Welcome to Mr. McAuliffe’s Class

1. Welcome to Mr. McAuliffe’s Class Sixth Grade ELA Periods 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 6 and 7

2. My Background • Born in Connecticut, moved to Hawaii for junior high and high school. • Attended University of Connecticut – BA in English and Writing. • Worked as a litigation manager in King of Prussia for six years prior to teaching. • Attended Cabrini College – Master Degree in Education. • Certifications in Special Education, Middle School English, Math, Science and Social Studies. • Currently my 20thyear of teaching, 15 years in Boyertown Area School District.

3. How to contact me?Call me!Email me! Send me a note. Phone calls, emails and notes work well. 610.369.7471 610.473.3739 jmcauliffe@boyertownasd.org

4. ELA – English and Language Arts • Reading – Units focusing in fiction and non-fiction reading from poetry to informational text, narratives to opinion pieces and many other genres – listening, viewing and speaking embedded into both reading and writing instruction. • Writing – Units focusing on narrative, argumentative and informational writing along with text-dependent analysis pieces – grammar and spelling are both embedded in writing instruction. • Word Study – Vocabulary – Greek and Latin Root Units. • Silent, Sustained Reading – reading books for background information on subjects we are discussing, related to high-interest topics, and self-selected high interest books. • Library – Students go to the library every Friday to select new reading books and return books.

5. Laptop Computer • Three Ring Binder w/English Folder • Reader’s Notebook (Spiral Bound) • Writer’s Notebook (Composition Notebook) • Assignment Planner • SSR reading book • Pencil, eraser and hi-liter Materials students needs for ELA Class This list was provided to all of the students. We took class time to write down what materials each student should bring to class. The list is located in the front of each students Assignment Planner.

6. Sixth Grade Expectations for ELA • Come to class with all of your materials • Come to class with homeworkassignments completed • Work on and Study Greek and Latin sections and word lists at home (Quizlet) • Be respectful and helpful • Come to class with a positive attitude • Be engaged in your learning

7. Homework • I assign homework every night. Your child will receive ELA homework assignments including: • Completing a section of the Greek and Latin Unit of Study, • Reading for 30 minutes a night, and/or • Studying for a quiz or assessment. • In sixth grade, ELA homework should not be more than an hour in an evening. If your child ever spends more than an hour completing homework, contact their teacher and let them know. Stop your child after they have worked for an hour (as long as they were concentrating and working for that entire hour).

8. Glows and Grows • Glows • Sixth graders have adapted well to life at West. • Everyone seems to finally know how to open their lockers. • Sixth Grade Fun Night and Team Building Day were successful and fun. • Students have been flexible with scheduling changes. • Grows • Developing better organization. • Increasing respectful behaviors. • Building engaged learners. • Promoting independence and self-reliance. • Bringing Mr. McAuliffe coffee every morning.

9. Other Information • Student grading • Water bottles • Absences and tardiness • Team Loyalty • Home Access • Organization • Lunch Money and Notes from Home • Extra Help • Questions ? ? ?

10. What I hope you will do … • If you have a question, please call and leave a message for me. I will usually reply by the next school day. • If it sounds wrong, the information could be wrong. If your child says something that sounds like they may have misunderstood what they were being told, please contact me for an explanation or clarification. • Please check your child’s grades on Home Access frequently. If you are concerned about your child’s progress, we can talk on the phone or meet if necessary.