Sixth Grade
Guidebook for
Success
2014-2015
Sixth Grade Guidebook for Success
Welcome to sixth grade! We hope to make this year a successful one as your child begins to
prepare for middle school. In order to make this transition as smooth as possible, we have
adopted many of the same policies as the local middle schools. The policies we plan to follow
are outlined below through a question/answer format. We have also included many common
questions regarding sixth grade.
1. What is the behavior policy?
All sixth grade teachers have the same basic behavioral expectations. Students are
accountable for their behavior in all of their classes, ESC, on the playground, and in
assemblies. For inappropriate behavior, students will be asked to sign their
accountability chart and be given opportunities to reflect on behavior improvement.
Consequences for serious behavioral concerns will involve the principal, teacher,
student, and parents.
2. What is detention in 6th grade?
If a student‘s behavior impedes the learning process or he/she breaks school rules, that
student will be required to attend after-school detention. This detention will usually
occur in the afternoons from 2:30-3:00. Should your child receive a detention, you will
be notified of the details before the detention occurs.
3. Who are the 6th grade teachers and how will my student know their schedule?
The 6th grade team of teachers consists of Mrs. Fisher, Ms. Hodges, Mrs. Kufahl, Mrs.
Parker, and Miss Zanetti. Students will be given a schedule at the beginning of the year
indicating their daily routine.
4. How much homework will be assigned?
Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday and on some Fridays. Students are
responsible for writing down their homework from each of their teachers each day. The
district policy regarding homework is approximately 60 minutes of homework per night
when calculated over the course of a week. Outside of school activities will not be
accepted as an excuse for missing homework. It is the student’s responsibility to
communicate missing assignments to his/her parents. If incomplete or missing work
becomes a consistent problem, a consequence will be given.
5. What if my child forgets his/her homework at home the day it is due?
Homework assignments are used to reinforce important concepts taught throughout the
school day. Parents will be able to see if a student has missed homework assignments
by checking his/her accountability chart. By enforcing this policy, our objective is to
teach students responsibility, organization, and good work habits. Although homework
is not included in a student’s content grade, homework completion will be reflected in a
student’s effort grade.
Please note: Students will not be allowed to call home to have parents bring late work
to school or band instruments. Notes from parents will not be accepted to excuse late
work unless there is a family emergency or an illness.
6. What if my child is absent due to illness or a vacation?
If a student misses school due to illness or vacation, work will be saved during the time
he/she is out and given to the student upon their return. As per our district policy, class
work and homework will not be given out prior to the day a student is absent, and the
student will be given the same amount of time he/she was out to complete the work.
For example, if a student is on vacation for four days he or she will have four days to
complete the work upon his or her return. We strongly advise keeping up to date using
the website or a fellow classmate while your child is away from school.
7. Is there a website that I can go to for information about 6th grade?
Yes! Each sixth grade teacher has a class website. You can access the teacher websites
by visiting the Ocean Air school website at http://www.dmusd.org/Domain/12. From
there, please visit the Class Pages tab.
8. Is there an expectation about the quality of work accepted?
Yes. All work must be done neatly in pencil or typed. Paper of non-standard size or
color, and otherwise messy papers will be returned to the student to be redone.
9. How often will we see graded or corrected student work?
Each Wednesday, students will bring home a folder filled with important information
from the office, teachers, and the PTA. The majority of district-approved handouts will
be posted online at www.dmusd.org. In addition, we will send home your child’s
completed work in the folder. Some graded tests will be sent home either in the
Wednesday folder or separately for a parent signature. These signed tests will be stored
in your child’s portfolio and possibly reviewed at conferences. Please empty the folder
and return it each Thursday morning.
Please note: We keep some student work inside the student’s notebooks/workbooks so
they may use it as a resource in class or for homework. Thus, your Wednesday folder
may not be as full as it has been in past years.
10. Are there extra credit opportunities?
Extra credit opportunities in 6th grade are rare and are given at the teacher’s discretion.
The best strategy to maintain good grades is to study for all tests and quizzes and turn in
quality work the first time around.
11. How will my child be graded?
As we continue to implement the Common Core curriculum, the district will be using
standards-based report cards. Students will be graded on a scale of exceeds grade-level
expectations (E), secure and meets grade-level expectations (S), developing steadily
towards grade-level expectations (D), or beginning to progress toward grade-level
expectations (B).
12. Can parents volunteer?
The sixth grade teachers use parent volunteers for a variety of jobs, in and out of the
classroom. At our Back-to-School Night, parents will receive information for volunteer
opportunities based on interest, comfort, and availability. Each parent will be contacted
to finalize a schedule.
13. When it is my child’s birthday, can he/she bring in birthday treats?
No. Instead of bringing in treats on a student’s birthday, we allow students to bring in a
non-food item of their choosing for everyone in the class. Examples would include
pencils, erasers, stickers, etc. Why? California State Policy 5030, “The Wellness
Policy”, which was put in effect July 2006, limits treats in the classroom, whether it be
for birthdays, rewards, or holidays. If your child would like to bring in a small item for
their birthday, please send it with them to school in the morning.
14. What is the best way to communicate with my child’s teacher?
Information on projects, assignments, news, and announcements will typically go home
in your child’s planner, Wednesday folders, or via the website. Any questions related to
a specific subject should be directed to the teacher instructing in that subject area.
Communication regarding specific student concerns will be dealt with through phone
calls or email. If you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please
contact the front office. Please note that generally teachers are not able to respond to
emails during the school day and will respond within a 24 hour business day.
Report cards and parent teacher conferences are on the following dates:
November 17th – 21st
March 9th – 13th
Sign-ups for the November conferences will be available on the sixth grade website. In
the event a parent misses his/her conference, a copy of the child’s report card will be
sent home the following day. The week of parent/teacher conferences are minimum
days. Students are required to attend the conferences with their parents.
15. What is the sixth grade curriculum?
Reading
Students will read novels through literature circles and whole-class instruction. Each
week, students will complete reading activities both at home and in class. Some of the
books we may read this year include The Cay, The Golden Goblet, Freak the Mighty,
and Among the Hidden. We may also use the Houghton Mifflin Reading curriculum. In
addition, students will be reading a variety of poems, non-fiction articles, and short
stories.
Writing
We will be using the Nancy Fetzer writing program as well as other various resources.
Students will be required to write in all curricular areas. Essays, journals, letters, notes,
and stories will provide opportunities for students to further develop solid writing skills.
We will focus on narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing. Students
will be expected to produce a minimum of five-paragraph essays with a strong thesis
statement and supporting details.
Math
Our district will be using a variety of resources to support instruction in sixth grade
including a supplemental math program called Connected Mathematics Project 3
(CMP3).
Science
Our science curriculum utilizes both textbooks and interactive labs to create a dynamic
science learning experience. Students will focus on the following earth science
components: ecology, energy, resources, plate tectonics, and erosion and deposition.
The students will attend a science ESC class throughout the year to perform extensive
labs.
Social Studies
A rich curriculum about ancient civilizations will be studied in social studies this year.
We will begin with early humans and continue to learn about the early civilizations of
Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Greece, and Rome.
Extended Studies Classes
The ESC curriculum includes art, technology, science, music, and PE.
16. When is Sixth Grade Camp?
Sixth grade students will attend camp from October 13th – 17th at Camp Cuyamaca.
Information about camp will be available in the coming weeks.
Please note: Students not attending camp must still attend school each day. They will
be given work to complete in another classroom.
Thank you for your cooperation with the sixth grade guidelines. Please sign the last page of this
packet and return it to school by Thursday, August 28th. This packet will then stay in your
child’s binder in case you need to refer to it throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Cinzia Fisher
Room 506
(858) 481-4040 Ext. 3906
cfisher@dmusd.org
Erical Kufahl
Room 702
(858) 481-4040 Ext. 3992
ebell@dmusd.org
Allison Hodges
Room 505
(858) 481-4040 Ext. 3905
ahodges@dmusd.org
Maria Parker
Room 501
(858)481-4010 Ext. 3901
mparker@dmusd.org
Rafaela Zanetti
Room 502
(858) 481 – 4040 Ext. 3902
rzanetti@dmusd.org
We have read the attached guidebook and understand the sixth grade expectations and policies.
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Student Name
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Student Signature
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Parent Name
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Parent Signature