ENGLISH 6 SYLLABUS
10013100 / 10013200
Meredith Conroy
Teacher Contact Information
mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.us
864 355 1434
Course Description
English Studies 6 is designed to prepare students for College and Career readiness as required by the South Carolina State Standards. The curriculum exposes students to a variety of genres, both literary and informational. Placement Recommendation - Successful completion of grade 5.
Learning Objectives
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.
Course Outline/Pacing/Scope and Sequence
Textbook Title
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Literature 6 & Grammar Practice 6
Annotated Book List
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.com
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Newbery Medal Winner, 1995
“In her own singularly beautiful style, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, and utterly moving story of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion.” blurb from Amazon.com
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.com
“The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” by Rod Serling
“One of the most-read classic TV scripts in the WGF Library, “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” was written by Rod Serling in 1959, airing on CBS in March of 1960 . . . it pointedly examines the nature of monsters -- using them as a metaphor to make candid observations about the nature of humans. This particular TWILIGHT ZONE story deals with bizarre occurrences that happen on a small neighborhood street after what looks like a meteor flashes through the sky” Lauren O’Connor of The Writer’s Guild
O’Connor, Lauren. “The Twilight Zone: Five Observations on Maple Street.” Writers Guild Foundation, 29 Oct. 2019.
Materials
2 pocket folder with prongs
Highlighters
Pencils
Composition Notebook
Wired headphones
Grading Policy/Practices
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 Procedures
Student Assignment Make-Up/Late Work Policy
Our school acknowledges that students may occasionally be absent and need to make up assignments. The following policy outlines the procedures and consequences for late work submission.
NHI (Not Handed In): Teachers will mark late work as NHI with a note indicating the student has five days to submit the assignment without a point deduction.
First 5 Days: Students may submit make-up work within five days of the original due date with no penalty.
Days 6-10: After the initial five days, a deduction of 5 points per day will be applied for up to five additional days.
After 10 Days: Assignments submitted more than 10 days late will be marked as zero and the work will no longer be accepted.
Redo/Retake/Revision Procedures
Redo/Retake Policy
Students may request a retake, redo, or revision of an eligible major assessment.
To qualify, the student must:
Submit the school’s Retake/Redo Request Form within five school days of the grade being posted.
Have submitted all minor assignments associated with the instructional unit.
Complete teacher-directed remediation or relearning before reassessment.
Coordinate the reassessment with the teacher during an agreed-upon intervention time.
Classroom Expectations
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 2024-2025
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.
Magic School
This year, students will use MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform designed specifically for education. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become standard in the professional world, utilizing MagicSchool prepares students for the future workforce by teaching safe and responsible technology use.
Students will use these tools for real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving. To ensure appropriate use, teachers retain access to all student chats. MagicSchool strictly protects privacy and does not collect or utilize student data. All AI software, including MagicSchool, complies with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.
Generative AI
This course may utilize generative AI tools, such as MagicSchool and Google Gemini, to supplement traditional instruction. Greenville County Schools prioritizes the ethical use of these technologies for brainstorming and self-guided learning.
Critical Thinking First: AI must not replace original thought or coursework.
Academic Integrity: Using AI to complete and submit assignments as original work constitutes plagiarism.
Required Citation: If teacher-approved, all AI use must be properly cited.
Content Awareness: Students must remain vigilant regarding potential biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content.
Policy Compliance: All AI programs align with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.
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 happy to set aside time for a conference. Please contact me with conference requests at
mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.edu
Beck Academy
2026 - 2027 Syllabus
Instructor: Meredith Conroy Room: 608
Planning Times: 1:25-2:00 pm E-Mail: mconroy@greenville.k12.sc.us
Web Address: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/msconroy/home
School Telephone: (864) 355-1434
6th Grade World Cultures
Course Description (Focus and Purpose): Grade 6 Social Studies deals with World History through inquiry and historical thinking skills from the River Valley Civilizations until the Age of Globalization.
Textbook: SAVVAS Learning Company: South Carolina myWorld Interactive, World History Survey, Grade 6, 1st Edition
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to use skills such as comparison, causation, change and continuity, context, periodization, and evidence to critically examine events in World History.
Course Outline/Instructional Units for the Year:
This year, students will be studying World History through the use of inquiry. We will work on developing inquiry-based skills while studying the themes of Culture and Intellectual Development, Global Exchanges, Interactions with the Environment, Social Systems and Order, and State Formation, Expansion, and Conflict. These themes will be discussed in some of the following eras: Parent-Friendly Social Studies 6th grade World Civilizations Overview
Resources Needed:
Colored Pencils
Pencils
Highlighters
Glue Stick(s)
Sticky Notes (optional)
Index cards (optional)
3 Pronged Folder
Scissors (highly recommended)
Ruler (optional)
Tape (optional)
Students may need additional materials for special projects. Advance notice will be provided; students are responsible for recording the information in their agendas and informing those at home.
Classroom Expectations: Students will be expected to obey school rules and procedures. Beck has multiple non-negotiables:
All students must wear ID badges (around neck & visible)
All students must abide by the school dress code (no jeans, seams in pants, solid shirts and outerwear)
All students must practice the 3 R’s (Rights of others, Respect of others, Responsibility for learning)
Students are also expected to follow the teacher’s instructions and classroom expectations. Severe offenses may result in immediate referrals.
School-wide Discipline Plan: Specific rules and policies regarding discipline can be found on the school website and in our student planner. Our school-wide discipline plan with regards to minor rule violations consists of a step plan designed to give parents the opportunity to assist with discipline whenever possible. The steps are:
Warning & Caution Slip
Parent Contact
After-school detention #1
After-school detention #2
Referral (if a student has to be removed for behavior and/or disrupting class
Consequences may be adjusted based on the seriousness or frequency of the behavior, individual student needs, and school policy. Severe offenses may result in an immediate referral.
Parent Communication:
Parents will be contacted when the following situations occur:
Missing major assignment.
Continued disruptive behavior(s).
Student receives a referral or after-school detention
Before a progress report or report card if a student receives an F
Positive shoutouts (as time allows)
Methods of communicating with parents include emails, Strickler’s Calendar (on my website), phone calls, and parent conferences.
Grading Scale:
90-100: A 80-89: B 70-79: C 60-69: D 50-59: F
NHI (Not Handed In) or MDA (Missing Due to Absence) are calculated as a zero in the grade book until replaced by the earned grade. An NHI or MDA is entered for missing work.
Grading Policy: Grades reflect content mastery. Beck Academy Make Up/Late Work Policy. Beck Academy Redo/Retake Policy.
Makeup Work/Absence Policy: Assignments are posted in Google Classroom. Students are responsible for checking for missed work and speaking with the teacher upon returning. Work assigned before the absence is due upon return. Students have five school days after returning to complete work missed during an excused absence. Previously announced tests may be given upon return. Makeup work should be requested or submitted at the end of class. For extended absences, parents may request assignments through Guidance.
NHIs/MDAs: Placed in the gradebook until the assignment is graded. From days 1-5 there is no penalty for missing assignments. From days 6-10, 5% of the grade earned will be deducted. No work will be collected after day 10 and the assignment will maintain the NHI.
Retest/Redo: Students must have all minors completed within the allotted 10 days to be eligible for a retest/redo. Students must complete Beck’s retake form, all requirements of the teacher, and conference with the teacher before completing the retest/redo. Two retest days will be assigned.
The instructor reserves the right to modify or change this syllabus as deemed necessary.
Let’s have a great year!
Ms. Conroy