Course Information

Beck International Academy

2023-24 Syllabus    

The mission of Beck International Academy is to meet the needs of our diverse student body in an environment that nurtures, accepts and encourages all students to make empowering choices to impact their academic success.

Instructor: Meredith Conroy

Room: 622

E-Mail: mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.us

Web Address: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/msconroy/home

School Telephone:  


COURSE TITLE:  Gifted and Talented 6th Grade ELA


COURSE DESCRIPTION (Focus and Purpose):  


Gifted and Talented ELA is a rigorous and demanding course designed to cover the following strands of standards: reading, writing, and research.  We use a balanced literacy approach to teaching reading and writing. Students will read a variety of informational texts and various forms of literary fiction and nonfiction. The district curriculum asks students to participate in literature circles and writer’s workshops to learn the strategies of strong readers and communicators. Students create authentic products to assess learning. GT ELA classes differ from studies classes in that they move at a faster pace, routinely read complex texts, have more opportunities for independent work, and delve into abstract concepts and real-world issues. 


GOALS:

My mission is to inspire my students to become curious, enthusiastic, and life-long learners. 


COURSE OUTLINE/ INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS for the Year:  units/lessons are subject to change


Quarter 1: Literary Foundation

Writing: response to text-dependent questions, personal narratives, Greek mythology presentation

Texts: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan*, as well as various myths

*The Lightning Thief, by New York Times best-selling author, Rick Riordin, brings Greek mythology to life as it tells the story of Percy Jackson, who learns of his status as a demi-god and then must journey across the USA to fulfill his destiny. We begin the year with this novel so that students gain a solid understanding of Greek mythology and their applications to other works.The Lightning Thief also touches on important themes for middle schoolers such as diversity and acceptance. The Lightning Thief has won multiple awards, including The School Library Journal Best Book of 2005 and the Young Reader’s Choice Award of 2008. 


Quarter 2: Informational Texts

Writing: Research & informational writing, Google site creation

Texts: News articles, speeches, biographies, etc.


Quarter 3: Research and Argument

Writing: Argument, TDA (text-dependent analysis) 

Texts: Informational texts on various world issues, informational texts on data-collection strategies


Quarter 4: Writer’s Craft

Writing: Literary analysis, narrative (podcast and suspenseful stories)

Texts: Suspenseful short stories and The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling*


*The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street is a teleplay for an early episode of The Twilight Zone. After seeing a flashing light in the sky, a small town experiences strange occurrences, and the town members begin to suspect each other of being visitors from outer space. In addition to applying knowledge of story elements, students will analyze and discuss important topics, such as prejudice and judgment.   


TEACHING METHODS AND STRATEGIES: 

We use a balanced literacy approach to teaching reading skills, literature, and the writing process. A typical week includes a variety of instructional formats: read alouds, whole class teaching, literature circles, small group instruction, guided and shared reading, and independent reading. Student instructional reading levels are used to group them for differentiated activities and assignments.  Writing activities center on a workshop approach featuring whole class mini lessons, small group work, and independent writing. Using a learning focused format for instruction, acquisition lessons present major concepts with graphic organizers to maximize learning and retention. Students extend and refine their learning with activities designed to promote higher levels of thinking such as analysis and evaluation.  Discussions and hands-on group activities build and extend skills. Authentic projects are assigned throughout the year to assess learning.  Instructional activities are designed based on our district curriculum guide and state standards.

www.state.sc.us/sde/educators/standards.



HONOR CODE POLICY AND PLAGIARISM:

I adhere to our school honor code and plagiarism policy.

Cheating or the copying of work belonging to another person is a violation of school rules as well as personal ethics. Both the lender and borrower will receive a discipline consequence, alternate assignment, and parents will be notified.

Plagiarism is cheating. Examples of plagiarism include:


      

ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING:


PROCEDURES AND RECORDING STUDENT PROGRESS:


Students are assessed using both formative and summative assessments. Daily class assignments, homework grades, tests, projects, group work, and quizzes will be included in these assessments. Students are also asked to complete quarterly literary and writing projects. These are assessed with rubrics.The district-wide grading scale is as follows:


100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-50 F

Grading Policy for ELA:
 Major Assignments: 3 assignments (count for 50% of grade)

Minor Assignments: 8 assignments (count for 50% of grade)


 

LATE WORK POLICY:

Students will be allowed to turn in late work no later than a week before the closing of the grading period. Work for the current quarter will not be accepted after the published dates below:

 

1st Quarter late work end date-   10/4/23

2nd Quarter late work end date-  12/12/23

3rd Quarter late work end date-   3/7/24

4th Quarter late work end date-   5/15/24



HOMEWORK POLICY:

Reading is FUNDAMENTAL! Please encourage your child to read 20-25 minutes each night. Research shows that reading 20-25 minutes daily increases standardized test scores performance and builds vocabulary.


MAKEUP WORK/ ABSENCE POLICY:

Students must make up missed work within 5 days of returning to school.  Students are responsible for making arrangements with teachers to make up work. Teachers should be contacted before or immediately after the excused absence. Students must complete and turn in the work on time to receive credit. Parents may also request assignments through guidance for an extended absence.



CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES:  

Students are expected to be respectful of each other at all times. 

There are several required expectations:
 ALL students must wear an ID badge.
ALL students must abide by the dress code.
ALL students must practice the 3 R's: Rights of others, Respect for others, Responsibility for learning



SCHOOL-WIDE DISCIPLINE PLAN   5 Step Plan

Beck Academy Student Handbook 2023-24

Beck Academy’s 5-Step Discipline Plan


Step 1

Warning to student

Step 2

Parent contact

Step 3

Detention with parent contact

Step 4

Detention with parent contact

Step 5

Referral to office

Additional student behavior guidelines may be found in the student handbook.


PROCEDURES FOR NON-INSTRUCTIONAL ROUTINES:

Students are expected to be on time and to have all assignments and materials needed for the class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class period.  


As students enter the room, they should get their materials needed for the day, sharpen their pencils, be seated, fill in their planner with homework, and begin completing the assigned bell work. Roll is taken at the beginning of the day and tardies are noted. 


PARENT COMMUNICATION:  

Parents, teachers, and students work together to promote learning. It is important to me to communicate with you on a regular basis concerning your child’s progress in learning required concepts and standards. Please feel free to call me at any time. Calls during the instructional day are directed directly to my voicemail. I will always respond within 24 hours during the work week. You can also reach me by email. Specific numbers and addresses are listed in the contact section of my syllabus.


I am always available for a conference. Please contact me with conference requests at mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.us


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




Beck International Academy

2023-24 Syllabus    

The mission of Beck International Academy is to meet the needs of our diverse student body in an environment that nurtures, accepts and encourages all students to make empowering choices to impact their academic success.

Instructor: Meredith Conroy

Room: 622

E-Mail: mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.us

Web Address: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/msconroy/home

School Telephone:  


COURSE TITLE:  Studies 6th Grade ELA


COURSE DESCRIPTION (Focus and Purpose):  

Grade 6 ELA is a rigorous course designed to cover the following strands of standards: reading, writing, research, word analysis, and communication. We use a balanced literacy approach to teach reading and writing. Students participate in Literature circles and writer’s workshop seminars to learn the strategies needed to become fluent readers and accomplished communicators.


GOALS:      

My mission is to motivate my students to become life-long, enthusiastic learners and effective communicators. I want them to become proficient, fluent readers and accomplished writers. 


COURSE OUTLINE/ INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS FOR THE YEAR (units/lessons are subject to change): 


Quarter 1: Literary Study

Writing: Narrative writing and literary analysis

Texts:  Ghost by Jason Reynolds*


* “A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature...Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read….Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this first electrifying novel of the acclaimed Track series from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award–winning author Jason Reynolds.” - blurb from Amazon

Quarter 2: Informational Texts

Writing:  Research & informational writing

Texts:  Biographies, DISCUS research sources, etc.


Quarter 3: Information & Argument

Writing:  Argument

Texts:  Informational texts on various world issues & The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate*


* “The #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel...This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.” -blurb from Amazon


Quarter 4: Literary Study

Writing:  Literary analysis and narrative

Literary Text: Suspenseful short stories and The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling*


*The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street is a teleplay for an early episode of The Twilight Zone. After seeing a flashing light in the sky, a small town experiences strange occurrences, and the town members begin to suspect each other of being visitors from outer space. In addition to applying knowledge of story elements, students will analyze and discuss important topics, such as prejudice and judgment.   

  

       






TEACHING METHODS AND STRATEGIES: 

We use a balanced literacy approach to teaching reading skills, literature, and the writing process. A typical week includes a variety of instructional formats: read alouds, whole class teaching, literature circles, small group instruction, guided and shared reading, and independent reading. Student instructional reading levels are used to group them for differentiated activities and assignments.  Writing activities center on a workshop approach featuring whole class mini lessons, small group work, and independent writing. Using a learning focused format for instruction, acquisition lessons present major concepts with graphic organizers to maximize learning and retention. Students extend and refine their learning with activities designed to promote higher levels of thinking such as analysis and evaluation.  Discussions and hands-on group activities build and extend skills. Authentic projects are assigned throughout the year to assess learning.  Instructional activities are designed based on our district curriculum guide and state standards.

www.state.sc.us/sde/educators/standards.



HONOR CODE POLICY AND PLAGIARISM:

I adhere to our school honor code and plagiarism policy.

Cheating or the copying of work belonging to another person is a violation of school rules as well as personal ethics. Both the lender and borrower will receive a discipline consequence, alternate assignment, and parents will be notified.

Plagiarism is cheating. Examples of plagiarism include:


      

ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING:

PROCEDURES for RECORDING STUDENT PROGRESS:

Students are assessed using both formative and summative assessments. Daily class assignments, homework grades, tests, projects, group work, and quizzes will be included in these assessments. Students are also asked to complete quarterly literary and writing projects. These are assessed with rubrics.

The district-wide grading scale is as follows:


100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-50 F

GRADING POLICY FOR ELA:
 Major Assignments: 3 assignments (count for 50% of grade)

Minor Assignments: 8 assignments (count for 50% of grade)


 

LATE WORK POLICY:

Students will be allowed to turn in late work no later than a week before the closing of the grading period. Work for the current quarter will not be accepted after the published dates below:

 

1st Quarter late work end date-   10/4/23

2nd Quarter late work end date-  12/12/23

3rd Quarter late work end date-   3/7/24

4th Quarter late work end date-   5/15/24


HOMEWORK POLICY:

Reading is FUNDAMENTAL! Please encourage your child to read 20-25 minutes each night. Research shows that reading 20-25 minutes daily increases standardized test scores performance and builds vocabulary.






MAKEUP WORK/ ABSENCE POLICY:

Students must make up missed work within 5 days of returning to school.  Students are responsible for making arrangements with teachers to make up work. Teachers should be contacted before or immediately after the excused absence. Students must complete and turn in the work on time to receive credit. Parents may also request assignments through Guidance for an extended absence.


CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES:  

Students are expected to be respectful of each other at all times. 

There are several required expectations:
 ALL students must wear an ID badge.
ALL students must abide by the dress code.
ALL students must practice the 3 R's: Rights of others, Respect for others, Responsibility for learning.



SCHOOL-WIDE DISCIPLINE PLAN   5 Step Plan

Beck Academy Student Handbook 2023-2024

Beck Academy’s 5-Step Discipline Plan


Step 1

Warning to student

Step 2

Parent contact

Step 3

Detention with parent contact

Step 4

Detention with parent contact

Step 5

Referral to office

Additional student behavior guidelines may be found in the student handbook.


PROCEDURES FOR NON-INSTRUCTIONAL ROUTINES:

Students are expected to be on time and to have all assignments and materials needed for the class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class period.  


As students enter the room, they should get their materials needed for the day, sharpen their pencils, be seated, and begin completing the assigned bell work. Roll is taken at the beginning of the day and tardies are noted. 


PARENT COMMUNICATION:

Parents, teachers, and students work together to promote learning. It is important to me to communicate with you on a regular basis concerning your child’s progress in learning required concepts and standards. Please feel free to call me at any time. Calls during the instructional day are directed directly to my voicemail. I will always respond within 24 hours during the work week. You can also reach me by email. Specific numbers and addresses are listed in the contact section of my syllabus.


I am always available for a conference. Please contact me with conference requests at mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.us