MAPLEWOODSIXTH GRADEWelcome to Back to School night!

DAILY SCHEDULE

7:30-7:50 Morning assembly in gym

7:50-8:00 WOW (jog/walk the track)

8:00-9:50 Period I

9:55-11:45 Period II

11:45-12:10 STAR (Study Tutor And Read)

12:10-12:30 Recess

12:30-1:00 Lunch

1:10-1:55 Specials (PE, Music, Art)

1:55-2:40 Band/Orchestra

TEXT BOOKS

Papers sent home to opt out of a hard copy of the textbooks.

Students will have text books checked out to them over the next week, unless we have received a form indicating that the student will use the online textbooks.

Math text books are used infrequently, but make a good resource at home if the online text book is inaccessible.

Literature textbooks All other textbooks are class sets to be used in the

classroom only (Health, Science, Social Studies, Writing)

SNACKS

A parent volunteer wanted to coordinate a snack sign-up. Thanks to those who have already donated for their

classes! Snack donations are for homeroom classes only.

However, if a treat is sent with a student for a birthday (or other special occasion), please send enough for all of sixth grade.

EDMODO

Both teachers are using Edmodo regularly to post assignments, homework, and communicate with students, etc.

Information was sent home in Wednesday folders on 9/11 containing codes for parent access.

Online planner included to help keep track of assignments.

Students go weekly to computer lab for an entire class period to practice, research, and create products (using a variety of online tools) to show their learning.

Class set (20) of netbooks for use in the classroom. GoAnimate tool (?)

FIELD TRIPS / FUNDRAISING

Annual field trip to NASA Space Center in Houston late April or early May.

Cost is around $2000 ($1000 for the charter bus, $1000 for fees/food)

Fundraising events Parents’ Night Out Valentine’s flowers Chocolate candy bars in the spring Other possibilities: Cherrywood Art Fair, elections(?)

Information to come about other possible field trips.

NATIONAL BOARD

Mrs. Neal is participating in a voluntary national program that assesses and certifies outstanding teachers.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) conducts these assessments by requiring video recordings of teaching, and accompanying writing to describe and explain the activities in the videos.

Releases MUST be received from every student who might be on camera.

Videos become property of NBPTS upon submission.

MISS OLSON

Our student intern, Katie Olson, is in the classroom on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

She will teach a few math and science lessons (after planning with Mrs. Neal).

She is required to video one of her lessons, so she also has sent a release form home to students.

STEM CLUB

STEM Club meetings begin Thursday, September 26, 3:00-4:30.

Students will need a permission slip signed by October 3. Fall semester competition is Monday, December 9 at UT. Students participating in STEM Club are expected to

follow the 6th grade “R”s: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Ready to Work.

Students must have transportation home at 4:30pm.

AUSTIN CHILDREN’S THEATER (ACT) ACT has been providing free of charge an after-school

theater program for sixth graders only. Students write, read, create, and perform. Program is one day a week (Tuesdays in years past),

3:00-4:30. More information will be provided as it becomes

available.

PEACE BUNCH!

Students have decided to celebrate their great behavior weekly at recess/lunch time rather than once a month after school.

Students are responsible for planning their celebration. Electronic devices are allowed during Peace Bunch. Students may bring snacks to share at Peace Bunch.

END-OF-YEAR ACTIVITIES

Awards ceremony on last day of school. Parent may plan/organize a dance/party for the students. NASA trip late April or early May. Other end-of-year celebrations may occur (dependent on

student behavior and money available).

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Room parent: point person for PTA and parent communications

Snack coordinator Wednesday folder stuffer(s) Field trip chaperones (as needed) Parents’ Night Out sponsored by sixth grade General fundraising ideas, planning, and execution Campus Math fluency checker

WISH LIST

Dry Erase markers in a variety of colors Colored computer paper Extra 5-subject spirals Gluesticks AA re-chargeable and/or non-rechargeable batteries AAA batteries for graphing calculators GoAnimate license $79 Glogster license $39