6th Grade English Language Arts (ELA)



6th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Syllabus

Holy Cross School

2019-20

Instructor:

Mr. Ryan Wleklinski (vlek-lin-ski)

email: rwleklinski@

website:

phone: 215.242.0414 (Holy Cross phone)

Course Description: 6th Grade ELA is a PA Standards-aligned course that seeks to enhance students’ abilities to communicate through reading, writing, speaking, and the study of the English language. The reading portion of this course emphasizes student reading comprehension across literature and informational/expository text while utilizing a variety of strategies. The writing portion has students compose narratives as well as informational/expository and argumentative pieces with additional focus on research, language, speaking and listening, and multimedia integration. Vocabulary, spelling, and supplemental grammar instruction and assessments will also be a critical part of the class. Because we are a community of learners, please also expect to work periodically in cooperative learning situations and to present information to your peers in collaborative teams.

Classroom Values and Mission:

1) Your education and life have a purpose. Your academic growth will be a challenge, but it is a challenge that will be rewarding and guided with a purpose. You were designed to use your reason and your natural gifts-and to cultivate those assets towards your education and character development. We care what you do; your family and ancestors care what you do; your children will care what you do; your God cares what you do.

2) You can do it. Forge forth and learn. Build. Cultivate. You were born with the ability to make choices in life, and you are compelled to make the most of it. You are responsible for your actions. Your successes are your accomplishments, but your shortcomings need to be owned and translated into growth experiences to build upon.

3) Show gratitude. Recognize the investment in yourself and education your family and community have given you. We are fortunate to live in a society that values education and the freedom to learn and excel; the freedom we enjoy and the morals in which we believe are products of a unique civilization, and it is important to learn where the roots of these values lie. Be grateful for these roots and defend them, even as you grow to new heights.

4) We are a community of learners. We are all human beings, made in the image of God, bound to the earth but with a soul that dreams of the eternal. We cannot be enemies because we share a common cause, and our common cause is a community replete with purpose, both communal and individual, a learning community that celebrates both individual and communal capacity. We all have different strengths and abilities, and learn at differing rates via different methods. But when we learn alongside one another rather than against one another, we are stronger.

Pennsylvania Common Core State Standards

This course is informed, instructed by, and assessed in conjunction with the PA Core Standards for ELA ().

A complete list of all PA ELA Standards can be accessed at:

In general, however, students will read, write, listen, and speak for:

-information and understanding

-literary response and expression

-critical analysis and evaluation

-social interaction

Classroom Materials

Exercises in English, Level F Grammar Workbook, Loyola Press, 2013

Common Core Progress (6), Sadlier School, 2014

Vocabulary Workshop, Level A, Sadlier School, 2013 (handouts)

Other selected handouts of informational text and genre pieces

Class novels (to be determined)

*suggested but not required*: Everything You Need To Know to Ace English Language Arts in One Big Fat Notebook, Big Fat Notebooks, 2016;

Classroom Expectations

All students will be prompt, prepared, polite and productive.

1) Be Prompt: You are expected to be in your assigned seat and ready to work at the start of class. Make sure you complete the “Bell Ringer”/“Do Now” activity as soon as you enter the classroom!

2) Be Prepared: You must bring the requested supplies to class everyday unless specified otherwise:

-1 pocket folder

-assignment notebook

-blue or black pens

-lined, “loose leaf paper”

-pencils

-multi subject notebook exclusively reserved for ELA

-any materials/assignments necessary for an ongoing lesson

3) Be Polite: You will be respectful, considerate, and polite to all people and property.

4) Be Productive: You will come to class with a sense of urgency and purpose in maximizing the full time slot dedicated to the exploration and mastery of the English language.

Homework

Homework will be given on a regular basis. It is intended to prepare, support, and expand upon the learning done in the classroom. Homework should be completed fully and on time to allow continuity with class activities.

-Assignments must be legible in order to receive credit. I cannot grade what I cannot read.

-Always make sure that you are clear about the homework assignment and that you have recorded it in your assignment notebook BEFORE LEAVING CLASS.

-All assignments are due on the assigned due date and are to be submitted at the beginning of the class period unless stated otherwise in the directions of the “Bell Ringer”/ “Do Now”

-Any assignments not received on or before the due date are considered late. In order to receive credit for any missed assignments, students must have an excusable absence, tardy, or early dismissal.

-When a student is absent, they are responsible for turning in assignments the day immediately following their date of return.

-Late work will be graded according to the scale below:

*1 school day late = 10% reduction of the earned grade

*2 school days late = 20% reduction of the earned grade

*3 school days late = 30% reduction of the earned grade

* After three school days, the assignment will not be accepted and will remain a permanent zero, for assignments are time-sensitive and relevant to the material being learned in class. Therefore, it is the expectation that in order for students to experience optimum academic success, they must complete all assignments on time.

-If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to see me to find out what notes or activities you missed.

-students will be responsible for any assessments administered in their absence upon their return; regularly scheduled assessments will be administered whether or not the student was present for in-class instruction and/or review

*some extenuating circumstances may apply, subject to my discretion

Assessments-student understanding will be frequently be measured and gauged through a variety of assessment mediums, both formative and summative.

I) Tests and Quizzes-Tests will always be announced. Quizzes may or may not be announced. Tests and quizzes may vary in structure (multiple choice, short answer, fill – in – the – blank, true/false, essay questions, etc.), but will always be relevant to material and topics covered in class.

II) Entrance Tickets-entrance tickets will be administered to insure that at-home reading was completed and comprehended.

III) Quill and No Red Ink Online Progress Monitoring Software-all students will be administered a username to access Quill and No Red Ink to supplement and reinforce classroom instruction and practice

IV) Written Assignments-Middle school students write for a variety of purposes with a focus on formal or “polished” writing. The ability to communicate clearly and logically through short response, argumentative, informative, narrative, and research-based pieces will be developed and assessed. Students will be involved in formal writing for three middle school years, so there is a consistent expectation across the three grade levels for typed work as requested. Students have a variety of options for meeting the expectation for typed work. Due to the amount of time that will be given prior to an assignment being due, students are also not excused from typing assignments due to technical difficulties.

V) Class Participation-student comprehension, as well as academic ownership, is also informally assessed through active student participation in class sessions. Participation may be manifested through volunteering in the whole class learning community, engagement in small-group collaboration, ability to respond to instructor-initiated “cold calling,” and by consistent on-task behavior. Disruptive behavior is interpreted as an unwillingness, or inability, to participate, and will be assessed accordingly.

Discipline

Establishing good classroom discipline is essential to each child’s success, confidence, and well – being. Every child should feel that the classroom environment is safe and secure, free from all threats of physical or emotional harm. In addition, it is important that each child learns to develop self – discipline and intrinsically-motivated work habits, to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to think independently. A failure to adhere to this philosophy will be addressed appropriately and purposefully, through restorative practice, and through consequences that are aimed at re-routing the student’s behavior into constructive classroom norms.

Cheating/Plagiarism

Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic grade of zero. This includes copying homework, classwork, test answers, talking during a test or quiz, allowing someone to copy your work, and trying to pass off someone else’s work as your own. The participants caught in the act will receive a zero for their assignment, project, or assessment. In some egregious cases, further disciplinary action may be taken.

Plagiarism is the act of stealing ideas and words of another without giving them proper credit. Plagiarism will result in a zero, and parents will be contacted. In some egregious cases, further disciplinary action may be taken. We will discuss how to properly cite sources through the year using MLA formatting so we do not encounter these problems. If you are ever confused about plagiarism, please ask.

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PORTION OF THE PAGE TO MR. RYAN INDICATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE EXPECTATIONS FOR 6TH GRADE BY: ____________________

I have read the syllabus for the 6th Grade English Language Arts Course, and I understand the course’s grading policy, homework policy, intended units of study, and items that must be brought to class daily to be prepared,. I recognize that this will be a joint effort on all our parts to make this a successful year.

Student Name (Printed):

Student Signature:

Date: ________

Parent/Guardian Name (Printed):

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Date: ________

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