6 th grade Advanced Math (Periods 1 & 2)

6th grade Advanced Math(Periods 1 & 2) Mrs. Geni Atkinson gatkinson@wpusd.k12.ca.us

Curriculum • Pearson Digits • www.pearsonrealize.com • Students received login information on Tuesday 9/2 • Homework is selected problems from the homework helper following each lesson • Review done on a weekly basis, will become an online assignment • We will utilize three homework helper volumes during the 2014/2015 year.

Technology • In addition to the online math websites, we have several other technology tools to stay connected. • I will email weekly to give you an overview, daily checks / questions should be the student’s responsibility. • School / teacher websites: http://tbms.wpusd.k12.ca.us/subsites/Geni-Atkinson/index.html • Schoology.com: Unique code per class, being sent via email (this is in its first stages) • Google docs (students have school google login information) • Teacherease.com (check weekly) • Any struggles with these, let me know – I will try to help, but much is at the Administrative level.

Student Expectations • Math homework – neatly and carefully each evening – showing work  • School is their job: 6 – 6 ½ hours at school each day plus homework. Homework should be reinforcing what we are doing in class. • Preparation: students need pencils and pens, erasers, binder paper and math notebook. (These items will need to be replenished throughout the year.) • Behavior expectations can be summarized by respect for learning and for those around you.

Grading scales • Math homework – Each daily assignment is 5 points based on effort and accuracy (15 – 20 points per week)Each review assignment (weekly) is 10 points based on accuracy and effort • Overall grade is 40% Tests, 30% quizzes, 20% homework, and 10% participation and in-class activities • Please remember:A = Excellent, Outstanding, Wow!B = Well done, good jobC = Average, as expectedD or below = needs improvement or missing something

Absences • Call the attendance line: 916-434-7996 • Check the website: http://tbms.wpusd.k12.ca.us/subsites/Geni-Atkinson/Assignment-Calendar/Weekly-Assignments/index.htmlor Schoology.com site per class (under construction) • Student can phone a friend • Email me • Students have one day for each day of absence to make up work, but being behind in math is really tough.

Questions?

Contact me anytime:via email at gatkinson@wpusd.k12.ca.usor call the schoolat 916-434-5270

6th grade Ancient History(periods 3 & 4) Mrs. Geni Atkinson gatkinson@wpusd.k12.ca.us

Curriculum • Holt Ancient Civilizations textbook • We do read the entire book during the year • Each unit has a corresponding notebook unit – notebooks are graded at the end of each unit • We concentrate on the six main themes of History: Economics, Geography, Politics, Religion, Society & Culture, Science & Technology

40 Book Challenge • Each student (and teacher) is challenged to read 40 books during the school year. • They can choose their own books, but we do ask for them to try to read from the following genres: realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, fantasy, fables, classics, poetry, science fiction, informational, and biography • Ask your student to see his/her Reading notebook, we have discussed the genres and expectations. They should be making a list of books as they read. • Students will have a writing assignment in their Reading notebook every 2 weeks based on any book they are reading. This keeps some accountability and builds writing skills. • Studies consistently show that reading has a direct link to academic achievement early and professional success later.

Technology • We have several technology tools to stay connected: • School / teacher websites: http://tbms.wpusd.k12.ca.us/subsites/Geni-Atkinson/index.html • Schoology.com: Unique code per class, being sent via email (this is in its first stages) • Google docs (students have school google login information) • Teacherease.com (check weekly) • I will email weekly to give you an overview, daily checks / questions should be the student’s responsibility. • Any struggles with these, let me know – I will try to help, but much is at the Administrative level.

Student Expectations • Homework is typically finishing something we started in class, plus 20 minutes of personal choice reading • Social Studies should not have a lot of homework for students who remain on task in class. • School is their job: 6 – 6 ½ hours at school each day plus homework. Homework should be reinforcing what we are doing in class. • Preparation: students need pencils and pens, erasers, colored pencils, reader response notebook, and Social Studies notebook (which typically remains in class). (Some items will need to be replenished throughout the year.) • Behavior expectations can be summarized by respect for learning and for those around you.

Grading • Reading notebook assignments are graded for completion and following directions. There is no grade attached to the number of books read. • Social Studies notebooks are graded at the end of each unit – based on completion and following directions / effort. • Smaller projects are each graded as well. • Please remember:A = Excellent, Outstanding, Wow!B = Well done, good jobC = Average, as expectedD or below = needs improvement or missing something

Absences • Call the attendance line: 916-434-7996 • Check the website: http://tbms.wpusd.k12.ca.us/subsites/Geni-Atkinson/Assignment-Calendar/Weekly-Assignments/index.htmlor Schoology.com site per class (under construction) • Student can phone a friend • Email me • Students have one day for each day of absence to make up work, Social Studies notes will be up on the wall – it is the student’s responsibility to get them.

Questions?

6th grade Titan Time(period 6) Mrs. Geni Atkinson gatkinson@wpusd.k12.ca.us

Overview • Our main priorities: Study Skills and homework time • I work closely with other 6th grade teachers to try to provide what students need overall. • Lots of independent work time with teacher check-in • To support Language Arts and build vocabulary, fluency and comprehension – we will be reading books as a class. The current book is “The Sixth Grade Nickname Game” • I will occasionally give math lessons to support a skill that is missing in many students or build understanding of new concepts. • Not individual tutoring, but as much support as I can provide in the 45 – 55 minutes we have together.

Student Expectations & Grades • Behavior expectations can be summarized by respect for learning and for those around you. • All students are expected to be working on something academic for the whole class period after our reading time. If no homework, there are flash cards to make or study, or reading that can be accomplished. • I will be available for the entire period to help students. They have my commitment to them, not emails or “desk time”. • It is possible, that students could earn a quarterly privilege of game time, movie, etc. but it would be based on their hard work. • Grading is based on participation / on-task time.

Questions?

6 th grade Advanced Math (Periods 1 & 2)