September 9, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to sixth grade! We are very much looking forward to working with your child and guiding him/her through a successful year full of discovery and learning. Grade six presents new challenges to adolescents. They become more responsible, more independent thinkers and learners, and are now ready to meet the new challenges presented at the middle school level. As we begin our year, here is some valuable information to ease the transition.
Supplies at Home:
Make sure your child has the following items either at his or her own desk or in another location when doing homework: a dictionary, a thesaurus, supervised use of a computer and reliable printer (if possible), pens, pencils, lined white paper, index cards for foreign language vocabulary, and some art supplies including scissors, glue stick, colored pencils and markers, three-hole punch, and a stapler. It is important to foster good study habits at this age, and we strongly recommend turning off the music and television when studying.
Supplies at School:
The following supplies are needed to help all students complete their assignments and stay organized throughout the year. The following supplies MUST be brought to EVERY class EVERY day: 3-ring binder, dividers, filler paper for note-taking, pen, pencil, eraser, and highlighter, colored pencils, small pencil sharpener (colored pencils cannot be used in the electric sharpener), 3-hole punch that fits in a 3-ring binder (you will get MANY handouts throughout the year and a hole punch is needed to help you stay organized).
Homework
: Homework assignments are posted in each classroom and students should record the assignments in their agenda books and ask any questions they might have about the assignment. Students should find a few "homework buddies" in the first weeks of school and exchange contact information so they have friends to call if they get stuck or have questions on an assignment.
Studying
: All students should spend some time reviewing notes and class work. In many classes, study guides are also provided 3-5 days before a test. Students should plan to spend at least 1 week reviewing before taking a test.
Rules for Projects
Always be neat. Use a glue stick or glue instead of tape or staples. Planning may be done in pencil but NO pencil can show on final projects. If you draw in pencil, it must be covered by colored pencil, markers, or crayon. Erase unwanted marks completely. Color neatly. Students are not graded on artistic ability but rather on content, neatness, organization, and effort. Have a parent/guardian check your work with you to be sure you have followed all directions. Students who read and follow directions to show quality and best effort do well. Pass in your paper on time and feel proud!
Teacher Websites: Although staff is not required to create and keep a website, many of us do have them. Please visit the Mountview website (
http://www.wrsd.net/mountview) and click "Teacher Pages" for a list of teacher websites. Not only are daily assignments often posted but also links to websites that aide learning.
World Geography
The goal of this course is to become familiar with the world outside of North America. By the end of the year students will know about something pretty amazing -- their world! Throughout the year, we will focus on the geography, culture, and current events of countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Tests:
One major test is given for each unit of study. Test dates are posted one week in advance to give students plenty of time to successfully prepare.
Quizzes
: Quizzes will be given as needed to test skills and knowledge. Students will always be given a minimum of a one-day notice for all quizzes.
Projects
: Projects are frequent and vary in point value. These may include individual or group research-based projects or other activities completed during or out of class. Major projects are expected to be completed on the day they are due. Five points will be deducted each day that a project is turned in late.
Maps
: Political and physical maps are completed for each area of the world we study.
These maps will be kept in school and compiled into an atlas that students can use as a resource for years to come. In addition, a variety of resource maps and graphs will also be completed.
Homework
: Homework will be graded in two ways. Some homework will be collected and graded for accuracy. Other assignments will be graded for completion. Although homework is expected to be completed on the day it is due, all students have the opportunity to earn credit for assignments completed and handed in by Friday of the week it was due.
Science
This year, the sixth grade will be exploring earth science. Lessons will underscore the concept of change and help students to understand the patterns and relationships between geology, meteorology, and astronomy. Through Earth Science education, the students will come to understand and appreciate our complex planet.
Apart from the science curriculum, classroom goals include the development of study skills, note taking skills and science process skills such as experimentation, exploration, and observation.
Assessments:
Students’ work is assessed in a variety of ways. Content knowledge might be assessed by quizzes, tests, projects, and homework. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in their individual style, whether it is through art, music, technology, orally or the written word.
Homework:
The purpose of homework is to prepare for and to reinforce class work or to work on projects. Homework can either be graded for content or checked for completion or both. We expect that homework be completed to the best of a students’ ability, is neat, and is handed in on the day it is due.
Language Arts
Independent Reading:
This is a significant part of a sixth grader's development in Language Arts. This year we will be implementing the Wachusett Regional School District's Literacy Initiative at the Middle School Level for the first time. Most of our incoming sixth graders will be experienced with Reader's Workshop and we will be including reading in class, conferencing and developing habits of good readers in our classroom experience. It is our hope that this program provides all readers with enough choices so that everyone can find something that they enjoy reading. Participation will be evaluated as homework, class work, and writing assignments. As we proceed through the school year, we will be providing students the opportunity to experience a variety of genres through independent reading. Our intention is to foster the joy of reading and to encourage students to read more than ever before. If you need more details about expectations now, or at any time throughout the year, please feel free to ask us.
Writer’s Workshop:
For classroom and homework practice, we will have Writer's Workshop for about three days of every ten class meetings. We will focus on specific aspects of our writing that need improvement and development. Great writing often comes from great thoughts, so many of our practice writing topics will be related to our classroom discussions. The topics will range from writing about literature to current events to creative writing. It is our hope that this form of practice will prepare them very well for the MCAS Open Response questions they will face in the future. When an assignment will be developed into a piece that will be graded, students will be given a rubric to help them determine the focus correction areas which will be specifically evaluated. Students will act as editors for first drafts and have a chance to experience all parts of the writing process. Unless otherwise noted, all final copies must be typed, size 12 font.
Word Study:
This involves a focus on vocabulary development and spelling. The goal is to enrich students' working vocabulary, encourage the use of spelling rules, and enable students' to broaden their understanding of how words are used in our language. Grammar lessons will be designed to enable students to become aware of the parts of speech and how words can be used in sentences and paragraphs. Grammar and vocabulary activities will often relate to reading activities.
Mathematics
To prepare our students for future challenges in math, we use the Prentice Hall textbook, a program that includes an active approach to learning problem solving skills. Topics covered include: decimals, patterns, algebra, fractions, number theory, ratios, proportions, percents, graphs, geometry, measurement, probability, integers, and equations. Our curriculum is supplemented with projects and activities from other resources to provide a well-rounded investigative approach.
Tests & Quizzes:
There will be several quizzes and a test for each chapter. The Wachusett Regional School District has also recently implemented a district-wide Math Mid-Term and Final Exam for 6th grade. These tests are administered in January and June. When tests, quizzes, or projects are sent home for parents’ signatures, the required signatures are due the next day. This ensures ongoing communication between home and school about each student’s math progress during the year.
Projects:
Projects offer an alternative means of assessing students’ understanding of the math they’re learning in sixth grade. Many students appreciate the opportunity to apply their artistic, creative talents and integrate their special interests into math projects such as the survey/graphing project, grid art project, geometry power point or book project, and the perfect room project.
Homework:
Homework assignments are very important. They provide students the opportunity to assess their own understanding. Completing the homework helps students stay on top of their learning. It also helps us to see what students are struggling with or understand well. Students MUST SHOW THEIR WORK for all homework assignments to get credit. Periodically (almost every week), I will collect homework for grading purposes. Also, we will keep track of completed and missing homework for each entire term. At the end of each term, the percentage of completed assignments compared to the total number of assignments will result in an additional test grade.
6th Grade Seminar
The objective of 6th grade seminar is to encourage and inspire every sixth grade student to be the best student and person he or she can be. We will focus on the following skills to develop the successful student: effective use of the agenda book, study skills, time management, organizational skills, computer skills (keyboarding, word processing, Power Point, Excel, sending email attachments / links, graphics, etc.), internet safety, class presentations / public speaking skills, research (appropriate / reliable sites, citing references, etc.), support with upcoming tests / projects. Sixth Grade Seminar will also focus on activities to nurture the empathetic person: respect, compassion, and acceptance; identifying and rejecting bullying at Mountview; community service; peer / mentor groups.
Art
In addition to the school rules students are also expected to: always come to class prepared with a pencil (an artists’ best friend), bring a positive attitude and open mind, stay on task and have fun!
Projects are the majority of the students’ grade. Students will be learning new techniques and artistic styles. They will be graded on their final project based on the objectives of the lesson NOT their artistic ability. They are just learning these techniques and I will never compare one students work against another’s. Within that project grade students are assessed on not only their artwork but also their attitude, respect, class work and creativity. Each project will have a rubric that students will get at the beginning of the lesson so they know exactly what they will be graded on.
Students will be doing a recycled art project so please start collecting recyclables. Information will be sent home with your students about things we are collecting later in the school year. As always, donations of any art type materials (corks, paper, fabric, wood, wire etc.) would be very much appreciated! J
Physical Education
This year students will be doing a variety of physical activities, such as fitness conditioning and testing, "new" (trust building) games, strength training, individual and team sports, rhythmic movements, lifetime activities, and more. Activities are subject to change depending on the weather, equipment, and facility availability.
The objective of this class is for the student to participate in each lesson, which will serve to assess, improve, or maintain their current level of physical fitness. The focus of this course is to help the student instill and enjoy healthy habits of lifelong fitness. Our department’s ultimate goal is for all students to meet both national and state standards of physical education, and understand the benefits and importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Please find these standards on our website.
We understand that the students receive a considerable amount of homework each night from their other classes. Thus, we only assign a few projects, quizzes, and homework, each quarter. It is imperative that students complete these assignments to the best of their ability, as these make a substantial contribution to their grade.
Attendance:
Attendance is required, and the student’s presence is essential for obtaining improvements in physical fitness levels, understanding concepts of physical activity, and displaying effective skills through working with and encouraging others during lessons. Any missed class not made up, will result in a "zero" for that day. If a student is out sick from school it is his or her responsibility to make up the class period. Any classes that are not made up will show up as a zero on powerschool at the end of each quarter. Students will be allowed to make-up school-related or excused absences (with note from parent/guardian, teacher, or guidance counselor) on designated times as provided by instructors.
Medical Excuses:
If there is a medical reason why a student cannot participate in PE, he/she will need a note from parent/guardian or school nurse for the time excused from class. The note must also state what date the student can return for participation. After two consecutive missed classes, a doctor’s note will be required. If an extended illness or injury occurs, the student will need to complete written assignments or projects to substitute missed class time.
P.E. Leaders:
This program recognizes students with positive attitudes and outstanding participation records within Physical Education classes. P.E. Leaders will serve as peer role models and assist instructors with various aspects of the classroom and help maintain a positive learning environment by displaying an enthusiastic and encouraging attitude. Students may apply for a P.E. Leader position after 1st quarter progress reports.
Band
One-hundred and twenty students have just entered band classes, and we are just getting started! For a few weeks we will learn about all the instruments, and how a band is formed. Next, each student will choose an instrument and either rent to own, or purchase. French Music Company will visit Mountview on September 24th at 6:30pm and make instruments available for rent. Parents of course are free to choose any company to purchase or rent from. However, it is recommended that careful consideration be put into instrument purchase, so that each student starts out with an instrument in good working order.
Band students are asked to practice 2 ½ hours each week outside of school, spent over several days such as ½ per day. It is expected that with this minimal effort, great individual improvement will take place. Parent involvement is very important to encourage and remind our students that their band homework is regular practice. Instrument lessons are also a good idea and will make a great difference in student achievement. Please check my website for suggestions. It may take a while, and be a bit noisy, but we’ll be playing music next spring!
Orchestra
The Orchestra Program is scheduled to meet twice weekly, on both Mondays and Thursdays. This is a graded subject, based on preparedness (as in regular practice), participation, effort, and attendance at rehearsals and concerts.
Though violin, viola, cello, and bass are all taught, beginners generally start on the violin or cello. Much of the first year is focused on learning the basics: Posture, Tone, Rhythm, and Intonation, or playing in tune. Toward the end of the school year, more emphasis will be placed on note reading in preparation for participation in the orchestra. Students may join orchestra in their second year of study. In addition to class time, the Mountview Orchestra will be rehearsing during activity period on Thursdays each week.
We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with your children and to encourage them in their studies. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation. To contact your child’s teachers, please call 508-829-5577 or email: