Scalici's English Cooper 6 Site - Expectations & Grading

Social, Emotional and Academic Expectations + Grading

Social & Emotional

In English, we have a special bond. It's a place of psychological safety, a place of self-responsibility, a place I expect you to take risks and make what you might call mistakes, because that is the only way to raise your practices and elevate your learning threshold. My standards for you are high and yours for yourself should be as well.

I expect you to ALWAYS be supportive of the other kids and adults in our classroom. We share A LOT due to the nature of English. I expect you to pay attention to your verbal output, the non-verbal cues you emit, and I expect you to be responsible for the energy you bring into our room.

I'll "learn you" over time, and as I do, you'll take steps to become a self-advocate by telling me what you need in order to be the best learner and contributor in our classroom. In our classroom, you are accepted just as you are.

The classroom is a sacred place in my book; I spend more time in it than at my own home. Know that students are trying new things and are not expected to master them on the first try. First tries are a the baseline- accept them as that. Your 2nd, 3rd or 4th go at something is where the magic happens and is a better reflection of a final product.

Our learning is a process, not a one-and-done experience - enjoy the ride.

Academic Expectations

Come to class prepared with a notebook, a CHARGED iPad (and a stylus if possible), headphones, your agenda/homework pad and a pencil case (I'll set this up with you in the first week of school).
Have a plan for accessing assignments. Will you use your agenda/homework pad, check Schoology, etc.?
Complete and submit all homework.
Come to class ready to learn (sit or stand in a good spot, copy homework, begin the Do Now/Activation).
Be mindful of how your volume, verbiage, actions and overall energy are affecting those around you. Are you purposefully bringing positivity or haphazardly emitting negativity? You have the ability bring your best to our classroom. I'll help show you how.
Read 6 out of the 7 nights per week and electronically log (once a reading log is assigned).
Be willing to try something new and then try it in a different way. Learning is a process. You are here to be part of it.
Communicate with Ms. Scalici. Need something? Tell me. Something not working for you? Tell me. Your feedback is important. You are, after all, my target audience. Just like you, I'm always looking to get better...no matter how many years I've been teaching.

Grading

In 6th grade, we value the process, which is why a large portion of your grade comes from daily classwork.

Classwork & Writing Projects: 45%

EXAMPLES

In-class work (daily writing competed in class)
writing projects (small Signpost writing responses, draft submissions, or larger final writing projects)

Reading: 35%

EXAMPLES

Reading assessments
Book club work
Reading Log Completion

Dedication: 20%

This grade begins in the 2nd quarter, once your habits are firmly in place, and reflects your daily dedication in English over the course of the quarter.

EXAMPLES

Coming to class on time (or with a late pass if late)
Coming to class prepared with a charged computer and a pencil (you would not have to plug in during class)
Coming to class on the first day of the school week with an independent reading book
Staying academically focused during independent and group work
Being kind, inclusive and respectful of others, socially, emotionally and academically
Using respectful language
Taking teacher feedback with grace

*If you lose dedication points for the day, a note will be left in the comments defining the date and the choices you made in class to lose points.