About Mrs. Flaten

Mission For The Class

*Our main goal in sixth grade is to become prepared for junior high and high school.  

*Study habits and responsibility are very important skills to establish or maintain. 

*It is also important to have respect for oneself and others. 

*My job, as a teacher, is to guide students to become creative and independent learners.

About The Teacher

I have been teaching sixth grade in Hancock since 1992.  I grew up on the Dalen farm near Milan, MN.  I attended college at Concordia College in Moorhead and graduated in 1991.  

I am married to Joel Flaten and we have two sons. Zachariah has started the process of medical school to become a doctor, and Isaiah is a 2024 graduate of finance from NDSU. 

Strategic Plan

Hancock ISD #768  ~  District Strategic Plan:

Mission:  Hancock Public School exists to develop in all students the skills, knowledge and passion to become life long learners. 

Vision

Our vision is to see...

   *students committed to the learning process through engaged teachers, parents, staff and community.

   *students who learn and demonstrate 21st Century skills and knowledge.

   *students who identify and apply their individual strengths.

Values

We value...

   *Effective and innovative instruction

   *Developing and teaching healthy relationships

   *Parent and community involvement

   *Personal responsibility and accountability

   *Honesty and hard work

   *Giving back to our community

Strategies

   *Create an environment for students to be committed to the learning process

   *Incorporate 21st Century skills and knowledge into the curriculum

   *Create an environment that identifies individual strengths and applications

Teacher Goals   

   *Recognize student accomplishments

   *Have high expectations for student performance

   *Incorporate technology in all areas of instruction

   *Effectively evaluate student performance and use evaluation data to drive instruction and improve curriculum

   *Provide individual assistance that is targeted to improve student performance

   *Engage parents, teachers, staff and the community in school activities and learning opportunities

   *Provide opportunities for students to learn and develop their individual strengths. 

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Mrs. Flaten's Strategic Action Plan for 6th Grade

Recognizing student accomplishments:

   *I award Character Awards at the end of each quarter for the following 

     >>Character Traits:  Responsibility, Respect, Caring, Choices, Honesty, Effort, top AR readers.

   *I display students' projects, poetry, and art from our Wonder Unit, WWII Unit and Egypt Unit.

   *I use an economic payment plan for classroom/school jobs with opportunity to earn classroom rewards.

   *I send pictures of recognition to Stevens County Times.

   *I recognize the top reader during February's I Love to Read month.

   *Students compete in the Spelling Bee.

   *Students compete in Elementary Track & Field Day.

Have high expectations for student performance:

   *I have a discipline policy that encourages positive behavior.

   *I reward students who complete assignments on time weekly.

   *I send mid-terms grade reports to all parents.

   *I teach to Minnesota State Academic Standards.

   *I use a rigorous 6th grade curriculum.

   *I confer regularly with students about academic progress.

   *I review NWEA test results with each student.

 Incorporate technology in all areas of instruction:

   *We use a Smartboard daily in my classroom.

   *I use JMC online grading system & parents are encouraged to access grades via Parent Portal.

   *Students use Chromebook laptop computer daily for various academics. 

   *Students use internet for virtual tours of Minnesota Places of Importance and Ancient Civilizations.

   *Students create research presentations for historical research projects.

   *Students use Google Docs for typed documents.

   *Students take online NWEA test 2 times/year to help specialize their academic needs. 

   *Students learn from educational websites & online games. 

Effectively evaluate student performance and use evaluation data to drive instruction and improve curriculum:

   *Students take online NWEA test 2 times/year.

   *Students' fluency is assessed w/ FastBridge Fluency.                                                                                              

   *Students' comprehension is measured with Accelerated Reader Tests.                                                                       

   *Students take MCA State Math & Reading Assessments.

   *I review test data as a part of Curriculum Review.   

   *I assess students performance with traditional tests, computer projects, oral presentations, written & typed projects, and group projects. 

Provide individual assistance that is targeted to improve student performance:

   *I am available for individual assistance before school, at recess and after school.

   *I am available via e-mail at school and at home.

   *I provide a Homeroom period at the end of the day to help organize students.

   *I post & review daily assignments on classroom wall chart.

   *I sign each student's Homework Assignment Planner on a daily basis.

   *I provide small group support in reading.

   *I support students according to their IEPs. 

Engage parents, teachers, staff and the community in school activities and learning opportunities:

    *Sixth grade jobs: ("Paid" positions) Announcements, Playground aides, Newsletter, classroom maintenance.

   *Parents are invited to Parent Information Meeting prior to school starting.

   *Parent chaperones accompany sixth graders on our History trip to MN Historic Sites in St. Paul

   *Hancock Firefighters teach students about fire safety.

   *Student Council recognizes Educators & organizes Dr. Seuss Week.    

   *Leaf-raking around the community.

   *Local field trips to: Water Fest, Andes Tower Hills.

   *Parent volunteers chaperone ski trip to Andes Tower Hills.  

   *Continual communication with parents.

Provide opportunities for students to learn and develop their individual strengths:

 *Students study various historical topics of their choosing.     

 *Students are encouraged to read independent books during the school year.                                     

 *Sixth graders apply for classroom jobs they are interested in to gain leadership skills.