Welcome Back to School!

Foothills Middle School 2020-2021

Ms. Salazar

Room 215

6th Grade HUM (English + History) Enrichment

ELD 1 + 3

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tsalazar@ausd.net

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About Ms. Salazar :)

• 13th year working for AUSD, fourth year teaching full-time at FMS
• Grew up in SGV, living in LA 10+ years
• CSULA alumni/B.A. Liberal Arts
• Interests: Travel, Family and Friends, Cats, Lover and supporter of the Arts

Passionate about teaching and being a lifelong learner myself. There is so much to learn (and unlearn!)

Classroom Environment

• Classroom Community
• Community building/ restorative practices
• “3 R’s”
• RESPECT
• Responsibility
• (Take) Risks

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AUSD- “Imagine, Inquire, Inspire”

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Academic Expectations

• Grades are earned
• *Give Best Effort* (Most importantly!)
• Growth Mindset (vs. “Fixed” Mindset)
• Come prepared for class! (Responsibility)
• Complete assignments on time
• Curriculum and workload may be challenging at first. It takes a little time for students to adjust.
• Our goal is your child’s SUCCESS- I am here to help, always, when needed, but also to push and inspire growth :)

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Technology Applications Used

1:1 Chromebooks

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• Power School (online gradebook)
• Google Drive (student work)
• Google Classroom
• ALL assignments, announcements will posted here daily/whenever necessary
• Student Email

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ELD 3/Writer’s Workshop

Focus

• Writing, speaking, listening, reading

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Objective

• Greater knowledge and understanding of the English language
• Increased confidence
• Goal to “test out” of ELD and into mainstream classes the following year

ELD 3/ Writer’s Workshop

**In addition to passing the ELPAC, students must earn a PASSING grade in ALL classes to move out of ELD**

- “Study Hall” twice a week

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ELD 3/ Writer’s Workshop

Activities/Exercises

• Pilot Program: Imagine Reading

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• Daily writing (Reflections, journals)
• Daily reading (Newsela, SCOPE magazine, Holes)
• Building vocabulary
• Grammar
• Speaking (Presenting, collaborating, class discussions)

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Humanities Block

ENGLISH

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and

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HISTORY- Ancient Civilizations

Reading

• IMPORTANCE OF READING

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• Dedicated SSR Time Schoolwide

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• Independent reading at home
• Reading logs, books reports

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GOAL = 1,000,000 words per year

• Renaissance (STAR) testing Quarterly
• Lexile reading levels
• Recommended reading lists

6th Grade English

• Common Core
• Vocabulary and Grammar- D.O.L., weekly Vocab lists…
• Read Core Literature
• Textbook- California Collections
• Workbook- Close Reader
• Novel- Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Genres
• Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
• Group & Individual Projects/Oral Presentations/Quizzes

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Writing

• Six Traits of Writing
• Work on individually
• Lead up to all traits

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• Written responses- Literature and Non-Fiction

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• Essays
• Use thinking maps to organize writing
• Various genres of writing (Narrative, Lit. Analysis)
• ****Cite EVIDENCE in writing!!***

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• Poetry

I am very passionate about the process :)

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History

• History Alive!
• Textbook- The Ancient World
• Workbook- Interactive Student Notebook
• Content
• Early Humans / beginning civilizations
• Mesopotamia (ancient Middle East)
• Israelites
• Egypt
• China
• India
• Greece
• Rome
• Investigations
• Hands-on learning

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History

• Pacing:
• Approximately a chapter per week
• Tests and Quizzes (Chapter to Unit)
• Study guides
• Need to read carefully
• Notes- “Focused Notes” (AVID strategies)
• Have a clear purpose/work best for the individual student

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-Projects (Group and individual)

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6th Grade Enrichment

• Visual and Performing Arts
• Art
• Painting/drawing/sketching, Art vocabulary
• Music
• Rhythm, notes/rests, musical instruments, music history
• Drama
• Improv/staging/performing a script

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• Academic/ “Study Skills”
• Extra help

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Grades

• Graded Work Folder **
• Sent home sent home every 1-2 weeks
• Must log-in to Power School and check all grades
• Parent signature sheet in folder

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• Grades
• Grading Scale

100% A+ 89% - 88% B+ 79% - 78% C+ 69% - 68% D+

99% - 93% A 87% - 83% B 77% - 73% C 67% - 63% D

92% - 90% A- 82% - 80% B- 72% - 70% C- 62% - 60% D-

59% - below F

• Scores are based on points

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• Tests/projects/essays 30-50 points
• Assignments 5-15 points
• Quizzes 1 10-20 points

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Power School On-Line Gradebook

Parents and students can access the teacher gradebook at anytime through Power School.

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Students recommended to check at least weekly.

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Parents at least a couple times a month.

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Work Habits Grade

• Homework
• More details on Homework slide to follow

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• English- typically work started in class/reading
• History- study guides/reading notes/reading
• Enrichment- usually none

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*Late or missing homework/assignments:

• N= 3 to 5
• U= more than 5

Citizenship Grade

• Behavior Expectations:
• Students should be well prepared and respectful to those

around them

• Participate in class

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• Citizenship grade:
• O- Outstanding= exceeds expectations
• S- Satisfactory= does the requirement
• N- Needs Improvement= not on task or disruptive

behavior/frequent talking (will receive three

warnings with a phone call home by the student

before the N is given)

• U- Unsatisfactory= consistent reminders and phone

calls

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HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS

• Extension of classwork and/or completion of work started in class.
• Reading in preparation for class
• Notes
• AGENDA (*please check), Google Classroom
• Google Classroom (online assignments)
• Independent Reading (20-30 mins. daily)
• Homework may be challenging at first for many. It will take time to adjust.

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ABSENCES AND LATE WORK

• Responsible for work missed due to absence
• Check Google Classroom
• Call or email a classmate
• Responsible for scheduling a date to take quizzes/tests
• Note should be given by the student before school starts in order to receive excused slip for teachers.

**Please keep me informed of any extenuating circumstances**

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Thank you for your partnership this year. I am looking forward to a great year with your 6th grader!

Please feel free to contact me at tsalazar@ausd.net with any questions, concerns, or clarifications.

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Office Hours: Before and after school, or at lunch

by appointment :)