ELA Syllabus

6^th Grade ELA

The sixth grade ELA curriculum emphasizes growing a love for English/ Language Arts and the core skills of reading and writing. We do so through Writer’s Workshop, fiction and non-fiction reading, vocabulary development and our Independent reading goals. The units of study include:

1. Esperanza Rising
2. East Asia choice texts: Archer’s Quest, The Master Puppeteer, When My Name was Keoko, Revolution is Not a Dinner Party or A Single Shard
3. Poetry Unit
4. Fourth Quarter Book Groups (student selected novels)
5. Writer’s Workshop Units of Study (Narrative, Informational, Argumentative)
6. Quarterly Independent Reading Goals

The McFarland School District has adopted the Common Core State Standards, which include the following Standards for English/ Language Arts. Students will do a variety of activities designed to develop these skills:

1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis and draw inferences
2. Determine author’s point of view and purpose
3. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence using multiple sources.
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
5. Use proper conventions in writing
6. Engage effectively in collaborative discussions and present claims and findings.

More information is available at http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/6/

Grading Procedures:

Assessments: Assessments are for the end of unit material and are announced about a week in advance. Retakes MAY be done at the teacher's discretion and require students to create a learning improvement plan in order to qualify for the retake option. Other forms of assessment could include: projects, assignments, and other in-class activities.

Daily work: Classwork assignments include a variety of summative and formative information. Sometimes the assignment is for a turn in grade and is marked "T" in the grade book. These assignments are either classwork or homework that students submit to demonstrate their learning.

Book Clubs: Book Clubs are offered as a way to share and grow learning through speaking and listening standards. Book Clubs run in 2nd and 4th quarters.

Writing: 6th grade uses the Writing Units of Study by Lucy Calkins for teaching the literary essay (argumentative writing), Teen Activism (informational writing) and the Narrative unit (memoir writing).

Independent Reading Goal:

Students are expected to complete their Independent Reading (IR) goal each quarter. While some time is given in class each day, the expectation is that students actively participate in a minimum of 15 minutes of reading each night. This goal is to be completed by the deadline set for each quarter and students will receive credit for their reading upon completion of an end book activity (online write up, book talk or other option agreed upon by the teacher.).

Grading Scale

100-92% = A 90-92% = A-

88-89% = B+ 83-87% = B 80-82% = B-

78-79% = C+ 73-77% = C 70-72% = C-

68-69% = D+ 63-67% = D 60-62% = D-

0-59% = Needs Improvement

Effort & Conduct Grade

Our philosophy is based on the “We A.R.R.E Spartans” motto. In ELA, effort and conduct is demonstrated through completion of daily homework, quality of assignments, participation in class, and being on time and prepared for learning. In addition, students are expected to act responsibly and respectfully during math class.

Effort and conduct are evaluated throughout the quarter and are reported on the report card. Students may earn an “O” for Outstanding, an “S” for Satisfactory, an “N” for Needs Improvement, or a “U” for Unsatisfactory.

Items that students will need to bring to class on a daily basis:

1. ELA notebook/ composition notebook
2. Independent Reading book
3. iPad
4. ELA Folder ;Pencils and pens
5. Assigned reading book
6. Open mind, positive attitude, and a strong academic work ethic J