Welcome to a Phenomenal 6th Grade Year!

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to sixth grade! I am your English Language Arts teacher. I am a twenty-three year teaching veteran, educational author, writer, and National Board Certified Teacher. I have been eagerly anticipating the beginning of a new school year with you; one that I am confident will be highly successful. My class is a student-directed learning environment where students have a voice and choice in their learning with the support and guidance from me that each student needs, wherever they are on the learning continuum. Every practice in which we engage is supported by proven research for best practices in promoting the highest level of success for each student.

 Many of the traditional teaching methods that you may have experienced in the past will look different than the practices in our class. Much of our learning will take place with the support of digital tools using digital age literacy to increase a student’s growth. My students will be connected with students from around the world to collaborate, connect, and learn with throughout this entire school year. Although our learning may appear different, students will be held to high expectations and challenged on whatever level they may be on in each of the content area standards. In this type of environment, students take ownership of their learning. I feel very fortunate to get to witness how each student blossoms and grows in this type of learning environment.

In order for our students to have the highest degree of success, I know that we need to build a strong relationship between home and school. I have arranged several different mediums where we can communicate, and you can stay informed of our classroom learning activities. First, we have a class website, http://ramsaysclass.com/. This site contains important information about procedures, routines, and units of study. As school begins, additions will be made. For classroom activities and news, you can visit our class blog, http://ramsaysclassblog.blogspot.com/, where we will post more specific activities, giving you a window into our classroom. I will write the first several posts, but then the students will take ownership in writing and publishing the blog posts, under my guidance. Please take time to sign up for alerts when a new blog is posted by filling in the “Follow RamsaysClass by Email.” I know that you will not want to miss any of the exciting things going on in our class. Also, for a further connection, please consider following our class on Twitter and Instagram, @RamsaysClass, for current insight into not only announcements, but also into the learning that is taking place in our classroom and through our global connections.

I realize that for many of us our prime source of communication is through text messages. Please take a minute to join the Remind group where I can disseminate pertinent information to you in a timely manner via text or email. All numbers are confidential. If you would like to sign up via text, please send a text to 81010. For the message, please text the following code: @RQRamsay. If you prefer to register online, please visit the corresponding website: https://www.remind.com/join/rqramsay

I deeply value your expertise on your student. In an effort to increase my knowledge of your student and to effectively plan instructional practices to support his/her learning, please take a moment to complete the following survey:http://bit.ly/RamsayELA. Collaboratively, I am confident that we can provide your student the most successful year possible. I am thrilled as we embark on this epic learning adventure together!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ramsay, NBCT
jramsay@tusc.k12.al.us

Welcome to an Incredible 6th Grade Year!

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to sixth grade! I am your English Language Arts teacher. I am a twenty-two year teaching veteran, educational author, writer, and National Board Certified Teacher. I have been eagerly anticipating the beginning of a new school year with you; one that I am confident will be highly successful. My class is a student-directed learning environment where students have a voice and choice in their learning with the support and guidance from me that each student needs, wherever they are on the learning continuum. Every practice in which we engage is supported by proven research for best practices in promoting the highest level of success for each student.

 Many of the traditional teaching methods that you may have experienced in the past will look different than the practices in our class. Much of our learning will take place with the support of digital tools using digital age literacy to increase a student’s growth. My students will be connected with students from around the world to collaborate, connect, and learn with throughout this entire school year. Although our learning may appear different, students will be held to high expectations and challenged on whatever level they may be on in each of the content area standards. In this type of environment, students take ownership of their learning. I feel very fortunate to get to witness how each student blossoms and grows in this type of learning environment.

In order for our students to have the highest degree of success, I know that we need to build a strong relationship between home and school. I have arranged several different mediums where we can communicate, and you can stay informed of our classroom learning activities. First, we have a class website, http://ramsaysclass.com/. This site contains important information about procedures, routines, and units of study. As school begins, additions will be made. For classroom activities and news, you can visit our class blog, http://ramsaysclassblog.blogspot.com/, where we will post more specific activities, giving you a window into our classroom. I will write the first several posts, but then the students will take ownership in writing and publishing the blog posts, under my guidance. Please take time to sign up for alerts when a new blog is posted by filling in the “Follow RamsaysClass by Email.” I know that you will not want to miss any of the exciting things going on in our class. Also, for a further connection, please consider following our class on Twitter and Instagram, @RamsaysClass, for current insight into not only announcements, but also into the learning that is taking place in our classroom and through our global connections.

I realize that for many of us our prime source of communication is through text messages. Please take a minute to join the Remind group where I can disseminate pertinent information to you in a timely manner via text or email. All numbers are confidential. If you would like to sign up via text, please send a text to 81010. For the message, please text the following code: @9g39d. If you prefer to register online, please visit the corresponding website: https://www.remind.com/join/9g39d 

I deeply value your expertise on your student. In an effort to increase my knowledge of your student and to effectively plan instructional practices to support his/her learning, please take a moment to complete the following survey: https://goo.gl/W8PphS. Collaboratively, I am confident that we can provide your student the most successful year possible. I am thrilled as we embark on this epic learning adventure together!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ramsay, NBCT
jramsay@tusc.k12.al.us

Welcome to Sixth Grade!

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to sixth grade! I am your English Language Arts and/or Reading teacher. I am a twenty-year teaching veteran, educational author, writer, and National Board Certified Teacher. I have been eagerly anticipating the beginning of a new school with you; one that I am confident will be highly successful. My class is a student-direct learning environment where students have a voice and choice in their learning with the support and guidance from me that each student needs, wherever they are on the learning continuum. Every practice in which we engage is supported by proven research for best practices in promoting the highest level of success for each student.

 Many of the traditional teaching methods that you may have experienced in the past will look different than the practices in our class. Much of our learning will take place with the support of digital tools using digital age literacy to increase a student’s growth, motivation, and enthusiasm for learning. My students will be connected with students from around the world to collaborate, connect, and learn with throughout this entire school year. Although our learning may appear different, students will be held to high expectations and challenged on whatever level they may be on each of the content area standards. In this type of environment, students take ownership of their learning. I feel very fortunate to get to witness how each student blossoms and grows in this type of learning environment.

In order for our students to have the highest degree of success, I know that we need to build a strong relationship between home and school. I have arranged several different mediums where we can communicate, and you can stay informed of our classroom learning activities. First, we have a class website, http://ramsaysclass.com/. This site contains important information about procedures, routines, and units of study. As school begins, additions will be regularly made. For classroom activities and news, you can visit our class blog, http://ramsaysclassblog.blogspot.com/, where we will post more specific activities, giving you a window into our classroom. I will write the first several posts, but then the students will take ownership in writing and publishing the blog posts, under my guidance. Please take time to sign up for alerts when a new blog is posted by filling in the “Follow RamsaysClass by Email.” I know that you will not want to miss any of the exciting things going on in our class. Also, for a further connection, please consider following our class on Twitter and Instagram, @RamsaysClass, for current insight into not only announcements, but also insight into the learning that is taking place in our classroom and through our global connections.

I know that you know your student extremely well. In an effort to increase my knowledge of your student so that I can better plan instructional practices to support his/her learning, please take a moment to complete the following survey: http://goo.gl/ORkZFq I am thrilled as we embark on this epic learning adventure together!

 Sincerely,
Mrs. Ramsay, NBCT
jramsay@tusc.k12.al.us

"The Case of the Missing Teacher"

"The Case of the Missing Teacher" was a crime that occurred when we got into our Language classroom. Here is how it all started...

 We had just entered the room, but there was no teacher. There was a note on the board. There was a bunch of spelling mistakes in the note. Mrs. Ramsay is a spelling and language arts teacher, so we knew that this had to be on purpose. We had been studying a mystery unit, so we started to think. We got all of the letters that were missing or were not supposed to be there.  The mistakes spelled out Mr. Maxey, our principal. We quickly got together a group that would go down to Mr. Maxey's office. We found our first clue. We also videoed the entire thing in case we had missed something. We had followed the clues all over the school. Each room that we went to had a green note saying where the clue was. One was in Dr. Fondren's office, Mrs. Hardy's office, and in a library book. The last clue said that we have already seen the person who took Mrs. Ramsay. It also said that if we knocked down a wall in our classroom she would be there. Mrs. Abrams's closet goes into our classroom. We then all ran straight into Mrs. Abrams's classroom and went into our closet. Their was Mrs. Ramsay grading papers. That is the case of the missing teacher.

We all had a lot of fun finding Mrs. Ramsay. We learned all about teamworkand applying what we'd learned about mysteries. We also had to challenge our minds. We want to give a big thanks to Caroline and Mrs. Ramsay for making all of this possible. We had tons of fun and hope that we can do it all again. We love to do things like this in Ramsayland. (a.k.a Mrs. Ramsay's classroom) Thanks again for making this happen!

Blog you later!!!!!! ~SC

Innovation Day- January 2013

Some people may ask "What is Innovation Day?" To our class this isn't a foreign subject. Innovation day is a day were in the classroom the students can choose any topic they can learn about and create a project to teach their information to the other students and the teacher. We organized Innovation Day by informing the students of what Innovation Day is and how they can display their projects.

This year, the students covered many topics from Ancient Greek to Narwhals.  Some examples of the projects are how sound waves travel, and demonstrations of different styles of art. Normally the teacher teaches and the students learn,but on Innovation Day the students are the teachers. Innovation Day teaches the students learn about many different subjects at the same time that aren't even in the curriculum. Innovation Day teaches students how to learn new things while controlling their learning. After all of the students are finished with their projects they present them to their peers and teach them what they have learned.

It's Reading Season...Read Like a Champion

Welcome to 5th Grade!

The time has finally come for us to begin our adventure together. I have been anticipating this moment all summer as I plan and prepare for the launch of our year of extreme learning. Our class is not a traditional class. Much of the class time is spent with my learners working with peers in class and from around the world. Technology is embedded to support each student's individual learning goal.

Be sure to check this blog regularly as we will update it with photos, successful 5th grade tips and strategies, important events, and exciting projects in which we will be engaged all year.You can sign up to receive updates by email (look to right side if this page) if that is what is most convenient for you.

Another way that we can stay in touch is through our class Twitter feed (@RamsaysClass). We will be tweeting about the exciting things that happen throughout the day. We will be tweeting photos and links to some of our exciting projects. This way you can join in our class happenings.

If you were unable to attend our Meet and Greet, please take just a minute to complete this survey so that we can strengthen our Home-School connection. I know that by working together we can make this the most successful year possible for your learner.

Who's ready for our extreme year of learning?