Teacher Information

Tammy Selke
Phone: (480) 982-1110 ext. 5507
E-mail Address: tselke@ajusd.org
Planning Period: I am available before and after school and during 4th hour (11:04-12:00).  Please leave a message, I will return your phone call within 24 hours.  However, I routinely check email through out the day and response time for questions or concerns can be addressed quicker.  My email is listed above.

 


Subjects Taught:

 

Language Arts

Reading


Grade Taught: 6th

SOME THOUGHTSà

ATTITUDE:

Please do your very best to keep your attitude positive while in this classroom. Your attitude and behavior affects everyone in this classroom. I try my best everyday to be my best for you. I expect the same effort from every student in this class.

EFFORT:

Sometimes school is hard and life is even harder. Remember that what is difficult will only make you stronger. Refuse to give up and always keep trying.

EXPECTATIONS:

Expect to be challenged this school year. Expect to work hard. Expect to be smarter tomorrow than you are today. Expect to be better.

RESPONSIBILITY:

You are all becoming young men and women.  It is time to assume responsibilities for you actions and inactions.  You need to do what is required of you in a timely manner.  I assign a grade that is earned.  I do not ‘give’ grades.

RESPECT:

Every one deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.  You do not have to be friends with everyone in class.  As an adult, you will need to learn how to effectively work with people you do not like or agree with.  Working with them will not be a choice.  You need to learn to overcome differences and dislikes to meet common goals.  Consider the team work in class as practice for this in the future.


Class Descriptions

But first, a brief explanation--

In both Reading and Language Arts, we will be doing a lot of work in centers and in groups.  This allows students to cover a myriad of activities in smaller, more easily digested chunks.  In addition, it allows students to learn all areas, but not become to bogged down with an activity they dislike.  However, this method of teaching requires students to become advocates in their learning.  They will need to be aware of dates, deadlines, and be proactive in their learning.  As always, if there is something they do not understand, they will need to seek out clarification.  This can be done within their groups or with me. 

Working in groups and center also allows students to learn how to work well with others and encourages good communication skills with peers.  Students will have a contract that needs to be signed by them and by a parent/guardian indicating that they understand the expectations of the centers as well as important due dates. 

Finally, our class will be working across the curriculum.  Students will be learning and reviewing the terms they hear in their social studies and in their science classes. In addition, they will be learning how what they are learning in class applies to real life.  If students understand how concepts are relevant and applicable to real life, they become more invested in the topic and concepts.  This repetition will help students understand the concept quicker and at a greater depth. 


Language Arts

In Language Arts, we will be learning how to become better writers. We will do this by increasing our vocabulary so we have better word choice in our writing. We will be learning how good spelling, excellent grammar, and punctuation skills help our writing become more fluent. The curriculum is aligned to the Apache Junction school district standards*, as well as the state standards. We will use the 6 + 1 traits of good writing in the class, as well as the 5 steps of the writing process. In addition, we will be improving our computer skills and typing the majority of papers in class. We will also be working on our public speaking skills.

During the first quarter, we will be reviewing conventions.  This is an area that many people students and adults struggle.  We will review the different types of sentences, the parts of speech, the rules of punctuation and capitalization, and dictionary and thesaurus skills. 

Reading

 

In Reading, students we will be learning how to become better readers.  We will be increasing or fluency, deciphering unfamiliar words, and building our comprehension and recall.  Inferences will be made as well as predictions.  Decoding will be a daily activity.   We will regularly climb the plot mountain and correlate to the text we will be reading. 

Students will immerse themselves in fiction and nonfiction text.  We will read autobiographies, biographies, poetry, and functional text.  By the end of the school year, students will (hopefully) understand the importance good reading skills are to daily life, but will also grow to appreciate and enjoy reading.  The curriculum is aligned to the Apache Junction school district standards*, as well as the state standards.


Classroom ManagemenT & PROCEDURES

                                                                  

Beginning of class

Enter class quietly and get ready for learning. 

Be in your assigned seat with your daily materials out in front of you when the bell rings.  You should be working on the mindset.  You begin with 50 points total for the quarter for this activity.  If you do not come to class prepared and ready to begin on time, I will deduct 5 points from your participation mindset grade.  If the mindset is completed before I am done calling roll, you need to silently read at your desk. If this procedure is not followed, you will receive one warning.  If I need to warn you a second time, I will deduct 5 points from your mindset grade.

Absences and Tardies

If you know you will miss school for more than a few days or you have missed school for a few days, please see check the absence folders for missing assignments.  If there are none in the bin, please see me for the missing work.

You must ALWAYS have a pass to enter my classroom.  If you have an unexcused tardy, I will deduct 5 points from your procedures grade.

Evacuations/Code Red

When we must evacuate the classroom, please go outside the front gates and walk silently along the building out to the west side of the parking lot.  Absolutely no talking to other students.  I will take attendance in the parking lot and then we will wait silently for further instructions.  If you are out of the classroom at this time, please go to another teacher and tell them you need to be with them.

See teacher for Code Red instructions.  You may also go to the district website to read further information on emergencies.  AJUSD EMERGENCY INFORMATION PAGE

Passes out of Class for Restroom, Drinks, & Nurse

Sign out of class on sign out sheet located on the filing cabinet in the back of the class.  Take appropriate pass.  One pass per student.  Do not ever go and visit another class and only go where your pass is designated.  Sign in and replace the pass when you arrive back in class.  Students may not use the pass until after the mindset is completed and the last 10 minutes of class.  If you need to go to the Nurse or will not be returning to class, you will need a hand written pass.

Passes out of Class for Library

You will use individual whiteboards to visit the library.  They are located on a stand by the computers.  You will need to write the following information on the board.

First and last name

Date

Title of book and call number

**You need to have three choices.

**You only have five minutes to get a book and return.

 Library visits are for checking out books, not to socialize with friends or use the computers

Food and Drink

Food, candy, gum, or drinks except water (screw top lids please) are not allowed in class.  I give students 100 points at the beginning of the quarter, each time I "catch" you not following this procedure, I will deduct 10 points for the occurrence, and it will affect your final grade.

Gum is NOT allowed on campus and gum chewers will receive No Early Release (NER) per Dr. Sgro.

Computers and Equipment

Items that are in my classroom are NOT yours.  Do not abuse, destroy, or take the computers, accessories, and/or equipment from the classroom.  Students are allowed to check out my books, the procedure is explained at the beginning of the year.  The books are mine and they should be well taken care of when in your possession.  Do not bend back corners of the book to save your page.  Treat my books they way you would treat your possessions.  You are responsible for replacing the book should you loose it.

End of Class

About 2 minutes left of class, please log off computers and clean up all projects and messes.  Place all paperwork in appropriate class file.  Look around your seat and pick up any mess you may have left behind and items you will need for homework or other classes.  Sit in assigned seat quietly and wait for me, not the bell, to dismiss you.  Remember to push in your chairs.

Miscellaneous

Announcements: when you hear an announcement, please be silent.  I wouldn’t want you to miss out on anything.

When visitors are in our class, please make them feel comfortable and be respectful and courteous to them; this includes Guest Teachers.

Rules

1. Follow all classroom procedures and rules.

2. Be prepared to learn

3. Respect others' right to learn and my right to teach.

4. Be responsible for yourself.

5. Respect all property.

Consequences

WARNING

TIME OUT

CALL HOME

REFERRAL

IMMEDIATE SENDING TO OFFICE

Due to the severity of the offense, consequences may not be in this order.

Daily Material List

Library Book

Writing Utensil

Paper

Agenda

Homework

An open and prepared mind



Homework Policy
Reading is like a sport, you need to continuously practice in order to improve.  There will be reading assignments nightly and quarterly book review and projects.   Effective writing is best learned through practice, so expect homework everyday.


Homework will be assigned as needed to reinforce learning. Assignments must be turned in on time. Late work will result in a lower grade for each day it is late. Late and missing homework will have a tremendous affect upon a student's grade. If a student is absent, the work that was assigned is due on the day they return. They will get their missing work and need to turn it in on the next class day. If there is any confusion, do not hesitate to contact me. Students are responsible for getting missing work from me and seeing me, during fifth block, to make up missed tests.



Paper Headings!!!!!

All papers should be handed in on notebook paper. The paper should not have rough edges on the left hand side; that should be trimmed prior to class.

In the top left hand corner of the paper, ALL students are required to place their full name (first and last), the next line is the period the assignment is for, and the third line is for the date. The fourth line is for the title of the assignment or the page from the book. This is a uniform procedure on the entire campus. This will ensure that your child gets credit for the assignments they do. In addition, if the assignment gets lost, it can be identified and returned to the student.

 Papers turned in with no name will be thrown out because they are unidentifiable.

I will place them in a bin and dispose of them on Mondays.



Links

Language Arts Curriculum.  A list of the curriculum/standards your child will be learning in Language Arts class.

Mr. Wizard Language Arts.  A website that will assist your child with homework.

Mr. Wizard Homework Help.  A website that will assist your child with homework.

Special Announcements

I hope everyone is having a terrific summer.  Be safe and have a great time.  I look forward to seeing all the returning 7th and 8th graders.  I am also anxious to meet all the incoming 6th graders.  You will love your time spent at TMMS.  It is a great school with fantastic students, a caring administration, and fabulous students.  Enjoy your summer and come back ready to learn!  See you on August 6th!