McClureMiddle School –

Language Arts Syllabus2007-2008*

Teacher:Ms. Williams / Email:
Grade/Team:6B / Blog:
Phone Number:678-331-8131 x265 / Planning time:2:45 – 4:10

Course Description

The Language Arts program for CobbCounty is a literature-based program designed to develop students’ skills in reading, writing, listening/speaking/viewing, and critical thinking. In accordance with Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), a more rigorous curriculum that focuses on application and synthesis of knowledge, by the end of sixth grade, students will be able to:

  • Use oral and written language, media, and technology for expressive, informational, argumentative, critical, and literary purposes.
  • Determine specific areas of interest and engage in personal reading
  • Analyze their own writing in order to revise what they say and how they say it
  • Employ distinctive voice and style in writing
  • Proof their own writing and edit to conform to basic conventions of Standard English
  • Convey opinions through oral communication, role-play, or performances
  • Apply specific guidelines to evaluate content and strategies in listening, speaking, and viewing assignments

Course Outline

The 6th grade Language Arts course outline follows the standards from the Writing Course Guide, the Reading Course Guide, and the State of Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). GPS can be located at using the Picasso website link.

The year is divided into 8 units which all incorporate reading, writing, and listening/speaking/viewing standards.

Unit 1: What is good writing? Writing process, traits, and genres

Unit2: Narrative Texts

Unit3: Technical Writing

Unit 4: Expository Texts

Unit5: Persuasive Texts

Unit 6: Standards Review

Unit 7: Response to Literature and Mythology

Unit8: Creating/Analyzing Nonfiction Texts and Research

Textbooks

Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action

Prentice Hall Literature

Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar Workbook

Vocabulary Workshop

Additional materials used as needed

Grading:

Writing Assignments/Tests/Projects40%

Classwork*30%

Quizzes20%

Homework10%

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100%

*Classwork is defined as major class assignments, participation in group projects, etc.

Expectations for Turning In Assignments

Students are expected to submit assignments on the date specified.

□Missing homeworkassignments:Students will have the opportunity to turn in missing assignments within a time frame specified by the teacher for a late grade. Missing homework assignments are defined as items left at home, left in the locker, or incomplete assignments. If the student is absent on the day the assignment is given, he/she will haveadditional time to complete the assignment. Otherwise, missing homework assignments will result in a grade of zero.

□Missing long-term assignments such as writing pieces, essays, group projects etc. will be accepted one class day late but will have fifteen (15) points deducted from the grade (not including points deducted due to error in the assignment). Assignments will not be accepted after the one-day late period.

Absent Make-up Procedure

When an assignment and/or test is announced before a student’s absence, it is the student’s responsibility to be prepared for that test and/or assignment the day they return to school. Assignments will be posted daily on the blog and in the classroom to help students remain up-to-date and informed. The student must complete make-up work within the time specified by the teacher. The student will be given the same amount of time to make up missed work as the student was absent. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and turn in missing assignments within the allotted time.

Behavior Management Plan

All students are expected to adhere to the 6th grade behavior management plan in addition to the Cobb County School District’s “J” Policies listed in student agendas.

Teacher/Parent Communication

Parents should check their child’s agenda daily to keep up with all “at home” and long term assignments. Parents may also access assignments and/or homework through the teacher’s blog and grades can be accessed through Iparent. Grades will be sent home approximately every 4 weeks.

Additional Help

Students requiring extra help should see the teacher to make an appointment.

Parent-teacher conferences should be scheduled with the teacher.

Additional Information

*Copies of the syllabus will be available on the teacher’s blog throughout the year.

*All information on the syllabus is subject to change.