6th Grade – Back to School Night Information Packet
Homeroom, Social Studies, and Literature
Ms. Katherine Francisco
Social Studies
Description: In 6th grade Social Studies class, students will learn about the major Western and non-Western ancient civilizations. The time period studied ranges from the first civilizations to the rise of Christianity. In this class, students will do textbook reading and daily homework assignments. Students will also get to work on both individual and collaborative group projects throughout the year. Examples of projects include: poster boards, PowerPoint presentations, oral presentations, research reports, dioramas, newspaper articles, and journals.
Textbook: Ancient Civilizations in the “Discovering Our Past” series by Glencoe McGraw-Hill
Grading System:
- Formative – assignments that show the formation of a student’s learning (homework, classwork, participation & effort): 20%
- Summative – assignments that show the summary of a student’s learning (tests, quizzes, and projects): 80%
Literature
Description: In 6th grade Literature class, students will study fiction pieces, nonfiction pieces, historical fiction pieces, short stories, and poetry. Students will also read several novels to explore the various genres and themes. Many of these novels have a historical setting, which we study while reading the novel as a connection to Social Studies class. In this class, students will do daily reading and homework assignments. In addition, students will complete several creative projects throughout the year. Students will also complete pop quizzes and end-of-novel tests.
Books:
- Various novels, including but not limited to:
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
- Elly: My True Story of the Holocaust by Elly Berkovits Gross
- Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Grading System:
- Formative – assignments that show the formation of a student’s learning (homework, classwork, participation & effort): 20%
- Summative – assignments that show the summary of a student’s learning (tests, quizzes, and projects): 80%
Additional Information
Contact Information: If you need to contact me, you can reach me by email at . If your message is brief (a few sentences or less), please send me your message by email and I will get back to you. If you have a question or concern that requires longer discussion, please email me to set up a meeting. I check my email once per school day, so I will get back to you within 24 business hours.
Homework Policy: Assignments are made to enhance each student’s learning experience. Students are expected to complete all assignments on time. If work is turned in late, points will be deducted for each day that the assignment is late, up to two (2) days. If an assignment is not turned in within two (2) days of the due date, the student will receive a zero, unless prior arrangements have been made with me.
In order for a late/missing assignment to be turned in for credit, the student will be given a “Missing/Late Homework Form.” This form must be completed, signed by a parent/guardian, and stapled to the assignment when it is turned in. If the form is not attached or not signed by a parent/guardian, I will not accept the assignment for credit.
If a student is sick, has a family emergency, or has extenuating circumstances, they will have one day per missed school day to turn in missed assignments (for example, 2 days sick = 2 days for make-up). It is the student’s responsibility to get their missing assignments from their teachers.
Test Signature Policy: When I give students back a graded test, they have two (2) school days to get it signed by a parent and return it to me at school. It is the student’s responsibility to ask their parent/guardian to sign the test and bring it back on time. If a signed test is not returned within two (2) school days, the student will receive an ABC.
Technology: Phones, iPods, iPads, computers, and other forms of technology will only be used in the classroom when the teacher gives students permission.
Discipline Policy: My expectation of student behavior follows the middle school policy. Students are expected to be positive, respectful, and contributing members of the class at all times. If a student violates this expectation, they may receive consequences that include but are not limited to: missing school activities, recess detention, lunch detention, after school detention, suspension, etc.