Miss Stewart
Dear Parents, 8/27/07
Welcome to Roosevelt’s sixth grade. My name is Laura Stewart. I am looking forward to an exciting year. I want to give you a brief introduction to myself, the sixth grade curriculum, and my expectations.
I am originally from Dearborn, Michigan. I attended Michigan State University for my undergraduate training and San Diego State for my master’s degree in Curriculum Development. I have been teaching for 20 years. Most of my teaching experience is in the 4th-8th grade range. I have two children, Leland (7th grade) and Vene (6th grade). This will be Leland’s first year at North. He is looking forward to being in a school without his mother. Vene will be in my classroom this year. Leland and I had a very good experience being in the same classroom. Vene and I look forward to the year ahead. As a family we love to mountain bike, float wild rivers, and relax on the back deck. It has been a very exciting summer.
This year the sixth grade will study physical science: chemistry, American ecosystems, weather and environmental issues. In social studies we will study Latin America and Canada. In health we will be studying a wide variety of topics with the counselor, nurse, and classroom teacher. It is my hope that multiplication facts have been mastered. If not we will need to drill consistently for mastery. As we master our facts we will comfortably move into division, fractions, decimals and algebra. In reading we will be working with the newly adopted reading text, Treasures. Spelling and language will be taken from the new reading series. We will also be reading novels, as well as a wide variety of short stories and reader’s theater. Language/writing will be taught through the Step-up to Writing approach. Writing will be incorporated into all subjects. Every Friday we will be writing a five paragraph essay to our families. Please take time to read over it and respond in the journal.
Sixth grade students are expected to read 30 minutes a day/ 4 days a week. Please be sure to sign their weekly reading calendar. Be sure to mark zeros for non reading days. They will be going to the library (Mrs. Emmel) every Tuesday from 8:45-9:15. We will have 30 minutes of silent reading daily (2:45-3:15). Students are to read only Accelerated Reading books at this time. I am able to test the students on comprehension and keep track of their progress through the district Accelerated Reading Program. They will have an AR reading goal each quarter. It would be wise to read AR books at home.
The students will receive a weekly vocabulary list. They will be tested for definitions as well as spelling of these words on Friday. They will receive homework Monday –Thursday evening. See the attached schedule. These homework assignments will be due the following day. The only homework to be assigned on Friday will be to complete their 5 paragraph essay (if not completed in class), get a parents response and signature, and get their weekly reading calendar signed. The 5 paragraph essay and reading calendar are both due on Tuesday. I will not be sending home a great deal of sporadic assignments, unless time is not being used wisely in the classroom. There will be long term assignments. Watch for more information in the day planner.
It is very important that we be prepared to run (or walk quickly) one to two laps on Monday and Wednesday. Flip-flops and Crocs are very hard on the feet for this activity. We will be running (or walking quickly) in the morning. PE class (Mr. Bennett) will be on Tuesday and Friday from 10:15-10:45. Bring or wear appropriate shoes.
Other special times to remember are Music (Mrs. Allen) on Monday and Wednesday from 8:45-9:15. We will begin the day by lining up at the music door on these two days. Art will be on Thursday from 9:00-10:15. Band and Orchestra will be from 2:15-2:45, daily. Silent reading is scheduled for 2:45-3:15 daily. Lunch (Mrs. Knutsen) will be from 12:15-1:10 daily. Morning recess is from 10:45-11:00, afternoon break is from 2:10-2:15. We will be working with the kindergarten class on Fridays (time to be announced).
I will be checking day planners daily. I will make a mark to note that I did see it. Students are required to get their parents to sign their day planners. Be sure to review the day’s happenings and the requirements for the following day, THEN sign. The day’s activities are in outline/note form written in pencil, the assignments for the next day will be in red. Assist your child in learning how to use the day planner to his advantage. Help him/her to physically check off/or scratch out the next day requirements. This is the best place for parent/teacher quick communication. I will also be communicating through email.
Please keep birthday celebrations to the last 10 minutes of the day. A quick note in your child’s day planner will keep me posted (one or two day notice is fine).
I look forward to teaching your child. Please feel free to call me anytime you have concerns. You may call the school and leave a message.
Sincerely,
Miss Stewart
Class Rules
Consequences
Rewards
Positive notes, calls home, praise, field trips, read in.
Homework – 120 minutes of reading for the week
Monday- Vocabulary list sent home to study definitions and spelling
-Paragraph assignment
-Ladders if needed
-Check off homework and get agenda book signed
-Reading calendar is due by Tuesday
-Letter home is due Tuesday
Tuesday –Daily Word Problem-show all math work
-Study vocabulary-Vocabulary Sort
-Ladders if needed
-Check off homework and get agenda book signed
-Reading calendar is due today
-Letter home is due today
Wednesday-Paragraph assignment
-Study vocabulary-Recopy vocabulary 2 times each-cursive
-Ladders if needed
-Check off homework and get agenda book signed
Thursday-Daily Word Problem-show all math work
-Read Naturally-read three times, record times, answer questions
-Study vocabulary
-Ladders if needed
-Check off homework and get agenda book signed
Friday- Get reading calendar signed
- Check off homework and get agenda book signed
- Finish letter home if not completed in class/ask parents to respond and sign
The vocabulary list is used for spelling and definitions. It is important to study 10 -15 minutes daily. We will discuss what it means to study.
Please check my website to view sites visited in class.