BIO
WELCOME 6TH GRADERS!! I am Mrs. Gerdes, sixth grade English/Language Arts (ELA) teacher. I AM SO EXCITED TO START A NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH YOU!! I am starting my 27th year of teaching ELA here at RMS. I earned my master’s degree in Reading Specialization from Kent State University. In addition, I have 30 graduate hours beyond the master’s degree in reading and writing instruction. I have obtained Master Teacher status with the state of Ohio, have met all qualifications of a highly qualified teacher, and I have proudly served as a Mentor Teacher in RLSD.
Course Focus, Textbook, and Curriculum
We are excited to blend the sixth grade literature curriculum with a program called Wit & Wisdom, along with various short stories from our textbook, and student-selected novels . Moreover, students will be asked to purchase 2 additional novels from our RMS school fundraiser, as part of our Wit & Wisdom curriculum, near the end of the first quarter. Our textbooks, Elements of Literature, and Elements of Writing @2012, are aligned with our Revere Learning Standards, published by Holt McDougal.
Novels/selections we will read this year are as follows: Blood on the River by Eliza Carbone, I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, Ramayana: Divine Loophole illustrated by Sanjay Patel, The Odyssey, a retelling for grade 6. Also, nonfiction classroom text sets will be implemented.
Grammar and Sentence Structure Instruction
Grammar and sentence structure is taught by labeling each part of speech, Sentence of the Day (SOD) method, and as incorporated in the reading and writing lessons. The writing process is explored and practiced from prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing stages, to the publishing stage. Most essay writing will be done in class as it relates to the reading selections; however, the final typed copy may be done at home. Speeches and proper public speaking techniques and various projects are incorporated into this course as well.
Vocabulary Study - We will use an online vocabulary program called Membean twice weekly in class, with periodic scored quizzes. Students will need earbuds for this program.
Book Bistro! We will implement an independent reading program for outside of class reading for 3 quarters. Students will have freedom of choice and no book reports! Instead, this program focuses on peer recommendations, brief summarizing skills, and small group book talks.
Assignments, Progress Book, iPads
Students are encouraged by their teachers to write their assignments daily in their assignment books. Furthermore, ELA assignments, test and quiz dates, study guides, project due dates, are posted on my homework page via Progress Book. ELA class grades are typically updated weekly, if not daily. Students and parents should already have their username and password for Progress Book from last year. If not, please follow the step by step directions on our RLSD website to secure this information. Please note, I accept late work at anytime during the current quarter, but for half credit.
iPAD usage: Each sixth grader will be or has been assigned an iPAD PRO tablet from the district prior to the start of school. Students should bring it to each ELA class period everyday, fully charged, along with earbuds.
"I DIDN'T DO IT; THE CAT DID IT!"
Class Room Rules for 219
Follow ALL directions the first time they are given.
Raise hand to share your thoughts.
Respect others, respect yourself, respect things.
Bring all materials to class each day.
Missing supplies will be monitored by Mrs. Gerdes. Upon the third time of a missing supply during each quarter, a detention will be earned.
Be to class on time. See Mrs. Gerdes if you do not have a pass to enter late from another teacher.
Upon the third unexcused tardy to class each quarter, a detention will be earned.
Follow the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you expect to be treated. Be sure to communicate with Mrs. Gerdes if you are not being respected by others.
All cell phones are turned off and kept in your book bag.
10. Late work will be accepted, but for half credit
earned. Late work will be accepted only during
the quarter in which it was assigned.
11. If absent - see Make-Up board as you enter the
room by class period to get your missing work or
directions. YOU need to turn it in the next day, or
see Mrs. Gerdes if you missed more than one day.
ELA Binder Set Up
It is important for student success to stay organized. I highly recommend you keep a separate binder just for ELA class. A take-home folder for grade six does not work - unless student remembers each morning to put all the papers from the take-home from the night before, into each binder for the content area class. In my 27 years of teaching experience at RMS, most students never take that extra step, and then the take-home folders become a paper trail nightmare!
Supplies needed for ELA Class:
If you have not already, please purchase a 1 1/2 inch binder and 5 tabbed dividers; bring in 1 one-gallon plastic zipper lock baggie (only one not a whole box!) this will be used to keep your novels in like-new condition; pencils, pens, one highlighter color of your choice, 3" by 5" index cards, 1 or 2 packs of medium sized post it notes, and ear buds will be NEEDED in class almost daily.
Organize your binder this way with your (5) tabbed dividers labeled as follows:
(Note: Any papers and clean notebook paper will go BEHIND each tabbed divider)
HW or Homework - clean notebook paper in this section
Graded papers
SOD (sentence of the day) clean paper in this section
Journal - clean notebook paper in this section
KEEP/Notes - clean notebook paper in this section
I will be able to assist you with organizing your binder the first couple days of school, so please do not fret!! (this means don't worry.... we can get it done together!)