Dear Families,

I am very excited for this school year! Sixth grade is a lot of fun and a lot of work. I am always here to help.

High Expectations

• Class work and homework turned in on time and neatly
• Work to full potential
• Have fun!

Responsibility

• In sixth, independent student responsibility is very important. They are responsible for many more things and themselves.
• Agenda – It is the student's responsibility to keep due dates up-to-date with important due dates and events. Parents/guardians will need to sign each night.
• Homework – turned in on time.

How can I help my child in school?

1. Provide a quiet homework space for your child to work
2. Provide reminders and help with time management of school work and extra curricular activities
3. Provide a quiet, consistent time for your child to read
4. Ask your child questions about their learning, friends, and goals.
5. Help your child create a routine to help with his/her agenda, homework, and packing his/her bag.

Responsive Classroom

Our classroom is a Responsive Classroom. Your child may have come home talking about morning meeting and greetings. “The Responsive Classroom is an approach to teaching and learning that foster a safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools.” The Responsive Classroom approach involves seven important guidelines:

1. The social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum

2. How children learn is as important as what children learn.

3. The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.

4. There is a set of social skills that children need to learn and practice in order to be successful.

5. We must know our children individually, culturally, and developmentally.

6. Knowing the families of the children we teach is as important as knowing the children.

7. Teachers and administrators must model the social and academic skills as well. (Northeast Foundation of Children, Inc.)

Communication

• Students need to communicate to both their parents and with Mrs. Potter.
• Students also need to communicate with their classmates. We work in groups on many things and respectful communication with fellow classmates makes learning much more effective and fun.
• Students need to let Mrs. Potter know if they are feeling overwhelmed.

ELA

• In reading, our goal is to encourage students to be independent readers and to have a good understanding of what they read. Our reading program, leveled library, monthly reading assignments and supplemental books will all be used to help achieve this goal.
• In writing, our writing program includes: writing paragraphs, letters, reports, and stories. The students will be taught using the Lucy Calkins Units of Study program.

Handwriting

• It is very important for each student to take pride in his/her work. I expect work to be of high quality, be neat and organized. Handwriting will be a key factor in the level of quality work that students should achieve. Please stress the importance of neatness in their written work.

The Reading Homework Society

Steps for students to follow:

1. Choose a book at your “just right” level.

2. Show your teacher the book that you plan to read before you start it.

3. Read the book at home each night. He/she is welcome to bring the book back and forth from home to school, but the majority of the reading should be done at home. Students are required to read for a minimum of 20 minutes per night at least 4+ nights a week.

4. The book must be one that they haven’t read or had someone read to them before.

5. When students have finished the book, they need to complete a summary sheet using with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics. The summary must be well written and the each student's best work.

6. A MINIMUM of one summary must be completed by the last day of each month. Mrs. Potter will not accept summaries that are not thoroughly completed.

Thank you for your support,

Mrs. Potter