Welcome 6 th Grade Parents

1. Welcome 6th Grade Parents

2. Introduction of Staff Red Team White Team Mrs. Auman – English Mr. Kerschner – Math Mrs. Zawaski – Reading Mrs. Risser – Global Studies Mrs. Hollowell – Science Miss Hoebee– Special Education Mr. Moser – Special Education Mrs. Breisch – Special Education Mrs. Bohr – English Mr. Underwood – Math Miss Sarnes – Reading Ms. Barshinger – Global Studies Mrs. Hartman – Science Mrs. Talotta – Special Education

3. Common Procedures • Homework • Completed in pencil • Daily assignments will not be accepted late. • Students may NOT go to locker to get forgotten assignments. • Handbooks must be carried at all times. • A novel must be carried at all times. • Work must be made up after an absence. • All missed homework will be due 2 days after returning to school.

4. Homework • Homework Hotline • Library open until 4:00 • Use of handbook

5. Team Information • Teams meet from 12:25-1:15 • Red team – Day 3 • White team – Day 4 • Contact information can be found on the Southern website under teams or under staff.

6. Music MRS. VOIGT • Units of Study: • Music listening vocabulary • Program Music • Conducting Patterns • Musical Theater • Note reading/bells/piano • Singing and following choral music • Notebook • Project for Musical Theater • Grade: • Daily participation • Quizzes • (1 retake available if under 93%/MUST take if under 60%)

7. Family & Consumer SciencesMrs. Wolfe • Understanding the familywill help students identify roles and duties, cope with changes and build stronger relationships with family members. • In the babysitting unit we will help students become better babysitters by discussing stages of child development, safety strategies and the responsibilities of babysitting. The foods unit is an introduction to cooking and nutrition where students will learn beginning cooking skills including kitchen safety and sanitation, measuring, and cooking terminology. The students will apply their skills and knowledge through foods lab experiences in class.

8. Web 2.0 Career Concepts Mrs. Szczepkowski • In the Computer Applications quintile, students will cover Microsoft Office, Desktop Publishing, Google Apps, Internet Safety, Social Networking Etiquette, and an Introduction to Web 2.0 tools!  • Projects will include: • “All About Me” Newsletter • Word Task Summative Assessment • Professional Letter to College • Spreadsheet Task • Multimedia PowerPoint Summative Assessment • Online Safety Game

9. ArtMrs. Pffeifenberger • In 6thgrade Art: students will be building skills and using inventive ideas to produce works of art. We will start the quint by making a portfolio and art journal which will be used throughout the 7 weeks of art. The portfolio is an on-going project that is due the last week of the quint. Other projects include 2D and 3D artworks such as painting, drawing, and working with clay. • Feel free to visit my website for more information on projects, grades, and the upcoming Spring art show.

10. Tech EdMr. Luft • Gateway to Technology (GTT) is a new curriculum that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Science & Technology Standards.  GTT is comprised of 6 independent exploratory units that are designed to challenge and engage the students.  • The 6 units of exploration are: • Science of Technology • Automation & Robotics • Magic of Electrons • Design and Modeling • Flight and Space • Energy and the Environment

11. WellnessMr. Brubaker, Mrs. Underwood, and Mrs. Worrell • Wellness is a combination of Health and Physical Education. • Students will be graded each class based on their preparation, effort, attitude, respect, and knowledge.  The rubric for this is on our website and the class guidelines. • Uniform is a white shirt, red athletic shorts, socks, and sneakers • Students are given a lock and locker to use.  $3 to replace a lost lock. • A parent note is required to miss one class.  If more than two classes are missed, then a doctor’s note is needed. • ALL of this information is on our class guidelines, which is located on each one of our websites.

12. Meet the Teacher 6th Grade Red Team Global Studies (AKA Social Studies) Mrs. Risser

13. About Mrs. Risser • Eastern Lebanon County graduate-1995 • Kutztown University graduate • 1999- Bachelor’s degree in Elementary education • 2004-Master’s degree in educational technology • 45 additional master’s credits in education and technology • I have traveled to 42 states, & 16 countries, and am excited to share my knowledge of the world with my students!

14. Global Studies • 6th Grade Units of Study: • Geography • Using Geography Skills • Earth’s Physical Geography • Human & Cultural Geography • The U.S., Canada, & Latin America • Physical Geography • History & Cultures • Modern Concepts

15. Your Child’s Resources: • Mrs. Risser’s webpage • Glencoe website • Use to review materials & textbook or listen to the book read-aloud • Textbook • Homework hotline • After-school tutoring • Study guides/handouts/practice worksheets • Guided Reading Activities • Note-Taking Guides • Note cards (for vocab. definitions)

16. What to Expect This Year: • A multiple choice test for every chapter • 9 chapters • A quiz for every section of the textbook • Most chapters have 2 or 3 sections • Short answer, matching, true/false • Map quizzes • Canada’s provinces, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean • Songs and “tricks” for remembering info • No surprises…We will practice for every test and quizzes by playing games. • SWAT • Jeopardy

17. To Contact Me: • Mrs. Risser • X4288 • risjen@wilsonsd.org *Check out my webpage, which is accessible from the Southern Middle School homepage! *The homework hotline is an important resource! My homework for the entire week is posted as of Monday, however, check the hotline daily in case of changes. *Try to check the parent viewer at least once per week. I post grades immediately after school each day.

18. I am looking forward to a great year with your child here at Southern Middle School.

19. Do you have any questions?