Welcome to Sixth grade! We are looking forward to a great year and hope you are as well. Some tips to help get you through the year:

Please remember that homework is posted for the entire week every Monday and should be recorded in your agenda at that time. It is also posted on Snapgrades in case you forget the agenda.

Homework should be completed and turned in on time to avoid late points or missing assignments.

Be sure to have a parent check your agenda each night to be sure your homework is done and then pack your backpack the night before (be sure to pack your flashdrive) so in case of a hectic morning, you will be ready to go.

See your teachers for extra help when needed and take advantage of any retakes that are offered.

This year will be over quickly so be sure to take time throughout the year to enjoy your final year at Lanesborough Elementary School.

Mr. Bradley’s 6th Grade Classroom Links

rbradley@lanesboroughschool.org

Hello and welcome to the sixth grade web page. Sixth grade is a transition year at Lanesborough School. Not only do students spend much of the year working with character building skills preparing them to move on to Mt. Greylock, but there are many exciting things going on in our classes as well.

In Science and Social Studies students begin looking at the world around them and how we as humans interact with it, in both positive and negative ways. They also look closely at the human body to discover why changes are occurring within their own bodies. In May, after completing our studies of the ocean, we take our week long trip to Cape Cod to investigate the ocean environment first hand.

In Math students begin the year with decimals, work through fractions, and use real world applications to continue and develop their math skills with such things as ratio, proportions and percentages. We end the year with geometry before taking the Sixth grade Math MCAS.

Students will be challenged throughout the year with learning to work together at solving both social and academic problems.

mvinette@lanesboroughschool.org

6th Grade Lanesborough Elementary School English Language Arts (ELA)

General Objectives: The sixth grade ELA program emphasizes comprehension, analysis, application, and the development of the student’s ability to communicate more effectively in both oral and written expression. Students are encouraged to think, learn from their experiences, and develop understanding that reading and writing are connected.

Major Units of Study:

• Fiction (various genres) & Nonfiction
• Drama
• Poetry
• Folklore
• Short Stories
• Literary Elements
• Writing Process
• Reading Strategies
• Study Skills
• Grammar, Spelling, Mechanics
• Vocabulary Development
• Research Skills
• Effective Listening  & Speaking
• Technology Integration

Writing

High interest books are often used as models to students’ own writing. The stages of the writing process include pre-writing, planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.  Many assignments involve multiple drafts.  Writing experiences will include the science project and other research reports, speech writing, thank you letters, expressive writing including personal narrative, persuasive and expository writing, journal entries, poems, and more.

Reading

Students read daily to expand comprehension and fluency, increase vocabulary, explore a variety of literary elements and genres, and to develop a positive attitude toward reading, thinking beyond themselves, and to gain an understanding of alternative viewpoints and ways of life. Reading/activities take place individually, in small groups, or with the whole class.  Also, students are encourage to make connections, ask questions, infer, and synthesize. Student often select their own reading materials. Independent reading is part of the weekly homework routine.

Oral speaking and listening skills are developed through group and class discussions, oral presentations, oral reading & speeches, interactive groups, storytelling, and drama activities.

Word Study covers spelling, vocabulary, prefixes and suffixes, etc.

Parents:

• Keep computers in a common room

• Understand and monitor your child’s Internet use

• Discuss “netiquette” and online safety with your child

• Ask questions if your child seems upset after going online

• See the link below
  

Online Users:

• Never give out passwords or PINs to friends

• Don’t send messages when you are angry

• Never say something in an e-mail that you wouldn’t say to somebody’s face

If You Are a Target:

• Do not open, forward, read, or respond to messages from cyber bullies

• Save all messages as evidence

• Tell a trusted adult about the problem.

• If you are threatened with harm, call the police.

HOMEWORK

Homework should serve a purpose:

• To reinforce and enrich concepts learned in class

• To reinforce following directions and organizational skills

• To provide exposure to a new upcoming concept or skill

• To help students accept responsibility and develop good homework habits

Student Homework Guide

• All assignments should be written in your agenda. Make sure you check it every night.

• Assignments are usually posted on Snapgrades

• If you are absent—check Snapgrades, your agenda for upcoming assignments, and/or call a friend, see Mr. Bradley and Mrs. Vinette during recess

• If you do not understand an assignment—check with a friend and parent. If you are still struggling with it, do what you can and talk to the teacher the following day

• If, on a rare occasion, you cannot get your homework done due to circumstances beyond your control –have a parent write a note to the teacher

• What if the assignment is supposed to be typed and your printer isn’t working? Use your memory stick (disk drive) or email it to the teacher either through Snapgrades or the teacher’s email. It will not be an acceptable excuse for your homework not being done. My email: mvinette@lanesboroughschool.org

• Homework that is not brought to class on the due date will either result in you having to stay in for recess to complete it or a failing grade will be given if the assignment is needed for class participation on the day it is due. You will still be required to complete the work. All late homework is reduced for each day it is late. Put homework into your accordion folder as soon as it is done and pack your backpack as soon as all of the homework is done.

Parent Guide

• Please read the above Student Homework Guide

• Staying organization is critical, but it can be a real struggle for many of us. You can help by checking your child’s agenda daily and by insisting that papers/homework be put in the accordion folder/binder when homework is completed and put into the backpack. Mornings are often too hectic. Also, books and memory sticks should be packed the night before as well. We don’t expect you to do it for your child, but your assistance helps reinforce this routine.
• Arrange a distraction-free place for homework
• Check your child’s agenda for assignments

• Feel free to contact us with any issues regarding homework

Mrs. Vinette’s Links

Welcome to Mr. Bradley’s page.

Mr. Bradley teaches  sixth grade math, science and  social studies.