Miss Stewart
Dear Parents,
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 22 years. Most of my teaching experience is in the 4th-8th grade range. My two children, Leland (9th grade) and Vene (7th grade) both attend Roosevelt. My family loves to mountain bike, float wild rivers, and relax on the back deck.
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. In math we will need to drill consistently for mastery of the multiplication facts. 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. We will also be working on our keyboarding skills with Jump Start Typing.
Sixth grade students are expected to read 120 minutes a week. Please be sure to sign their weekly reading calendar. They will be going to the library (Mrs. Emmel) every Tuesday from 11:20-11:50. We will have 30 minutes of silent reading daily. 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 and it would be wise to read or listen to AR books at home.
The students will receive a weekly spelling list. They will be tested 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 get their weekly reading calendar signed and turned in on Monday. I will not be sending home a great deal of sporadic assignments, unless time is not being used wisely in the classroom.
It is very important that we be prepared for PE. Flip-flops and Crocs are very hard on the feet for any PE activity. We will have PE class (Mrs Larsen) on Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:45-9:15. Students are to line up at the PE door on those two days.
Other special times to remember are Music (Mrs. White) from 8:45-9:15 on Wednesday and Friday. Art will be taught Monday, with our new art teacher Mrs. Nack. Our counselor (Mrs. Ellis-Clark) will be from 1:00-1:35 on Wednesdays. Band and Orchestra will be from 2:45-3:15, daily. Silent reading will be from 2:15-2:45 daily. Lunch (Mrs. Knutsen) will be from 12:00-1:00 daily. Morning recess is from 10:45-11:00.
I will be checking day planners daily. I will stamp them to note that they have been seen. Students are required to get their parents to sign their day planners. Since there is little information on Fridays I let this day slide. It isn't a good way to start a Monday, missing recess. It would be helpful to review the day’s happenings and the requirements for the following day. Assist your child in physically crossing items off of his/her homework list. Please feel free to leave a comment or email me if there are any concerns.
Please keep birthday celebrations to the silent reading time 2:135-2:45. A quick note in your child’s day planner will keep me posted. I look forward to teaching your child. Please feel free to call or email me anytime you have concerns. You may call the school and leave a message.
Sincerely,
Miss Stewart