Sixth Grade Language Arts Class Syllabus - Ms. Shumway Da Vinci Arts Middle School 2019-2020 Overview This 55 minute class combines the studies of literature, writing, grammar, and speaking within a 6th grade community. A focus on both academic and social skills is emphasized within an arts-infused curriculum. District adopted materials and additional age-appropriate learning materials will be used. This class fosters creative, often divergent thinking, and whenever possible, students are co-directing their learning based on their learning style and interests.
Literature • short stories • poetry • plays • biographies • non-fiction •class novels • group novels • self-selected novels for daily silent reading • vocabulary • literary terms • movies and "clips" • guest presenters
Writing • modes of writing~ expository, narrative, persuasive, imaginative •formats of writing~ poetry, essays, personal reflections, reports, research with cited sources • various tools to organize writing • writing as a process • various ways to present writing to an audience • conventions (spelling/punctuation/grammar/usage) • traits of good writing~ style, word choice, voice, and more • guest presenters
Speaking •book talks • whole class sharing • skits and role plays • small group informal presentations • whole-class informal presentations • formal class presentations and speeches • guest presenters
General Expectations
Come to class daily, ready to learn, on time, and with all the required materials.
Follow the classroom expectations for "Making an Effort to Learn."
If you are absent, copy a tablemate's planner from the day(s) you missed, ask him/her for clarification about anything you don't understand, bring your planner and meet with Ms. Shumway during silent reading for further explanation and/or handouts.
Turn in all assigned work on time, usually the beginning of the next class. Sometimes, turning in work by 3:15 pm is fine, other times, an extra day(s) can be given. Always check first! Students--communicating with Ms. Shumway is your responsibility and you can email her at [email protected]. Grades on late work without an extension will be lowered one complete grade.
If you have a concern about me, our class, or someone in the class, please speak with me privately.
Grading Teachers at da Vinci use a variety of grading systems to report quarter grades. In 6th grade language arts, I use a letter grading system. Points on graded work such as exercises, projects, notes, quizzes, and tests will be determined by the percentage of points earned from 100% of the possible points available to earn. The points-t0- percentage scale follows:
97%-100%= A+ 87%-89%=B+ 77%-79%=C+ 67%-69%=D+ 93%-96%=A 83%-86%=B 73%-76%=C 63%-66%=D 90%-92%=A- 80%-82%=B- 70%-72%=C- 60%-62%=D- 59% and lower= F
Reporting of progress of writing and speaking skills will be done using both the Official State of Oregon WritingScoring Guide and the corresponding guide for speaking. Students will have their own copy and parents can access the 6-1 rubric from the Oregon Department of Education website. Other rubrics will additionally be used for various practice exercises and assignments. Evaluation of each student's effort and participation will be built into the overall points available for most assignments. Sometimes, a separate grade in the form of points will be issued for a longer project-based assignment. Only one overall letter grade will be earned for each subject at quarter reporting time. Please check Synergy Parent VUE often and ask if there are any questions about grades during the quarter.
Learning Accommodations Providing for the academic and emotional success of all students is part of a quality learning environment. Decisions made by Ms. Shumway and other school staff, together with students and parents, will provide the basis for individualized planning for those qualifying for Talented and Gifted status, those with learning challenges, and students with other specific needs. Differentiation will be done using a considerable amount of student choice with assignments and flexible grouping strategies including learning style preferences, abilities, and interests. Challenges and tasks which provide extended thinking will be provided. Various art and writing opportunities will encourage divergent thinking. Bloom's Taxonomy will be used in planning to meet students' individual needs. Other strategies include compacting the content of the class to provide for accelerated learning, student- designed work, opportunities for independent and creative work providing a deeper look at content presented in class, adjusting amount of work for both practice and assessment.
Computer Use and Requirements Students will be expected to use a home computer and printer for some class work. Chromebooks are available for many assignments but these are shared by teachers on a tight checkout schedule so work may need to be completed at home if started on a Chromebook and not completed that day. Our school library has three computers and work can be printed there. Our Student Resource Room, room 106, is open both before and after school for homework support and computer needs. Be sure to plan ahead. Additionally, the Multnomah County Library branches are also resources for word processing and Internet use. For special circumstances, student work can be emailed to Ms. Shumway and printed when time permits.