A Universe of Possibilities:

to College and Beyond6th Grade Overview

Mrs. Kamiyama-Calonge

2014-2015

District Welcome Back Video

The Director of Operations

• My 23rd year of teaching• HIS G.A.T.E. coordinator• B.A. in PE (1986), M.A.in

Teaching (2006)• Married with two sons,

Andrew-15 and Alex-11• I am a life-long learner!

And let’s not forget…Otto and the Tortoises-Ready & Set

The Three B’s Be Respectful: in your words/actions, with adults, students, and property.Be Responsible: in your school work, homework, life at home/school/class, for yourself and with your behavior.Be Safe: Conduct yourself in a safe manner wherever you are, if you have to ask…it probably isn’t safe.

Signs of Success

• Verbal Praise / “Whoosh”• Positive Note/Email Home-ClassDojo.com• Positive Phone Call Home• Good Grades• End of Trimester Reward: Renaissance,

Movie/Game Day

Consequences

1-Verbal/written warning.2-Communication home, Consequence Essay, and/or detention.3-Classroom Referral, detention, and/or possible loss of privileges.4-Conference with parents, student, and teacher(s), office referral, class restricted list, possible in-house or formal suspension.Severe Incident-Violations of Ed Code 48900 may result in suspension or expulsion.Incidents are documented and may affect citizenship marks.

Homework Policy

• Work is turned in on time, neat, and complete. Follow the criteria reviewed in class.

• Your own work, not copied or “borrowed” from a friend. See BINDER REMINDER for Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism.

• Proper heading on each page.• Keep organized, use the Binder Reminder!

Homework Policy

• Absent work is made up and returned based on number of day(s) absent

• Your BEST effort is reflected on each assignment• PARENTS! If you have extenuating

circumstances at home, please send a note with your child. I will then allow them to make up the assignment within reason.

• Homework website

What about EXTRA CREDIT?

It is my belief that a student’s assigned work is the main evaluative measure that is relevant to the course material. Students should strive to make each assignment reflect his/her BEST effort and work. Therefore, I don’t offer ‘extra credit’ to bring up grades.

Occasionally, I do put ‘BONUS’ questions on math/science tests. Students may earn extra points on a test, but are not penalized for wrong answers. Online Tests may also earn extra credit. 90-100% = 5% , 80-89%=4%, 70-79%=3%, 60-69%= 2%, <60%=1%. This is optional and offers students practice tests to prepare for exams.

EVERY student is encouraged to do all BONUS problems and to take the Online Practice Tests.

Grading Policy

Math/Science:Homework = 10% of total gradeClasswork = 25%Quiz/Project = 30% Tests = 35%

Letter grades: A= 90-100% B= 80-89% C= 70-79% D= 60-69% F= 0-59%

Grade Notification

Work will come home weekly, please review and sign acknowledgment and return with folder by Tuesday of following week. DO NOT throw any assignments away until end of each trimester. Verify grades, catch mistakes, etc.

ESPRI online grade book is “OPEN” for all students. Updated weekly. I will not be sending home weekly grades! (ESPRI demo)

A campus-wide goal to have all parents using online gradebook to monitor student progress.

Tools for Success

•Pencils (at least 2 sharpened)-mechanical pencils preferred

•Erasers•Pens (dark blue, black, red)•Notebook (2” capacity) with 5-dividers

•Notebook Paper (wide ruled)•Highlighters (at least two different colors)

•Colored pencils/Non-permanent markers

•Dry Erase marker for mini-whiteboards

• Teacher Web

Donations Appreciated

Items for the Classroom-KLEENEX/Facial Tissue-Need plenty

throughout the school year.Hand Soap in dispenserNotebook paperPencilsGlue SticksColored PencilsRed ink pensDry erase markers (low odor,

please)

CA Common Core Standards

•CA adoption of standards that address college and career readiness.

•The new standards focus on depth of understanding, the application of knowledge and skills, and interdisciplinary activities.

CA Common Core Standards

This year we fully implement the Common Core State Standards and will be taking the online test in the spring.

Practice Test available at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/practicetest.asp

Open-ended types of questions will be integrated into subjects to give students ‘practice’ in thinking more divergently.

Focus on CCCS for 2014-2015

District-wide implementation of the CCSS through Standards of Mathematical Practice.

Students will -make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. -construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. -model with mathematics.

Students will also be integrating more writing into their math/science assignments.

Rigorous Curriculum

Through math/science, I will be working to increase your child’s critical thinking, writing, and social skills. NOT just for G.A.T.E. students, but ALL students!!!

Cornell Notes/Costa’s Levels of Questions• Increases understanding and application of information• Study Skills and Active Note-Taking• You can refer to resources on Teacherweb

Challenge/Extension Activities• May include more challenging worksheets and involve

class activities where students will be required to think at a higher level than just recalling facts.

Rigorous Curriculum

• As we progress through the year, tests may include short answer/essay questions to develop critical thinking skills.

• Socratic Seminars/Discussions/Argumentation: Students will learn how to read critically and using information from the text or research, support their position on the topic.

• Social Skills: Through discussions, group work, partners, and peer teaching, students will be expected to work collaboratively and learn how to navigate group dynamics in a respectful way.

Science

By focusing on the universal themes of:

Exploration, Structure, Force, Power, Adaptation, and

Conflict, students will develop an understanding of the

following units of study: (1)Scientific Methods , 2)Earth’s

systems and cycles, (3) Earth’s structure- plate tectonics,

and (4) the interactions of living things to their

environment.

Science

Thermal (Heat) Energy

Energy in the Earth System

Ecology/Ecosystems (CAMP)

Family Life (Adolescence/Puberty)

Scientific Method-Science Fair (optional)

Science

Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Structure-

November 19, 2014: California Science Center, LA

“Pompeii” exhibit from the 79 AD eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, IMAX Movie – to be determined, and if time allows…. Quick visit to view the Space Shuttle Endeavor

Estimated cost $20-25, NOT including lunch

Science Camp

• February 2-4, 2015

• $260 tuition (candle fundraiser to help with cost). Can make payments on www.ezschoolpay.com

• LOTS OF FUN!!!

• Science-based activities, hiking, ROPES course, good food!!

• Time away from home to be with friends and teachers!!

Technology Projects

Technical Document: Cornell Notes and Research Report

Excel Spreadsheet: Plate Tectonics

PowerPoint-Earth Science Research or Biome Research

Math

Common Core State Standards

Domain: Ratios & Proportional Relationships-ratios, rates, fractions, decimals, and percents

Domain: The Number System-multi-digit number computations, multiply/divide fractions, integers and coordinate plane.

Math

Domain: Expressions & Equations-expressions, equations, functions and inequalities

Domain: Geometry-Area, Volume, and Surface Area

Domain: Statistics & Probability-Statistical Measures, Statistical Displays

CCCS Integration

• Journal/Reflection on Student Learning & Concepts- Essential Questions, binder for each chapter (KEEP for end of year review)

• Projects/Open-Ended Tasks-Inquiry Labs, Problem Solving Investigations

• « Real World » Application of concepts– 21st Century Careers

Math Help• Online Resources-form coming home with

the following:– Connected.mcgraw-hill.com with username

and password. Has online textbook, extra practice, lesson outlines (for when absent), and video/tutorials.

– Khan Academy-tutorials for many subjects, not just math. FREE

Electives

• Hawk Academy-two (2) weeks for BAND students, six (6) weeks for all others. Split between HR/SW.

• Topics covered: time management, organization, goal setting, class/team building, character education/anti-bullying/Rachel’s Challenge, differentiated activities-remediation, practice, enrichment.

Electives

• Students will be integrated with other classes and participate in a variety of electives.

• Six (6) weeks with Pass/Fail grades, except for Band.

• Electives will also focus on integrating elements of CCSS through complexity of thinking, integrating writing, etc.

Communication

Critical that you are checking:

• Your child’s Binder Reminder

• Teacherweb.com Mrs. Calonge

• NEWSFLASH-email updates

• Email (easiest) or Phone

• In-Class Visitation (call to make arrangements)

• ESPRI- create account go to link to sign up to check grades/assessements online

• A “hands-on” approach is needed to monitor your child’s success in 6th grade.

Thank you for coming!

• Parking Lot- leave me information and your questions/concerns so that I may contact you.

• Please feel free to email me if you have any

questions or comments that you would like to talk about in private.

• I am looking forward to working with you and your child!

• This presentation is on my website!