Mr. Putnam Room 212

Hello, my name is Mr. Putnam and I'm very excited to be your new 6th Grade Individuals and Societies (IB Humanities) teacher.  This is my 17th year teaching in CPS and my 3rd year teaching at Locke. I'm really happy to be a part of the Locke community.  I attached the Welcome to 6th Grade letter from over the summer with the supply list.

About me professionally, I have a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, a bachelor's degree from North Central College in Naperville and an associate degree from the College of DuPage.  My mother was a teacher along with 3 of my aunts, so it runs in our family.  I've always had an interest in history and social studies was my favorite subject when I was in school (of course).

About me personally, I love to travel and have been to over 15 countries.  My favorite country is Nepal where I met my wife, Padma.  We now have a 4-year-old daughter named Jaiya which means "celebration" in the Nepali language (see the attached picture).  I would have to say my favorite activity is being with my wife and daughter.  I'm happy they also love travel, movies, music and having fun. 

We all understand that this school year will be different for everyone, so I ask you to please be patient. Check out the new Locke Elementary School website for updates and your CPS email before school starts on Tuesday, September 8th. If you have any questions for me, please email me at japutnam@cps.edu.

The MYP Year 1 (6^th Grade) Individuals and Societies

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

 Mr. Putnam japutnam@cps.edu

Room 212

Locke Elementary School

Why do we study history?

• If we learn about our past we can make better decisions for our future.

What topics will we cover this year?

• 1^st quarter: Geography, Primary and Secondary Sources
• 2^nd – 4^th quarters: Ancient Civilizations

What are some of the big questions we will investigate?

• How do individuals live and why do they move where they do?
• How and why do individuals organize their societies the way they do?
• How has conflict and cooperation shaped human history?
• How has the quest for resources affected human history?
• How do we know what we know about history?

International Baccalaureate Programme

The IB Middle Years Programme is an inclusive academic program that is offered at elementary and high schools across the City of Chicago. IB provides a broad and balanced education that teaches students to think critically and encourages them to draw connections between many disciplines and the real world. The program instills in students an awareness and understanding of their own culture and of other cultures, values, and ways of life.

Locke is fortunate to be a Chicago Public elementary school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) to all of our 6th thru 8th graders. This program provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world and become critical and reflective thinkers.

I.B. Requirements:

• 10 hours of community service
• Completion of I.B. Units
  • Seed Folks and Geography (Quarter 1)
  • Primary and Secondary Sources (Quarter 1)
  • Ancient Civilizations (Quarter 2)
  • History Fair? (Quarter 3)
  • Ancient Civilizations: Part 2 (Quarter 4)

How do I succeed in 6^th grade?

1.  Come prepared to learn

Essential daily supplies:  Blue spiral notebook, Blue folder, pencil or pen

1. Listen….Think….Participate
2. Complete ALL assignments and homework
3. Show RESPECT to yourself, each other, the classroom, and your teachers and staff
4. Try your best!

What if I am absent?

• Students who miss class are responsible for making up the work within one week
• It is the student’s responsibility to find out what assignments have been missed (ask for the work)

Do I need community service hours?

• 6^th-grade students need to complete 10 community service hours this year.

I.B. Assessment Criteria:

A: Knowing and understanding

B: Investigating

C: Communicating

D: Thinking Critically

All IB summative tasks are assessed using IB criteria. The maximum level of achievement that students can attain is an 8-point achievement level. The IB MYP conversion chart breaks down the criterion grade into a traditional 100-point scale grade.

IB MYP Conversion Chart

 "We celebrate the past to awaken the future” - John F. Kennedy

6^th grade

2020-2021

7:45 – 7:55           Breakfast/Attendance/ Lunch count   

7:55-9:10              Period 1      Synchronous 45 min / Asynchronous 30 min

9:10 – 10:10          Prep

10:10– 11:25        Period 2     Synchronous 45 min / Asynchronous 30 min

11:25 – 12:10        Lunch/Recess

12:10 – 1:25          Period 3      Synchronous 45 min / Asynchronous 30 min

1:25 – 2:40           Period 4      Synchronous 45 min / Asynchronous 30 min

2:40 – 2:45           Dismissal

BLOCK SCHEDULING

2020-2021

1          Sept 8 – Oct 6 (21 days)           +        5          Feb 8 – March 10 (22 days)    

2          Oct 7 – Nov 5 (21days)                +         6          March 11 – April 15 (21 days)    

3          Nov 9 – Dec 18 (25 days)           +         7          April 19 – May 19 (22 days)      

4          Jan 4 – Feb 4 (23 days)                 ⁺            8          May 20 – June 22 (23 days)