Welcome to 6 th Grade Core

1. Welcome to 6th Grade Core Tina Ahmed Room 406, WCI

2. Welcome to Room 308 Core 6with Mrs. Jann Geyer Taylor • Write them a note on the post it, or save it to write me a note.

3. What is core? • Core is made up of three periods during the school day. • It covers Social Studies and English (Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Literature Response, Independent Reading)

4. Family Concept • Students are placed in “families” to provide smaller, more manageable groups of 6th grade peers. Students in our core family share the same math teacher, science teacher and a core teacher. • Your child is in this family: • Jann Taylor - core • Gitta Kahangi - math • Mike Delnista- science

5. 6th grade stages of emotions • Eagerness and fear • Shock • Indignation • Fatigue • Confidence

6. Curriculum • Language Arts includes writing, reading, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary development • Our literature :The Language of Literature McDougall Littell • Harvey Daniel’ Texts and Lessons: Non Fiction • Novels: Seedfolks, Lightning Thief, & Bud, Not Buddy

7. Curriculum Continued • Independent reading program: Accelerated Reader • School Wide academic vocabulary program • Writing: Writers’ Workshop • Grammar: Giggles in the Middle

8. Common Core: ENGLISH • Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. (Speaking and Listening, Grade 6, S.L.6.1) • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (Reading Informational Text Grade 6, R.I.6.1)

9. Curriculum – Social Studies • Archaeology and early humans, and early ancient civilizations of the world: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush, Israel, India, China, Greece, Rome.

10. Social Studies Text: Ancient Civilizations, Glencoe. Activities from TCI, which emphasizes multi-sensory learning and problem solving skills.

11. Grading - homework • Homework philosophy: Core allotted 20 minutes in addition to 30 minutes of reading. So..we read every night, and bring home some work which we will address within the week.

12. Grading-AERIES/ABI portal • Our grading program, Aeries/ABI, is available for you to view. • http://www.walnutcreeksd.org/Domain/524 • Review your student’s grades regularly. • Student should review them too. • Email me. • Keep graded work for the quarter.

13. Grading • I use A-F because it is easier for students’ to understand than the point and percentage system. • Mostly As and Bs. • A C indicates a problem; it is not the average grade in this classroom.

14. WCI grading policy • 6th grade core classes follow the grading guidelines for WCI. • Students are responsible for work they miss when they are absent. They have time to make up their work with no penalty.

15. Grades • A progress report will be sent home mid-quarter from the core family teachers in the first three quarters. • If you have questions, please email me with a request. • tahmed@wcsd.k12.ca.us

16. Potential trouble spots • Not completing homework • Not reading directions • Not taking advantage of class time provided for work

17. Activities • In Class Clay Day to celebrate our studies of Mesopotamia. irrigation, cuneiform writing, art pieces • We always need help that day.

18. Communication • Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. The best way to reach me is by email. • tahmed@wcsd.k12.ca.us • 925-944-6840 x8406

19. Contact Information • Tina Ahmed • Room 406 • tahmed@wcsd.k12.ca.us • Homework website: http://www.walnutcreeksd.org • AM Core 2nd,3rd, and 4th periods • PM Core 5th, 6th and 7th periods