Welcome to English 6! I am very excited for you to be a part of my class! Please thoroughly read through this syllabus - it will help you get a better understanding of the course and my expectations. *All syllabus contents are subject to change. I will monitor and adjust classroom procedures and schedules as needed. For specific course objectives and standards, please visit the South Carolina Department of Education at www.ed.sc.gov.
pgosnell@greenville.k12.sc.us
SUPPLIES: (2) three prong folder, (2) composition notebook, paper, pencil, pen, glue sticks, dark inked pen, yellow highlighters
Textbook: HMH Into Literature G6
Course Description: Sixth-grade students read various fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from across cultures and periods. Students entering sixth grade are developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Sixth-grade students are reading longer texts and continuing to draw conclusions based on inferences while analyzing how an author’s choices impact meaning in various types of print and multimedia texts. The goal of ELA 6 is to foster the development of your students' reading skills, and written and oral communication to help them become well-rounded students.
COMMUNICATION: My email address is pgosnell@greenville.k12.sc.us. My classroom telephone number is 864-355-8550. This phone number will directly connect you to my voicemail. Please leave your name, message, and a phone number so I can respond promptly. I will respond to your phone calls or emails within one business day or sooner.
Student Backpack is an essential tool for accessing grades. Google Classroom will be your greatest asset for staying up to date with your child’s classwork. The codes for my Google classrooms are listed on my website.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: While in my classroom, I expect students to demonstrate a strong work ethic while treating each other with high levels of respect. I expect my students to be on time and in their seats when class begins. I expect my students to bring all of their needed materials to class. I expect my students to be academically honest and not cheat or copy others’ work. I expect my students to be responsible for obtaining assignments missed during class absences. I expect cell phones to not be seen, heard, or used during class. And, finally, I expect my students to be respectful. Bullying, disrespect, or distracting behavior that interferes with others’ ability to learn or my ability to teach will not be tolerated. These behaviors will be subject to Woodmont Middle School’s discipline policy. Please see the student handbook on our school website for additional information about the Discipline Points system.
GRADING: Major Assessments (3) Minor Assessments (typically 8-9)
Major Assessments include tests, formal writing, or summative products. Students will receive notice in advance and will go through the necessary teacher-directed study and preparation for any major assessment. Students, however, should also spend time preparing for major assessments at home.
Minor Assessments: Minor assessments will include homework, classwork, quizzes, short writing assignments, etc.
Make-up Work Policies: It is the responsibility of each student to inquire about make-up work upon returning from an absence. Students must also check Google Classroom for classwork and homework information for any days missed.
Redo/Retake/Revision Policies: Minor Grades are not eligible for a redo or retake. For major grades, students will have Redo/Retake opportunities for 5 days from the time an assignment is recorded in the gradebook to initiate the Redo/Retake process. If a student is provided an open-note test or allowed to use something such as a completed study guide as a resource, a Redo/Retake will not be applicable. Students will be expected to initiate the process for Redo/Retake. Teachers will handle unique situations on a case-by-case basis and will use discretion on any assignment intended to be applied to a particular grading period.
Latework Policy: The Latework procedures for WMS are intended to support students who are absent from school, not students who were present, but still failed to meet a deadline for turning in work. Work assigned is expected to be completed by the designated due date. Any work not turned in will be recorded as a zero (0). Dr. Gosnell has the autonomy to determine whether she will accept late work on a case-by-case basis.
Make-up Work from Absences: The work must be completed and returned to the teacher 5 school days upon their return. If the deadline is not met, a grade of zero (0) will then be applied. It is the student's responsibility to ask their teacher for the work they missed on the day they return to school.
English 6 Course Overview
Unit Title
Essential Question for the Unit
Discovering Your Voice
What are ways you can make yourself heard?
Never Give Up
What keeps people from giving up?
Finding Courage
How do you find courage in the face of fear?
Through an Animal’s Eyes
What can you learn from seeing the world through an animal's eyes?
Surviving the Unthinkable
What does it take to be a survivor?
Hidden Truths
What hidden truths about people and the world are revealed in stories?
Throughout the year, Dr. Gosnell will be incorporating several fictional works for students to read and interact with alongside the units listed above. Dr. Gosnell will be working diligently to foster a love of reading and writing by providing relevant, accurate and timeless works for students to analyze. Please check my website to keep up to date with weekly lesson plans.
The master list of potential books that could be used in the sixth-grade classroom can be found 26-27 Approved Book List
Film Guardian Permission
Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to view various films that accompany the literature studied in class. These films are used for enrichment, enhancement of understanding, comparing and contrasting, and/or analysis of techniques. Only films that align with the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards are shown. Students are not required to watch the films and can be offered an alternative assignment if desired.
Please view the list of films below, used as part of the instructional process in English Studies 6. Please review this list and contact me if you have any objections to the movies listed below.
Film Adaptations: Rating:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief PG
Alfred Hitchcock presents “Lamb to the Slaughter” PG
The Twilight Zone: “The HitchHiker” TV-PG
The Twilight Zone: “Time Enough at Last” TV-PG
The Watsons go to Birmingham PG
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe PG
I request that my child be given an alternative assignment to the films listed above.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
ONLY RETURN THIS FORM IF YOU DO NOT WISH FOR YOUR STUDENT TO WATCH THESE MOVIES