Sixth Grade Language Arts Syllabus
Teacher: Gracie Moore
Description of program:
The Language Arts program consist of reading, grammar, writing, spelling, and vocabulary. The curriculum helps students to deepen and expand their understanding and experience in literary study. Transition is being made from the elementary school to the middle school. All major genres in reading are explored and students are involved in making connections between literature and personal experiences. The Accelerated Reading Program is used to enhance and encourage the importance of reading. Students use oral language, written language, media, and technology for expressive, informational, argumentative, critical, and literary purposes. Writing skills are stressed in journal writings, poetry, essay responses in all areas of study, and all strands of narrative writing.
Textbooks:
Prentice Hall Literature
Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar
Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop
Other Resources:
Software programs
Internet
Accelerated Reading program
Critical Thinking activity booklets
Class novels
Specific goals: students will
* use language processes and strategies for continuous learning
* use personal experiences, the printed word, and information gained from Observations as a basis for constructing meaning
* use language to clarify thought
* synthesize information from a variety of sources
* critically analyze and evaluate language
* demonstrate competence in standard English
* use language in a variety of forms
* use language process strategies effectively to communicate
* use language for a variety of real purposes and audiences
* communicate effectively in various ways
* will select and read from a wide range of literature
* demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetics of language
Focus within the content areas:
Literature: short stories, nonfiction, drama, poetry, oral tradition, mythology, biography, class novels.
Grammar: Grammar study is ongoing and cumulative through the use of daily oral and written language. Mini lessons are structured around sentence structure, parts of speech, mechanics of the written language, compliments, modifiers, and phrases.
Vocabulary: structural and phonetic analysis, synonyms, antonyms, spelling and the rules applied to spelling, understanding the structuring of sentences using context clues.
Writing: Students will keep and use a writing portfolio daily. We begin with Quick writing activities and advance to journal and essay writing. As the year advances, we will use the formal writing process to write letters, personal narratives, point of view, persuasion, research papers.
Major Assessments:
Evaluation methods include quizzes, tests, observations, writing evaluations, projects, performances, book reports, and class participation.
* all homework in each content area will be averaged and has the weight of a test
* all projects have the weight of 2 test grades
* major writing assignment will carry the weight of a test
* all tests will be averaged to get a final grade for the grading period
* final grades in each content area are averaged together for the Language Arts grade
Classroom behavior:
The very best set of classroom rules to follow is the Five B’s
* Be prompt
* Be prepared
* Be reliable
* Be respectful
* Be responsible
Expectations:
* adhere to all rules and policies as stated within the context of this paper and the student handbook
* complete assignments with pride and effort reflected in a finished product
* homework should be well written or typed
* take an active role in class participation
* be as attentive and as focused as possible
* Most of all, make learning fun and to be proud of your accomplishments
