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Welcome to Back-to-School Night!!!!
6th grade – Mrs. Shiffman & Mrs. Gorman
Jack London Elementary
September 2009
Dear Sixth Grade Families,
Welcome to Back to School Night. The school year is under way, and we are thrilled to have your child in our classroom.
This packet has brief explanations of classroom policies, procedures and curriculum. It is meant to be a reference for you and your child. Please send the tear strip back when you have read through it with your child, but keep the packet for a reference. If you have any questions or comments after you have looked more closely at it, please call.
If you need to get in touch with us, the best way to do that is by e-mail (Mrs. Shiffman: cshiffma@pousd.k12.ca.us and Mrs. Gorman: lgorman@pousd.k12.ca.us).
A note about your teachers: Your child has the benefit of working with two teachers this year. We are job sharing 50% so we will both be working closely with you. Mrs. Gorman will be in the classroom every Monday and Tuesday and Mrs. Shiffman every Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays are our flex days and we will switch each week.
Mrs. Shiffman: This is my eigth year in the Piner-Olivet district. I taught 6th grade at Schaefer for two years. Then went to POCS where I taught English and History for two years. This is my fourth year at Jack London where I’ve taught a 5th and 6th grade. I have been working with children for 15 years in many walks of life and continue to enjoy every moment of it. My goal is to make learning fun. My teaching philosophy stems from my own learning experiences. I learned best when I didn’t even know I was learning. My favorite class was 12th grade physics. Ms. Dixon took difficult topics and made them fun and tangible. Still to this day I can remember studying gravity by dropping eggs off the roof. Beginning in 9th grade everyone looked forward to taking Ms. Dixon’s physic’s class. I hope to have the same effect on my students.
When I’m not working I enjoying spending time with my 3yr. old twin sons and my loving husband of eight years. I enjoy reading, listening to music, resting when I can and watching life through children’s eyes.
Mrs. Gorman: This is my 19th year of teaching in the district. My first position was in 3rd grade at Olivet, and then I moved to Piner where I taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. My first experience with 6th grade came five years ago when I came to Jack London. I have enjoyed every grade that I have taught with each one offering new and exciting insights into student learning and curriculum. At home I enjoy spending time with my husband and my growing family. I have three grown sons who are married giving me wonderful daughters-in-law. I have one grandson and four granddaughters. I also love to read, cook, visit all around beautiful
We are looking forward to working with you and your son/daughter this year. We have planned an intensive (and fun!) program to help your child improve in reading, writing and math. This program focuses on the basics your child will need in order to be successful, which is why it is important to be on time and at school everyday. Each day will focus on lessons and activities that are designed to help your child meet grade level standards and exit skills.
Curriculum: Our job as teachers is to prepare your child for life while building on prior concepts and teaching new ones. This year we will focus on reading strategies, comprehension skills, math concepts, spelling and vocabulary, 6th grade ancient civilizations, science, social skills training and much more.
Language Arts Groups: Your child has been placed in a leveled group based on performance ability, learning styles and test scores. Within these groups your child will be working with students who are at a similar level. Assignments are individualized to best assist your child. Every child will be focusing on the same concepts. These small groups allow the students to receive the individual attention they need and allow us the opportunity to assess the needs of each student.
Math Groups: We have a new math program this year. All 6th graders will be working in the same book and on the same concepts. Pacing many vary between the classes.
Homework Policy: The district policy states that students will have homework that would take the average student two to four hours per week to complete. Homework in our class usually consists of the following:
- Completing work begun in class.
- Reading—210 minutes a week.
**Reading Logs need to be initialed by the parent and returned to school each Monday.**
- Weekly paragraph journals, assigned each Friday due the following Thursday.
- Math is assigned every night and due the next day.
- Spelling is begun in class on Mondays and due on Fridays.
- Special projects/assignments that have been started in class but are to be done mainly at home.
- Periodically a Science current event and book report are assigned and due the following month, see the attached forms.
Note: Students who have a difficult time completing work on a regular basis are encouraged to ask for help. If work completion continues to be a problem, a detention and/or conference may occur.
Grading Policy:
Assignments are graded on a point/percentage system. Assignments are given a number of points possible depending on the weight of the assignment.
90%--completed on time, above and beyond assignment requirements
80%--completed on time, neatly completed
70%--completed on time, with 70-80% accuracy (in most cases, correction of errors is required)
60%--completed on time, less than 70% accuracy (many errors)
50%--turned in late
Some in-class practice assignments are graded based on the amount of effort your child puts forth.
Excellent Great Job Okay Minimal Effort Not attempted
Larger assignments and projects are assigned more points or a letter grade. These will receive half credit if turned in late unless special arrangements are made.
Tests are graded by percentages.
Classroom participation and attitude are considered for final trimester grades.
Home-School Communication:
Your child has an agenda (student plan book) that is completed every day in class with the teacher. This is the place where students write down assignments and due dates. This is also the place where parents can write notes to the teacher. The agenda should be checked nightly and signed. Agendas are checked daily in class.
Monday folders will go home each Monday and will contain district fliers, permission slips, bi-monthly newsletters and other important notices. Please check, initial and return.
Weekly reports will go home every other week on Mondays, and they are due back, signed by a parent or guardian, on Wednesday. Your child’s weekly report will be an assessment of his/her behavior and work habits during the week.
Vacation and special days away from school: Please notify us in advance of vacations or trips during school time. An Independent Study contract needs to be signed if a student will be gone 5 days or more. Students who are absent for trips less than 5 days or for other non-excused reasons are considered truant.
Classroom Management: High standards have been set for your child as far as academics AND behavior are concerned. We have many goals to meet this year, so expectations are high!!!!
By now you should have read and signed the policies that outline our classroom agreements, consequences and rewards, and homework expectations
Classroom Agreements:
BE RESPECTFUL- Respect the people, equipment and school
BE RESPONSIBLE -Come to class prepared, follow directions the first time they are given, adjust your voice level to suit the activity
BE SAFE-Consider your safety and the safety of others, including being careful of others’ feelings
BE KIND—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
Following the Classroom Agreements helps our students build a safe, friendly and productive community of learners.
Consequences for Breaking the Agreements:
First time: Verbal warning
Second time: Notes in the agenda and/or calls home to inform and for parent input
Third time: Time out from class activities and/or recess
Fourth time: Student conference with a teacher and/or other students
Violence or severe disruptions: Student sent immediately to the office
We also have individual and group reward systems in place. The students receive yips and paws that they can turn in for a weekly, school-wide drawing. The class can also earn points to earn a party.
One of our main goals is to keep your child motivated, interested, enthused and excited by their progress. We plan to do this through incentives, activities and positive reinforcement. We hope you will join us as partners through your child’s educational journey.
This packet of information should cover general classroom organization. Again, please keep this information, along with forthcoming newsletters, as a reference guide for you and your child.
We are looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Please be sure to contact us when you have any questions or concerns about your child.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Shiffman and Linda Gorman
A Sample Schedule:
SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8:30 AND ENDS AT 2:35
(Minimum days end at 12:40)
8:30-8:35 Settle In (hot lunch, attendance, turn in homework)
8:35-9:00 Dailies, Vocabulary, Editing practice, Journals
9:00-10:15 Math groups
10:20-10:40 Recess
10:40-12:00 Language Arts
Literature Circles
Vocabulary
Writing/Grammar
Spelling
Handwriting
Centers
12:00-12:40 Teacher Read Alouds
12:40-1:20 Lunch
1:20-1:45 Self Selected Silent Reading/Read Aloud/Study Hall
1:45-1:55 Agendas
1:55-2:30 Social Studies/Science (We alternate by themes)
2:35 School is out
P.E. time: TBD
Computer Lab: TBD
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Child’s Name____________________________________________________
I have read, understood and discussed the Back to School Packet with my child.
Parent signature_______________________________________________
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