Welcome to Sixth Grade!

Welcome to Sixth Grade! Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School 2011-2012 Ms. Burch 993-2042 or lindseyburch@smsd.org

Lindsey Burch Grew up in Overland Park John Diemer, Indian Woods and Shawnee Mission South College Experience -University of Kansas, BSE in Elementary Education with a science minor -University of Kansas, Masters in Curriculum & Instruction Teaching Experience -SCICON School of Science and Conservation-California -Gardner 6th grade -Westridge Middle School-7th and 8th grade math and science -BJF 6th grade since 2008 *Getting married to Tim Constance on September 3rd

Hobbies and Interests • Jazz Saxophone • KC Kicks Band • Musical Theater • “Big River” • Triathlons • Twin Cities Marathon • This October • At BJF: • Student Council • Leadership Team • NSF Engineering in the classroom grant this year for BJF 6th graders!

SPECIALS Monday Art 10:30-11:30 Tuesday PE 10:30, Music 11:00 Wednesday Computers 10:30, PE 11:00 Thursday Library 10:30-11:20 FridayComputers 10:30 Music 11:00 Lunch is from 11:59-12:24 Recess is at 11:35

Schedule • 8-8:20 Bell Work • 8:20-9:15 Math with Ms. Burch • 9:15-10:10 Reading with Mr. Shivers • 10:10-10:30 Reading workshop • 10:30-11:30 Specials and computer lab • 11:35-12:40 recess, lunch, planners • 12:45-1:25 Language Arts with Mr. Shivers • 1:25-2:15 Social Studies with Mrs. Gerfen • 2:15-2:55 Science with Ms. Burch • 2:55-3:10 dismissal procedures

Band and Strings • Strings class is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-8:30 (must make up a.m. work) • Band is from 10:15-10:45 on Tuesdays and 8-8:30 on Fridays • It will be the student’s responsibility to make up any missed work during band or strings. It is also important that he/she turn in any work due during the missed class period on time.

HOMEWORK • Students will have homework every night. • District guidelines state that homework for 6th grade should take approximately 60 minutes to complete. • Every student learns and works at a different pace. What takes one person 15 minutes could take another person 30 minutes. • Assignments are due at the beginning of each subject. • Incomplete – receive a detention to be served the following day during recess • 1 day late – 10 % off and study hall • 2 days late – receive half of the grade earned • 3 days late –teacher will not ask for the assignment again, and it will remain a zero in the grade book if not turned in prior to weekly progress reports being printed on Tuesdays.

Homework continued • Any student choosing to participate in band or strings is responsible for checking with teachers to see what assignments were missed and need to be made up. • In some cases, tests and quizzes missed during this time may need to be made up during recess. • EL students: • Must be responsible for turning in all work due on an EL day the morning BEFORE they leave . • Must also be responsible for making up any tests and quizzes missed on an EL day. • If a student is absent for an entire school day, we recommend that a parent contact either the school office (993-2000) or the classroom teacher to collect all assignments for the day missed. • District policy states that for every one day absent, the student has two days to complete and turn in the missed assignments. • Any assignments missed, for any reason, are to be made up outside of the school day.

No Name Papers • 1st Quarter – • Still graded • 10% off • Put in “no name box” • After 1st quarter… • Recycled!

GRADING The grades students earn in 6th grade are: A+ = 97-100% A = 94-96% A- = 90-93% B+ = 87-89% B = 84-86% B- = 80-83% C+ = 77-79% C = 74-76% C- = 70-73% D+ = 67-69% D = 64-66% D- = 60-63% F = 59-0%

GRADING Grades are based on the following: 1. Assignments/Tests 2. Homework 3. Projects 4. Work Habits, ability to remain on task, responsibility

General Expectations • In seat when bell rings • Students will put forth their best effort • Come to all classes prepared • Have homework completed daily

Bell work • Super six (math) • Must be completed between 8-8:20 and ready for each subject’s class period • Graded daily • If absent, student must make up the bell work for the day missed

READING Open Court series: • Taught by Mr. Shivers. • Integrates reading and writing • Language skills taught through this program • Designed around six themes: Perseverance, Ancient Civilizations, Taking a Stand, Beyond the Notes, Ecology, and A Question of Values

READING • In addition to comprehension, we will focus on reading fluency which concentrates on speed, accuracy and expression. Usually one night of homework will include reading a story from Open Court. • Students should be reading 20-30 minutes each night to meet their quarterly AR goal. • Accelerated Reader (AR) is an independent individualized reading program designed to increase comprehension. The teacher and student will meet quarterly to set individual goals. Dates will be set for goals to be met and this will be a part of the student’s reading grade.

SPELLING • Students will receive a list of words to begin studying on Mondays. • Spelling homework every night • Side 1 of WS on Monday • Side 2 of WS on Tuesday • Sentences, writing words multiple times or other project on Wednesday • Study for test on Thursday • No specific time is given during the school day for spelling homework. • I encourage daily oral studying of spelling words throughout the week. • Spelling tests given on Fridays.

MATH • Taught by Ms. Burch • Homework every day • Students need calculator at school and at home • Tests every Friday (Weekly Review) • Chapter tests every 2-3 weeks (announced in advance so students can prepare) • Important to SHOW WORK • Mastery is important. If students do not master an assignment, quiz or test, they will be asked to “Correct and Return” until the skill is mastered.

SOCIAL STUDIES • Taught by Mrs. Gerfen • Focus on Ancient Civilizations • Nelson-Atkins Museum reinforces social studies curriculum • More information to come regarding Country/Culture Reports

SCIENCE • Taught by Ms. Burch • Hands-on experiments in class • Grades based on class work, lab sheets, quizzes and tests • More information to come on Science projects (end of first quarter) • Studying for tests is necessary in order to receive a high science grade • Engineering component with NSF fellow this year

NSF-INSIGHT project • K-state collaboration through the National Science Foundation, Burch and Shivers attended class this summer to plan lessons • Engineering lessons tied into the grade science and communications curriculum for all 6th grade students • Professor Denise Case is our “resident expert engineer” • Exciting engineering lessons every month using sensor technology • Real life experience for students in the engineering sciences!

HANDWRITING • Cursive should be mastered • Will be required to use cursive for assignments in certain subjects

TESTING • Sixth graders will be taking MAP (Measurement of Academic Performance). It will be given in the fall and in the spring. This is a computer-based test. • We will also be giving the Math and Reading sections of the Kansas State Assessment in the spring. • We will be preparing for and discussing these tests throughout the year.

CLASSROOM MANAGMENT Students will be expected to follow a set of rules that encourage respect, responsibility, and accountability. Occasionally, a student might engage in a behavior that is disruptive to learning. I will expect students to model correct behavior. Be Respectful; Be Responsible; Be Safe; Be Ready to Learn 6 key rules to success 1. Work quietly. Do not disturb others while working. 2. When the teacher is talking, be quiet and listen. 3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking. 4. Respect your classmates. Treat them with kindness in your words and actions. 5. Keep your hands, feet, and any other objects to yourself at all times. 6. Always walk quietly in the classroom and in the hallways.

Classroom Management Cont. • Marble Jar (Class reward): When the class does a good job and demonstrates positive behavior, or when the class receives a compliment from another adult, Ms. Burch puts a marble in the marble jar. When the class earns 500 mL of marbles, they get to choose a class reward! • Ticket System (Individual reward) • Students receive tickets when they demonstrate positive behavior choices. • On Fridays students will trade tickets for special • Passes, ie: lunch with a friend, move seat for • Day, etc. • Once students have 10 tickets they can trade in for • A special pass and also put them into the leadership • Lottery for a special monthly prize drawing • Students will earn tickets by: • Getting high scores on tests and quizzes • Positive behavior choices • Showing respect (smile & move) • Doing any selfless act

School-Wide Discipline Policy • Students are to raise hands and ask permission to move about the room or to talk when another person is speaking. • It is expected that all students follow the classroom and school rules. • If a student is having difficulty following a rule, he/she will be asked one time to change the behavior. The only acceptable answer to this request is, “Yes I will,” followed by a good attitude. If the student does not choose to follow the rule respectfully, he/she will be asked to move quietly to the SAFE SEAT. • The SAFE SEAT is not a punishment. It is a seat away from the rest of the class where the student can get back on track and keep from getting into trouble. • In the safe seat, it is expected that the student work silently on class work, fill out a THINK SHEET, and wait for the teacher to process with the student about what happened. • A THINK SHEET is a tool that students use to think about their choice and how they will avoid having the same problem in the future. THINK SHEETS will always be sent home to be signed on the day they are issued. • If the student chooses not to sit quietly and respectfully in the SAFE SEAT, then I will ask the student to walk to our BUDDY ROOM.

School-Wide Discipline Policy contd. • The BUDDY ROOM is a designated place where the student is expected to work silently and respectfully in a seat away from other students. The student will complete class work as well as a THINK SHEET and will not move back to the SAFE SEAT in the classroom until he/she has successfully processed with the teacher. • If the student is not able to make good choices in the BUDDY ROOM, then he or she will move to the RECOVERY ROOM. • Students who do not comply in the RECOVERY ROOM will receive an office referral.

Planners/Progress Reports • Planners should be filled out daily and signed by a parent/guardian each night. • Progress reports will come home weekly (most Tuesdays.) Reports need to be signed and returned the following school day or the student will receive a consequence. • Progress reports are intended for both the student and parents to make note of any late work, missing work, zeros, and current grades. There should never be any surprises when it comes to grade card time!

VOLUNTEERS • Please sign up tonight if you would like to volunteer in any of the following ways: • Field trips and parties • Bulletin boards, photocopying, etc • “Take home” tasks Sign up is on the back table.

Birthdays and Parties • Treats – simple • Nothing that needs to be cut or poured • Invitations – • Can only be passed out at school if the entire class is invited

Conferences • 1st quarter – October 27 and 28 • Please sign up for a time tonight • Students and parents both come

Field Trips • Nelson Atkins Museum • SM North Play • Plaza Scavenger Hunt • Picnic at the Park

Jewelry, make up and cell phones • Keep make up to a minimum, if at all. • Jewelry is a distraction – please discourage from wearing it. • Cell phones may be kept in backpacks turned OFF, however if seen or causes a distraction it will be turned into Dr. Tinsley.

FYI • When your child is absent, please either request homework through the office as early as possible or leave me a voicemail/e-mail allowing me ample time to get it all together. • We do go out for recess all days that the weather permits. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately.

If you can, please do the following before you leave tonight: • Sign up for a conference time (back table) • Sign up to be a classroom volunteer if you would like to help out this year. • Please take the blue folder home and sign and return all paperwork as soon as possible. All forms are due by next Monday. • Join PTA  • Thanks!

THANK YOU! • I am very excited about the opportunity to work with your student this year. I believe that every child has unique gifts that he or she can contribute and I look forward to helping your child meet and exceed their individual goals. • Please feel free to contact me any time with questions, comments or concerns. • lindseyburch@smsd.org 913-993-2042

Welcome to Sixth Grade!