Welcome to Back to School Night!

Grade 6 Language Arts

Mrs. Kelly CsizmadiaPleasesign inon the easelat the front of the room.

About the Teacher…• Graduate of Fairfield

University with B.A. in English (Dual concentration in writing and literature)

• Masters Degree in Special Education from Fairfield University

• Certified in both Secondary English and Comprehensive Special Education

• Thirteenth year teaching at Hillcrest

• Hillcrest Teacher of the Year 2009-2010

Grade 6 Language Arts – Curriculum Overview

• Our curriculum is based on the Connecticut State Frameworks, which includes reading, speaking, listening, and writing components.

• Our focus in grade six is grammar and writing.

Writing Genres

• Expository & Compare/Contrast Essays• Personal Narrative • Short Researched Report• Poetry• Letter to the Editor (Introduction to Persuasive

Writing)• Journal Writing

______________________________________Activities will align with the 6 Traits of Writing:

Ideas, Organization, Fluency, Voice, Word Choice, and Conventions

Grammar

• Topics include parts of speech, sentences, clauses, etc.• Worksheets are used to reinforce concepts ; grammar rules are at the top of most worksheets.• Corrected worksheets should be studied

to prepare for quizzes and tests.• Check my website for practice links: http//trumbullps.org/hms. - under

information and staff directory.

How Instruction is Informed

• What do we want students to learn?

• How do we know if they have learned it?

• What do we do if they have not learned it?

Differentiation = Opportunities for Remediation & Enrichment

REMEDIATION• On-going

assessment of strengths and weaknesses to form flexible groups

• Targeted instruction with assistance from Chairperson of Language Arts/Reading, team-teacher, intern, and paraprofessionals

• Skill Days to continue to address essential language arts skills

ENRICHMENT• Flexible grouping to

challenge those students who have mastered the basic content.

• Writing opportunities including occasional writing contests.

• After-school activities such as: literary magazine, (Expressions) school newspaper, Young Authors, etc.

Grading and HomeworkGrades are a combination of:• Quizzes• Tests• Assignments (including polished writing

pieces)• Class participation/responsibility/effortHomework is posted on my homework board

and my website.• No homework = stamp in the agenda

pad• Parents will be contacted if it becomes

a recurring problem

How Parents/Guardians can Help:

• Provide a quiet, structured time for homework and review of daily notes.

• Encourage your child to use the agenda pad each night as a to-do list, checking off assignments and planning long-term projects.

• Check your child’s agenda pad each night for any notes or stamps regarding missing or incomplete work.

• Familiarize yourself with my website by going to www.trumbullps.org/hms. (located under information/staff directory) Daily homework, upcoming assessments, and important announcements will be posted.

• Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding your child’s well-being or academic progress. Please include a telephone number in your e-mail where I may reach you between 12:45 – 1:15 p.m.and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m..

• We are in this together!

What I can do to help : Language Arts class issues:• Extra help is on THURSDAY afternoons and by

appointment.• Late buses run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and

Thursdays.• Encourage self-advocacy and responsibility• Peer Tutors : Wednesdays afterschool for help

with any subject area, or organization of materials.

Issues outside of Language Arts class:• At Hillcrest, we stand for making everyone

physically, mentally, and emotionally safe. If your child has been a target of anything mean, let us know.

Parents, You’ve Made it to Middle School….

Now, let’s work together to make this school year a great one!Thank you for coming