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"You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way." ~Marvin Minsky
"Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." ~ Gandhi
"I see, I forget. I hear, I remember. I do, I understand." ~ Chinese Proverb
Welcome Letter - This will also be mailed home in August!
8/30/11
Dear Sixth Grade Parents/Guardians,
We, as the sixth grade team, would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves, and how the sixth grade works. Miss Denomme teaches reading and language arts, Mrs. Long teaches math, Mr.Furman teaches social studies, and Mrs. Lindell teaches science.
The first week of school is incredibly busy and demanding on your time and energy. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the tidal wave of information and forms from teachers, the school nurse, the administration and others. Please keep in mind that this is short term but a vital process in introducing you and your child to the sixth grade environment. Please help us help you and your child by taking the time to read through this information and discuss it with your child.
The change from fifth grade to sixth grade is a difficult one for parents and students alike. Students must move from room to room throughout the day and planning and organization is the key to a successful year. The sixth grade team will help your child develop the very difficult and challenging role of self-discipline by:
We want all students to achieve well and to participate in all sixth grade activities, but we are serious about holding students accountable for their behavior and work. We as a team deal with behavior issues together. If a child is having a particular problem in one classroom, all of us get involved in resolving the issue. If the issue is serious enough and cannot be resolved in this manner, then a parent will be called in for a meeting. We refuse to allow individual students to take away from the learning of the class. In order to maintain order in the classroom, students are expected to follow a basic rule---RESPECT yourself, others and your surroundings. We will have a fabulous year if this simple rule is followed.
Parents will be informed if their student is having behavioral issues. We feel it is crucial for all parents/guardians to help their child succeed in sixth grade and we as a sixth grade team appreciate your involvement in resolving problematic issues. It has been our experience that students who make the most of their sixth grade year attain a level of discipline and responsibility that allows them to transition to the seventh grade more easily.
We believe that inappropriate behaviors such as interrupting, talking back, shouting out and generally breaking school rules contributes to an atmosphere that is not conducive to the learning environment.
First and foremost, we intend to have an enjoyable year with lots of hands-on lessons and hard work. The transition from fifth grade to sixth grade can be a bit overwhelming as responsibility increases. Regarding work habits and behaviors, we as a team expect a lot and have very high expectations. We expect that all students come to class prepared everyday with the appropriate materials and assignments.
Some Basic Classroom Rules for Students
1. Be On Time and Be Prepared
You must be in the room when class begins. As you enter class you will be expected to take out your homework and necessary materials and begin the “Do-Now” listed on the board. A Do-Now is a short assignment or quiz that gets the brain prepared for the lesson.
Always bring your homework, pens/pencils, sharpeners, and any other necessary materials. Failure to bring necessary materials will result in a low participation grade. Plus, we do not allow students to go to lockers between or during classes.
2. Classroom and Hallway Behavior
You are expected to have basic manners and respect for everyone at Atlantis Charter School.
o You will be asked to quietly line up for each class and transition in an orderly fashion. Since classes will be going on throughout the building, we ask that you refrain from talking.
o Upon entering the classroom go to your assigned seat and prepare for class.
o Raise your hand if you have a question and never leave your seat without permission, especially when a teacher is talking.
3. Absences and your Responsibility
The day you return to school after an absence, please report to each teacher for your make up work. Please note that you must be responsible enough to come to see us for your make up work. We will not come chasing after you. (Failure to come and see us will result in a "zero" for the assignment.) Assignments shall be made up within a certain amount of time, circumstances permitting.
If you have an early dismissal of any sort, including sporting events, see your teachers for your assignments before you leave school.
We recommend that you exchange phone numbers with students in each of your classes so that if you are absent you can call and get the assignments you missed for each class.
Success is the Goal in Sixth Grade!
Research and experience show that all students do not learn at the same rate or in the same way. To maximize student success, material will be presented using a variety of teaching strategies. Students will work independently, with a partner and in small groups. Lessons will be diverse and hands-on lessons will be frequent if behavior permits. We can have a really fun year if students give it their all. We ask that students give all assignments a chance. Resolve to learn something new and worthwhile each day. Set goals and devise a plan to attain those goals. Set a specific time and place each day for homework and study. Students can succeed in all of their courses with excellent planning skills and by developing good work and study habits.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Education is a team sport! Your teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, parents and other students are ready to work with you, help and support you. Please do not hesitate to ask for help or guidance. Use every resource available to you. You can and will succeed if you try your best!
Parental support and involvement in a child’s education is vital to the child’s success. The greatest level of student achievement is obtained when parents, teachers and child all work together. Please discuss the information contained in this letter with your child; it is important that both parents and students actively participate in the Atlantis Charter School educational experience. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us at 508-646-6410. We look forward to a great year!
Yours in Education,
The Sixth Grade Team of Teachers
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Materials Needed – Grade 6
Reading & Language Arts – most of the items below can be found at the DOLLAR STORE
o 1 inch hard cover binder – 3 ringed (this will be used in place of a notebook) - we will divide it into two parts in school– one section for reading and the other for language arts. Miss Denomme will give an instructional lesson on how to organize binders the first week of school.
o Filler paper for binder – three hole punched (preferably reinforced or rip proof). Reinforced filler paper can be found at Staples and has a thin plastic coating over the holes so they do not rip out of the binder. Often, flimsy paper that is not reinforced rips out and students end up losing important notes.
o 3 folders (three hole punched) – one for reading, one for language arts, one for graded papers (Friday folder).
o Sticky notes - to be used in reading class
Extremely helpful but not required:
o Various colored pens for note taking – blue, green, red, purple, etc.
o Scissors
o Small stapler
o Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Math
Social Studies
o 1 subject notebook
o Crayons and/or markers
Science
o 1 bound hardcover composition notebook
Materials Checklist for taking to the store – includes all items needed for sixth grade!
Many of these supplies can be found at the dollar store. Please call us or write us a note if you have difficulty finding the funds for these supplies and we will help you out! J
Amount Needed Item
o 1 1 inch three ring hardcover binder – ELA
o 1 1½ to 2 inch three ring binder - math
o 1 pack Section separators /dividers - math
o 1 pack Three whole punched graph paper- math
o 1 One subject notebook – social studies
o 1 Hardcover bound composition notebook - science
o 1 pack Three hole punched filler paper for binder – ELA
o 4 three hole punched folders – ELA and math
o 1 pack Sticky notes - ELA
o 1 Three hole punched pencil pouch with various writing supplies (pencils, pens, highlighter, sharpener, eraser) – ELA & Math
o 1 pack Crayons and/or markers – ELA and social studies
o 1 Expo markers – math
All teachers will review how to set up notebooks with the required materials the first week of school. Feel free to simply place all items in a bag and we will do the organizing together at school.
