Teacher: Stephanni Bahr
Room: 703
Contact Info:
email: bahr_s@4j.lane.edu
phone: 541-790-6473
Dear Student and Parent/Guardian,
Welcome to sixth grade Language Arts. In this class, we will focus on four areas of communication: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Special attention will be given to preparing students to meet or exceed state and national benchmark standards in these areas.
Resources: Our primary text is Elements of Literature. We will be supplementing this text with various other sources including novels and grammar lessons.
IPAD/Internet/visual media: We will be also be using several apps to enrich our readings that are related to the subject matter. Videos and audio may also be used. Students need to bring their charged iPad to class everyday and place it in one of the baskets in the back of the room upon entering.
Independent reading: Students will be doing independent reading every day at the beginning of class and will need to bring a book of their choice. It is ideal that students read the same book each day until they finish it.
Interactive Notebooks: Students are required to have a spiral notebook for this class. We will be gluing/taping nearly all handouts and classwork in this spiral notebook. It is the student’s responsibility to bring it to class every day and keep it in their binder all year long. It will be graded, and should be neat and follow the guidelines set by the teacher.
Book Talks: Public speaking is an essential skill students need to develop. Students will prepare a book talk each trimester on a book of their choice. The purpose of book talks is not only to practice public speaking, but also to share books students are excited about with the rest of the class, and hopefully inspire their classmates to read more!
Grading/Homework: I do not assign daily homework and try to provide enough class time to complete assignments. However, sometimes students will need to complete some assignments at home, especially writing assignments and presentations. I write all assignments/due dates on the board in the classroom above the turn in baskets. I try to update grades weekly.
Late Work: Meeting due dates is a very important skill for high school, college, and life in general. Therefore, assignments are due on the due date, unless an extension is agreed upon by the teacher and the student, or extended time is an accommodation granted to the student. If assignments are not turned in on time, students will be provided extra time to complete their work after school at homework club.
Classroom Expectations: Each student should evaluate and monitor their own behavior by asking themselves the following questions:
- Does what I’m doing help or hinder my learning?
- Does what I’m doing help or hinder other students’ learning?
- Does what I’m doing help or hinder the teacher’s ability to teach?
In order to provide a safe environment so everyone may provide their input on a give topic, everyone is expected to follow these procedures:
- No name calling or belittling someone’s opinion.
- Raise your hand and be acknowledged by the moderator (usually the teacher) BEFORE expressing your opinion.
- Come to class with an open mind.
Required Materials: Along with their Agendas, students should come to class prepared, every day, with their spiral notebook (Interactive notebook), silent reading book, a well-organized binder, notebook paper, and pencils. Pens and colored pencils are also good to have for editing and artwork.
Nuts and Bolts: All expectations specified on pages 9-19 of the Agenda Planner are expected to be followed and will be enforced in our classroom. Please read over these and pay extra attention to cell phone use, proper IPAD use and care.
Sincerely,
Ms. Bahr