Welcome- 6 Green
“Education is not preparation for life;
education is life itself.”
-John Dewey
Team Teachers
Mr. Allen - Math and Science
 Phone:716-492-9300 Ext. 2205

E-mail: wallen@pioneercsd.org
Miss Schaper- ELA and Social Studies
 Phone: 716-492-9300 Ext. 2203
 E-mail: aschaper@pioneercsd.org



Mr. Setter- ELA and Math Resource
E-mail: dsetter@pioneercsd.org
Mrs. Rickerson – Paraprofessional
The Common Core Standards
for ELA and Math






Are aligned with college and work
expectations;
Are clear, understandable, and consistent
Include rigorous content and application
of knowledge through high-order skills
Build on strengths and lessons of current
state standards
Were prepared in conjunction with other
top-performing countries, so that all
students are prepared to succeed in a
global economy and society
Are evidence-based.
2015-2016
Module Implementation for ELA

NYS has introduced “Module” units as a way of successfully implementing
all of the Common Core Shifts.

A “Module” is an 8 week unit of study which incorporates a fictional text
and several corresponding informational texts.

These “Modules” stress high-level analysis and text dissection.

In other words, this work will be extremely challenging and require
persistence in the classroom and at home.

Content areas will begin applying these modules this year.

These modules emphasize rigor, complex informational texts, close
reading, and analytical response to literature.

In addition to the Module, ELA classrooms will continue with the Reading
and Writing Workshop Philosophy, maintaining a focus on student
accountability.
Weekly Responsibilities
 Reading Log – 100 minutes every week
after school. Requires a signature and will
be graded every Friday.
 Reading Response Journal – One written
response is due every Friday. The prompt
will be given on Monday to ensure enough
time to complete.
Reading Log
6th Grade Reading Log for____________________________________ Date_________________________
6th graders are expected to complete 100 minutes of independent reading each week.
This can be achieved by reading 100 minutes in one day or any combination that adds up to 100 minutes.
Students may read their choice of books for this assignment. Reading logs need to be turned in on Friday
with a parent/guardian signature.
Date
Title
Minutes Read
Pages Read
Parent Signature
ELA Workshop
 Miss
Schaper -60 minute blocks
 Workshop
model includes students
reading books within their individual
reading levels as well as Module texts.
 Writing
instruction includes conferencing
and setting and meeting writing goals.
 Book
baggies will be coming home!
ELA - A quick glance at the year
 September/October – Reading Unit – The Lightning Thief
 November – Writing Unit – Narrative – stories from our
own lives
 December – February – Reading Unit – Bud, Not Buddy
 March/April – Literature/Argument Essay
 May/June – Research based essay
What to expect…
During reading units there will be reading homework every
night. In addition, there will be chapter questions for
homework.
During writing units, expect to see their writing notebooks
coming home.
First Module Text
The Lightning Thief
Writer’s Workshop
 Units
of study include: narrative,
informational/literature essay and
argument.
 Writing
notebooks are “containers” of
ideas and possible stories. We
encourage you to communicate with
your child about his or her
notebook…ask to see it!
 Through
the writing process and
conferring a final piece will be
created and shared.
Summer Reading Novels
• Organizer and Post-It Notes are
due by September 8th
• If you need the forms. They are
available on the LMC Middle
School website.
Math
Students are expected to:
 Be
fluent in their computations
 Understand
mathematical
concepts (the how and why), not
just the process (how to get the
answer)
 Apply
their knowledge to real
world situations which increases
rigor
Math
 Mr.
Allen- 60 minute blocks
 Focus
on being fluent with operations
using whole numbers, fractions and
decimals
 Units
of study- decimals, fractions,
expressions, equations, ratios, geometry,
and statistics
 We
often hear from kids or
parents that “I was never good
at Math.”
 Research
has shown that
emerging mathematicians
(students) learn Math bit by bit
over time.
 Studies
have shown that
Math achievement is earned
rather than inherited.
 Studies show that genes
account for only 32 -45
percent of Math skills.
 Sooooo…
What does this mean?
 55-
68 percent of achievement
is other things like:
The
teacher
Student’s
learning
commitment to
Sample Word Problem
Past

Mr. Allen is replacing his kitchen
counters. One section measures 3
by 5 feet. What is the total surface
area of that section?
The New Common Core

Mr. Allen is replacing his kitchen
counters. One section measures 3
by 5 feet. Another section measures
3 by 6 feet. What is the total
surface area of Mr. Allen’s kitchen
counters?

Most of our kids can do this!
The New Common Core

If the counter top material is sold in
4 feet by 8 feet pieces, how many
pieces will Mr. Allen need to buy?

Will there be any material left over?

Many of our kids find these last
parts of the problem challenging!
One more sample problem!

Math Resources

https://learnzillion.com/

https://www.khanacademy.org/

(Khan Academy is also available through You-Tube)

http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Category.aspx?C
ategoryID=81

http://www.pioneerschools.org/Page/6220
Science
Grade
6 Science includes study of
Physical Science as well as Earth
Science
Units
include Matter, Energy,
Sound, Light, and Electricity and
Inside Earth, Minerals and Rocks,
Weather, and Space Science.
Many
units of study include lab
work using the Scientific Method
of Investigation
Social Studies
 Emphasis
on reading and writing in the
content area. Students will be reading
and analyzing a variety of
informational text.
 Units
include: Early Man, Egypt, India,
China, World Religions, Greece and
Rome
Annotations

Reading fluency and comprehension is
very important in all subject areas

When a student reads a text - regardless
of the content area - they can annotate,
or mark up the text to reflect their
thinking.

The following slide displays the strategies
that will be used on a consistent basis in
all subject areas.
Final Exams

Final exams will be given in grades 5-8 for
all core subjects (ELA, Math, Science, and
Social Studies)

Exams will account for 1/5 of your child’s
overall average

Final exams will be given between
June 16, 2015 and June 23, 2015
Team Homework Policy

In Math, daily homework (circular review) consists of a review of all skills
learned. Daily homework is graded. Daily homework is returned the next
day and reviewed. Students can AND SHOULD make corrections and gain
back one half of the lost points. No one will fail a homework- if they do
corrections! Homework is worth 20% of their grade.

There may be ungraded homework given as a new skill is introduced.

Review work is ALWAYS given prior to a quiz or a test.

In ELA, there is weekly homework due every Friday that includes 100
minutes of reading and log signatures as well a weekly writing response
based on the current book. Additional homework will include daily
chapter reading questions during reading units and short, informational
texts with questions during writing units. Homework is 20% of the overall
ELA grade.

Check your child’s agenda daily. Homework assignments are recorded on
classroom agendamates and also posted on the team website.

Homework will be posted on our team website 6 Green daily.
PowerSchool

“Parent Portal” is now available

Parents are able to check student’s grades
at home

Students are able to log on to check their
own grades

If you have never used Parent Portal, you
will get a letter in the mail explaining what
to do

If you forgot your password or need other
assistance, leave your name at the greeters
desk and you will be contacted to help you
take care of the issue
After School Program
BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2015
Is composed of two components:
Academic Program:
 Work on homework, project or a quiet place to read.
Recreation Program:
 Various athletics, crafts, or hands-on activities.
*Permission slips are necessary for all after school
activities.
Forms will be available in your folder of forms, at the
Main Office, the Greeter’s Desk or on the Pioneer
homepage.
If students are failing 2 or more subjects
they may not participate in any
recreational afterschool activities.
Office 365

Student accounts have been set up and
each student will be trained in using this
new database throughout the year.

Students will be able to access their file
from any computer as long as they have
online access

This will eliminate the need for thumb
drives

Account Creation Agreements (located in
packet) must be signed and returned in
order for your child to have access to
Office 365
Tablets

All 5th and 6th graders will have access to
a personal tablet throughout the school
year.

The tablets will not be allowed to go
home with the students.
See technology use form for rules and
procedures regarding tablet use
Overdrive
eBooks and audiobooks are now available
online through the school’s Overdrive account
 Students have access 24/7 to thousands of
online books
 Online books can be loaded on devices such
as:



Smartphones

Computers

Laptops

Kindles

Nooks

Other tablets
For more information or assistance accessing
Overdrive on your device, please see Ms.
Muhlbauer in the LMC today, 9/2.
Some Activities You Can Do to Support
Learning at Home
Try to create a quiet place for your child to study and
devote time every day when your child can concentrate
on academics uninterrupted.
ELA
 Ask your child…”Tell me
what you read today?”
 Sign reading log
 Ask to see your child’s
writing notebook
 Have conversations
about reading and
writing…
 Have your child converse
with you about the word of
the day
Math
 Look for word-problems in
real-life (recipes)
 Arithmetic with decimals
(balancing check book)
 Using area and volume to
solve landscaping questions
(garden size, topsoil
requirements, etc.)
I-Ready

Web based program designed to assess
student’s academic level in ELA and Math.

The program delivers customized lessons
based on student’s level of performance.

All students will be using this program
starting in September in either the classroom
or the computer lab.

I-Ready can also be used at home for
additional practice.
Agenda/ID Card Use

New Agendas every 10 weeks

Agendas are used for:
 Passes
 CBG
to travel
signatures
 Record
homework daily

School code of conduct is found in the agenda

ID card is required to borrow books
from LMC
Team Supply List
Field Trip

In past years, the 6th grade has enjoyed a
trip to see the Buffalo Bisons play on their
scheduled Kids Day.
What is PBIS?




Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support
It is PBIS’s goal to improve student academic
performance, attendance and behavior by
focusing on positive behaviors and remediate
problem areas through interventions
Homebase connection with teachers,
Targeted Learning Labs, CBG Cards, School
Spirit, Behavior Incentives,
Reward Afternoons
DASA
 The
Act

Dignity for All Students
(The Dignity Act) was established with the
broad legislative intent to provide a school
environment free of discrimination and harassment.
Harassment is defined as “creation of a hostile
environment by conduct or by verbal threats,
intimidation or abuse that has or would have the
effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering
with a student’s educational performance,
opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or
physical well-being;…”

The law requires that the school must deal with cyber
bullying anytime that it happens - even if occurs off
campus and/or during non-school hours.

DASA violations are serious. Please refer to the Parent
Handbook for more information.
In Closing…
• Please complete the emergency
card before you leave.
• Turn in completed forms to
homeroom teacher as soon as
possible.
• Questions/Comments/Concerns?