Welcome
 It is a new year with lots of changes.
 We will all work together this year to make it a positive
and successful transition.
 Communication, responsibility, and effort are essential
elements for your child’s success.
MAJOR DIFFERENCES FROM 5th GRADE:
 Increase in amount and type of homework
 Increased expectations for organizational skills
Meet the Teachers
 Jennifer Neel

Math
 Susan Nielsson


Literature
Composition
 Robin Thoman


Social Studies
Science
Jennifer Neel
 Common Core Math 6 and Common Core Math 6 PLUS
 Math class challenges students to develop, communicate,
and analyze mathematical reasoning using many different
tools
 There are a variety of instructional strategies used
including direct instruction, open-ended problem solving,
project-based learning, investigations and hands-on
learning
The 5 Domains of Common Core Math 6
 Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts




and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.
The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of
multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions; multiply
and divide multi-digit numbers and find common factors and
multiples; apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to
the system of rational numbers.
Expressions and Equations: Apply and extend previous
understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions; reason about
and solve one-variable equations and inequalities; represent and
analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and
independent variables.
Geometry: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving
area, surface area, and volume.
Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical
variability; summarize and describe distributions
The 5 Domains of Common Core Math 6 PLUS
 Common Core Math 6 PLUS is a compacted course
that contains all of the Common Core Math 6
standards in addition to a portion of select Common
Core Math 7 standards.
 Students analyze proportional relationships and use
them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
 Students solve real-life and mathematical problems
involving angle and measure.
Student Criteria for Eligibility Into
Common Core Math 6 PLUS
Summative Data
Grades
Teacher Observations
The student scored a 3 or 4
on their 5th grade EOG.
The student has received As
and Bs on the majority of
assessments in their 5th
grade math class (tests and
quizzes).
The student consistently
masters new math content
after a few repetitions.
The student has an EVAAS
probability proficiency of
80% or greater for passing
Math I.
The student retains and can
build on previous taught
math concepts
 EVAAS is a computer program owned by SAS Institute- a Cary-based, privately-held
corporation that develops and sells specialized software for a variety of
industries. EVAAS uses all available end-of-grade testing data for every student. Based
on past test performance, EVAAS establishes a predicted score for each student. One
score that is generated is a probability proficiency which determines the anticipated score
each student might receive in Math I (formerly Algebra I) based on their prior test
history.
Susan Nielsson
 Literature and Composition
 Literature is an exploration of poetry, historical fiction,
realistic fiction, nonfiction, short stories and author
studies.
 Literature class is a combination of individual and
group activities, book clubs and projects.
 Composition class is rich in grammar and writing
instruction. Students are encouraged to find their
individual voice through the writing of journals,
poetry and biographical vignettes.
Robin Thoman
 Science and Social Studies
 Both science and social studies classes are rich in the
use informational text.
 Science class is filled with laboratory experiences,
hands on projects, and field investigations. New
information is presented through discovery,
informational text, and guided notes .
 Social Studies involves investigation of new
information through dramatizations, individual and
group projects, and reading informational text
followed by a collaborative, intellectual dialogue.
Fine Arts
$5 Fine Arts Fee
Next year 6th graders will have Fine Arts in an elective based format once a week. At the
beginning of the semester 6th grade students will choose two electives (art, music or drama
based electives) per quarter. Students will fill out a form and take it home to be signed by
parents the first week of school. A syllabus will be given in the 1st week of classes with
supplies and classroom expectations. Students should expect to have homework in Fine Arts
classes.
Sample class offerings:
Intermediate Drawing and
Painting
Introduction to Animation
Fun with Ancient Art
Stage Combat
Introduction to Shakespeare
Percussion Ensemble
Film Score Studies
Fine Arts
 Drama Club is offered as an extracurricular activity
 Band and Chorus are offered as a before school enrichment
class
 Fine Arts Extravaganza (tentative date March 11th and 12th)
Please see the Fine Arts webpage for information on behavior
expectations, curriculum information, quarterly newsletters,
and important dates and events. Feel free to e-mail the Fine
Arts team at finearts@endeavorcharter.com with any
questions you may have.
Our Daily Schedule
8:20-8:45
8:45-9:00
9:00-9:50
9:50-10:40
10:40-11:10
11:10-11:35
11:40-12:30
12:30-1:20
1:25-2:15
2:15-3:05
Homeroom
Morning Meeting
Core 1
Core 2
Recess
Lunch
Core 3
Core 4
Core 5
Core 6
Lunch Coverage
 Recess 10:40-11:10
 Lunch 11:10-11:40
You can sign up for lunch with your homeroom parent.
PLEASE try to join us for at least 3 lunches per quarter.
This helps make coverage equitable for all families . If
we do not have coverage, YOUR child may not get to
meet with us if needed, we may not get to do other
important things during this time, and you will miss out
on a great chance to volunteer and come see your middle
school child in their natural habitat. ☺
Communication/Conferences
• Email! We return emails promptly and professionally. Contact us anytime
for questions, clarification, or concerns.
**Please do not rely solely on a student’s account for complete information.
• Conferences are typically scheduled by request
** Most conferences are a “team approach” meaning more than one core teacher
may be present.
• Newsletters will be posted bi-monthly on our website. Please read all the
information written in these newsletters as this is the best way to
communicate all the WONDERFUL things that are occurring throughout
the year.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
● Behavior affects learning. We foster the best learning environment possible
for all students.
● We encourage and reward positive behavior and expect students to be:
Prepared with ALL materials
Polite &Respectful to all adults and peers
Engaged in learning and on task during class
● Multiple or excessive class disruptions will result in at recess detention for
the day.
● Detention held before and after school will be reserved for major infractions
● We want students to make the BEST choices, take responsibility, and learn
from their mistakes.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
Parents are notified of late or missed assignments through
amessagefromyour6thgrader@gmail.com.
Late work policy for homework - students will receive a
zero, but need to complete the work for partial credit. There
is a 10% deduction per day for late work.
Failure to complete assignments is not an option. Students
should complete all assigned work.
Make Up Work Policy
● If your child is absent or plans to be absent, he or she
will need to ask each teacher for make-up work upon
returning to school.
● Each teacher has designated folders for students to get
make up work, and it is the student’s responsibility
to get the work.
● Websites are updated weekly, but asking a teacher
is best.
Grading Breakdown
Homework 15%
Classwork 15%
Quizzes and minor projects 30%
Tests and major projects 40%
Special Events
 Carolina Tiger Rescue
 Festival of the Ancients
 Space Camp
 Renaissance Faire
 Spring Art and Music Extravaganza
 Winter Concert
 Day of Reading, Math, and Writing
When in doubt….
Please contact us through e-mail or by calling the school
office at 919 848-0333
jneel@endeavorcharter.com
snielsson@endeavorcharter.com
rthoman@endeavorcharter.com
Can’t wait to see YOU next year!
…and here’s what you need to bring!
Binder Organization
Individual Student Materials
Loose leaf paper
Flash drive (2 GB or larger – on a lanyard)
1 Purple 3-ring binder for Fine Arts (1 inch)
1 package of pencils
3 Clear view 3-ring binders (1 inch)
1 composition notebook (yellow)
1 Green single subject spiral notebook
1 composition notebook (your favorite color or
design )
6 Two pocket 3-hole punched plastic folders
(blue, green, black, red, yellow, purple)
A pencil pouch or box
An individual pencil sharpener that can be
emptied
1 Graphing Calculator (TI-83+, TI-84+ or TI-84+
Silver)
Classroom Shared Supplies
1 package of clear heavy duty page
protectors
1 bottle of white out
Glue sticks
Post It notes
Adult scissors (optional)
3 packs of index cards (2 lined, 1 unlined)
2 green pens, 2 purple pens (not markers)
1 box of tissues (prefer the square box
due to storage issues)
Colored pencils
1 container of hand sanitizer
1 pack of markers (please wait for $1 sale
at Target/Wal- Mart)
Disinfectant wipes/cleaner, such as the
Method brand found at Target or Lowes
Foods (it cannot contain a “Keep out of
reach of children”label)
1 pack of highlighters
4 black sharpies (2 fine point, 2 ultra-fine
point)
1” x 2 5/8” Copier Label Stickers
School Fees
 Agenda = $3.32
 DGP = $5.34
 DRP = $5.34
 Fine Arts Fee = $5.00