6th Grade Language Arts

Moondogs: 2013-2014

Syllabus

Name: Mrs. Fields, BCMS, Room 107

Planning: 11:03-12:33

Email:

Phone: 859-987-2189

Welcome To 6th Grade Language Arts!

I am so excited to get to spend this year with you! You are in a new school where a lot of things are changing. No worries! We will learn a lot this year but we will have fun as well. You will be great this year!

Course Description

Language Arts is required for all 6th grade students. Throughout this course, we will focus on the reading and writing standards required by the state and our district. You will have the opportunity to show what you know and what you will learn through the completion of a variety of activities and projects. All Units of Study will include:

1.  Writing: Argue, Inform and Narrate

2.  Reading: Informational and Literary

3.  Language Skills: Grammar, usage and mechanics

4.  Vocabulary: Students will have a list of vocabulary words to master per unit

5.  Independent Projects: Students will complete one independent project per trimester, as time allows.

Tag students are expected to complete all assignments at the proficient level or above. TAG students will participate in critical discussion and analysis of reading materials and will complete extension activities as appropriate.

• 1st Trimester Units 1 and 2- A New Beginning and What’s Around the Corner?

• 2nd Trimester Units 3 and 4- A Blast From the Past: Embracing Your Heritage and

Courageous Characters.

•3rd Trimester Units 5 and 6 – What Makes a Memory? and Gearing Up!

Texts

·  Elements of Literature- Holt (6th Grade)

·  Elements of Language-Holt Handbook (6th Grade)

·  Supplemental resources/materials provided by teacher
Grading

In the grade book my grades are divided into 3 categories:

1. Tests/Quizzes- 30%

2. Daily Assignments- 40%

3. Projects- 30%

Other Daily Expectations

ISN (Interactive Student Notebook): Students will take notes, write their bellringers and glue activities in this composition notebook. It is a VERY important assignment and the notebooks should ONLY stay in the classroom unless told otherwise. These will be graded periodically.

Bell ringer: Students are expected to complete the bell ringer everyday upon entering class within the first 5 minutes. Bell ringers will be graded at the end of every week. Students receive 25 points every week for 5 completed bell ringers. 5 points will be deducted for each one missing. – Weekly Grade

AR Points (Accelerated Reader): Students will be given an opportunity to check out books in the library once a week. 20 AR points MINIMUM per trimester. There will be time set aside for AR reading but students should still read at home. – Trimester Grade.

Failure to complete any of the above will never “kill” a student’s grade, however, if a student is on the line between grades, one of the above could bring them down a grade.

Classroom Policies

Absent Work

Students are responsible for getting assignments, turning them in on time, getting class notes and making up missed tests or quizzes.

1.  Check absent work folder for the work missed

2.  Borrow notes from a student or teacher (if necessary)

3.  Turn in your absent work on time.

•You have the same number of days you are absent to make up the work.

•Points will be deducted for turning in absent work late.

Cheating/Plagiarism

Cheating and copying of another person’s work is not tolerated. If a student has cheated or plagiarized, both parties will earn zeroes on the assignments, parents/guardians will be notified, and an office referral will be filed.

Late Work

Any assignment that is turned in late (without an approved excuse) will receive an

immediate 5 points off. Each day the assignment is late, 5 points will be deducted.

Discipline Plan for Mrs. Fields’ Language Arts Class- Team Moondogs

Classroom Rules

C- Courteous (Please and thank-you)

A-Always Prepared (paper, pencil, agenda)

R-Respect (of self, teacher, peers and property)

E-Effort (100%, all of the time)

Consequences ( 6th Grade Policy)

1st offense- Strike in strike book= warning. 5 strikes for first trimester/ 3 strikes after first trimester= no good dog days

2nd offense- Silent lunch and a call home

3rd offense- After school detention and a call home

4th offense/severe disruption- Team Safe/ fill out reflection paper and a call home.

If a student receives more than one offense, they may be subject to missing dog days. Strikes are erased after two weeks.

Rewards

Daily- J Praise

Weekly- J “Caught Being Good” cards and Positive Phone Call/Note Home.

Monthly- J 6th grade reward days (Good Dog Days)

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STUDENTS: I have read this classroom discipline plan and understand it. I will honor it while in Mrs. Fields’ room.

Signature: ______Date: ______

PARENTS: My child has discussed the classroom discipline plan with me. I understand it and will support it.

Signature: ______Date: ______