Class Profile

Mrs. Vorwerk’s 6th Grade Class Profile

A Day in the Life of Your Child!

Our school day formally begins at the 8:10 bell.  As students enter the room, they make their lunch choice, organize for the day, and begin daily morning work. Morning work may consist of a few math problems, journaling, or spelling practice. This starts our day in an organized fashion.

After the school prayer and morning announcements at 8:25, we begin our day with our specials classes. On cycle days one and four, students have P.E. class with Ms. Rutt. On days three and six, students see Dr. Richter for music class. Day two is our computer class day with Mr. Gerhardt, and on day five we have art class with Mrs. Hartzler.

From 9:10-9:55 each day, students move on to their math classes. Regina Elementary uses the Sadlier-Oxford Progress in Mathematics series. Students in 6th grade math will cover number sense and operations, fraction concepts, algebra, geometry, measurement, solid figures, ratio, proportion, percent, and probability throughout the school year.

Math homework is intended to help students practice the skills learned in class. As educators, we use this math homework as a formative assessment, a way to show if students need additional work with a concept or are ready for new material. While students will receive feedback on their work from each lesson, this feedback will sometimes take place on a short quiz containing problems from or similar to those on the previous night's homework. At other times, portions of problems from the actual homework sheet will be assessed, and the student will receive feedback on needed improvements. A portion of a student's math class grade will come from the selected problems on homework quizzes or assignments. As homework is intended to be a practice and learning opportunity, the majority of a student's math class points (and therefore math grade) will come from tests, quizzes, and projects. These are summative assessments that indicate what a student has actually learned following practice, formative assessment, and re-teaching opportunities. This grading philosophy reflects the Core Curriculum and current educational research. If your child has questions or difficulty understanding, they are encouraged to ask questions in class, refer to their notebook, or use their textbook.

Following math, we begin reading.  Our primary reading series is the Common Core aligned "Reading Wonders" by McGraw-Hill. Sixth grade students will also read several novels throughout the course of the year and take part in a Greek Mythology unit coinciding with their work in social studies class. The textbook reading series also includes the spelling curriculum for 6th grade. Each week, the students will be given a spelling packet with 25 words. Usually this packet is given on Monday and is due on Friday. Students are given a pretest on Monday and a test on Friday. They are also expected to complete other practice work throughout the week. Challenge spelling and extra credit opportunities are available every week to every child in 6V regardless of their performance on the Monday pretest.


Our time from 10:30 – 11:10 will depend on what day it is out of our six day cycle. On cycle day five, the students will have an opportunity to visit the library with Ms. Schnoebelen. On day six, we have guidance with Mrs. Giese.  On cycle days one and three, we have band and/or orchestra from 10:30-11:10.  On day three, orchestra will meet with Ms. Savage. Students who are in band (but not orchestra) participate in a large group band lesson at this time. Full band meets with Mrs. Glass on day one. Students who are in orchestra (but not band) participate in a large group lesson at this time. Students choosing not to participate in band or orchestra have some extra silent reading time in the classroom.

Students in 6V have religion class from 11:10-11:45.  Regina uses a religion series called Blest Are We: Faith in Action.  Much of our year will focus on stories from the Old Testament. We take time during the month of October to focus on the Rosary. Later in the year we spend time preparing and reflecting during the seasons of Advent and Lent. On Wednesdays, we often have a prayer service or Mass in the elementary gym in the afternoon. When this occurs, 6V students may have their science class in place of religion class during that morning.

Right before recess and lunch we always take a few minutes to say a prayer in thanksgiving for the food we are about to eat. The students proceed to recess at 11:50. Recess ends at 12:10 and students walk to the cafeteria for their lunch. 

We take the time from 12:30 until 12:55 to visit lockers, return to our classroom, use the restroom, and to read quietly and relax before our afternoon switch classes. Many student band and orchestra lessons will be scheduled during this time. Mrs. Larson also meets with small group reading students in the Learning Center at this time.

At 12:55 each day (except Thursday) we begin our 35 minute switch classes. 6V students head down the hall to Ms. Bullard.  She teaches social studies for our grade. Students use supplemental and primary sources to learn about regions of the world, maps, and ancient history. Units include Ancient Greece and Rome, Ancient Egypt, and the Middle Ages. 

6V students then head to English class with Mrs. Knight from 1:30-2:05. The students use the Houghton Mifflin English curriculum as well as other writing models. They will study parts of a sentence, punctuation, parts of speech, the writing process, and learn how to connect these skills to their daily reading and writing. 

At 2:05, students return to our classroom where I teach sixth grade science. Regina elementary uses the Full Option Science System (FOSS) series and kits which align with the state mandated curriculum. The FOSS series is designed around student inquiry and hands-on explorations. Our year in science will consist of several major modules: Diversity of Life, Chemical Interactions, and Planetary Science/Earth History. Highlights include student use of microscopes as we investigate types and parts of cells as well as an introduction to basic chemistry, the periodic table, and chemical reactions.

From 2:40 until 2:55, all three sixth grade classrooms have a block of work time for students. This allows them to get a start on their assigned work and to ask any questions they might have. We encourage students to work effectively and ask questions during this time.

Prior to dismissal we fill out our assignment notebooks. Assignments for each subject are written on the front board of the classroom so that all students are aware of their expectations and due dates. Students must fill out their planners in order to leave the room to go to their lockers. They are responsible for recording assignments accurately and for bringing home correct study materials each evening. School is dismissed at 3:00. On Thursdays, students are dismissed at 2:00. Students are expected to be in the proper dismissal line and show appropriate behavior at dismissal time.



Homework Policy

The amount of nightly homework in sixth grade varies from child to child, as each works at his or her own pace. Very few assignments are expected to be completed entirely at home. Students are almost always given class time to get started on (if not fully complete) their assignments. They are strongly encouraged to use this time productively. If a student does have incomplete or late work, they are to record that in their planner and are given one week to get the assignment turned in. Late work will receive a 25% reduction in credit. 

We understand that mistakes do happen, and students are able to earn “Oops Passes” throughout the year. These allow students to turn in work one day late without a penalty. Each child in 6V began the year with two of these passes.

Discipline

Our top priority as teachers is to promote an orderly and productive environment where learning can take place for all students. A parent/student contract was sent home at the beginning of the school year explaining the procedure for discipline issues. All students are expected to follow these expectations and procedures, which are derived from the REGAL Way:


In the case of an ongoing issue, parents, students, and teachers will meet to discuss the problem and find an effective solution. Our priority is to emphasize the positive benefits from working well as a class, being responsible, and showing respect.

Grading Scale

100% A+ 92% B+ 84% C+ 74% D+ 64% 

99-94% A 91-86% B 83-76% C 73-66% D

93% A- 85% B- 75% C- 65% D-

This grading scale is determined by Regina Elementary administration and applies to all fifth and sixth grade classes. If you have questions regarding grading policies, feel free to contact the teacher or administration..


Dismissal Plans

If your child's plan for getting home on a particular day changes suddenly, please call the elementary office with this information. Since we are very busy teaching throughout the day, we may not receive an email in time. If there happened to be a substitute in the room on that day, your child would not receive an emailed message, so please call the office for any dismissal change. They will pass this information on to your child.

Absences/Tardies

We encourage students to be in school as much as possible. Work sent home for absent students can never really replace the experience of being in class. If you request for work to be sent to the office to be picked up for your absent child, please give us a bit of warning. It takes classroom teachers extra time during our very busy days to gather assignments and needed materials to send home. 

Winter Weather Clothing/Hot Weather Drinks

When the weather starts getting cold, please remind your child to dress appropriately for outdoor recess. If there is snow on the ground, they may also need boots. 6-V students are encouraged to keep a bottle of plain, unflavored water at their desk.

Class Website

https://sites.google.com/icregina.com/vorwerk/home

I keep a regularly updated class website at the address listed above. You can find nightly homework assignments as well as upcoming tests and quizzes on the homework page of the site. This can be a great help in keeping your child organized! Additionally, our daily schedule, copies of some classroom information, and many helpful links are on the website. Check it out!

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. Sixth grade is a busy and productive year with many fun “extra” activities and opportunities along the way. Our goal is that students work hard, play hard, and leave sixth grade prepared to succeed in junior high!

-Mrs. Vorwerk

erin.vorwerk@regina.org