Course Syllabus

I know we have an exciting and wonderful year ahead of us as we explore the fine art of reading.  Students will have opportunities to work individually as well as in groups.  Along with standard assessments, we will be completing alternative assessments such as portfolios and projects to show student learning.  If there are ever any questions about what we are learning, please contact me.

You are expected to:

·         Complete all assignments on time;

·         Record assignments and upcoming school events and/or activities in your planner;

·         Record the Essential Questions in your planner; 

·         Spell words correctly on all assignments.  Dictionaries are available for use in the classroom, and all students are encouraged to purchase a dictionary that they can keep in their language arts binder.  One point will be deducted for each misspelled word for all assignments, with a maximum of 10 points deducted for spelling.  

 Late Work Policy

 It is the policy of our 6th grade team that late work not be accepted.  Late projects will be accepted the next day, but the highest grade possible at the time will be a 75.

 Absences and Make-Up Work

 It is your responsibility to find out about missed assignments.  You may wish to have a buddy in class who collects worksheets and other materials for you when you are absent.  Assignments are also posted each day on the homework board.

 You have two class days for each day missed to make up assignments, up to a maximum of five days.  You will not be reminded about work that needs to be completed.  You may make arrangements to come in between 7:00-7:20 for extra help; I am unable to give up class time to review missed content with individual students.

 Classroom Environment

                     You are expected to respect each other and our classroom at all times.  It is imperative that each student feel safe to express their opinions and ideas, and be able to share their work publicly without ridicule from classmates.  A more detail team discipline plan will be given to each student and parent.

 Classroom Expectations:

 1.        Respect one another, the classroom, and the materials provided for our class at all times.

2.        Be on time, prepared, and ready to work.

3.        Raise your hand to answer and/or ask questions or to leave your seat at anytime after instruction has begun.

4.        Actively participate in class discussion and show initiative to do better than the “norm.”

 Odds and Ends

 ü       Students should always come to class with their language arts binder/folder, paper, pen or pencil, student planner and textbooks.  Also, students are required to bring a silent reading book to class every day.

ü       Pencils should be sharpened before class begins.  NO MECHANICAL PENCILS!

ü       Students may complete work in pencil, blue, or black ink ONLY.  Work must be legible.  Points will be deducted for work that is completed in other ink colors.

ü       There is a classroom library available.  Students may take books out of the classroom, after properly checking them out.

ü       Each paper that is turned in should have the student’s first and last name, student number, date, class period, and assignment title (if applicable).  Points will be deducted if students forget to put their name on a paper.

ü       A school store is available before school in the media center.

¤     Always do your best work. ¤     Participate in class. In this course, you will be asked to learn and apply new knowledge, to critically analyze reading and language, to synthesize ideas, and to evaluate text. To do all that, you need to be active.¤     Attend each class, and be on time; we will use every moment of class to master the standards.¤     Demonstrate respect for yourself and others.¤     Take responsibility for your make-up work when you are absent.  You will have three days to complete work for each excused absence.¤     Be prepared by studying class material, keeping your binder/folder organized, and by having your course supplies each day.¤     Follow all Grovetown Middle School and Columbia County School System policies, especially the student code of conduct, the attendance policy, and the dress code. Please review these documents at www.ccboe.net/support or in the student handbook.