Ms. Gire: 6th Grade
English & Language Arts
Becoming Readers for Life:
Each day we will read in class for 30 minutes. Students will read a book of their choice every morning after Mindfulness. Please ensure you do your best to send your child on time to school so they don’t miss this very important academic time. “Studies show that no single literacy activity has a more positive effect on student comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading.” (Stephen Krashen, The Power of Reading). My goal is for every student in Room 23 to become a lifelong reader. The more they read in class, the more they will read out of class, too! Please encourage library visits, at home reading, and know that your reading habits are seen by them also. 🙂
Wordly Wise
Wordly Wise Vocabulary and Spelling Packet: these are usually given out on a Monday and due on the following Friday. Sometimes I will give them an extra week due to a holiday, testing, etc.
Students have time to work on the packet in class, however they should also bring it home to work on and study.
Flashcards for these words are recommended. Flashcards are a handy study tool they can use in and out of the classroom.
Quizzes are usually given on Friday mornings.
Accelerated Reader (AR)
Students have a goal created for them based upon their STAR assessment performance and a 30 minutes a day formula.
AR periods are about 6 weeks long.
Students should be reading books within their ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)
You can have them show you their AR goal and progress (and ZPD) via the Renaissance APP on Clever.
Reading environment should be distraction free (no screens, minimal noise, comfortable) and students should try to read at a regular time each day to build consistency.
Ideally, an 85% or more is achieved on AR tests.
Limit “junk food” reading. Try to encourage “main course” books.
Writing
Personal Narrative: first person account of a real, singular event in their life.
Informational Essay: students pick a topic that interests them, research using various sources, document their sources, present it to the class.
Opinion/Argumentative Essay
Creative writing: short story
Poetry
Journaling
Short Responses
Clear sentences; organized paragraphs; powerful language.
Editing: Daily Edit done almost every week teaches them how to look for errors, edit their peer’s writing (and their own), reinforce proper grammar.
BOOKS
Hatchet
Freak the Mighty
The Giver
Tuck Everlasting
Esperanza Rising
Island of the Blue Dolphins
T.B.D.
Lexia Power UP: Online reading program that builds skills. 40 Minutes per week on a four day week.The expectation is completion of 20 units each week
MATH
iReady Curriculum: daily lessons are taught.
40 minutes of iReady “My Path” assigned each five day week. 2 lessons should be completed each week.
My Path meets each student where they are in different math domains and pushes out appropriately leveled material to them.
iReady minutes: 20% of grade
Homework is important as it reinforces that day’s lesson.
Regular attendance is important as lessons missed can create a knowledge gap. Math builds. Any work missed is expected to be made up.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Ancient Civilizations
TCI Book: Most lessons are read in class aloud by students.
The workbook accompanies the lessons..
Assessments are light and usually done via an end of lesson game format. Open book.
It’s very easy to get a high grade in Social Studies if you pay attention, participate, do your part in group work, put forth your best effort, and use your time wisely.
Geography
P.E. Students should be dressed appropriately for P.E. every school day.
100 minutes a week.
Running: students should wear shoes appropriate for jogging.
Stretching and Strengthening
Fun Games
Participation Matters!
Team work/Good sportsmanship expected.
Non-competitive
International Games are in May; tryouts begin a few weeks prior to the event.
MINDFULNESS
Daily morning practice - student led.
Good for regulating the nervous system, calming anxiety, increasing focus, fostering self-awareness, connecting to self and others, and so much more!
Sown to Grow: weekly check-ins.
HOMEWORK
Students are responsible for writing down their homework each day. Please get a small notebook (or any size!) that they will use to write their assignments down.
Planners should be brought home so they can show you, check it themselves, stay consistent with this routine.
Materials: chromebooks, folders, books - it’s a process to learn to bring them back and forth each day, but this is the year to build this key habit.
Suggestions for success: have a routine the night before of putting everything needed in the morning in one place, the same place, so it’s all ready to go. The key to a good morning routine is to be organized the night before. It makes family life a little easier, too!
Career Days:
- Please consider coming into our classroom and telling us about what you do for a living! All of this learning your children are doing? It’ll be useful in the future! I want them to realize that there are SO many careers to choose from, and that many adults enjoy a sense of purpose from their jobs. Last year this was a very successful part of our time together. I am looking forward to having you come in. We are a welcoming community and you’ll be glad you donated your time. We promise! Drop me an email or sign up on the form provided at Back to School night on Thursday, August 21st at 6pm.
QUESTIONS?
Email me: jennifer_gire@pvusd.net
Parent Square/Synergy Mail