English/Language Arts Standards

Happy New Year! I hope everyone is enjoying a peaceful and healthy holiday! Second semester begins Tuesday, January 7, 2020. There will be no homework the first week we return. Instead, we will concentrate on reestablishing rules, procedures, and expectations as we get back into the swing of things and get ready to rock the rest of 6th grade!

We will continue our weekly homework routines:

The Autobiographical Writing Project (AWP) writing prompt choices for the marking period will be posted in Google Classroom when we return to school. AWP assignments are due in Google Classroom at the start of school on Mondays.

• AWP #16 will be due January 13

• AWP # 17 is due January 20

• AWP #18 is due January 27

• AWP #19 is due February 3

• AWP # 20 is due February 10

• AWP # 21 is due February 17

• AWP # 22 is due February 24

• AWP # 23 is due March 2

• REVISIONS FOR ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE March 9 for a test grade. Please remember the AWP assignment is where students will get detailed, individualized feedback on their writing. Students are expected to use this feedback to learn from mistakes and improve writing skills. Students who take advantage of this feedback are showing substantial growth in their writing skills!

I am excited and proud to notice their growth. Wednesday vocabulary homework will continue as well. TWO words are due each Wednesday. Please remind your child to use the handout and rubric. The rubric details how to earn 100% for this work. This is a paper work assignment to be turned in to the class bin. I am unable to post this assignment online due to the purchasing agreement. This arts based vocabulary assignment is an amazing way for students to learn how to study words and improve vocabulary skills. Due dates for vocabulary assignments are:

• January 15 • January 22 • January29 • February 5 • February 12 • February 19 • February 26 • March 4 • March 11

The district requires students read independently for twenty minutes a day. We will continue to work on strengthening reading and writing skills throughout the semester as we prepare for end of year assessments.

Please check Google Classroom and calendar for updates and announcements throughout the semester. This will be my main source of communication about current and/or upcoming work as well as any other important information.

The late work policy for Language Arts will change this semester. The new policy will be posted in Google Classroom when we return from winter break.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. The best way to contact me is through school email: Karen.malofy@sccpss.com My goal is to help every student enjoy a successful sixth grade year. I am here to help.

Homework:

There are three routine homework assignments for my ELA class.

The Autobiographical Writing Project /AWP (posted below and on Google Classroom) is due every Monday at the start of school in Google Classroom. Please read all directions and the scoring rubric carefully. These weekly homework assignments will provide students with individualized feedback on writing throughout the year. Sometimes, a mini-lesson or video will be included as well. Students are expected to take time to read the feedback, review the mini-lesson or video, and revise assignments as needed so they learn from their mistakes. The revisions will be turned in to a revisions assignment posted in Goggle Classroom at the end of each quarter for a test grade. Students can begin revisions as soon as they get their assignment graded and returned. At the end of the year, students will publish their writing project. Their autobiography can be published in book or digital format. In the past, students have created elaborate scrapbooks for their project. I hope each student publishes a project that makes them proud.

The weekly vocabulary assignment due each Wednesday is a paper assignment. Students received a handout with examples, directions, and rubrics in class. I love this assignment and believe it empowers students to really learn and own new words. This assignment was purchased from another teacher and part of the purchase agreement is that it cannot be posted online. Vocabulary is due when students come to the classroom every Wednesday. Please be sure to read all directions and scoring rubrics carefully.

Independent reading. The district requires students to read independently for at least twenty minutes a day outside from what they are assigned to read in school. I hope my students read a bit more as that is not even 2 1/2 hours a week. I also hope my students read things they ENJOY for independent reading. This includes: books, magazines, manuals, newspapers, biographies, music, movie, restaurant reviews, recipes, etc. Independent reading should be FUN.

Missing work will be scored a zero to help remind students to turn in work. Remember, the late work policy states -15 points for work that is one day late, and -30 points after that. Due dates are posted on the Google Classroom calendar and Power School.

Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions regarding homework assignments in my ELA class. I am here to help each and every student be successful in 6th grade this year!