Ms. Lyons

6th Grade BlockLanguage Arts & History

Welcome

• Please sign in at one of the 3 sign in sheets: Circular table Cart by file cabinet Table under window

• Write your name and email address next to your child’s name

• Please take one of each: School Site Council ballot (pink) Block presentation summary (canary)

• We’ll begin shortly.

Background

• 20th year in the teaching profession

• 6th Grade Block: Language Arts & History

• B.S.- San Diego State University

• M.A. –St. Mary’s College

• Ed.D. in progress at University of San Francisco Defend dissertation last week of October!!! Officially Dr. Lyons, Dec. 17th

6th Grade Transition

• Procedural What does each teacher require? How do I organize my materials so I know what’s

happening for each class? How do I arrange my time to meet all the

demands in my life?

• Social New friends, cliques, differing levels of maturity

• Academic Grading system point-based Less one-on-one support More need to be independent learners

Support the Transition

• Check teacher websites weekly

• Make sure child writes homework in organizer

• Initial organizer

• Help your child make weekly plans to attend to their tasks

• Acknowledge students’ positive efforts for self-control, self-management, and independence

Harvest Park Character Ed.

• Compassion

• Honesty

• Respect

• Responsibility

• Integrity-Academic Integrity

• Self-discipline

Professional Mission

Inspire inquiry

Encourage risk-taking

Foster perseverance

Facilitate independent learning skills

Develop depth of thought

Celebrate students’ unique gifts

Educational Philosophy

Parents & teachers are partners

Utilize multiple modalities for learning

Honor individual strengths

Explicit instruction

Assessment drives instruction

Deliver instruction in concert with BRAIN-MEMORY learning theory

Differentiated Curriculum

Acceleration/Compacting Testing out of material, independent work, self-

paced

Depth Develop expertise & learn a subject in great

detail

Novelty Student centered, interest-based, exhibit creative

products demonstrating learning

Critical Thinking Skills: Open-ended assignment, higher level of Bloom’s

Taxonomy

Differentiated Instruction

Bloom’s Taxonomy Knowledge—recall, listing, defining Comprehension—summarizing, Application—use knowledge in new situation Analysis—compare/contrast/ infer/deduct Synthesis—create novel ideas from prior

knowledge Evaluation—judge & defend judgment

Habits of mind Self-motivation Self-regulation Independence Reflection

Curriculum

California Standards for History and Language Arts

Pleasanton Unified School District Course of Study

Reading

General TopicsPlot elementsCharacterizationLiterary DevicesNon-fiction-researchPoetry

Required Reading The Boy in the Painted Cave The CayWhere the Red Fern Grows Literature Anthology- Holt

Reading continued

Class work-Gradual Release of ResponsibilityThinking aloud-Read aloudShared response-Shared text Independent reading response/Conferencing

HomeworkReading logs-practice reading strategyLiterary Analysis-(three throughout the year)

GradingProject Rubric scoreLiterature Anthology-story testsResponse Journals/reading logs/book projects

Writing

Main focus-Essay-(1-2 per genre)Autobiographical Narrative—1st quarter Persuasive—2nd quarterResponse to Literature-3rd quarterResearch Reports-4th quarter

Writer’s WorkshopAnalyze Mentor TextsMini-lessonIndependent practice/conferring/reteaching

Pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing

Publishing

Spelling/Vocabulary

Guiding QuestionsWhat are the origins of English words?What are the structural elements of words?How can you learn the meaning of new words?What are the levels of “understanding” a word?How does word knowledge impact your

understanding of the curriculum?

Learning Material2 prefixes, roots, suffixes10 vocabulary words

Text: Vocabulary for AchievementWeekly homework menu—on websiteWeekly quiz on Friday

Grammar

Guiding QuestionsHow are different parts of speech formed?How does knowledge of POS impact writing?How does punctuation or lack of it impact

writing?What dictates which words are capitalized?

AssessmentsMonthly grammar pre-assessments & quizzes

Compact out if score 90% higher on preassessments

Drill & practice work—2 homework assignments/week

Text: Easy Grammar Pro & Holt HandbookRequesting a $20 donation

Language Arts Grading15% Spelling

10% assessments & 5% assignments

15% Grammar10% assessments & 5% assignments

35% Reading25% assessments & 10% assignments

35% Writing not weighted

Social Studies

• Utilize GRAPES as overarching themeGeographyReligionAchievementPolitical SystemEconomic SystemSocial System

Social Studies Topics

• Early Man

• Mesopotamia

• Egypt

• Kush

• Ancient Israelites

• Ancient India

• Ancient China

• Ancient Greece

• Ancient Rome

Social Studies-ContinuedClass work

Reading for information Demonstrate comprehension Grading

Unit packets—homework, class work, notes1 test-end of unitDaily work- completeness, accuracy50% test/quizzes/50% class work/homework

TextAncient Civilization

Learning Objectives

• For each unit, your child will receive Objectives & Vocabulary Weekly review of instruction matched to

instructional objectives 2 homework assignments per week Study guides Review games on website Study strategies instruction and reflection

Homework

Homework is assigned every Friday & is due the following Wednesday or FridaySpelling/vocabulary- 4 times a weekGrammar- 2 times a weekReading or Writing- 1 or 2 assignments a weekSocial studies- twice a week

Tutorial & make up daysMondays & Wednesdays after school

Homework

• Missing homework Immediate communication-email/phone call Show our partnership Miss break times to catch up on homework

Late Work

Missing WorkStudent will email/call home when work is not

turned in on a due dateReceive a failing grade on assignmentExtenuating circumstance-note/phone call

Late work accepted only during the first quarter the day after it’s due for 50% credit

After the 1st quarter, no late work will be accepted

Grades

• Updated weekly on Zangle

• Can use your own code to access your child’s grades as often as you’d like

Assessments

Based on evidence of mastering the state standards:Projects/Writing/ Assignments-

Rubric descriptors correlate to gradesSkills practice- percentage scoresTests

fill-in, multiple choice-percentage scoreessay response-rubric scores

Absent/Late Work

AbsencesRetrieve work from weekly fileHave one week to turn in work

Discipline Policy

Rules

1. Arrive to class on time.

2. Follow procedures and directions.

3. Begin work immediately.

4. Focus attention on person speaking.

5.Treat others with kindness & respect

Consequences

1. Warning

2. Think Sheet

3. Miss Break

4. Home Contact

5. Office Referral

Communication

Website

Update on Fridays

Post homework on website weeklyInstructional objectivesProject descriptions, due datesUpcoming school events

Phone callsShare success and concernsCheck in

Notes & email Communicate progressShare successes

Contact information

E-mail Preferred means of communication elyons@pleasanton.k12.ca.us

Web page:

Link from Harvest Park site

http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/ELyons/

LET’S HAVE A FABULOUS YEAR!!!• Time of transition

• Change takes time for some kids

• Challenge is its own reward

• We are a team