Welcome to _____ grade at Endeavor Charter School!

Rising 6th Grade Orientation Meeting

WelcomeIt is a new year with lots of changes.We will all work together this year to make it a positiveand successful transition.Communication, responsibility, and effort are essentialelements for your childs success.

MAJOR DIFFERENCES FROM 5th GRADE:Increase in amount and type of homeworkIncreased expectations for organizational skills

Meet the TeachersJennifer Neel MathSusan NielssonLiteratureCompositionRobin ThomanSocial StudiesScience

Jennifer NeelCommon Core Math 6 and Common Core Math 6 PLUS

Math class challenges students to develop, communicate, and analyze mathematical reasoning using many different tools

There are a variety of instructional strategies used including direct instruction, open-ended problem solving, project-based learning, investigations and hands-on learning

The 5 Domains of Common Core Math 6Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems. The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions; multiply and divide multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples; apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.Expressions and Equations: Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions; reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities; represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables. Geometry: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume. Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical variability; summarize and describe distributionsThe 5 Domains of Common Core Math 6 PLUSCommon Core Math 6 PLUS is a compacted course that contains all of the Common Core Math 6 standards in addition to a portion of select Common Core Math 7 standards.

Students analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Students solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle and measure.

Student Criteria for Eligibility Into Common Core Math 6 PLUS EVAAS is a computer program owned by SAS Institute- a Cary-based, privately-held corporation that develops and sells specialized software for a variety of industries. EVAAS uses all available end-of-grade testing data for every student. Based on past test performance, EVAAS establishes a predicted score for each student. One score that is generated is a probability proficiency which determines the anticipated score each student might receive in Math I (formerly Algebra I) based on their prior test history.

Summative DataGradesTeacher ObservationsThe student scored a 3 or 4 on their 5th grade EOG.

The student has an EVAAS probability proficiency of 80% or greater for passing Math I.The student has received As and Bs on the majority of assessments in their 5th grade math class (tests and quizzes).The student consistently masters new math content after a few repetitions.

The student retains and can build on previous taught math conceptsSusan NielssonLiterature and CompositionLiterature is an exploration of poetry, historical fiction, realistic fiction, nonfiction, short stories and author studies.Literature class is a combination of individual and group activities, book clubs and projects.Composition class is rich in grammar and writing instruction. Students are encouraged to find their individual voice through the writing of journals, poetry and biographical vignettes.Robin ThomanScience and Social StudiesBoth science and social studies classes are rich in the use informational text. Science class is filled with laboratory experiences, hands on projects, and field investigations. New information is presented through discovery, informational text, and guided notes . Social Studies involves investigation of new information through dramatizations, individual and group projects, and reading informational text followed by a collaborative, intellectual dialogue.

Fine Arts$5 Fine Arts Fee

Next year 6th graders will have Fine Arts in an elective based format once a week. At the beginning of the semester 6th grade students will choose two electives (art, music or drama based electives) per quarter. Students will fill out a form and take it home to be signed by parents the first week of school. A syllabus will be given in the 1st week of classes with supplies and classroom expectations. Students should expect to have homework in Fine Arts classes.

Sample class offerings:

Intermediate Drawing and PaintingIntroduction to AnimationFun with Ancient Art

Stage CombatIntroduction to ShakespearePercussion EnsembleFilm Score StudiesFine ArtsDrama Club is offered as an extracurricular activityBand and Chorus are offered as a before school enrichment classFine Arts Extravaganza (tentative date March 11th and 12th)

Please see the Fine Arts webpage for information on behavior expectations, curriculum information, quarterly newsletters, and important dates and events. Feel free to e-mail the Fine Arts team at finearts@endeavorcharter.com with any questions you may have.Our Daily Schedule8:20-8:45 Homeroom8:45-9:00Morning Meeting9:00-9:50Core 19:50-10:40Core 210:40-11:10Recess11:10-11:35Lunch11:40-12:30Core 312:30-1:20Core 41:25-2:15Core 52:15-3:05Core 6

Lunch Coverage

Recess 10:40-11:10Lunch 11:10-11:40

You can sign up for lunch with your homeroom parent.

PLEASE try to join us for at least 3 lunches per quarter. This helps make coverage equitable for all families . If we do not have coverage, YOUR child may not get to meet with us if needed, we may not get to do other important things during this time, and you will miss out on a great chance to volunteer and come see your middle school child in their natural habitat. Communication/Conferences

Email! We return emails promptly and professionally. Contact us anytime for questions, clarification, or concerns. **Please do not rely solely on a students account for complete information.

Conferences are typically scheduled by request ** Most conferences are a team approach meaning more than one core teacher may be present.

Newsletters will be posted bi-monthly on our website. Please read all the information written in these newsletters as this is the best way to communicate all the WONDERFUL things that are occurring throughout the year.BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Behavior affects learning. We foster the best learning environment possible for all students.

We encourage and reward positive behavior and expect students to be:Prepared with ALL materials Polite &Respectful to all adults and peersEngaged in learning and on task during class

Multiple or excessive class disruptions will result in at recess detention for the day.

Detention held before and after school will be reserved for major infractions

We want students to make the BEST choices, take responsibility, and learn from their mistakes.ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

Parents are notified of late or missed assignments through amessagefromyour6thgrader@gmail.com.

Late work policy for homework - students will receive a zero, but need to complete the work for partial credit. There is a 10% deduction per day for late work.

Failure to complete assignments is not an option. Studentsshould complete all assigned work. Make Up Work Policy If your child is absent or plans to be absent, he or she will need to ask each teacher for make-up work upon returning to school. Each teacher has designated folders for students to get make up work, and it is the students responsibility to get the work. Websites are updated weekly, but asking a teacher is best.Grading BreakdownHomework 15%Classwork 15%Quizzes and minor projects 30%Tests and major projects 40%Special EventsCarolina Tiger RescueFestival of the AncientsSpace CampRenaissance FaireSpring Art and Music ExtravaganzaWinter ConcertDay of Reading, Math, and Writing

When in doubt.Please contact us through e-mail or by calling the school office at 919 848-0333

jneel@endeavorcharter.comsnielsson@endeavorcharter.comrthoman@endeavorcharter.com

Cant wait to see YOU next year!

and heres what you need to bring!Binder OrganizationLoose leaf paper

1 Purple 3-ring binder for Fine Arts (1 inch)

3 Clear view 3-ring binders (1 inch)

1 Green single subject spiral notebook

6 Two pocket 3-hole punched plastic folders (blue, green, black, red, yellow, purple)

Individual Student MaterialsFlash drive (2 GB or larger on a lanyard)

1 package of pencils

1 composition notebook (yellow)

1 composition notebook (your favorite color or design )

A pencil pouch or box

An individual pencil sharpener that can be emptied

1 Graphing Calculator (TI-83+, TI-84+ or TI-84+ Silver)

1 package of clear heavy duty page protectors

Post It notes

3 packs of index cards (2 lined, 1 unlined)

2 green pens, 2 purple pens (not markers)

Colored pencils

1 pack of markers (please wait for $1 sale at Target/Wal- Mart)

1 pack of highlighters

4 black sharpies (2 fine point, 2 ultra-fine point)

1 bottle of white out

Glue sticks

Adult scissors (optional)

1 box of tissues (prefer the square box due to storage issues)

1 container of hand sanitizer

Disinfectant wipes/cleaner, such as the Method brand found at Target or Lowes Foods (it cannot contain a Keep out of reach of childrenlabel)

1 x 2 5/8 Copier Label Stickers Classroom Shared SuppliesSchool FeesAgenda = $3.32DGP = $5.34DRP = $5.34Fine Arts Fee = $5.00