Welcome to Curriculum Night!

1. Welcome to Curriculum Night! • Craig McGhee • 6th Grade Social Studies

2. About Mr. McGhee • Undergraduate Virginia Tech • Graduate (MBA) University of Virginia • Worked in the Health Care Field • Masters in Teaching - Seattle University • 16 years teaching • Married with 2 children- Son at Cal Poly – Daughter at Eastlake High school

3. Sixth grade is a pivotal year because… • Higher expectations • Learning organizational skills • More individual responsibilities - privileges • Social adjustments • Homework load increases

4. My E-mail - Communication • Please use my e-mail to communicate with me. Edmodo (website) is used for letting students and you know what we did in class and providing a link to copies and the textbook. • If you e-mail please let me know Your Child’s name and the period they are in. • Mr. Zabriskie & I are working together this year and have the same lessons.

5. Routine & Homework • Warm-Up – Includes: 1. Taking out materials to be ready for the day. 2. Writing down homework • Daily work that is not finished turns into Homework • Work assigned as homework include longer assignments projects and studying for quizzes and tests.

6. Thursday, Sept 27 Please take the following out: • Please take handout from the front and quietly review it. • Chapter 2 Lesson 1 Guided Reading handout and a Red Pen • Turn in Self-Evaluation packet if you haven’t already done so. Learning Target: Students will be able to use specific map features in a presentation. Homework: • Quiz on Chapter 2 Lesson 1 tomorrow • Test on Oct 5 – Chapter 1 Lessons 1&2 and Chapter 2 Lesson 1 • Review day for test on Oct 4

7. Grades on Skyward • Three categories • Assessments & Projects = 70% of grade • Quizzes = 20% • Daily Work/Homework = 10% Daily / Homework is practice and is graded on completion and turning it in on time. All daily work / homework may be turned in up until the unit test.

8. Standards Based Grading How daily work/homework graded • 4 = 100% Above Standard Student has completed all work and when asked to make corrections does so in red pen. • 3.4 = 85% Meets Standard Student turned in work late and made all necessary corrections or additions. Corrections are in red pen. • 2.8 = 75% Approaching Standard Student turned in work late but did not make all the necessary corrections or additions. • 2 = 50% Below Standard Student turned in work late and has not made the necessary corrections or additions.

9. Unit Self Evaluations • Completed after each unit • Students collect all work, quizzes and projects & Daily work together for review • Students write an evaluation of themselves and write two to three goals for themselves • Parent’s job is to review the work and give feedback to your child. Provide by constructive feedback and encouraging words.

10. Retake on tests/quizzes - projects • If a student scores less than a 3.4 (85%) they have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge on a retake. • They obtain a Retake form from the classroom or off of Edmodo. • Complete the Retake form and turn it in within one week of receiving their grade. • The teacher will tell them when the retake will occur. Most likely before or after school. • If a student wishes to redo a project they will need to schedule a meeting with the teacher and explain why they think they should be able to redo the project. It is up to the teacher to determine if they can redo the project.

11. Website & Edmodo • I have a main website listed on PCMS page • Calendar Page – If you go to the main PCMS page and look for teacher links, my name you will find more information and a calendar. • Edmodo - Use your students log-in and password. • Ignoring “Late” Notifications

12. Absences • If Absent, check my website for explanation of assignments & links for handouts. Extra handouts are in the Absent work crate in class. • Allowed one day to make up missed work for each day absent (Long Term Assignments) • Students can email or call with questions while absent – Check my web site • Students must contact me the day they return to arrange make-up time for missed tests and quizzes. • Students can set up appointments to go over missed/confusing assignments

13. Materials Needed • Pencils and lined paper • Three-ring binder (folders/dividers) • Student planner • Independent reading book • Red pen

14. How you can help • Set-up binder (Tabs: SS, LA, Misc.) • Planner • Follow up with random checks • Responsibility (choose, decide, pick) • Homework • Set aside time • Quiet place to work • Assistance if needed • Skyward – Family Access

15. How you can help • Help keep binder organized. • Check students planner to see how they are writing down their homework. • Check teacher’s website. • Save all graded work.

16. How You Can Help Remind Students too: • When Absent • Check the website on the day they were absent • Classroom binder for extra copies when absent. • Keep work that is returned until the end of the Unit • Assignments are due WHEN students enter the room • Stay organized!

17. Social Studies • Curriculum: • Geography and the tools of history • Early Humans • Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome) • Note Taking • Big focus on using text based evidence when analyzing historical texts

18. Classroom Expectations “Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.” • Only do your best • Respect for self and others • Prepared for class • Homework, Have Materials, Be in the right frame of mind • Participation • Learning is FUN!

19. Thank you for coming! Call or e-mail if you have any questions 425 . 837 . 5940 mcgheec@issaquah.wednet.edu