 9:3010:15 World Language (Prep) Library (Prep)Art (Prep) 10:2011:20 219 Language Arts 11:2012:20 219 Language Arts 12:201:20 216 Language Arts 1:252:10 LUNCH/REC ESS 2:153:15 216 Language Arts 3:153:30DISMISSAL

10. Daily Schedule 219 Start TimeEnd TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday 8:308:40HOMEROOM 8:409:25 219 Social Studies Art (Prep)PE (Prep) 219 Social Studies 9:3010:15 World Language (Prep) Art (Prep)Library (Prep) 10:2011:20216 Math 218 Math (10:20 – 11:10) 11:2012:20210 Math 218 Math 216 Math (11:10 – 12:20) 12:201:20218 Math 210 Math 1:252:10 LUNCH/REC ESS 2:153:15219 Math 3:153:30DISMISSAL

11. 216 Special Classes Students will visit six special classes each week. Our schedule is as follows: Monday –World Language Tuesday –World Language Wednesday – Art/ World Language Thursday –P.E/Library Friday – Art * On P.E. days please make sure your child wears gym shoes and dresses appropriately. If they do not dress appropriately they will have to sit out of P.E. and this does effect their grade.

12. 219 Special Classes Students will visit six special classes each week. Our schedule is as follows: Monday –World Language Tuesday –World Language Wednesday – Art/ World Language Thursday –P.E/Library Friday – Art * On P.E. days please make sure your child wears gym shoes and dresses appropriately. If they do not dress appropriately they will have to sit out of P.E. and this does effect their grade.

13. Grading Assessments 35% Homework 20% Classwork and Participation 30% AR 15% Grade book will be updated weekly and will be accessible in Parent Portal and Student Portal

14. Assessments NWEA – Given 3 times (measured from Spring 2014-Spring 2015) PARCC – March 2014 Weekly or bi-weekly comprehension assessments

15. Parent Involvement We will be working with room parents this year. These parents will help organize special projects and events. All parents are important to me. No one will be left out. Volunteers will be called during the year to help with various activities. Occasionally you will receive a note or a call from me for help on various activities or assistance in our classroom. We would like to thank you in advance for your help this year.

16. LA Homework Written homework will usually be assigned on Monday through Thursday of each week. Occasionally, students will bring home a reading assignment to read with you. There will also be several projects and/or writing assignments throughout the year that require more time to complete. For these, I will provide at least a two week written notice of the assignment before it is due. Each student should have a homework assignment book which will be brought home each day. I ask that you sign it at home each evening, acknowledging that you are aware of your child's homework assignment. Assignments are written on the white board in the classroom. Students will have one day beyond an absence to submit missing work for full credit. Homework assignments may take about one hour or so

17. Stay Connected! Class blog :http://www.mrsgaines216.wordpress.com (You must sign up to see the updated blog) Please sign up for Remind 101: Text:734-494-2692 Enter Code into the message: 3fb2b My email: nljones4@cps.edu 219 – Blog will be updated weekly. Please check: mspaulinskiblog.wordprress.com Email: jnpaulinski@cps.edu

18. Welcome to a great year in 6th Grade!