6:30-8:30                                             

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a restful holiday break. Just a few reminders to help all of us get back into the school groove: School begins at 8:00. Students may come into the classroom at 7:45. Please ask your child if they are in need of any supplies such as pencils, crayons, map pencils, etc. Many students are missing supplies; therefore, sometimes it's necessary to replenish crayons or pencils. Students may bring a HEALTHY, DRY snack to eat during second period. Snacks may NOT be shared. Candy/candy bars are not considered a healthy snack.     

Monday, Jan. 9: Reading Comprehension Homework; Vocabulary list for this week 
Tuesday, Jan. 10: Homework Due/Library/Vocabulary word practice/Review for MAPS test
Wednesday, Jan.11: Continue Review/Data Binder Update
Thursday, Jan. 12: MAPS test

 

Friday, January 13- Six weeks Ends- All make-up/late papers must be in by today.

 

December is a busy time of the year. Lots of excitement about getting out of school for the Holiday break. Following are important dates that would be helpful to remember... I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! See you next year

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Homework tonight, Monday, Sept. 26. Reading passage. 

     Spelling Test Friday, Sept. 30. Unit 2. (A list is in Shared Objects) 

     Homecoming is this Friday   

     Book Order may still be turned in. I need them by Wednesday, Sept. 28.

 

     This week we will be focusing on nonfiction personal narrative, memoir, autobiography, and using a dictionary.  Please check out parental portal if you haven't done so already. Your passcode can access all children in one household/family. You are able to see information about your child(ren) only. This is a great way to see if assignments are being turned in late, are missing, or what is due. You can also message teachers, and see notes that we have sent to you about assignments or about your child's progress. You can get your passcode from the office. You must do this in person so that we can verify identity.   

    

I have set up our classroom's account for ordering books on- line through Scholastic. A note will be sent home today (9/12) with the first/only time activation code that will be needed to place your order. Book orders are due by Monday, Sept. 19. A Scholastic paper was sent home also for anyone who wishes to place an order that way. Please make checks out to Scholastic.

 

Spelling tests will begin next week since we just received our new spelling adoption.   

This week's Peek is now uploaded to "Shared Objects."  Click on Shared objects from the menu on the right, and it will be located in the file 2011-2012 Peeks. Each week there will be an updated peek uploaded to this file. Be sure to check each week to see what's going on in sixth grade. Next week I will also be posting the week's spelling words.

 

Please ask your child if they are getting their math packets completed each week. They are able to bring these home and work on them throughout the week. Progress reports will go home next week. These first three week have flown by.

 

Please don't hesitate to e-mail or call with any questions or concerns. E-mail is the fastest and best way to communicate. Phone messages will be check daily, toward the end of the day.      

 

  Technology in the Classroom:

 

Students are allowed to bring a Nook or Kindle, iPad or iPod with books downloaded for reading. Audio books on mp3 players are acceptable also; however, students must have a hard copy of the book to follow along with as it is read to them.  

 

Please be sure to put names on these items, and understand that students bring these at their own risk. They will be expected to keep up with these items, as they will not be stored for them; however, the classroom is locked each time we leave. Students are allowed to place these items on my desk for safe keeping so they do not get stepped on or broken.

 

With this privilege comes guidelines that must be followed to assure students stay on task and use this technology for READING purposes. Students will not be allowed access to Facebook, text messaging, video, camera, or Apps. (unless the App. is ibooks which you have to have in order to download books from itunes onto the iPad or iPhone). If students are caught doing any of the aforementioned things (anything other than reading), parents will be notified and will need to pick up the phone, ipad,mp3, Nook, or Kindle from me.

Welcome Back Austin Gators! 
 

I'm looking forward to an exciting year in 6th Grade Language Arts. I'm Mrs. West and I teach Language Arts for sixth grade.  This is my third year at Austin, but my 13th year of teaching. I spent my first ten years at Curtis Elementary, followed by a three year break to stay home.

 

I live in Weatherford with my husband and two daughters, two cats, three dogs, and two hamsters named Coco and Channel. My husband is a Captain for Coppell Fire Department, and my oldest Daughter, Maddi is an eighth grader at Hall, while Molli is a fourth grader here at Austin. We are a busy family involved in competitive cheerleading at Maverick. My husband loves to Hunt and travels to many far off places to indulge.

 

I love Reading and Writing and enjoy watching students find their love and flair for Language Arts. My goal is to create lifelong readers and writers.

 

I hope you have had a wonderful summer! I look forward to a fabulous year!

 

Melanie West