Welcome

What we're working on this quarter:  

In language arts, our first quarter work spilled into second quarter, but we are now heading into our next unit  and are loving seeing how your kiddos are rising to our increased expectations. Here are a few updates for our class:

1. Second quarter will bring the start of weekly grammar and word part lessons with quizzes once a month. 

2. Homework will continue the same with an expectation of two hours of independent reading a week. 

3. In language arts class we are excited to move from our whole class novel A Wish in the Dark (or Counting by 7s for 5th period) into literature circles. All of the novels and nonfiction articles will be around the theme that there is marginalization in the world and we need to work to be more inclusive. Kids will be placed into novels (listed below) based on their iReady reading levels and observations made in class. 

4. Please continue to support your students and guide them as independent learners by prompting them to bring a charged chromebook to school, making up any work from days missed, and encouraging your student to write emails to their teachers with questions or concerns. 

• Here is a list of novels and nonfiction articles we will be exploring including the topic that it hits on. 

• All books have been approved for 6th graders through the district policy. 

• Please reach out if you have any concerns about a topic or would like to ensure a title not be offered to your student. 

Novels Being Read in Lit Circle Groups

Ugly by Robert Hoge (dealing with birth defects)

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis (dealing with gender issues)

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (dealing with learning and physical disabilities) 

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munez Ryan (dealing with immigration/migratory farmers)

Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper (dealing with disabilities)

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (dealing with social injustice)

Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros (dealing with immigration)

Restart by Gordan Korman (dealing with bullying)

Linked by Gordan Korman (dealing with anti-semitism)

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (dealing with foster care)

Out of My Mind by Sharron Draper (dealing with physical disabilities)

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo (dealing with bullying and cultural disrespect)

Freewater Amina Luqman-Dawson (dealing with slavery)

The Lost Year by Kathrine Marsh (dealing with religious persecution) 

Thin Wood Walls by David Patneaude (dealing with internment camps)

Catherine Called Birdie by Karen Cushman (dealing with gender stereotypes) 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (dealing with class and gender discrimination)

Nonfiction Articles (more to be added as needed)

“What is Marginalization”

“Discrimination Against Muslim Women”

“Making Our Voices Heard” 

“Can You Stop Online Racism?"

“What’s the Connection Between Poverty and Race in US Schools?”

"How the Equal Opportunity Act Helps Us All" 

Resource for families: Literature Circle Scope and Sequence 

**Families may request optional assignments if the planned curriculum offends their religious or person values.  Please inform me in writing if you prefer that your students read an alternative selection to a particular literary work, and please offer a reason for your preference.   Please see the district’s website for more information:  Parents' Rights

We will be following standards based grading in class so we can best assess how each student is progressing toward 6th grade mastery. Please let me know if you have any questions.