Welcome to 6th Grade Core
Jann Geyer
Room 308, WCI
What is core?
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Core is made up of three periods
during the school day.
It covers Social Studies and English
Family Concept
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Students are placed in “families” to
provide smaller, more manageable groups
of 6th grade peers. Students in a core
family share the same math teacher,
science teacher and one of two core
teachers.
Your child is in this family:
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Jann Geyer - core
Kirsti Davis- math
Mike Delnista- science
Language Arts includes
 reading,
 writing,
 spelling,
 grammar,
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punctuation, and
vocabulary development
Literature
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The Language of Literature
McDougall Littell Publisher
 Variety of Novels: Color of My
Words, Seed Folks, Boy of the Painted
Cave, Single Shard, and choice novels
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Independent reading program:
Accelerated Reader
Reading Thoughts
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Students should read each and
every day of their lives.
We know that our students who stay on
grade level read two million words a year,
including summer reading.
Reading matters.
Writing
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We write daily.
We will write narrative/memoir, an I
Search (a beginning research paper),
a traditional research paper, poetry,
editorials, non-fiction, and response
to literature.
Writing Thoughts
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Students should write everyday- in
class to show that I value it enough
to spend precious time on writing.
And at home- to explore genres and
topics outside of school
expectations.
Writing well serves people in all
walks of life.
Vocabulary and Spelling
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Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
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A formal vocabulary program that all the
Core 6 classes use. We’ll schedule one
lesson every three weeks.
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Spelling:
We'll use the Wordly Wise
words as one source of spelling words, and
student’s writing as another.
Ancient Civilizations
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Archaeology, early humans, and
early ancient civilizations of the
world: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush,
Israel, India, China, Greece, Rome.
Ancient Civilizations, Glencoe.
We also use activities from TCI,
which emphasizes multi-sensory
learning and problem solving skills.
Homework
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Homework philosophy: Homework should not be
onerous. It should involve practicing skills
learned in class.
Reading for 25 minutes is a nightly homework
assignment always. There are no exceptions.
Writing is a 15 minute nightly activity as well.
Practice makes better. It also makes it easier to
sit down and do it.
Use a timer to help reluctant readers and writers.
Grading - tests and quizzes
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Tests and quizzes: are the
assessments that give students and
teachers feedback if the material is
being studied or understood. Tests
and quizzes are graded in the
traditional way.
Grading - projects
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We have a few projects throughout
the year. They are graded on
following directions, incorporation of
lessons taught, understanding,
insight, and effort.
I often give extra credit for projects
completed for under $10.
WCI grading policy
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6th grade core classes follow the grading
guidelines for WCI.
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Attempt to turn in all work on time.
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Students are responsible for work they
miss when they are absent. They have
time to make up their work with no
penalty.
Grades
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Grades are posted approximately
every two weeks. A progress report
will be sent home mid-quarter from
the core family teachers. If you
have questions or want an update
in between, please email me with a
request.
jgeyer@wcsd.k12.ca.us
Potential Trouble Spots
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Not taking advantage of class time
provided for work
Not reading directions
Not completing homework
Not turning in work, even though it
is done.
Parents Help Students
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Read the website.
Check your student’s backpack and
planner nightly.
Set a timer for reluctant readers
and writers. Reward them for
fulfilling the time obligation.
Email me and check in for weekly
grade reports.
Parents Can Help The Classroom
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Books you no longer need in your
libraries can serve more readers
here.
If you have time and inclination,
you can help provide one on one
attention to a student in need.
Particular knowledge or skill to
share? Let’s talk.
All Core 6 Activities
(maybe due to $ and program decimation)
1. Civic Arts walking trip to pottery
studio
2. Classroom visits by an drama
specialist and fine artist
3. Greco-Roman field day at the
end of school in June
Communication
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Feel free to contact me with
questions or concerns. The best way
to reach me is by email.
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jgeyer@wcsd.k12.ca.us
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925-944-6840 x8308
Contact Information
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Jann Geyer
Room 308
jgeyer@wcsd.k12.ca.us
Homework website:
http://www.walnutcreeksd.org
AM Core 2nd,3rd, and 4th periods
PM Core 5th, 6th and 7th periods