6th Grade Language Arts Syllabus

ASTEC Charter Middle School

2014-2015

Teacher: Ms. Cathy Khile
Email: ckhile@asteccharterschools.com
Website:
Plan Period: 5th Hour
Phone: 405-947-6273
Textbook: Writers Choice by Glencoe 1996 & Elements of Literature by Holt 1997

Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are for students to:
1. The scholar will write one essay per week during all Q1, Q2 & Q3. The essays will
include
proper grammar, spelling, sentence structure and organization. Each essay will be
assigned on
Friday and will be collected on Monday the following week.
2. The scholar will write one Movie Review per month during S2.
3. Scholars will produce one Book Review monthly demonstrating their knowledge of
literary
elements such as: protagonist, antagonist, conflict, setting, plot, climax, denouement,
and
theme.
5. Scholars will practice the five step writing process.
6. Scholars will research a 4-H topic and another book of their choosing, develop a
presentation,
write a speech, and give it orally in class. If the scholar chooses they may enter this at
the
local county fair.
6. Scholars will organize, maintain, and utilize writing portfolios.
7. Scholars will utilize rules of standard grammar and spelling, vocabulary roots, and
multiple
meanings.
8. Scholars will create a grammar-usage flip-chart containing all grammatical elements
during
the year.
8. Scholars will increase their vocabulary knowledge by creating a personal dictionary
including
the words: part of speech, literary devices, idiomatic phrases, synonyms, homonyms,
and
memomic devices from both novels and/or daily reading.
9. Scholars will keep regular records by utilizing their agenda every day.
Required Materials:
1. A library book at all times.
2. A number two pencil, sharpened.
3. A 3-Subject Spiral Notebook.
4. A pencil sharpener.

Attendance Policy and Classroom Expectations:
1. All scholars will attend class and be in their seats prior to the bell.
2. Scholars who have ten consequtive absences will result in a No Credit (NC) for this
class.
Three tardies will equal to one absence.
3. All scholars are expected to be respectful to all individuals inside the classroom at all
times.
4. There is absolutely no gum, food, or drinks in the classroom.
5. Scholars are to come prepared with all materials to class every day.
6. It is the students responsibility to ask for missing assignments. Missed work must be
turned
in promptly after return, so their grade will not result in a zero. If a scholar is aware of
an
assignment/test prior to an absence they must turn it in on the first day they return to
class.
7. If a test is to be missed the scholar must notify the teacher within a week to arrange a
time to
complete the test.
8. All assignments must be completed by their due date or the scholar will only receive
partial credit.
9. Academic dishonesty: Palgiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and will result in a
ZERO. If this occurs, parents will be notified, and disciplinary actions may follow.
Grading Scale:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Below 59 F
Category Weights:
Daily Work/Quizes 10%
4-H Project/Dictionary/Flip-Chart 20%
Weekly Essays 20%
Book Reports/Movie Reviews 20%
Exams/Tests 30%
The assignment breakdown for each sememster is as follows:
Daily assignments & Quizes 25 @ 20 points = 500 points
3 Projects @ 100 points each = 300 points
30 Weekly Essays @ 20 points = 600 points
4 Book Reports & 4 Movie Reviews @ 100 points = 800 points
9 Exams @ 100 points each = 900 points
Total Points = 3100 points


Daily Work/ Quizes are worth 20% of the scholars overall grade. Daily work is
performed each day in class which includes participation; however, if a student does not
complete their daily work they may take it home as homework.
Projects are worth 20% of the scholars overall grade. Projects will be assigned both
individual and group work. When in groups the scholar will receive points based upon
his/her performance.
Essays are worth 20% of the scholars overall grade. Each week the scholar will write on
a given topic; the essays are due every Monday.
Book Reports % Movie Reviews are worth 20% of the scholars overall grade. Each
student will write four book reports; 2 during Q1 & Q2. Whereas, in Q3 the scholar will
write 4 movie reviews.
Exams/Tests are worth 30% of the scholars overall grade. Exams and quizes are given at
the end of each classroom unit and will be used as an assessment tool for overall
comprehension. There are two Benchmarks given which are included in the semester
grades.