Late Bloomers
Some children have a more difficult time achieving in
school. In many cases, these children are “late bloomers”.
Many important people have had rough beginnings, yet
have persevered, and have gone on to greatness.
• Beethoven’s music teacher said that as a
composer, he was hopeless.
• Edison’s teacher told him he was unable to
learn.
• Einstein couldn’t speak until the age of 4, and
couldn’t read until the age of 7.
• Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor
because he “had no good ideas”.
• Henry Ford was once evaluated as “showing no
promise”.
• Isaac Newton’s work in elementary school was
rather poor.
WELCOME TO CURRICULUM
NIGHT
Debbie Bonacci
Kevin Lavin
Dianne Sato
Language Arts- presented by
Dianne Sato
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Comprehensive Literacy
***Reading, Writing, Word Study
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The Solon City Schools district policy- Differentiation
– Whole group
– Small group
– Individually
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Independent reading book-Must be in school EVERYDAY
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Reading logs: on-line with biweekly summary
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3 on rubric is end of year goal.
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Vocabulary emphasis
Research for Reading
• Correlational studies
• The major finders were:
– The amount of reading is related to their
reading achievement.
– Reading at home = higher achievement
Reading Benefits
Achievement percentile
Minutes of reading
per day
Words per year
th
10
1.6
51,000
th
50
12.9
601,000
th
90
40.4
2,357,000
Math- presented by Kevin Lavin
• Curriculum is the text
• Grade is based on the child’s level of
understanding
• Focus is on:
– Problem-solving
– Developing new ways of thinking
– Building connections & explaining
their thinking
Math- continued
• Cooperative learning is key
• Interacting and communicating with team
members enlightens the group to different
perspectives
• Problems can be solved in
multiple ways
• Every child has something
important to share
Math- continued
• The teacher is there to support, not dictate
information
• We want to develop the child’s ability to
think and investigate for him/herself
• Topics are continuously revisited (spiral)
and connected
• Success= active participation
and new, deeper understanding
of math
Math- continued
• CPM has created a multitude of resources
for you, as parents, to utilize
– Homework help
– Parent guide
– Extra practice
• Find these and more at cpm.org!
P2: Use words and symbols to describe numerical and geometric patterns,
rules and functions.
Question #
Possible Point Value
18
1
19
2
20
1
21
1
22
1
23
1
Earned Point Value
Level of Understanding for P2 concepts:
Full
Most
Some
Little
None
Science-presented by Debbie
Bonacci
Guided Inquiry Approach
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Cells
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Rocks
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Energy
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Minerals
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Soil
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Matter
Assessments in science:
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Process labs
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Application worksheets (formative)
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Final unit (summative)
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Vocabulary knowledge is necessary to answer application type
questions.
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We are alternating science and social studies units throughout the
year.
Binder is needed for class-no textbook
Please pick up assessment schedule on the table in my room.
Social Studies-presented by
Debbie Bonacci
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6th Grade Social Studies Curriculum
World Geography
Ancient River Civilizations
West Asia- RELIGIONS (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism)
Africa- GOVERNMENTS
East Asia- ECONOMICS
Europe
Australia
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Please share personal experiences at home/school
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MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS:
Loose leaf paper
1 binder
Books are provided in class for certain units
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Many projects done in class using technology. Learning is a group effort!
Achievement Tests and District
Assessments- Kevin Lavin
• Reading Achievement Test: April 29th
• Math Achievement Test: April 30th
• Test scores follow students to SMS.
• Avoid making appointments on these days.
• Common Assessments- Must be signed by a parent/guardian
• Formative Assessments: (exit slip/entrance slip)- a type of in class
“quiz” given to check each child’s understanding along the way.
These provide information as to who needs intervention/enrichment.
Great idea to use to study for assessments.
Success Criteria/Learning Targets
Debbie Bonacci
• state indicators for 6th grade
• terrific study tool for the assessment
• found in the binder for each subject
• filled out by the student
Grading- Dianne Sato
• Rubrics are used to grade writing.
(Mechanics, Expository, Narrative,
Persuasive)
• Reading is a letter grade- based on
evidence from the midterm and quarterly
assessments.
• Science and Social Studies and Math are
letter grades based on the grading
guidelines-not a percentage grade.
Homework/FIS- Debbie Bonacci
• Practice
• No more than an hour a night
• Use the agenda
• Posted on website
• Homework is lighter on the weekends.
• A homework DROP SPOT is a great idea.
• Students are discouraged from calling
home to bring in forgotten items-SORRY!
Team Discipline -Debbie Bonacci
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Team Rules
I keep hands, feet, and objects to myself.
I bring appropriate materials to class.
I raise my hand and wait to be called on.
I follow directions the first time given.
I keep classroom materials in the proper place, in an orderly fashion.
School Rules
BE PROMPT
Be POLITE
BE PREPARED
BE PRODUCTIVE
Rewards
Positive note home, Call home, Chip in jar, Prize bin, Luncheon, Quiet ball, Sent to Mrs.
Minneard or Mrs. Firehammer for a positive meeting
Be sure to look at the behavior checklist each
week as you sign your child’s agenda.
(Signatures are due on Monday-or first day of week.)
Snack Time is during Independent
Reading from
12:10-12:50. Please send a healthy
snack!
Activity Period•
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Dianne Sato
Every morning from 8:45-9:25
3 days a week students are in
band/choir/orchestra/study hall (combination)
2 days a week in homeroom (students will be
reading, doing curriculum work, extending learning, etc.)
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Please ask your child for his or her
schedule
If you need to make appointments-this
time is the best, rather than during
rotations
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Due to the limited number of conference spots
available at OMS, a first round of conference letters
will be sent to parents of students we need to see in
October. A second round of conference letters will be
sent to all others who we may not need to see at this
time, but who may still wish to schedule a conference
with teachers. As always, conferences occur at OMS
year-round. If you need to arrange a conference at any
time during the school year, please contact the OMS
Guidance Office.