Course Syllabus
Madison Accelerated Middle School 6th Grade Language Arts Syllabus
2011 – 2012
Teacher: Miss Halvachs
(618) 876 – 6409 ext. 3105
ahalvachs@madison.k12.il.us or ashleehalvachs@ymail.com
Welcome to 6th grade language arts class!! We will have a fun and exciting year working with various types of reading and writing.
Goals for the year:
- Students will know the differences among the parts of speech.
- Students will know the various parts of a sentence.
- Students will identify a variety of literary concepts by reading novels, poetry, short stories, and other materials.
- Students will practice and use a strong vocabulary.
- Students will practice and create original writing pieces of different types including letters, essays, and poems.
Class Novels:
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
- Loser by Jerry Spinelli
Materials for Language Arts Class: Must be brought EVERYDAY!
- Notebook – for Language Arts ONLY
- Independent Novel
- Pens – Black or Blue and Red
- Pencils
- Agenda
Extra Materials:
- Students will have the opportunity to purchase materials with money or shields in the school store before the school day begins.
- During the school day, I will have materials for sale in the classroom. Students will not be given materials, but will have the opportunity to purchase pencils, pens, folders, and notebooks.
“House Rules”:
- No electronics are to be on/in use in class. Electronic items of any kind that are seen out and/or in use are confiscated and turned in to the office immediately. There are no warnings.
- Do not interrupt instruction. This includes instruction by a teacher, presentations by other students, or media presentation.
- No gum, food or drinks in class unless they are given to you by me for a reward.
- Use the classroom, supplies, and netbooks for school business only.
- Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
- If it’s not yours, leave it alone.
- All rules in the student handbook (in your agenda) will be strictly enforced in my class.
Discipline Plan:
Students who make the choice to disrupt the learning process will be subject to the discipline policy as stated in the student handbook.
Grade Breakdown and Policy:
Grades are broken down into three categories:
- Homework/Daily Work = 35% of grade
- Bell Work: Each day, students will complete a bell work assignment in their “journal” that will be kept in the classroom. These will be worth 10 points per day (50 per week) and will be graded every Friday.
- Reading Log: Students are required to keep a reading log that will be provided for them. They are to read 100 minutes per week, either at home or in the classroom. This averages to 20 minutes/5 school days. Students will have a parent/guardian or teacher sign off on each logged day. These will be graded each Friday.
- Accelerated Reader: Students are required to take and pass at least 2 tests per quarter (8 total for the year). We will have a class prize system for students that earn points in AR. Every 10 points earned will result in a prize for each student.
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Papers/Projects = 45% of grade
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- Projects are creative extensions from literature and writing assignments. These will be fun and done often! ;)
- Book Reviews: Students will be required to complete 4 book reviews throughout the year (1 per quarter). They will complete this review on a novel of their choice. Students should ALWAYS have an independent novel that they are reading.
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Quizzes/Tests =20% of grade.
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- Quizzes will generally assess spelling and vocabulary progress
- Tests will occur at the completion of a novel to assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing fluency.
Grading Scale:
A+ to A- = 100% – 92%
B+ to B- = 91% – 83%
C+ to C- = 82% – 72%
D+ to D- = 71% - 65%
F = Below 65%
How to hand in completed work:
All completed assignments are to be handed in by placing them in the appropriate class period's "folder bin” or your class periods drawer in the tower by the front bulletin board. You will be directed for each assignment on where to turn it in.
Late/Missing Work:
- During an excused absence (ex. illness, travel), that student is allowed the number of days absent in order to make-up work.
- During an unexcused absence (ex. suspension), students are not allowed to make up the missed work as per the district policy.
- Late Work: Students have 3 days to turn in missing work after the due date. Each day that the assignment is late will result in losing 15% of the grade.
Classroom Library:
I have an extensive library in the classroom. These books are for students to borrow with great discretion. I purchase these books myself out of pocket and I expect my students to take care of them. The checkout policy is the following:
- May check out ONE book at a time, for no longer than ONE month.
- When you would like a book, please bring it to Ms. Halvachs at the appropriate time.
- Any books damaged, lost, or stolen with need to be replaced. You may either purchase another copy for the library or give the money to Ms. Halvachs to purchase another.
Physical Science:
I will also have the opportunity to teach you one quarter of science this year! During this semester with me, we will be studying physical science. We will be studying the following: measurement, matter, the elements, simple machines, energy, electricity, and more.
- Science grades will be determined by: participation, bell work, homework, quizzes/tests, and experiments. We will have a fun and exciting class!
