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Hopewell Middle school |
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Language Arts, Social Studies |
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Language Arts |
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Course Units: Sixth grade Language Arts focuses on the integration of vocabulary, literature, reading strategies, composition, oral language skills, research, and grammar. Reading instruction teaches students to use cognitive strategies before, during, and after reading to help them monitor their understanding and evaluate the author’s presentation of ideas. A thematic approach allows students and teachers to work collaboratively to explore fiction and nonfiction literature, composition, and research. Students participate in the writing process, incorporating grammar study as a part of the revision of their compositions. Oral language and technology instruction will help students become effective communicators. Students view and evaluate media and technology, a strong force influencing teenagers today. Finally, students will conduct research and present their findings through a variety of oral, written, visual, and technological media.
Textbooks: Holt Elements of Literature $56.40 Holt Handbook $25.30 Elements of Language-Spelling $10.00 Supplemental Novels - $10.00 Elements of Literature Worktext-$10.00
Novels: There will be a two week novel studies at the end of each unit . Hatchet The Watson’s Go to Birmingham Holes No More Dead Dogs Maniac Magee A Long Way From Chicago Crispin Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Tuck Everlasting True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle The View From Saturday Bud, Not Buddy
Other novels from the Fulton County selected list may be used.
Grading Policy: 15%- Homework 35%- Class Work, Participation, & Collaboration 50%- Tests, Quizzes & Alternative Assessments
All grades are entered as the actual points earned per task. Points accumulate throughout the semester and are weighted according to the above categories. On average, grades will be taken from tests-weekly, quizzes-weekly, and alternative assessments-a couple per unit.
Homework Expectations: Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Homework is due the following class period.
Help Sessions: By appointment before school. Available most mornings at 7:45.
Culminating Activities/Special Projects: Each of the units in Language Arts will end with a culminating activity that will simulate a real-world simulation to make learning an authentic experience. In addition to the culminating activities, teachers may assign additional projects that may include (but are not limited to) book reports, group presentations, and novel studies. Students will be given advance notice of culminating activities and projects as well as a rubric for grading so that they are aware of the expectations for satisfactorily completing the task.
Recovery: It is Fulton County board policy for students with a 73 or below cumulative grade average, that the student is given the opportunity to improve upon their grade if all work required to date has been completed, and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements, including attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher concerning recovery.
Grading Scale: A = 90 and above B = 80 - 89 C = 70 - 79 F = 69 and below
Communication: Below are listed several ways for you to keep up with your student’s progress.
* Agenda – Please check nightly. You may write notes back to the teacher in the agenda if you desire. * Email directly to your student’s teacher. Email addresses are listed on each class syllabus. * Notes or letters * Interim reports of grades every nine weeks * Semester Report Card after 18 weeks * Conferences via telephone or face to face * Parent Connect – view your student’s grades daily via the internet
Conduct Policy: In order to maintain an environment conductive to learning, students are required follow behavior guidelines. Should a student not follow these guidelines, teachers will use a combination of the following methods: verbal reminders, seating change, removal from room, communication to parent via e-mail, agenda, or telephone, referral to guidance counselor, conference with parent. A warning sticker will be placed in the student’s agenda to communicate with parents. On the third warning a detention will be issued. Sixth grade detentions are held on Tuesday mornings from 7:45-8:15.
If the student continues inappropriate behavior, the teacher, using a student conduct referral form, will refer the child to the assistant principal. The Fulton County Discipline Cycle will then begin its official process.
Absence/Make-Up Work Procedures: It is Fulton County policy that upon returning to school, following an absence, for the student to contact the teacher to request make-up work. The student must complete make-up work within the time specified by the teacher. At Hopewell Middle School, the student will be given the same amount of time to make-up the work as the student was absent. The student will receive the actual grade on make-up work if the absence was “excused”. |
