Mrs. Anderson



Student Name _____________________________________________

6th Grade Handbook

2015-2016

General

Grade 6

2015-16

Teachers: Mrs. Kelash: ckelash@

Mrs. Anderson: sanderson@

Mr. Tripps: dtripps@

Phone: 952-746-7760

Fax: 952-746-7765

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Classes in 6th grade will be safe, enjoyable, disciplined, and structured learning environments that continually model and support the values of citizenship, integrity, perseverance, honesty, excellence, and respect.

Eagle Ridge Academy provides students with a traditional, classical education that demands their best in behavior, academic achievement, and attitude, challenging them to attain their highest potential.

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I. Classroom Rules

A. Be respectful

• Examples: staying out of others’ desks, using appropriate language, being kind toward others, no food/drink/toys/phones/purses, raise your hand for permission to speak or leave your seat

B. Be ready

• Examples: be on time, be prepared with materials and completed work, follow directions the first time they are given

C. Be on task

• Examples: speak about the topic-at-hand, work without disrupting others

II. Your decisions have logical consequences for learning.

A. Positive behaviors result in:

a. Respect for self and from others

b. Ability for self and others to learn

c. Enjoyment of learning

d. Recognition of CIPHER qualities

B. Negative behaviors result in:

a. Loss of integrity and respect from others

b. Inability for optimal learning

c. Verbal warning/reminder from teacher

d. Pillar Referral Form and e-mail home

e. Visit principal for further consequences

IV. Classroom Procedures and Expectations

Though we three teachers are a united team, we are also three distinct individuals; there will be small differences in how our classrooms operate. We care about you and are available to listen to concerns and help problem-solve at appropriate times. Knowing that, here are some helpful expectations and advice:

A. Utilize Infinite Campus and websites at least weekly to stay updated on your progress, assignments, and tests.

B. Instruction begins at the bell; all preparation for learning (materials/mental) is expected to be completed before the bell.

C. Class ends when the teacher dismisses students.

D. Use the bathroom and water fountain during passing time.

E. All work must be turned in with the appropriate heading and format as discussed/modeled in class for full credit.

F. Assignments with no name will be scored as a late assignment.

G. Redoing any work is at the discretion of the teacher and must be done on your own time.

H. If you are absent:

a. Work assigned and tests scheduled prior to your absence will be due the day you return to school.

b. It is the student’s responsibility to check in with each teacher regarding work assigned and tests scheduled during a student’s absence. The teacher will not hunt down a student!

c. You will have the number of days you were absent – plus one – to turn in the work you missed. For example, if you miss Wednesday through Friday (3 days), missing work will be due the following Thursday (the fourth day after your absence).

V. Grading

Please remember, your primary focus should be on learning, not on the grade you will receive in the course. The process of learning and the quality of work are more important than achieving a specific grade; therefore, we do not offer extra credit assignments. Instead, spend time and effort on the required work.

Grades will be based on your tests, quizzes, assignments, and participation in class. You are expected to complete all assignments and turn them in on time.

Late work is defined as work that is not ready to turn in when class begins.

• Late work is accepted until the end of the relevant unit; otherwise, it remains a zero.

• Late work is given a score up to 60% of the total points possible.

• Late work in math is scored differently. See the math syllabus.

A = 93+

A- = 90-92

B+ = 87-89

B = 83-86

B- = 80-82

C+ = 77-79

C = 73-76

C- = 70-72

D+ = 67-69

D = 63-66

D- = 60-62

F = 59 & Below

Grading per quarter will be weighted as follows:

• Tests/Quizzes: 70%

• Homework/Assignments/Participation: 30%

Grading per semester will be weighted as follows:

• Quarters 1 and 2 combined are equal to 80% of the semester grade.

• A semester exam is the remaining 20% of the semester grade.

• Semester 2 will follow the same grading formula.

•

Math

Grade 6

2015-16

Teachers: Mrs. Kelash: ckelash@

Mrs. Anderson: sanderson@

Mr. Tripps: dtripps@

Phone: 952-746-7760

Fax: 952-746-7765

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I. Description & Course Objectives

Sixth grade math, using the Saxon curriculum, will integrate and distribute traditional units, giving students time to learn and practice skills throughout the year, master content, and develop higher-order thinking. Skills and concepts are built through critical thinking, helping students become better and more confident problem solvers. Students focus directly on the math, eliminating distracters, so they can meaningfully build math connections.

II. Course Topics

Students will be issued a text at the beginning of the school year to supplement what is being taught in class. Topics covered include (but are not limited to):

A. Numbers and operations

B. Algebra

C. Geometry

D. Measurement

E. Problem solving

F. Data analysis and probability

III. Learning Routines

A. Warm-up: fact work, mental math, problem solving

B. New Concept introduces a new mathematical concept to students and presents examples using the concept. The Practice Set provides a chance to solve problems involving the new concept.

C. Written Practice reviews previously-taught concepts and prepares the students for concepts that will be taught in later lessons.

D. Homework will be assigned each night.

E. Friday’s class will usually include a test or an investigation.

IV. Grading per quarter will be weighted as follows:

A. Tests/Quizzes: 70%

B. Homework/Assignments/Participation: 30%

• Students earn up to 5 points per assignment:

o 2 points for complete and on time

o 1 point for showing work

o 1 point for getting at least 80% correct

o 1 point for correctly reworking all missed problems

• All late work and corrections should be done as soon as possible, but will be accepted until the Monday following the original due date.

C. Depending on the teacher’s discretion, tests not meeting 80% mastery may result in one or more opportunities to demonstrate understanding. Students will be offered support to relearn any concept with less than 80% mastery. When tests are retaken, the maximum score earned will be 80%.

English

Grade 6

2015-16

Teacher: Mrs. Kelash: ckelash@

Website:

Phone: 952-746-7760 ext. 126

Fax: 952-746-7765

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I. Description & Course Objectives

Sixth grade English introduces students to various literary genres and focuses on developing English language skills in the areas of reading, writing, grammar, communication, and vocabulary development. Activities and tasks in class and at home are designed to practice and master concepts outlined in the MN State English Language Arts Standards.

Other Objectives of This Course:

The process of learning is equally as important as the content of learning. Therefore, students will also utilize metacognitive skills; learning how to learn and thinking about their thinking. Students will learn and demonstrate effective techniques for analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating text. Students will also effectively communicate their understanding in writing and orally.

II. Course Topics/Learning Routines:

We will read and discuss a variety of novels related to specific time periods in history, drawing relevant, real-life connections. Students will be required to complete the following work:

• Write thoughtful responses to assigned prompts

• Actively read and respond to assigned texts, taking notes or Post-its as directed

• Participate meaningfully in class discussions

• Complete all assigned homework, projects, and essays

• Complete in-class exercises, tests, quizzes, and other activities

• Maintain regular, punctual attendance

• Complete semester examinations

Homework expectations: There will be reading assignments each evening and written work several evenings per week. You can expect an average of 30-45 minutes of homework each night. Staying on top of reading assignments is essential to fully understanding the material and participating in discussion.

III. Classroom Expectations/Materials:

• Carefully read the assigned material before class. Students should come to class with questions, comments, and/or responses completed on the reading assignments. These are assigned so students are ready to discuss the material. Please do not read ahead!

• Fully engage in class discussions and activities.

• Have ALL materials, ALL the time:

o Binder

o Planner

o Composition notebook

o Class novel

o Independent reading book

o Pencil bag

• Turn in assignments on time, every time.

• All formal, graded writing assignments must follow the required sixth grade format.

• Class novels will be assigned to each student.

• Follow the guidelines established in class for appropriate behavior when reading, writing, and discussing literature.

• Completely and accurately fill out the assignment notebook each class period.

Grammar

Grade 6

2015-16

Teachers: Mrs. Kelash: ckelash@

Mrs. Anderson: sanderson@

Mr. Tripps: dtripps@

Phone: 952-746-7760

Fax: 952-746-7765

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I. Description & Course Objectives

Sixth grammar students follow the Shurley English curriculum. Students actively participate in each aspect of English, learning and practicing grammar through writing and oral language skills. Instructional techniques include rhythm, repetition, and student-teacher interaction. Each lesson builds on previous concepts.

II. Course Topics

Students will be issued a text at the beginning of the school year to supplement what is being taught in class. Topics include (but not limited to):

A. Capitalization and punctuation rules

B. Sentence structure

C. Parts of speech

D. Editing skills

E. Word parts

F. Paragraph structure

G. Types of writing

H. Vocabulary

III. Learning Routines

Grammar consists of the following:

A. Vocabulary and Analogy Time is dedicated to oral exercises emphasizing deeper understanding of words and how they relate to each other (synonym, antonym, and definition).

B. Jingle Time encourages students to sing or chant jingles, reviewing previous lessons and introducing new lessons.

C. Grammar Time teaches the students the eight parts of speech, reinforced by questioning and answering.

D. Skill Time gives students opportunities to enhance their mechanics and usage skills (classroom practices, chapter check-ups, and chapter tests).

E. Writing Time exposes students to different types of writing and how to utilize the writing process.

F. Wordly Wise vocabulary highlights word origins and proper usage.

World History

Grade 6

2015-16

Teachers: Mr. Tripps: dtripps@

Phone: 952-746-7760 ext. 125

Fax: 952-746-7765

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I. Description & Course Objectives

Sixth grade World History is designed to help students understand Western Civilization by opening their eyes to ancient cultures, important movements in Europe, as well as major changes in the United States in the 19th century which shaped the world in which they live. This encourages students to evaluate their views and interpretations on history and the world as a whole. It then puts “meat on the skeleton” by connecting the Core Knowledge Curriculum with the Language Arts reading scope and sequence so that students are studying ABOUT an area/era while simultaneously reading a book taking place IN that area/era. In addition to the above, World History will emphasize learning and applying the geographic tactics used in order to navigate our world.

II. Course Topics:

Geography, Greece, Rome, Judaism, Christianity, a brief review of European life during the Middle Ages, Renaissance & Reformation, and Enlightenment, Romanticism, French Revolution, Industrialization and Urbanization of America, Industrialism/Capitalism/Socialism, Latin American Independence, Immigration to the United States, and the Reform movement of the 19th century in America.

I. Learning Routines:

A. Daily Review includes going over what was learned the prior class period.

B. Teaching/Discussion will either be from the teacher to the entire class or in small-group format, and it will focus on the material for the day. This method may also include reading portions of information as a group.

C. Mapping portions of the class will allow students to focus on a map as a class or work on individual maps with labeling and coloring.

D. General activities will include (but may not be limited to):

1. Take helpful and complete notes during class

2. Read assigned parts of the text

3. Participate in class discussions

4. Complete projects and papers

5. Do in-class exercises, quizzes/tests, and other activities

Science

Grade 6

2015-16

Teacher: Mrs. Anderson: sanderson@

Phone: 952-746-7760 ext. 127

Fax: 952-746-7765

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I. Description & Course Objectives

Sixth grade science introduces students to various areas of study in physical science, such as learning and applying the scientific method, the use of scientific equipment and measurement, and the nature of engineering in society.

II. Course Topics

The topics we cover in science will often connect with what students are learning in other courses. We will regularly include writing, drawing, and math concepts into science class as well.

Topics include:

Motion

• Speed, direction, and change of position

• Newton's Laws

• Balanced and unbalanced forces

• Force identification; net force determination

• Direct and indirect forces

• Mass and weight

Energy

• Properties of waves

• Sound waves

• Light and color

• Mirror and lenses

• Energy forms and transformations

• Kinetic and potential energy

• Simple machines

• Electricity and magnetism

• Thermal energy and heat transfer

• Energy resource

Matter

• Particle model of matter

• Physical properties and change

• States of matter and changes of state

III. Learning Routines

Class sessions will focus on becoming familiar with the vocabulary and concepts surrounding the course material: developing and understanding how science is applied and “works” in the world around us and learning about influential scientists and the future of science in society. A variety of strategies will be used to cover these topics, including lecture, lab experiences, projects, whole group and small group discussions, and inquiry activities. Students will complete the following:

A. Take complete notes during class

B. Read assigned parts of the text

C. Participate in class discussions and lab experiments

D. Complete assigned lab reports and projects

E. Do in-class exercises, quizzes/tests, and other activities

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WE acknowledge that WE have thoroughly read and understand the expectations and requirements for 6th grade coursework, behavior, and learning routines.

______________________________ ___________

Parent Signature Date

______________________________ ___________

Student Signature Date

Additionally, WE understand that there are unique safety precautions and rules for participation in science labs. I, ________________________, will exhibit those behaviors which ensure the safety of me and others.

____________________________ ___________

Parent Signature Date

____________________________ ___________

Student Signature Date

Turning in this sheet to your Advisory teacher by Monday, August 31, 2015,

will cause you to smile… trust us. (

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