6th Grade Syllabus:
Course Description:
Welcome Scholars, to Junior High English! This program is designed to acquaint students with literature, writing skills and vocabulary usage. This course surveys various genre of literature including short story, drama, essay, poetry and the novel. Along with the curriculum, the process of writing will be highly emphasized. These subjects will build a strong foundation and prepare each student for high school. The units in this class will be designed with each student in mind so that students may learn to be thoughtful and analytical readers, writers, and speakers.
Curriculum:
Writing and Grammar curriculum:
Loyola Press Voyages in English Grammar and Writing: 6th Grade Edition
Literature novels & curriculum:
Maniac Magee - Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis
The Shakespeare Stealer - Gary Blackwell
Civil Rights Movement Unit (content provided by teacher)
Scholar Citizenship Guidelines:
Please consult the school handbook for a complete account of school rules. Listed below are the ones most important in this classroom.
1. You must wear a mask indoors at all times, please have an extra mask with you in your backpack.
2. You must use your own supplies as sharing will not be allowed.
More about masks:
All students, parents, and staff are required to wear masks all day.
Homework, tests and classwork will be posted in the classroom as well as on Google Classroom. This will include projects and long-term assignments as well. It is the student’s responsibility to check for homework on a daily basis, whether they have been absent or not.
Missed Assignments/Late Work/Quizzes:
Late homework will be accepted one day late, at 50% credit. Homework later than a day without discussion with the teacher, will receive no credit.
Late assignments (papers, independent reading assignments, etc.) will be accepted at 50% credit unless a prior arrangement has been made with the teacher.
If a Scholar is absent on a day that an assignment is due, they should still make arrangements to
make sure that assignment is submitted on time.
If a scholar knows they will be absent on a quiz/test date it is their responsibility to make arrangements to take the test prior to the test date.
Each student receives a “Blow It” each trimester. This means that if a student forgets his/her homework, they can use their “Blow It” and turn it in the next day for full credit. “Blow Its” do not roll over to the next trimester, so if you do not use it – you lose it.
Independent Reading
You are required to read one novel independently each trimester. You may choose your novel, however it must be approved by me. You will be tasked to complete a project on this novel, which will change each trimester. The rubric for this assignment will be distributed at the beginning of each trimester and students will have the entire trimester to work on the project.
Grading Percentages
Grades are split into three categories:
A 93-100%
B+ 90-92%
B 87-89%
B- 85-86%
C+ 80-84%
C 75-79%
C- 70-74%
D 65-69%
F 64% and below
Course Description:
Welcome Scholars, to Junior High English! This program is designed to acquaint students with literature, writing skills and vocabulary usage. This course surveys various genre of literature including short story, drama, essay, poetry and the novel. Along with the curriculum, the process of writing will be highly emphasized. These subjects will build a strong foundation and prepare each student for high school. The units in this class will be designed with each student in mind so that students may learn to be thoughtful and analytical readers, writers, and speakers.
Curriculum:
Writing and Grammar curriculum:
Loyola Press Voyages in English Grammar and Writing: 6th Grade Edition
Literature novels & curriculum:
Maniac Magee - Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis
The Shakespeare Stealer - Gary Blackwell
Civil Rights Movement Unit (content provided by teacher)
Scholar Citizenship Guidelines:
Please consult the school handbook for a complete account of school rules. Listed below are the ones most important in this classroom.
- Scholars will arrive to class on time and be seated, in their seat, at final bell. Scholars will write down any posted assignments at the time the period begins.
- Scholars will follow the dress code and all school rules.
- Scholars will bring all necessary books and materials with them to class. They will not be allowed to leave or return to class to retrieve forgotten material (strictly enforced after first trimester).
- Scholars will not partake in any other class work or personal business during class time. All other work not related to English Language Arts will be confiscated and returned at end of day.
- Scholars will not talk while instructor or other scholars are speaking, sharing or presenting in front of class.
- If you miss class, it is your responsibility to discuss missed work with me or arrange for how missed work will be completed. Please consult MyHomework.com and Google Classroom for any missed work.
- Scholars are respectful of fellow scholars and use positive language when discussing topics. There is zero tolerance in my classroom for disrespect.
- There will be no food or drink other than water allowed in the classroom (aside from rainy days).
- Any questions regarding grades, assignments or behavior should be addressed during office hours.
- The use of cell phones, cameras or any other digital device is prohibited. If I see the use of any of these items, they will be confiscated, and the scholar will receive a detention.
1. You must wear a mask indoors at all times, please have an extra mask with you in your backpack.
2. You must use your own supplies as sharing will not be allowed.
More about masks:
All students, parents, and staff are required to wear masks all day.
- A face mask must be 2-ply cloth.
- Neck gaiters, triangle bandannas or masks with vents are NOT allowed.
- Masks must be appropriate for school and cannot be distracting in nature.
- No light up masks, or inappropriate or distracting designs (animal mouths/sayings, etc.) may be worn.
- Masks should fit properly, completely covering both the nose and mouth.
- Masks should be taken home and cleaned daily.
- Any lost masks will be discarded after each day.
- The office will have extra disposable masks, in the case both masks that a student has are lost or damaged.
- A mask lanyard is strongly recommended.
- Parents are responsible for teaching their children how to properly wear and care for their face covering during the school day.
- Students need to have at least two (2) clean masks with them every day.
- Students are asked to keep an extra mask in a labeled bag in their classroom.
- Face Shields may be worn in addition to a mask, but may not be worn in place of a mask.
- Students are not required to wear masks outdoors or at PE, as long as PE class is outdoors. Teachers will also take their students outside for mask breaks as needed.
- Students that refuse to wear a mask will be asked to return home and complete their schoolwork independently.
Homework, tests and classwork will be posted in the classroom as well as on Google Classroom. This will include projects and long-term assignments as well. It is the student’s responsibility to check for homework on a daily basis, whether they have been absent or not.
Missed Assignments/Late Work/Quizzes:
Late homework will be accepted one day late, at 50% credit. Homework later than a day without discussion with the teacher, will receive no credit.
Late assignments (papers, independent reading assignments, etc.) will be accepted at 50% credit unless a prior arrangement has been made with the teacher.
If a Scholar is absent on a day that an assignment is due, they should still make arrangements to
make sure that assignment is submitted on time.
If a scholar knows they will be absent on a quiz/test date it is their responsibility to make arrangements to take the test prior to the test date.
Each student receives a “Blow It” each trimester. This means that if a student forgets his/her homework, they can use their “Blow It” and turn it in the next day for full credit. “Blow Its” do not roll over to the next trimester, so if you do not use it – you lose it.
Independent Reading
You are required to read one novel independently each trimester. You may choose your novel, however it must be approved by me. You will be tasked to complete a project on this novel, which will change each trimester. The rubric for this assignment will be distributed at the beginning of each trimester and students will have the entire trimester to work on the project.
Grading Percentages
Grades are split into three categories:
- account for 60% of your grade. These include essays, quizzes, and projects.
- accounts for 20% of your grade.
- accounts for 20% of your grade. This includes in class participation through discussion and involvement during in class activities, as well as effort on homework, classwork and group work.
A 93-100%
B+ 90-92%
B 87-89%
B- 85-86%
C+ 80-84%
C 75-79%
C- 70-74%
D 65-69%
F 64% and below