Sixth Grade ELA for 2014-2015

ELA

Literature

Writing

Our Literature study with cover the

genres of historical fiction, folk
tales, informational text, biography,
and autobiography and more!

We will utilize a Writers Workshop model, including, narrative,

informational, and persuasive
forms of writing.

Grammar
Basics of middle school grammar,
as well as introduction of new
concepts and skills.
Spelling: 200 6th grade NoExcuse words.

Record - Keeping
Students will keep a daily record of
their reading, by minutes and pages
read. This is an important element
in our Reading Workshop and
enhances responsibility!

WELCOME TO SIXTH GRADE ELA!

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with your new middle
school student - this is going to be a GREAT year!
Hi, I am Jeff Henderson, or Mr. H. as many refer to me. This begins my 29th year as an educator
and I love it, because I love teaching middle school! My wife and I have five children and are very active
in many activities, sports and in our church. Heres a little bit about the school year:
As we begin the new school year, we will set up our track for literature and writing according to a
workshop model. This really is a method of instruction which allows for great involvement and personal choice for the students. We will read a wide array of books, chosen by the students, and a few I will
choose. We will uncover important truths for everyone: what it takes to persevere through great difficulties, the importance of discernment when choosing friends, surviving lifes obstacles, and how to keep
important dreams alive when life gets tough. While reading, we will study the traits of highly effective
readers, or what we commonly refer to as our reading strategies.
Writing will include journaling, grammar instruction, responding to prompts and images that are
designed to develop higher-order thinking skills. There will be writing projects in each trimester, primarily
handled here at school, in class, and finished in the computer lab.
One of the most important elements of our literature study is that we will
confer about the books the students are reading. Through this one-to-one
meeting, we will discuss the books, the story elements, and what each
student is understanding about the text, style and message of the
story, building comprehension and understanding.
Please contact me at any point you feel a need to ask a question
or get helpful information. My contact information is listed below.
Again, I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with
you and your new middle-schooler!
- Jeff Henderson, BSMS English/Language Arts Teacher

If you have books

around your house that
are of a middle school
level, and you would
like to donate them,
we will take them! Any
new books you would
like to donate would
be even better!!

Please plan on your

student bringing a
spiral notebook for
our Reading/
Writing Workshop this is a must!

ela newsletter mr. h e n d e r s o n e-mail: jhenders@hpseagles.net

3835 baldwin st. hudsonville, mi 49426 616.669.7750