Welcome

to

Meet the Teacher

Night

2016-2017

We are looking forward to an awesome opportunity, as we

work as a “team”, to make this your child’s best school year ever!

Mrs. Robin Presco - Rm. 94

Miss Sara Kamarchik - Rm. 89

Ms. Melinda Marsh

(LS)- Rm. 79

Seneca Valley School District

Evans City Middle School

345A West Main Street – Evans City, PA 16033

(724) 538-8800

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Table of Contents

Team Emails 3

Classroom Management~ 3-4

*Rules/Consequences/Accountability-

“Extra Information”~ 5-6

*Homework Policy/Activity Pd./Raider Round-up

ELA & Social Studies – Mrs. Presco 7-9

Math & Science– Miss Kamarchik 10-13

SV Gradebook 14

Login Procedures

Accelerated Reader 15

Class Schedule 16

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Team Emails

Email is the best form of communication. We will try to respond

the same day. If you do not hear from us within a day, please call the

school or send a note. Sometimes the district server blocks our email.

This can usually be avoided by typing “PARENT NOTE” in the subject

line of the email. If it is an emergency, please call the school

Miss Kamarchik – kamarchiksb@svsd.net

Mrs. Presco – prescorl@svsd.net

Ms. Marsh (LS) – marshme@svsd.net

Classroom Management

All students in our classes will be given the opportunity to work

and interact in a comfortable, non-threatening environment. There will

be a no tolerance policy for teasing and bullying. All individuals are

expected to treat one another with respect and kindness.

Rules

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

2. No teasing, bullying, or name-calling.

3. Keep hands, feet, and belongings to self.

4. No speaking when another person is talking.

5. Walk inside the building quietly and orderly.

6. Always try your best!

Consequences 1. Verbal warning

2. Behavior mark on chart

3. Another behavior mark and loss of recess

4. Student conference with teacher and guardian/parent notification

5. Office referral

These consequences will be carried over within the team. Students

could also earn them during special subject classes (ex: art class).

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New for our team this year, we will utilize THE CLASS DOJO AP. For a

preview, check their website out… https://www.classdojo.com/

This application will be utilized in all classes for acknowledgement of positive

and undesired behaviors and for home to school communication purposes. A chart will

be affixed in each student’s planner and will be renewed every nine weeks. It will be used

towards a special activity planned at the end of each nine weeks as well as recess time.

Students will earn Positive Dojo Points on the top portion of their chart for exceptional

behavior, hard effort, class jobs, kind deeds, and at our discretion. These points may be

redeemed for rewards such as pencils, selecting his/her seating arrangement for the day,

eating lunch in the classroom, etc.

In contrast, students will receive a brief written statement under the

“Documentation of Unaccountability” section of their chart if they fail to follow a rule.

This also includes being unprepared for class. The accumulation of Negative Dojo

Points recordings will ultimately result in the loss of recess and other consequences listed

above. When a substitute is present in the room, including specials, the consequence is

DOUBLED. Concerning the special activity, those students that amass more than an

acceptable amount of reports of unaccountability, during the duration of a grading period,

will report to a detention room to complete work assigned by teachers. Parents will be

notified if this happens. Documentation will be provided for conferencing purposes.

Although recess is not plotted into our schedule each day, at the

6th grade level it is not always possible to find the time for it. Therefore,

it must be something earned by the students and awarded by the team’s

teachers. We will make every effort to allow recess at least once a week,

mostly on Fridays and on days with nice weather.

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EXTRA INFORMATION

Team Homework Policy

Each time an assignment is not completed, students will earn a

mark on their Accountability Chart in their planner. Assignments will be

given daily in most classes. Weekend homework will be kept to a

minimum and will most likely be given if practice is necessary in order to

continue with the day’s lesson. Assignments will be checked in class for

completeness, neatness, and accuracy. Occasionally we will collect and

grade homework. This will not be with a newly introduced concept.

However, students are encouraged to treat every assignment with the

same importance.

**Absent: When students are absent or need to miss class, it is their

responsibility to talk with the teacher(s) about notes, assignments, and work they

missed. The students need to make sure to complete all work, assignments, notes

or tests.

**Extra Credit: Students should be striving to work hard and do their best

throughout the school year, therefore, we do not believe in extra credit to raise a

grade. It puts those students who study hard and follow directions regularly, at a

disadvantage.

Extra Help

We have an “open door” policy. We will be available to the students during

homeroom and A. & E. (Activity and Enrichment) periods. Should they need assistance

in any subject, these are the times to come see us. However, please note that students

should not be completing homework during homeroom period. Completion of

assignments during homeroom may result in a deduction of points from the student’s

grade in that subject or a mark on their chart.

Grading Scale

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

59-Below F

Conferences Parents please feel free to contact us concerning your child at any

time. Our “open door” policy is extended to all of you.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (tentative)

Activity & Enrichment Period ~8:50-9:30 AM *BAND, CHORUS, STRINGS, CLUBS…any student that are not participating in one of

these activities, will engage in the follow:

1. View Channel-One News online (10 minutes)

2. S.S.R. ~ Sustained Silent Reading NO ELECTRONICS EXCEPT E-BOOKS (10 minutes)

3. OTHER TASKS (10-15 minutes): D.L.R./D.M.P.- (NO OTHER HOMEWORK IS

PERMITTED AT THIS TIME)

Study for tests, make-up tests/quizzes/absentee work,

4. Mrs. Marsh may pull students for remediation, as needed.

Raider’s Roundup ~2:50-3:10 PM 1. Planners signed/organization of students’ materials, etc.

2. Reinforcement to assist students on the days’ lessons with homework

3. “GENUIS HOUR” (homeroom teacher directed)

4. Recess

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ELA/Social Studies

Mrs. Robin Presco

TENTATIVE WEEKLY TIMEFRAME FOR E.L.A.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

ENGLISH (20 MIN.) ENGLISH (20 MIN.) READING (50 MIN.) READING (50 MIN.) READING (50 MIN.)

READING (40-60 MIN.) READING (40-60 MIN.) WRITING (30 MIN.) WRITING (20 MIN.) WRITING (30 MIN.)

OR OR OR

READING (40 MIN.) READING (40 MIN.) ENGLISH REVIEW ENGLISH QUIZ (30 MIN.)

and WRITING (20 MIN.) and WRITING (20 MIN.) (10 MIN.)

*One Spelling Unit will be given per 9 weeks.

Reading-A new Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Series, called “Collections”,

will be used this year The students will demonstrate competency in general skills and utilize comprehension strategies

for reading, analyzing, and interpreting a variety of literary and informational texts. They will be

expected to read to visualize, infer, make connections, determine importance, synthesize,

solve problems, make decisions, and draw conclusions. The class will include some direct

instruction, peer grouping, and independent study. MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR USE OF

TECHNOLOGY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITH THE NEW SERIES.

Assessments: Chapters/pages from an excerpt or novel will be assigned to read each

class. The students may engage in this in a variety of ways decided by the teacher (silent, peer

groups, whole group reading). Vocabulary terms will be explored at the start of each new

“collection” in the HM series & for each novel. Vocabulary quizzes for each chapter/story will

then be administered upon completing the story's reading and review. Online administered,

comprehension tests will also follow each short story in the sixth grade series and after several

chapters in the novels. Each student will each receive a consumable, thin, black “close reader”

workbook.

Projects: The students may be asked to complete various performance tasks/projects,

which will act as culminating activities for each novel or piece of text. These may include, but

will not be limited to written responses, book reports, comparing and contrasting using art

projects, media resources, and story writing. A scoring rubric will be given, ahead of time, to aid

the students in the requirements for each project. Each will be graded for points.

Language Arts- Daily Language Review: A packet of daily language review exercises will be given to

each student at the beginning of each week. It will consist of a variety of five tasks to complete

daily, Monday-Friday (for a total of 25/week). We will use these 5 exercises as a “warm up” at

the start of each class period. Students must assure that their five daily exercises are

completed on time for each new day of the week. While they may be given a few moments in

school to work on answering these exercises, it may also be necessary to finish them for

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homework. The packets will be collected and “spot checked” for a grade on Friday (or last

student day of the week).

Grammar/Writing: The LUCY CALKINS UNIT OF STUDY may be implemented again

this year in 6th grade. The

students will practice

Argument, Information,

and Narrative Writing,

while demonstrating

competency of the writing

process. The students will

demonstrate competency

in speaking and listening

as tools for learning. They

will gather and use

information for research

purposes. The parts of

speech, usage, and proper

grammar will be reviewed

and implemented in class.

Scholastic SCOPE

magazine: We will utilize this classroom magazine to enhance our E.L.A. class periodically this

year. The Common Core terms (above) will be focused upon all year.

**The students’ “classroom password” is ela94. This will allow access to the student view and

the iPad app at: http://scope.scholastic.com/

Homework: The students may be given exercises to help reinforce the concepts covered

in each lesson. These assignments will be checked for accuracy and completeness.

Assessments: Quizzes will be given on occasion following a few lessons. These will

range in points. The students will also be required to write compositions displaying their

knowledge of the Writing Process as well as showing proper grammar usage and sentence

structure. A rubric will be given for each composition.

Spelling: Lists of words will be given and assessed on occasion. *Do not expect a list

each week, especially if students are engaged in a writing project. Typically, one Spelling Unit

will be given per 9 week grading period.

Social Studies-

Students will be involved in various instructional activities that focus on the integration

of map skills, interpreting data, research skills, communication skills, technology and

process writing into a comprehensive study of today’s society and yesterday’s history.

From these activities, students will gain a working knowledge and understanding of the

symbiotic relationships of geography, civics, government, economics, culture and history

in the world. Areas of the world studied will include:

1. Latin America (Mexico and Central America, Caribbean, and South America)

2. Western and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Independent Republics)

3. Middle East/Asia

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*In addition, students will gain increased awareness of current events and the

world around them while exploring THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY.

Textbooks/other resources:

• Studies Weekly, Global Studies Weekly, 2016

• Channel One News online

Assessments and Evaluations: Homework: Homework assignments will vary depending on the unit and given

as needed. This could include completing study guides, taking notes, or completing

research. Grading of homework will be based on completeness, neatness, and the

following of directions.

Quizzes and Tests: I may give a pop quiz after assigning a portion of the text for

homework. Other quizzes may be given after one or two sections of the unit. A pop quiz

will not be more than 10 points. Announced quizzes are generally worth 10-20 points.

Students will also take 5-6 point quizzes after each viewing of Channel One News. These

will be used as part of the student’s grade.

Projects: Periodically, individual and group projects will be given. Students will

be given a rubric in advance, so the students understand the expectations for the

assignment. Projects vary in length and point value, and students are given ample time to

complete them.

** Late Assignments and Projects: If an assignment is not turned in on time, the student

will lose one point per day. If the assignment is still not submitted by the fifth day, the

student will lose all points and receive a zero for the activity.

**Absent: When students are absent or need to miss class, it is their responsibility to talk

with the teacher about notes, assignments, and work they missed. The students need to

make sure to complete all work, assignments, notes or tests.

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Math/Science

Miss Kamarchik, M.Ed.

Math

Course Description: This course will cover concepts of number sense and theory,

problem-solving strategies, and mathematical communication skills. The students will

also integrate and apply these concepts to real-life experiences. Topics to be included are

place value, whole number & decimal operations, fractions, measurement, geometry,

percent, probability, and pre-algebra concepts.

Goals (The Standards of Mathematical Practices): Upon completion of this course, successful students will:

• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

• Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

• Use appropriate tools strategically.

• Look for and make use of structure.

• Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

• Model with mathematics.

• Attend to precision.

• Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Textbooks:

www.thinkcentral.com

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Math Expressions-Common Core, Grade Six,

2012.

Course Overview (Order May Vary):

• Rates, Ratios, and Proportions (Unit 1)

• Area of Polygons (Unit 2)

• Decimals & Fractions (Unit 3)

• Surface Area/Volume of Prisms and Pyramids (Units 4 & 6)

• Expressions and Equations (Unit 5)

• Percent (Unit 7)

• Analyzing Statistics (Unit 8)

• Rational Numbers and the Coordinate Plane (Unit 9)

Participation Participation is expected and crucial in all classes. Students will use mental math,

pencil-and-paper, whiteboards, manipulatives, technology, and collaborate with their

peers to solve problems. Students will also explain how they decipher problems as well

as relate math concepts to everyday experiences.

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Three-Ring Binder and Notebook Students will be required to keep a three-ring binder with loose-leaf notebook paper and

handouts. Students will maintain a structured log of notes, vocabulary, and written

responses to open-ended questions and mathematical modeling scenarios.

Homework Homework will be assigned for the purpose of improving or mastering the day-to-day

concepts. Weekend homework will be kept to a minimum and will most likely be given if

practice is necessary in order to continue with Monday’s lesson. All assignments will be

checked in class for accuracy and completion. I will occasionally collect and grade

homework. However, students should treat every assignment with the same importance.

Students will automatically be assigned fifty points for homework. Five points will be

deducted from this total each time an assignment is not completed. At the end of the

grading period, a score will be figured into the student’s overall grade solely for

homework. If the student successfully completes all assignments, he or she will earn all

fifty points.

Basic Facts Practice Students will occasionally complete drill and practice sheets for all four of the operations

in math. Their work will be checked for accuracy and completeness. Their goal is to

obtain speed in solving math facts with 100% accuracy.

Assessment Students will be formally and informally assessed throughout the year. Concerning

formal assessment, an announced test will be administered at the completion of each unit.

(NOTE: A review session will take place prior to each test.) There will also be frequent

announced and/or unannounced quizzes. Assessments may also include small-group and

individual work on mathematical modeling problems utilizing various problem-solving

strategies.

**Extra Credit: Students should be striving to work hard and do their best throughout

the school year, therefore, we do not believe in extra credit to raise a grade. We will, on

occasion, provide a bonus question on a quiz or test for students to attempt.

**Absent: When students are absent or need to miss class, it is their responsibility to talk

with the teacher about notes, assignments, and work they missed. The students need to

make sure to complete all work, assignments, notes or tests.

Science

Course Description: Sixth grade will encompass 32 weeks of earth science and 4 weeks

of health. In earth science, the students will develop inquiry-based skills: observation,

hypothesizing, research, experimentation, classification, data analysis, and use of

scientific tools. In health, students will acquire knowledge and develop practices

necessary to maintain physical and mental well-being.

Goals: Upon completion of this course, successful students will enhance their:

• understanding of important science concepts, processes, and ideas.

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• understanding of the interrelationships among science, technology, and society.

• use of higher-order thinking skills.

• ability to solve problems and apply scientific principles.

• interest in independent study of scientific topics.

• communication skills.

• awareness of the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

• knowledge of disease prevention and control including instruction about Acquired

Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), as required by S5.10a (relating to AIDS).

• knowledge of human growth and development.

Textbooks:

• SEPUP, Issues & Earth Science, 2006 (Access to this book will be available

online.)

• Glencoe, Teen Health, Course One, 2007

Science Course Overview: Health Course Overview:

Studying Soil Scientifically Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol

Rocks and Minerals Immune System and AIDS

Erosion and Deposition Reproductive System

Plate Tectonics

Weather and Atmosphere

Inquiry Activities: Students will engage in an array of inquiry activities throughout the

study of earth science. They will frequently work in cooperative groups to manipulate

SEPUP (Science Education for Public Understanding Program) materials and conduct

investigations. Inquire activities include:

Laboratories - involves experiments and traditional science equipment.

Investigations - hands-on activities that often stimulate real-world experiments

using specialized materials.

Modeling - activities that explore scientific concepts through simulation or

physical models.

Computer Simulations - students use interactive software to investigate natural

phenomena.

Role Plays - encourages students to use oral and expressive approaches to explore

concepts and historical information.

View and Reflect - involves viewing and discussing videos.

Projects - requires student research and may extend over several days or weeks.

Field Studies - an investigation of natural phenomena conducted outdoors.

Problem Solving - activities that engage students in finding a solution to a

problem through mathematical approaches or data analysis.

Assessments: Depending on the type of inquiry activity being used, assessments will be

conducted using a variety of formats.

Rubrics: Scoring guides (rubrics) will be used to evaluate individual

assignments, labs, and group interaction/participation. Students will be given the

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rubrics in advance so they will know exactly how they will be assessed for a

particular activity.

Quizzes/Tests: Quizzes and tests will be used as a secondary form of assessment.

We will occasionally have a quiz during a unit, and we will have a unit test upon

completion of each unit. A study guide will be utilized, and a review will take

place in class before all unit tests.

Science Notebook: Students are required to keep a notebook and have a three

ring binder for science. It will be used for class note-taking, activities, and

homework assignments. Periodically, I will collect these to check for organization

and completeness. These notebooks will contribute to students’ science grades.

Science Binder: In addition to the notebook, students are required to keep all

science papers organized in a three-ring binder. This binder should include

handouts, study guides, quizzes, and tests. This will also be periodically checked

for organization and completeness. These binders will contribute to students’

science grades.

Homework: Homework assignments will vary depending on the unit. This could

include labeling parts of a diagram, comprehension questions from experiments,

and reading assignments. Assignments could be checked for accuracy and

completeness.

** Late Homework/Assignments/Projects: Students will receive a mark on their

accountability charts for missed homework, assignments, and projects. If an

assignment or project is not turned in on time, the student will also lose one point

per day. If the assignment is still not submitted by the fifth day, the student will

lose all points and receive a zero for the activity.

**Extra Credit: Students should be striving to work hard and do their best

throughout the school year, therefore, we do not believe in extra credit to raise a

grade. We will, on occasion, provide a bonus question on a quiz or test for

students to attempt.

**Absent: When students are absent or need to miss class, it is their

responsibility to talk with the teacher about notes, assignments, and work they

missed. The students need to make sure to complete all work, assignments, notes

or tests.

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SV Gradebook

1. SV Gradebook is a great way to keep track of your child’s progress

as it relates to grades as well as complete and/or incomplete

assignments.

2. Report cards are accessible online. If you do not have computer

access, please make sure the office staff is aware, and they can print

a copy at the end of each grading period.

Parent Login Procedure:

Go to portal.svsd.net

Click on Parent

Login with your parent code or your email and password.

Student Login Procedure:

User Name: Last Name, First Name Initial, Middle Initial

Student Password: Student ID number (same as library number)

For Example:

Zane A Ackley #200070

Student username: ackleyza (all lowercase)

Student password: 200070

My Child’s User Name is: _____________________

My Child’s Password is: ______________________

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Accelerated Reader & Lexile Reading Scores

ACCELERATED READER

One of the students’ monthly Reading class assignments is to read

one-chapter book of their choosing. The book can be any chapter book

that is over 100 pages in length. I will subtract any picture pages from

the total number of pages. If the book is close to the minimum 100 pages,

they can come to see me to get the book approved.

After completely & independently reading their chosen book,

students will be asked to take an Accelerated Reader test (in school) on

the book they read. It will be their responsibility to check on AR to make

sure the book has a test, prior to reading it. To check whether or not a

book has an AR test, go to the AR sight and log into the student’s

account. They can also check for it at www.arbookfind.com. I will show

how to do this in class.

I will count the test score as a Reading grade at the end of each

month. Some month’s scores may be doubled. The sooner your child

chooses their book and finishes this assignment, the better. THEY ARE

NOT PERMITTED TO USE SCORES FROM TESTS TAKEN

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. They should not read a book ahead of time,

take the test, and ask for it to count as the next month’s score.

You may then click on the book title for a description or look it up at a

local library.

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Miss Kamarchik: Room 89 Mrs. Presco: Room 94Time

8:30 - 8:55 Attendance and Announcements Attendance and Announcements

8:55 - 9:30 A & E Period A & E Period

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Band 6, Chorus 5, Strings 6, Clubs Band 6, Chorus 5, Strings 5, Clubs Olweus Band 5, Chorus 6, Strings 5, Clubs Band 5, Chorus 6, Strings 6, Clubs

Block 1 *Same Every Day *Same Every Day

9:35 - 10:52 Math in Room 89 ELA in Room 94

Block 2 *Same Every Day *Same Every Day

10:55 - 11:08 ELA in Room 94 Math in Room 89

11:10 - 11:40 Lunch Lunch

Block 2 *Same Every Day *Same Every Day

11:45 - 1:00 ELA in Room 94 Math in Room 89

Specials

1:04 - 1:39 PE/M/A/WL/C WL/C/PE/M/A

Block 3 *Alternate Daily, Except Day 5 *Alternate Daily, Except Day 5

1:41 - 2:50 SS or SCI SS or SCI

2:50 - 3:10 Raider Roundup Raider Roundup

Raider Roundup Days 1, 3, & 5 Raider Roundup Days 1, 3, & 5

Recess Days 2 & 4 Recess Days 2 & 4

3:15 to 3:30 Dismissal Dismissal

OUR TEAM’S SCHEDULE

2016-2017