Sixth Grade Language Arts Syllabus, 2015-2016 Teachers: R. Joy Luna [email protected] (270) 746-2290 ext. 2149 Amy Pope [email protected] (270) 746-2290 ext. 2136 Amy Powers [email protected] (270) 746-2290 ext. 2134 Ashley Whittle [email protected] (270) 746-2290 ext. 2163

Mission Statement: At BGJHS, all students are empowered to become respectful and responsible 21st century learners and leaders. Welcome to your sixth grade language arts class. You are about to be changed! By the end of this year, you will have a deeper understanding of the way language works and be able to use it to communicate more professionally. You will understand how to write powerful stories as well as engaging informational and argumentative essays. Another way that you will be different is that your vocabulary will knock the socks off everyone who hears you.

Our goal is not to leave you the way you are. Our goal is to make you stronger, more powerful, a verbal force to be reckoned with!

Quarter Topics: 1st Quarter (August 5 – September 30): 3rd Quarter (January 4 – March 9):  Parts of the sentence  Pronoun usage  Narrative writing  Argumentative writing 2nd Quarter (October 12 – December 18):  Research writing with MLA citation  Sentence structures 4th Quarter (March 14 – May 19):  Comma usage  Conventions of writing  Informational writing  On demand writing

Grades are taken for the following:  engagement assignments - practice activities (ex.: notecards, online interactive games, exit slips, free writes, etc.)  quizzes and homework - formative assessments (ex.: weekly vocabulary quizzes, vocabulary writing, grammar quizzes)  tests and essays- summative assessments (ex.: cumulative vocabulary tests, grammar tests and essays)

Parents and students may check grades online through Infinite Campus Parent Portal at any time to monitor student progress.

Classroom Supplies:  one 1” 3 ringer binder  index cards (about 20 every two weeks)  composition notebook  book rings (about 20 for the year)  loose leaf paper  packing tape  pencils on a daily basis  highlighters *optional  erasers  in-binder three ring hole punch *optional Kentucky Content Standards for English Language Arts: Language:  L 6.1 Ensure pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, possessive); know and use intensive pronouns; recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun person and number; recognize and correct vague pronouns; recognize variations from standard English in writing and speaking;  L 6.2 Use commas, parentheses, and dashes correctly; spell correctly  L 6.3 Vary sentence patterns and maintain consistency in style and tone  L 6. 4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies  L 6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meaning  L 6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression

Writing:  W 6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence  W 6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content  W 6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences  W 6.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience  W 6.5: Write with some guidance from peers/adults; develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach  W 6.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, cite sources, and collaborate with others; be able to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting  W 6.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources, and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate  W 6.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources and assess the credibility of each source; quote/paraphrase data while avoiding plagiarism and provide basic bibliographic information  W 6.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research  W 6.10: Write routinely over extended time frames (as for research, reflection, and revision) for a range of purposes and audiences; write routinely for shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline specific tasks, purposes, and audiences

Speaking and Listening:  SL 6.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions expressing one’s own ideas and building upon others’ ideas; come to discussions prepared, having read/studied material and able to reflect/probe on issues; follow rules for collegial discussions, set/track specific goals/deadlines, and define individual roles; pose/respond to questions and comments with detail; review key ideas expressed and demonstrate understand through reflection/paraphrasing  SL 6.2: Interpret the main ideas and supporting details in diverse media and formats; explain how main ideas and supporting details clarify a topic, text, or issue under study  SL 6.3: Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims-which are supported by sound reasoning/sufficient evidence- which are not?  SL 6.4: Present claims/findings in a sequential and logical manner using description, facts, and details of themes and main ideas; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation  SL 6.5: Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify information  SL 6.6: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English.