Mrs. Workman S Language Arts Class

Mrs. Workman’s Language Arts Class

I am excited to welcome you to sixth grade Language Arts! Over the course of the year, we will be reading and writing in a variety of genres for a variety of purposes. I teach using workshop methodology, which gives students a lot of choice in the topics they read and write about. I hope you will find this to be both a fun as well as challenging year! I look forward to getting to know you!

It is important that you come to class ready to participate, and prepared for the day’s activities.

Supplies needed for class each day:  School Planner  Lined paper (not torn out of spiral)  1 composition notebook Pencil case with: o #2 pencils o Colored pencils o Highlighter o Pencil sharpener o Flash drive

Year at a Glance Grading Categories Trimester One Assessments  Elements of Literature  Assessment covers all tests, quizzes & projects.  Freak the Mighty interactive read-aloud Items in this category make up 60% of a  Narrative Writing student’s overall grade. Trimester Two Assignments  Humor Unit in Reader’s Workshop  This includes most class work & homework.  Feature Article/Informational Writing Items in this category make up 35% of a Trimester Three student’s overall grade.  Hero’s Journey Reader’s Workshop  Argument Writing  Behavior/Participation 5% *Informational reading, poetry, grammar, spelling, conventions, and vocabulary instruction is ongoing throughout the year.

Student Planners Each student has a planner that should be filled out daily regarding homework and upcoming events in all classes. Most due dates and assignment details will be available through Connect, but it is still the students’ responsibility to use a planner to keep track of due dates and assignments. Writing things down in the school planner fosters organizational skills and is stressed in all 6th grade classes.

Mrs. Workman’s Classroom Philosophy

In class, everyone’s job is to learn and let others learn. We do this by following The Maywood Way - Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Yourself.

Be Safe –Walk, Keep hands and feet to yourself, Use materials appropriately Be Kind – Encourage others, Manners: Use Please and thank you, Offer to Help Be Respectful – Take care of your own things, consider others’ feelings Be Your Best – Come prepared, Do Quality work, Take steps to solve problems

If a student disrupts the learning of themselves or others, I generally use the following interventions to support students in changing their behavior. 1. The teacher gives a reminder and re-teaches the expected behavior. 2. The teacher gives a warning and confers with the student to reteach expected behavior. 3. The student phones home to inform parent about behavior. If behavior happens again, student will be assigned lunch or after school detention. 4. Student calls parent again and is assigned lunch or after school detention. Student completes behavior reflection form. Teacher reteaches the appropriate behavior. 5. Teacher writes a referral for administrator intervention for more serious or ongoing behaviors. 6. I may request a staffing with teachers, counselor, school administrator, and family members to support the student to be productive if disruption of class continues.

* Some behaviors, as described in the Student Handbook, are so serious that the student is removed immediately from the classroom and referred to an administrator for intervention.

Homework/Classwork

DUE DATES All assignments have due dates and they should be entered in student planners. Homework and/or assignments are only accepted on or before the date they are due. Late assignments will receive 1/2 credit. Missing assignments will adversely affect a student’s grade.

ABSENT? Students are responsible for talking to their teacher upon their return to school. This way they will get their missing assignments and they can work out NEW due dates. These assignments are regular assignments and will impact the grade. When a student is absent, he or she should expect to spend some extra time at school or at home catching up.

EDITED WORK I want students to learn the material presented in class. This doesn’t always happen on the first attempt. As long as a student turns work in on time, he or she will have the opportunity to edit the assignment. This assignment will have a NEW due date. Students should always remember: it is best to communicate with teachers. I am here to support you. Students must be proactive and take charge of their learning and problem solving. I will work with you! This applies to assignments only.

Parents: Please fill out and sign the following page and return to Mrs. Workman by ______.

Thank you,

Hilary Workman [email protected] (425) 837-6943 Parents,

In addition to signing your name below, I encourage you to write any comments that you feel might help me to educate, evaluate, motivate, or better understand your child. Thank you!