Wolf Canyon Elementary 2011 2012 Sixth grade Sixth

Wolf Canyon Elementary 2011 - 2012 Sixth grade

Sixth Grade Welcome to sixth grade! We look forward to an exciting year full of learning, discovery, growth, and fun. We hope every student upon graduation from Wolf Canyon Elementary will be prepared for the rest of their academic careers. Your support is greatly appreciated as we all know being an adolescent is not easy! If you ever need any help, PLEASE feel free to contact us. http: //www. wolfcanyononline. com/sixth Mrs. Camarena – sandra. camarena@cvesd. org 619 -840 -4073 Mr. Ly – dan. ly@cvesd. org 619 -540 -6476 Mrs. Selgrath – gina. selgrath@cvesd. org 619 -980 -1090

Daily Schedule 8: 45 – 9: 00 – 10: 30 10: 35 – 11: 10 – 11: 25 – 12: 30 – 1: 15 – 2: 00 – 3: 00 Opening with Mrs. Mc. Laren Period 1 (Math or Reading) Period 2 (Math or Reading) Recess Period 2 Continued Lunch Writing/English Language Support Period 3 (Social Studies, Science, and PE)

Expectations �We expect our students to try their best at all times �Students should come to school ready to learn �Pink reminders will be given to students as a friendly reminder to stay on task �Continued reminders or severe poor choices will result in immediate contact of parents �Please check for weekly updates every Monday on academics, behavior, and goals

Homework �Fluency Practice Nightly �Reading Nightly (30 minutes now) �Teenbiz 3000. com (4 articles weekly) �Oars Online Language Arts Quiz (1 weekly) �Writing (1 Weekly) �Math Practice Nightly �Occasional project for science or social studies

Math Big ideas for this year: �Students have mastered the four arithmetic operations with whole numbers, positive fractions, positive decimals, and positive and negative integers; they accurately compute and solve problems �Students understand the concepts of mean, median, and mode of data sets and how to calculate the range �Students analyze data and sampling processes for possible bias and misleading conclusions; they use addition and multiplication of fractions routinely to calculate the probabilities for compound events

Math �Students apply their knowledge to statistics and probability �Students conceptually understand work with ratios and proportions �Students compute percentages (e. g. , tax, tips, interest) �Students know about π and the formulas for the circumference and area of a circle �Students use letters for numbers in formulas involving geometric shapes and in ratios to represent an unknown part of an expression �Students solve one-step linear equations

Math Students are responsible for their math composition book Students are responsible for a math textbook Students are responsible for completing their nightly homework Students are responsible for reviewing notes and examples before a test All behavioral and work concerns will be communicated to respective teacher and parents

Reading Shared Reading �Use Houghton Mifflin series, which is district adopted curriculum �Students will read with teacher, peer �Use text to practice reading strategies and comprehension skills Guided Reading �Students read in small flexible groups based on need �Students use selected leveled text with minor teacher input �Lessons on focused and personalized for maximum results

Reading �Collaborative Groups Students will rotate in small groups and work on different skills to maximize learning �Read Aloud Teacher reads a text to class that is higher than the reading level of the class Expose students to a wide range of literature Teacher models specific reading skill and think alouds Models pacing, expression, intonation and fluency

Reading Student Expectations(standards) � Students will interpret text and make connections � Learn to analyze the structure of different genres � Write responses to literature based on structural features, analysis of character traits etc. � Will learn to determine (evaluate) adequacy and appropriateness of the evidence for an author’s conclusion � Connect and clarify main ideas by identifying their relationships to other sources and related topics � Make reasonable assertions about a text through accurate, supporting citations � Note instances of unsupported inferences, persuasion and propaganda in text. � Explain the effects of common literary devices ( i. e. symbolism, imagery, metaphor) in a variety of fictional and nonfictional texts.

Reading Teacher Expectations for Students � Students should come prepared to class � Read nightly � Respond in complete well thought out sentences Accelerated Reader � Students are expected to read 1 hour per day � Every student has personal reading goals � Students must read books at their level and work toward their 9 week point goal and pass tests with 80%+ accuracy � Student reading levels are based off of STAR reading assessment � Teachers will rigorously monitor reading progress �Why does it matter…

Percentile Rank Minutes per day in books Words read per year in books 98 65 4, 358, 000 90 21. 2 1, 823, 000 80 14. 2 1, 146, 000 70 9. 6 622, 000 60 6. 5 432, 000 50 4. 6 282, 000 40 3. 2 200, 000 30 1. 8 106, 000 20 0. 7 21, 000 10 0. 1 8, 000 Anderson, Richard C. , Growth in Reading, 1988 Reading

Writing is physical work. It's sweaty work. You just can't will yourself to become a good writier. You really have to work at it. - Will Haygood Instruction will be guided by thematic teaching strategies and California Writing Content Standards. I want to encourage creative and logical thinking in math, science, social studies, or any content area. My student will use writing portfolios and create a Big Book to document their learning. These portfolios will show growth over time, showcase a student's best work, to document achievement, progress and to identify weaknesses. Your child will use goal setting sheets. To reach all learners I will use Guided Language Acquisition Design. These strategies will support English Language Learners.

Writing GENRE 1. Response to Literature 2. Narrative 3. Summary 4. Persuasive 5. Research 6. Expository STUDENT EXPECTATIONS Daily be prepared with five sharp pencils.

Science � The science curriculum in grade six emphasizes the study of earth sciences. Students at this age are increasing their awareness of the environment and are ready to learn more. The standards in grade six present many of the foundations of geology and geophysics, including plate tectonics and earth structure, topography, and energy. The material is linked to resource management and ecology, building on what students have learned in previous grades. Unless students take a high school earth science class, what they learn in grade six will be their foundation for earth science literacy.

Science Big ideas for this year: �Earth Science Major features of the Earth’s structure Plate tectonic theory How the Earth’s surface is shaped by water and geologic events �Physical Science The flow of heat The sun as an energy source Different energy sources and natural resources �Life Science Dependency of organisms on available resources Dependency of organisms on physical factors of the environment

Social Studies � In the sixth-grade curriculum, students learn about people and events that ushered in the dawn of major Western and non-Western civilizations. Included are the early societies of the Near East and Africa, the ancient Hebrew civilization, Greece, Rome, and the classical civilizations of India and of China. In studying the ancient world, students should come to appreciate the special significance of geographic place in the development of the human story.

Social Studies �Big ideas for this year: Students describe and analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structure of: ▪ ▪ ▪ Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush Ancient Hebrews Ancient Greece Ancient India Ancient China Ancient Rome

Extracurricular Computer Lab Ballroom Dancing Music (guitar lessons) P. E. Circuit Training Student Council Afterschool GATE Safety Patrol Sports (Football, Soccer, Basketball) Community Service Events

Parent Volunteers Grade Level Parents Mrs. Marcia Montemayor And Mrs. Venus Perez

th 6 Grade Camp!!!

th 6 Grade Camp April 9 – 13, 2012 This is an optional field trip – students who do not attend are still required to go to school and complete assigned work Camp Marston in Julian, California Transportation will be provided via school bus Sixth grade teachers will be onsite at all times as well as camp staff and other certificate teachers Food, housing, and activities are all included Activities include: Leadership training, outdoor education, sports, rock-climbing, archery, canoeing, hiking, enjoying the beautiful surroundings, and having lots of fun!

Camp Curriculum �All curriculum is based on the California State Science Framework. �Activities are designed to build understanding of ecological principles and the relationship between each student and the natural world. �Major themes: Interrelationships, cycles, adaptations, and energy.

Activities � Learn how to use a compass, outdoor survival skills, cooking, fire-building, and making a shelter � Explore a pond or take a long hike in the forest. � Discover the interrelationships and energy flows of the forest community and visit a composting area � Develop self-esteem and cooperation through challenging teambuilding exercises. � Fun activities include climbing tower, archery, and canoeing � Enjoy campfires and ‘skit night’ � Go on an exciting night hike

YMCA Camp Marston Staff �Outdoor Education Instructors are adults with an educational or recreational background who show a strong commitment to working with children. �All staff undergo extensive screening, including reference checks, interviews, and fingerprinting. �Staff are trained to help children realize their fullest potential in a positive, supportive, and fun environment.

Wolf Canyon Teachers �Sixth grade teachers will always be on site along with teachers from other schools. �Teachers stay in a separate cabin but see the students throughout the day during activities and meal time. �Teachers provide connection back to school and a sense of security for students �Teachers will have a car on site if transportation is required for illness or disciplinary reasons

Transportation �We will get to Camp Marston via a school bus. �The drive takes about one and a half hours through the beautiful mountains. �The price includes transportation of students and their luggage! �Students leave Monday morning and return Friday afternoon.

Cost �The cost of camp for each student is $ 270 dollars. �We will help fundraise as much as possible but it is up to each family to pay the full amount. �If you can pay all at once, it will make it easier. �If you can not pay all at once, you can make 3 monthly payments of $90.

The End Questions?