Language Arts Syllabus 2017-2018
6th grade Language Arts teachers:
Nicole Wells - Chinook Core
Classroom Website: https://shms-wells.blogspot.com
Jennae Roelle - Kona Core
Classroom Website: https://shms-roelle.blogspot.com
Christi Peoples - Zephyr Core
Classroom Website: https://shms-peoples.blogspot.com
Nicole Wells - Chinook Core
Classroom Website: https://shms-wells.blogspot.com
Jennae Roelle - Kona Core
Classroom Website: https://shms-roelle.blogspot.com
Christi Peoples - Zephyr Core
Classroom Website: https://shms-peoples.blogspot.com
Course Description: Reading and writing workshops are instructional strategies, as well as organizational frameworks for Language Arts instruction. These strategies provide a model of delivering instruction of the Language Arts curriculum. In the workshop, students participate in three broad areas: a mini-lesson conducted by the teacher, activity time, and sharing/reflecting time. In the workshop model, students hold most of the decision-making power regarding material to be read or written, and responses to that reading or writing. The teacher participates as more of a coach, facilitator, and listener during workshop time.
The 6th Grade Literacy curriculum units include:
- Authors as Mentors
- Becoming Critical Consumers
- The Power of Arguments
- Analyzing Author’s Craft
- Conveying Differing Perspectives
- Inquiry Into Arguments: Integrating Media
Standards Based Grading Policies (SBG) and Information:
Quarters and Semester - Adams 12 middle schools are on two 18 week semesters. Silver Hills will be reporting out with a formal report card two times a year in January and June. The final marks for Hexter (every 6 weeks) classes and Quarter (9 week) classes can be accessed through the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. 6th grade electives will have three courses within a semester, while quarter electives in the 7th and 8th grades will have 2 quarter final marks at each semester.
Grade Reporting Criteria (GRC):
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking and Listening
- Language
Trend Grading: Trend grading is the monitoring of a student’s particular progress on assessments related to a specific GRC. Over the course of a grading period the teacher will study the scores of a student along with observations and other collected data to assess their level of understanding on current standards. When reporting, a teacher looks more critically at the most recent and current data on those standards to determine a trend. Teachers are given professional development support and time to do this important work.
Assessment - An assessment will occur throughout instruction with accountability and multiple formative assessments. They will be aligned with two GRC categories and assessed with a rubric using the following scale:
4
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3
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2
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1
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Exceeds Standard
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Meets the Standards
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Approaches the Standard: in progress toward meeting the standard
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Does Not Meet the Standard
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The minimum number of assessments required is one per 2 weeks of instruction. Examples of assessments could be speeches, essays, projects, presentations, paper-and-pencil tests, skill tests, constructed responses, response units, etc. Students/parents must be aware of assessments with a minimum of 2 days notice.
The following will be input for assessments in Infinite Campus and made visible to parents and students:
Description - a link to the rubric used with standards on the rubric
Objective - objective or general purpose of the assessment within the unit of study
Reference - rubric (retyped or linked as a doc)
Practice - Practice assignments are frequent and on-going and are not weighted, and in many cases not input in the gradebook. Practice is a more informal, planned process that elicits evidence of a student’s progress. It is used to adjust instructional practices and provide students with reflective information and feedback on their progress. Practice assignments will occur more frequently (daily) and build toward a cumulative, summative assessment.
Re-Teaching and Re-Evaluation of Standards - Students will be able to retake an assessment after receiving feedback and participating in some re-teaching. Examples of reteaching sessions could be: a help session outside of class, assigning of or redoing of practice assignments, or a re-teaching session in a small group in class. The reteaching session will be at the discretion of the teacher and based on the need of the student.
The re-evaluation of the standard could also look differently from the original assessment. Examples of this might be, but are not limited to, the re-evaluation embedded into the next assessment, a conversation with the student to show proficiency, or the student could be provided a new assessment. Re-evaluation of standards are all based on the need of the individual student and the teacher’s discretion knowing his/her standards and upcoming planned units of study.
Homework Policy
The purpose of homework is to practice skills, elaborate on topics introduced in class, and prepare for upcoming topics of study. Teachers post topics for daily study and assigned work on the board. Students are expected to copy classwork and homework assignments into their agendas daily. Parents may access core homework calendars on the Silver Hills website (http://www.silverhillsmiddle.org) for further information.
Absence Policy
When an absence is excused, students shall be given a period of at least the same number of days they were absent plus one additional day to make up missed assignments. This make up period begins the next school day following the absence. (Superintendent Policy 2.3.2)
For student work to increase learning and serve as an opportunity to show what students have mastered, it is essential that assignments be submitted in a timely manner. It is also our goal to teach students the importance of effective time management when meeting deadlines.
Study Sessions
Each core offers regularly scheduled study sessions for students seeking additional explanation of topics covered in class. Students must arrange for their own transportation before and after these sessions. Students are required to let a teacher know if they are coming to a study session, arrive with materials, and know the topic/assignment they are requesting assistance on.
Chinook
Language Arts: Mon. 7:40-8:10 am
Math: Mon. 7:40-8:10 am
Science: Tues. 3:45-4:15 pm
Social Studies: Fri. 7:40-8:10 am
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Kona
Language Arts: Thurs. 7:50-8:20 am
Math: Wed. 7:50-8:20 am
Science: Fri. 3:45-4:15 pm
Social Studies: Tues. 3:45-4:15 pm
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Zephyr
Language Arts: Fri. 7:50-8:20 am
Math: Mon. 7:50-8:20 am
Science
Bishop: Tues. 7:50-8:20 am
Bogucki: Thurs. Lunch
Social Studies: Thurs. 7:50-8:20 am
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Communication
Communication between parents/guardians, students and teachers is a vital component in your student’s education. Please check your student’s agenda each day to find a list of topics and assignments from each class. You may occasionally receive comments from us in the agenda, and you are welcome to use this as a communication tool as well. Be sure to visit our website (http://www.silverhillsmiddle.org) to keep track of daily homework and long-term project assignments. Parents/Guardians and students are also able to access students scores by logging onto Infinite Campus. This link can be found on our school website.
The best way to reach us is by email. Teachers are not available to take telephone calls during the day, but feel free to leave voicemail messages so that they may return your call within 24 hours.
Please schedule an appointment if you would like to meet with a teacher or core team. Making arrangements ahead of time will ensure that we are able to devote our time and full attention to you.
Please use the following email addresses and telephone numbers to contact individual teachers:
Thank you for taking the time to read this important information. We look forward to a great year!
