Welcome To Our Team 2008-2009

6^th Grade Talented Talons’ Team

Team Information

Dear Parents and Students, We are excited about a new year and welcome you to our team. We are looking forward to working with you this year and would like to introduce you to our team members. The following teachers are on the Talented Talons’ Team this year: Ms. Beckman……Math Mrs. Coleman……...Social Studies Mrs. Hoover..Language Arts Mr. Zonca……..Science Mrs. Peake…….Special Ed. Mrs. Santavicca.Special Ed. We want this to be a very successful year for everyone so we would like to take this opportunity to communicate our policies and expectations to you. Please feel free to call us at any time with questions or concerns you might have. Our available conference time at school is from 1:08 to 2:02. You can also call us after school at 2:31.

MATERIALS NEEEDED · 1 red, fine marker · 1 set of colored pencils · Pencils (required on all assignments) · Blue/black pens (special use) · 1 3-ring 1” binders for papers in language arts · 2 boxes of Kleenex given to first hour teacher · 1 protractor and 1 compass for home use. · Book covers for all books · 2 pocket folder for writing · Hand sanitizer given to first hour teacher. · 8 tab dividers for language arts notebook · Loose leaf paper for binders 10 pocket folders with 3-hole center tab

GRADING SCALE Our team will follow the grading scale as outlined below: 100.1………..A+ 92……………A 90……………A- 87……………B+ 83……………B 80……………B- 77……………C+ 73……………C 70……………C- 67……………D+ 63……………D 60……………D- 59……..….....E

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SILENT READING

We strongly believe that reading is the key to education. For that reason we suggest that students have a silent reading book with them at all times so they may use it when finished with their class work. This will be required every Wednesday in advisory for group silent reading time.

CLASS RULES

We believe each child is capable of improvement and we look forward to helping each child reach his/her potential. In order to create an environment where learning can take place, the following rules have been developed and will be enforced in our classrooms:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

2. Keep hands, feet, objects, and negative comments to yourself.

3. Come to class prepared with textbook, notebook, assignment book and pencil.

4. Be in your seat when class is to begin.

5. Respect the rights of others.

HOMEWORK Homework is due on the assigned day. We expect that students will maintain a daily planner. For parents, this homework log is a vehicle for you to keep informed as to what your child is doing in school, as well as a way of seeing if there is any assigned homework, upcoming tests/quizzes, etc. Homework is unavoidable. We will monitor the amount given and make every attempt to limit it. We will also try not to schedule more than one test on any given day, however please understand that circumstances may require more than one test in any given week.

Note From Mrs. Hoover

Language Arts

As we begin a new school year I would like to give you some information on what your child will be doing as a part of the language arts program in 6^th grade. Listed below are some things that your child will be involved in this year.

Look for progress reports that are given to students on Monday. They will tell what is missing and what their grade is at that point. Students will have till that Friday to get the missing work in for credit. After that it will not be accepted for credit. All long term assignments are due on the assigned day, if one day late it will receive half credit.

SPELLING -Students will be doing worksheets on their weekly words and taking pretests and posttests of the weekly words. The pretest will be given on Monday. If a student is absent on Monday, they will not be able to take the pretest and will take the posttest on Friday. There will be no book for spelling. Words will be handed out every Friday.

READING Students will be reading stories from The Language of Literature , their 6^th grade reading book as well as novels. They will be taking vocabulary and comprehension quizzes and tests. Book reports and various projects will be assigned. Students will be given a rubric and guidelines for each written report assigned. All students are required to read out of the classroom for at least two hours each week. Students are to fill in the “Reading Log” and get a parent signature and bring it back by Friday, every two weeks. This is a required assignment each week, but will only be collected every two weeks for 20 points.

WRITING -Students will be writing in journals daily as well as many other types of writing during the year. We will be using a book entitled, Language Network for both writing and English. They will also be using a “Writer’s Notebook” to write all their ideas etc. We will be involved in the Writing Workshop.

ENGLISH -Students will be working on various parts of speech and incorporating the knowledge they gain into their writing. Grammar tests will be given.

GRADING POLICY

Your child will be graded on how well the above activities are done.

25% of grade is based on quizzes and tests

25% of grade is based on worksheets (daily work and homework). Also, the “Reading Logs”

to be brought back to school Friday, every two weeks.

25% of grade is based on book reports, projects, writing activities, journals, etc.

25% of grade is based on spelling tests and spelling worksheets

No grade below a c- will be given to any student who has turned in all completed assignments for the trimester.

HOMEWORK POLICY

When an assignment is given it is due on the assigned day. When an assignment is two weeks late it will not be accepted for credit. At the end of the second week, it will receive zero credit. If a child is absent he/she will have as many days as they were absent to complete the work and turn it in without a penalty in their grade. However, students need to check the absent file upon return to school to get their work. Each child will receive a grade report every Monday telling them their grade and the papers missing from the previous week, they have till Friday to get those papers in. After that they will receive a zero. I understand family emergencies do come up preventing students from completing their homework. When this happens, just send a note of explanation with your child and I will allow extra time to complete the assignment.

Teacher Contact Information Ms. Beckman bbeckman@admin.linden.k12.mi.us 591-0747 Mrs. Coleman dcoleman@admin.linden.k12.mi.us 591-0746 Mrs. Hoover vhoover@admin.linden.k12.mi.us 591-0742 Mr. Zonca jzonca@admin.linden.k12.mi.us 591-0776 Mrs. Santavicca ksantavi@admin.linden.k12.mi.us 591-0777 Mrs. Peake jpeake@admin.linden.k12.mi.us 591-0748 Please feel free to contact us at anytime. If we are busy we will contact you as soon as we can.	PARENT WEB Please check the parent web for homework given each day and your child’s grades. We will post homework every day to try to keep parents informed regarding homework given. Students and parents may access daily homework by first pulling up the Linden Community Schools website www.lindenschools.org and then clicking on parent web. Next, enter the student’s ID and pin number which is the last four digits of your child’s social security number. This will take you to the student’s schedule that will indicate whether there is or is not homework in each class.
	EXPECTATIONS Students are expected to be respectful to themselves and others. Students are expected to be honest and truthful. Students are expected to come prepared. Extra materials will not be handed out during class. Homework needs to be completed before class. Students must actively participate in class. This means taking notes, and trying sample problems. Students must also ask questions when clarification is needed. We are always here to help students.
PARENT EMAILS? If you have an email address, could you please send it in so we may contact you if needed. Thank you. Student Name_________________________________________________________ Parent Email Address___________________________________________________