Welcome to Back to School Night 2015 Grade 6 Language Arts

Room A4Mrs. Kelly Csizmadia________________________

Please take a slip of paper and a pen from the front. When you have completed this, kindly return it to the

basket. Yep. You have classwork .

About the Teacher…• Graduate of Fairfield

University with B.A. in English (Dual concentration in writing and literature)

• Master’s Degree in Special Education from Fairfield University

• Certified in both Secondary English and Comprehensive Special Education

• Eighteenth year teaching at Hillcrest

• Hillcrest Teacher of the Year 2009-2010

• Purple Team Leader• Mom of two boys/ coach’s

wife/ Trumbull resident

Grade 6 English / Language Arts (ELA)

Program

READING• Emphasis on reading

skills: Finding main idea & key details Summarizing Story elements Using evidence from text, etc.

• Short stories, novels, plays, poetry, etc.

• Written response to text

LANGUAGE ARTS • Emphasis on writing and

grammar• Reading for models of good

writing (Author’s Craft)• Short stories, novels, poetry• Student writing

incorporates skills modeled in mentor texts.

The English-Language Arts (ELA) CurriculumOur curriculum is based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS),

which include reading, speaking, listening and writing components.

Formal Writing Genres Narrative (Personal/Fiction)

Expository & Compare/Contrast Essays

Informational Writing (How-to)

Short Researched Report/Oral Presentation

Argumentative Essays

Poetry

Informal Writing Writer’s Notebook / SSW

(Sustained Silent Writing)

Grammar• Grammar is embedded in

writing units.

• Topics include various parts of speech, punctuation, composing and revising skills.

• Grammar is taught with an emphasis on application in written work.

• Daily Oral Language (D.O.L.) reinforces learned skills and introduces new ones.

Teacher Websites/Technology

• Homework is posted on my homework board and my website…http://www.trumbullps.org/hms/

• Students will be using Google Drive (Classroom, Docs, Sites, etc.) for writing assignments.• Chrome Books and Think Pads will be used on a regular basis as technology will be increasingly integrated into the curriculum.

Log in: 1234567@trumbullps.net password written in agenda

• Our focus in grade 6 is assisting students in a successful transition to middle school, and building the foundation for good work habits.

• Our team-based program offers a supportive environment for students, but at the same time, we encourage independence and self-advocacy as much as possible.

• Here are some tools to help parents and students manage multiple classes and teachers…

Everything you need to know about our middle school…

Homework PolicyIn class, on time, and neatly completed

100%

Late, messy, or incomplete

50 % Remains at 50%

Not handed in, or not in class when due

0% Is changed to 50%when handed in

• Students are responsible for handing in missing work.

• A variety of homework assignments are entered into my gradebook, but not all.

• No penalties for absences; students will be given extra time if the absence was more than one day.

• No homework = stamp in the agenda pad

Infinite Campus (Parent Portal)Grades are a combination of tests, quizzes, homework, and class participation/effort.

Please encourage your child to take responsibility for his/her learning by asking him or her to answer any questions you may have about grades, homework, etc.

If your child is absent, he/she should

• Check Teacher Web and download any available worksheets/handouts

• Conference with a reliable friend in class; check with me for questions/concerns

• Complete missed work and show it to me for credit

• If your child is absent for 3 or more days, you may call the guidance office to arrange for collection of work/materials. (School Policy)

• Students may speak with teachers about deadlines for makeup work for extended absences.

General Information

• Practice keyboarding skills at home regularly.• Contact me with any questions or concerns: kcsizmad@trumbullps.org• Sign up for Parent Portal and frequently check

the websites, including Hillcrest’s daily announcements on the homepage.

• Encourage regular replenishment of supplies (lined paper, pens, pencils) and cleanout of folders. ORGANIZATION is key!

If your child needs extra help…

• Students can split time between subjects or clubs.

• My extra help day is THURSDAY until 3:15pm, but students need to let me know if they plan to stay, and what particular skill or assignment they wish to work on with me.

• Late buses run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

PEER TUTORS• Meets on Wednesdays• Assistance from 8th graders

who volunteer• Any subject area, or even

help with organization of lockers and folders.

• Attend as needed.

SELF-ADVOCACY!

How do you want to feel this year?

Student responses Parent responses

How did they compare with the

students’ responses?

How do feelings affect performance?

Parents, you’ve made it to middle school….

Now, let’s work together to make this school year a great one!

Thank you for coming