Math and Science 6 th grade
Mrs. Gavitt, Room D112
Dear Students and Parents;
Welcome to Dorothy McElhinney Middle School! I am looking forward to an exciting and interesting year, full of challenges and rewards. As we work as a team it will be amazing to witness the progress that will occur. Our main focus will be on building our ability to work with new math and science concepts. We will also work on citizenship and positive social skills to strengthen our self-esteem and our school community.
Curriculum
Math M,W,F
Science M,T,Th
Your sixth grade math course will include Operations, Properties, Intro to Algebra, Decimals,
Number theory and Fractions, Fraction Operations, Data Collection and Analysis,
Proportional Relationships, Measurement and Geometry, Integers and Coordinate Planes,
Functions. All of this is in 10 chapters so we will have approximately 4 weeks for each one.
We will be using CPO Focus on Earth Science as our Science curriculum. We will be learning the Scientific Process, The physical Earth, Heat, Density, Buoyancy, Plate
Tectonics, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Water, Weathering, Beaches, Natural Hazards,
Resources, Ecosystems, and Biomes. There are 16 chapters so we will have about 2.3 weeks to explore each topic. We will keep a notebook for each subject and all work will be kept in the notebook throughout the year.
Grading Policies
Grades will be calculated using a weighted average. TBA
Assignments must be completed and handed in on time. We will not have extra credit.
Absences
Students are responsible for obtaining and completing missed assignments. Any missed work must be turned in by the next Monday.
Homework
Students will be assigned Math and Science homework Monday through Friday. The homework will be checked and marked for completeness and neatness. Homework is due at the beginning of class. If their assignments are complete and neat they will have a big red plus on their work if it is not complete it will have a big red minus sign.

Agenda
All students will be issued an agenda. This will be an extremely important tool for success through out the year. Homework assignments will be written on the board for students to copy into their agendas. Parents please check you student’s agenda daily for completeness. This is where you will see the plus sign or minus sign on their work. One goal will be to work towards being independent and responsible for their own work. When a student is absent they can go to the school website, click on teacher and then Gavitt to get the evenings homework.
Needed Supplies
1.
Two single subject 8 ½ by 11 inch spiral notebooks ( must be this size.)
2.
1 single subject spiral notebook for daily math warm ups.
3.
12 Pencils and Erasers
4.
Highlighter
5.
Glue stick and scotch tape
6.
Red pen
7.
Dry-erase Expo marker and mini eraser for use with white boards.
8.
3x5 index cards
9.
Colored pencils
10.Pencil sharpener (enclosed)
Extra supplies and/or classroom donations
 Scotch tape
 Pencils and erasers
 Small white boards (9X11)
 Copy paper any color
 Kleenex
 Cleaning wipes/wipies
Communication
The best way for us to stay in contact is through email. My email address is tgavitt@murrieta.k12.ca.us
. I check my email several times a day and will get back to you with in a 24 hour period. (Usually that same day.) Please DO NOT leave messages on the voice mail. Please check ABI/Aries weekly so that you may monitor progress.
Gratefully,
Mrs.Terry Gavitt

Please sign below, and have your child return this portion to me by Friday, August 15th,
2014. Your signature indicates that you have read and understand the attached pages of information.
_____________________________ _______________________________
Parent’s name (print) Student’s name (print)
_____________________________ ________________________________
Parent’s signature Student’s signature
Video Permission slip: Rated PG movies
We will be watching some PG movies this year that coincide with the curriculum.
Please check your preference below:
______ My child has permission to watch movies rated PG.
______ My child does not have permission to watch movies rated PG.
__________________________________
Parent Signature
Please return this page ONLY, keep the syllabus for future reference.