Feel Free to Contact Mr. McDaniel: 217-245-4084 cmcdaniel@jsd117.org www.mrmcdaniel.

com

August 15, 2014
Dear Parent or Guardian:

Another summer has flown by! Welcome back and welcome to the Sixth Grade at North. I am excited to work with you and
your family to prepare your student(s) for Seventh Grade and beyond. Please take a few minutes to check out the information
about our classroom below.

Instruction: All of my lessons are based on curriculum assigned by District 117 and the State of Illinois. Every strategy I use
in my classroom is research-based and identified as a best practice in education. Each of my lessons, every activity and
every piece of homework will work towards the mastering the Common Core Learning Standards. The Common Core State
Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the
Council of Chief State School Officers. The standards were developed to provide a clear and consistent framework nationwide
to prepare our students for college and the workforce.

Homework: Each student will be responsible for completing his or her Assignment Book daily. Homework will be assigned
as practice is needed. The amount of homework each night will vary depending on each students work ethic and ability. I
view homework as practice to master a specific skill or objective, and since it is practice, it is often ungraded. It is always
reviewed in class and constructive feedback is always provided. Students should read a text and write about the text in a
journal every night.

Reading Class: Reading class is often referred to as Daily 5 time in our classroom. During reading students learn as a
whole group through short core lessons, work independently on reading and word-working tasks, and work in guided
reading groups to explore texts at their level. Each student will maintain a Daily 5 Binder. In the binder, they will store the
assigned Daily 5 tasks completed throughout the week for a conference on Friday. Your students reading grade will be based
on his or her Daily 5 Binder work and his or her weekly reading assessments.

Vocabulary and Spelling: Vocabulary and spelling words will always directly relate to our text in reading and concepts in
science, history or math. There will be no spelling grade on the report card this year. Spelling will be an ongoing skill
practiced through our daily writing. The number of words will vary each week.

Math Class: Pre-assessments will be given before each new concept is taught to take the pulse of each student. New
math concepts will be introduced frequently and each students progression through math units will be based on his or her
mastery of each concept. Post-assessments will be given based on the time it takes to master each concept. It is very
important for students to brush up on math facts. Very little class time will be used to practice multiplication and division
facts and, if youre student struggles with this, it should be done at home.

Social Studies and Science Class: History and science concepts will almost always be woven into reading class through
books and magazines. Because of this, most concepts will be assessed through our reading tests. Extension activities, such as
practicing map skills and conducting experiments will occur in the afternoons.

Breakfast Club: If your student is struggling with a new concept, or has a difficult time completing assignments, consider
allowing him or her to participate in the Breakfast Club. The club takes place Monday through Friday, from 7:30 until 7:50am.
Students will meet in the cafeteria where they can get extra help on homework assignments from school staff.


(Over)




Feel Free to Contact Mr. McDaniel: 217-245-4084 cmcdaniel@jsd117.org www.mrmcdaniel.com


Classroom Library: Last year our sixth graders helped before and after school to catalog and label my large classroom
library. We now have over 1,000 books in our classroom library and I love to share them. Students will be asked to check out
my books using a computer program just like our school library. You can find a database of our classroom library at the
following website: classroom.booksource.com. Our student login is: mr.mcdaniel and our password is: mcdaniel6 You then
click student page and checkout. A database of the books in North Schools library can be found at: north.jsd117.org.
Your student will be expected to have at least one novel and one nonfiction book at all times for use in reading class and for
assigned reading at home.

Classroom Website: When you have a few minutes, please visit our class website. Our website is: www.mrmcdaniel.com.
Here you will find classroom news, homework assignments, our Weekly Update newsletter, photos and videos, and students
can participate in assigned discussions.

Expectations: I have two simple expectations in my classroom: Be Kind. Work Hard. The students in my classroom will
work together to create a list of more specific rules, as well as rewards and consequences, on the first day of school. I will
update you with these rewards and consequences in the coming weeks. Please register for Class Dojo ASAP, as you can
get updates regarding your students behavior in real time online. We will use Class Dojo as a behavior management
tool all year.

Data Binders: Students will maintain a Data Binder over the course of the school year. All assessments will be recorded in
the binder, as well as midterm and quarter grades. Students will also record and monitor classroom behavior. Your student
will be keeping all of his or her assessments in this binder. If you wish to see the results of the assessments, feel free to stop
by or request for them to be sent home.

Growth Assessments: You are probably familiar with our MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) tests. We use these tests
as one indicator of your students academic strengths and areas of opportunity. We will group students flexibly this year in
math and reading based on these results. Our sixth graders will also take a Reading and Math ISAT in the spring.

Water Bottles and Snacks: Students can bring water bottles to the classroom if the bottle isnt noisy and has water in it
no soda, Gatorade, etc. There will be time for a short midmorning snack. A small, non-messy, nutritious snack can be stored
in your students locker. Please consult our handbook for appropriate snack choices. I try to always provide a snack for
students who do not bring one. Any donations to this effort would be greatly appreciated.

Communication: I like to keep the lines of communication open. I can be reached by phone or email during the school
day and by email after school. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Also feel free to stop by the
school anytime.

Thank you,

Mr. Casey McDaniel
Sixth Grade Teacher