Syllabus

Newberry Middle School 

Sixth Grade English Language Arts Syllabus

Teacher: Erica Scriven

School Phone Number: 803-321-2640 ext. #16614

Email Address: escriven@sdnc.org

Best Time to Contact: Monday-Friday 1:30-3:00

Catch Up and After School Day: Monday-Friday during Enrichment and/or Recess

I. DESCRIPTION OF COURSE 

Sixth Grade English Language Arts is an integrated course that follows the South Carolina Sixth Grade ELA standards.  During the year, students read a wide variety of texts (stories, literature, and more complex texts that provide facts and background knowledge).  Vocabulary instruction focuses on using prefixes/suffixes/ Latin and Greek stems, context clues, and word reference material.  Students strengthen their writing skills and produce clear and coherent writing for a variety of tasks (informative/explanatory writing, argumentative writing, narrative writing, and research projects).  Spelling, grammar, and mechanics are taught through direct instruction and application in students’ writing.  Throughout the year, students sharpen their speaking and listening skills by collaborating, presenting information, and interpreting information.  In mastering our Inquiry-Based standards, students will routinely and systematically engage in the process of inquiry. Students individually and collaboratively engage and interact with content to become curious, self-regulated, reflective learners. Homework assignments reinforce and enrich students’ knowledge.  This class stresses critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills which will enable students to be successful in college and their future careers. 

II. TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

State Adopted/Course Textbook(s): Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Collections (class set)

Supplemental Materials: Close Reader, Performance Assessment Book, CommonLit

Other Required Materials: Laptop, Composition Notebook, & Agenda (all provided), various student and teacher selected novels, headphones/earbuds, and a pencil

III. 6TH GRADE UNITS OF STUDY

• Unit 1: Narratives/Short Stories

• Unit 2: Poetry

• Unit 3: Informational Texts/Argumentative Writing/Research

• Unit 4: Review/Research/Novel Study

IV. SCHOOLOGY Schoology will be the learning management system for all School District of Newberry County students. This will allow parents and students to see the resources available for learning, keeping materials organized and easily accessible. This will also house documents, announcements, videos and allow teachers to assign and collect assignments. Power School is still the final source of grades for all students.

V. ASSESSMENTS

Throughout the year we will have tests (major grade) and projects (major grade). During the units we will also have quizzes (minor grade) and classwork assignments (minor grade). 

VI. GRADING

The grading scale is as follows: Grades will be classified into three categories:

A (100-90) Major (50%)

B (89-80) Minor (40%)

C (79-70) Daily/Homework Effort (10%)

D (69-60)

F (Below 59)

IX. Missing Work / Late Work

• If a student is absent on the day an assignment is due or a test is taken, a 0 will be entered until work is made up.  

• When absent, students will have 5 days upon return to turn in missing work to receive full credit.

• Students are expected to make up work missed while they were absent. They will be given full credit for work done that satisfies the conditions of the district policy for make-up work.  Immediately upon returning to school, the student must contact teachers concerning arrangements for making up work.  A zero will be given for work that has been required by the teacher and has not met guidelines for make-up work.  

After the student has been absent for three days, the parent/guardian may request make-up work by calling/emailing the Curriculum Coordinator, Kristina Cannon, to collect work from all teachers for the student.

When an absence occurs, it is the student’s responsibility to inquire about, complete, and return assignments.  Students should expect to do more paperwork than those who were in attendance because it is necessary to make up for classroom experiences missed.  The following is offered as a timeline for make-up work.

1 day absence  1 day after return to school

2 day absence     2 days after return to school

3 day absence     3 days after return to school

4 day absence     4 days after return to school

5 day absence    5 days after return to school

Students absent more than five (5) days must make arrangements with their teachers for making up the work missed within one week (5 school days) after their return to school.  Late work guidelines also apply to make-up work when not completed in a timely manner.

When in-school suspension or discipline program assignments have been given a predetermined date, no extra days are given for make-up work.  If students are absent on a predetermined due date, the material is due the day the student returns to school.

Late Work Policy

Major and Minor Assignments—all major and minor assessments will not be accepted after 5 consecutive school days after their due date.  This includes but is not limited to: quizzes, presentations, projects, tests, daily assignments and essays.  10 points per day late will be deducted from the assignment for up to 5 days. If you are absent on the day of a project, test, quiz, or presentation, you will be expected to complete it/turn it in on the day of your return.

VII. HOMEWORK

Students will need to use Schoology to access their daily assignments, these can also be downloaded prior to leaving school. A variety of assignment types will be used and may range from but are not limited to, extra practice on topics, tutorial videos, journaling, vocabulary work, and supplemental reading. Assignments in the homework category are graded for effort/completion and cannot be made up.  If the student was absent when the assignment was made, it will be excused.

VIII. RULES AND PROCEDURES

• Students are to enter the classroom in a timely and orderly fashion going straight to their seat, get their agenda out and start on the bell work.

• A hall/office pass will be issued when deemed necessary, but students must have a pass to leave the class.

• The students will be required to be seated quietly and all trash off the floor before they are dismissed by the teacher.

• Students should come to class with all their materials (books, pencils, binder, agenda, ID, and paper).

• The dress code will be followed according to the handbook. 

• The students are expected to not interrupt the educational process for other students in the classroom.

• The tardy policy will be followed according to the handbook. 

IX. SUMMER READING REQUIREMENTS

Students are expected to read over the summer to prepare for seventh grade. Requirements will be provided during the fourth quarter.