• 6th Grade Reading

     Ms. Gilliard

                                         Room 805                                     

    wgilliard@eupschools.org

    635-6604 ex 4971

     

    Welcome to 6th grade Reading,  I am energized to share a year of reading, creating, and learning with you. I hope you’ve enjoyed every bit of your extended break and are ready for a year full of learning and excitement.

     

    Course Description:

    Students will be focused on improving their literacy skills and writing skills through a curriculum aligned to the six grade Common Core Standards.    We will be using the 2018 edition of SpringBoard (both online and the text version)

     

    Reading Instruction will focus on:

    • Short stories, non-fiction, drama, poetry, novels, narrative, and released reading assessment materials.  Focus will be on pulling evidence from several sources for answers to questions
    • Reading comprehension and critical thinking strategies, elements of literature, poetic elements, text features, summarizing, and analysis

     

    We will read three novels this year Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, The Cay by Theodore Taylor, and   A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park,  We have a limited number of copies of the novels.  There will be a few copies available for students to take home.

     

    Independent Book Project:

    A book talk assignment will be assigned each quarter.  The assignment and directions will be handed out at the beginning of each quarter and will be presented the last week of the marking period.  Your indepdent reading book needs to be brought to class each day.  There will be designated reading time during but additional time outside of class will need to spent reading as well.

     

    Building  Behavior Expectations:

    The Sault Middle school uses the 4 B’s for behavior expectations.

    • Be Responsible
    • Be Respectful
    • Be Ready to Learn
    • Be Safe

     

     Classroom Behavior Expectations:

    • Be on time to class and prepared
    • Work hard and do your best
    • No cell phones are allowed in class
    • No candy or gum is allowed in class
    • A clear water bottle with a screwed on lid is permitted

     

     

    What happens if I don’t follow expectations?

    Of course that won’t happen! :) If by some wild chance, it does, you will receive the following consequences:

     

    1.Verbal Warning

    2. Teacher- Student conference after class

    3. Contact Home

    4. Referral to the office (if the action is severe the referral will take place immediately)

         *Students may be sent to the Structured Learning Center (SLC) due to misconduct

     

     

    What materials do I need to have with me each day?

    You are responsible for having the following supplies with you in class each day:

    writing utensil

    planner

    an independent reading book

     

     

    What about homework?

    • Complete assignments that are not finished during class work time
    • Read 20 minutes per night for your book talk assignment due at the end of each quarter

     

    What happens if I have late work?

    You won’t!  :)

    In the event that you do, late work will receive maximum half credit if it is received within a week of the original due date.

    Homework received more than a week after the original due date will receive a grade of zero.

    What do I do if I am absent?

    • Get in touch with a classmate that night to see what you missed.
    • Email me or see me the day you return.
    • Check the bulletin board for work that you missed.
    • You are given one day for each day you were absent to complete the work.
    • It is the student’s responsibility  to obtain and return all make up work

     

    Monitoring Progress

    In order to check your grades please check Illuminate both students and parents have logins.

    • In class on Tuesdays you will check your grades in homeroom and record them in your planner.  
    • It is the student's responsibility to check Illuminate for missing assignments and turn them in.  I do give reminder slips each week.

     

    Standards Based Grading:

    In six grades the students receive report cards using a standards based grading system.   Standards based grades use a 4 point grading scale.

    4: Exceeds Expectations: The student consistently demonstrates mastery of the grade level standards. With relative ease, the student grasps, applies and extends processes and skills for the grade level.

    3: Meets Expectations: The student demonstrates an understanding of the grade level standards and can apply concepts in a variety of contexts.

    2: Approaching Expectations: The student is beginning to, and occasionally does, meet grade level standards. The student is beginning to grasp and apply key processes and skills for their grade level but produces work that contains errors.

    1: Not Meeting Expectations: The student is not meeting grade level standards or is working one or more years below grade level; there is limited achievement of grade level expectations.

    *Please note that grades are based on the current standards being taught.

     

     Finally, I am here to ensure your success! Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  You can reach me by email at wgilliard@eupschools.org or by phone at 635-6604 ex 5741 .  I am also available to meet in person which can be arranged by email or on the phone.

    I am looking forward to a great year!

    Ms. Gilliard