Q&A

Q: Why is self-expression a key theme in our class and how will it help us in the future?
A: Self-expression helps you develop you unique voice and strengthen your confidence. Oral and written expression skills are essential to be an effective communicator. Effective communication will be critical in university, your career, and in your social life.

Q: What is a seating chart voucher?
A: A seating chart voucher is a special ticket that allows you to choose your seat until the next seating chart change. You may choose two people to sit adjacent to you. The best time to use it is right when the seating chart will change so you get two full weeks of use out of it. Once you finish your gold sticker card, you will receive a voucher. Vouchers are also a prize inside the treasure box.

Q: Are we debating 5th graders or do you mean debate comp?
A: Towards the summer, there will be an inter-class 5th/6th grade debate with teams comprised of students from both grades.

Q: Is it okay to note-take on our devices and only do homework on our notebooks?
A: Just for grammar, a tablet with Apple Pencil or S pen may be used for notes.

Q: So it may be different or there may be other events?
A: The yearly schedule has been tentatively planned out, but there may be changes as the year progresses.

Q: Does the homework 100% get posted on Thursday 7:00 AM even on holidays?
A: Yes, always at that time.

Q: What is the treasure box?
A: The treasure box contains prizes for the sticker card.

Q: What is your standard for “proper quality”?
A: Proper quality to me means that the work was done with careful consideration and instructions followed correctly.

Q: Can we send our assignments (ex. pictures for today) anytime, or is it at least 24 hours before class starts?
A: Assignments can be sent anytime unless stated differently in the homework notice.

Q: What is a PechaKucha?
A: This will be revealed in February.

Q: What is the Teacher’s Evaluation based on?
A: The Teacher’s Evaluation is based upon four criteria: comprehension, expression, academics, participation.

Q: What is the summative vocabulary test?
A: The summative vocabulary test covers 4 lessons from Wordly Wise and will be held after 4 lessons have been completed (e.g., lessons 1–4). It is more comprehensive and difficult than the daily quizzes. There are four sections: fill-in-the-blank, picture matching, multiple choice, definition.

Q: How can we know if we’re meeting the learning objectives or not? Most of the time we, we won’t know very clearly.
A: Learning objectives will be stated explicitly for most lessons on the smartboard. Skills will often be checked at the end of the lesson to ensure that learning has occurred.

Q: What is the best way to predict unfamiliar words I’m not very good at inferences including word inferences.
A: I recommend using context clues from surrounding sentences. Also looking prefixes, suffixes, and root words can nudge you in the right direction.

Q: What is the difference between a quiz and a test?
A: Quizzes are daily and shorter. Tests occur every month or so and are more substantial.

Q: Is there a cutline for tests?
A: There is not a cutline for tests. If low effort and low scores persist for an extended period, then we will discuss it one-on-one.

Q: What is a Magic card?
A: A Magic card is a bonus awarded for completing extra credit assignments. It may be redeemed for a pack of Haribo or +2 on any quiz or test. Extra credit assignments will be listed on the homework notice throughout the year.

Q: I heard that we do Discord in 6th grade.
A: Discord was banned at PEAI starting in 2026. Teachers have been instructed not to use it. There were several complaints from students and parents about inappropriate content.

Q: Even though studied vocabulary at home, if studying vocabulary homework, is it allowed to study vocabulary in class to improve more?
A: Yes of course. Before class is a great time to quiz a classmate on definitions or check your work.

Q: What will the grammar tests be like?
A: The grammar tests will be similar to the exercises from the textbook and grammar packets.

Q: Is it okay when it is over the 24 hour limit, but is still the day before?
A: Yes, if you email before midnight I will usually respond by the next morning (and always within 24 hours of receiving an e-mail).

Q: Who will be the audience for the PechaKuchas and Project Fair?
A: The audience for PechaKuchas will primarily be your class, but at the end of the year there is a joint presentation with another sixth grade class. The audience for the Project Fair will be all grades at PEAI!

Q: Does every sixth grade class use the same textbooks?
A: Yes.

Q: Even if we don’t proofread in class, do we use the specific editing checklist when proofreading alone too?
A: When proofreading alone, there will be instructions from class or on the homework notice for specific areas of the writing to focus on.

Q: For 1 of the 100% grammar quiz, novel quiz etc. do you get 1 sticker accordingly?
A: Grammar tests and summative vocabulary tests are worth 2 stickers as they are more substantial. The rest of the quizzes are worth 1 sticker.

Q: I sometimes lack confidence in inference questions in reading comprehension. Will we learn specific tips for RC as well?
A: Yes, we will practice inference questions in class. We also do explicit reading test prep lessons before the Evaluation Test.

Q: Does the term ‘complex texts’ mean we’re going to use different types of writing or merely using difficult vocab and longer paragraphs.
A: It means we will do different types of writing, not just essays. Essays are just a small part of the writing you do in your life.

Q: Do we do actual debate or just learn and sometimes debate?
A: It is about 50% debate and 50% lessons.

Q: How will debate teams be assigned?
A: Debate teams will be randomized throughout the year.

Q: By “+1 birthday sticker,” do you mean a certain sticker used to redeem prizes, or something else?
A: The birthday sticker is a sticker you receive for your birthday. Just let me know the day!