Villa Academy

Sixth Grade Humanities Syllabus

2016­2017

6A: Amy Calomeni Room 402 206­729­0219 ext. 242 amycalomeni@thevilla.org 6B: Terri O’Donnell Room 401 206­729­0219 ext. 241 todonnell@thevilla.org Welcome

In sixth grade, students can look forward to creating, imagining, working together, praying, and exploring. In a safe and lively learning environment, students can uncover and share the gifts they bring to the Villa Academy community. The following list of questions is a sample of how we may guide our classroom projects and learning:

How can we use knowledge and creativity to solve complex real­world problems? What are effective ways to communicate clearly to a range of audiences and for a variety of

purposes? How can we use leadership and teamwork to demonstrate academic and social successes? How can we use multimedia responsibly to communicate ideas effectively? How will we understand and apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching? How can we view mistakes as learning opportunities? What are ways to foster integrity, honesty, compassion, empathy, and respect?

What is Sixth Grade?

A Student­Created Wordle…

English Resources: Writing and Composition: Communication in Action, Prentice Hall, Classroom sets of

novels, Prentice Hall Literature Anthology, 6 Traits Plus 1, Word Voyage, Common Core Standards

Content Know Understand Do

Basic Elements of

Writing:

Building Paragraphs

Writing Expository

Essays

Writing Persuasive

Essays

How to write a

paragraph with unity

and coherence, using

transitions

What are unity and

coherence?

How are transitions

used?

Strengthen basic

writing skills for

effective

communication

Develop spelling

proficiency

Personal Writing:

Journal Writing

Writing Friendly

Letters

Autobiographical

Writing

Form

Use of salutation and

proper closing format

Develop

self­confidence in

writing skill techniques

through personal

written connection

Subject Writing:

Biographical Writing

Writing News Stories

Writing About

Literature

Vivid verbs

Alliteration

Metaphors

Descriptive writing

Development of :

character

setting

mood

suspense

resolution

Develop

self­confidence in

writing skill techniques

and publishing

Creative Writing:

Writing Stories

Creative Writing/ Six

Trait+1 Writing

Ideas and content

organization

Voice

Word choice

Sentence fluency

Conventions

Presentation

Audience

Why are these

guidelines are critical

to the writing process?

Strengthen writing

skills for effective

communication

Parts of Speech Nouns

Verbs

Pronouns

Adjectives

Adverbs

Prepositions

Interjections

Conjunctions

How do you recognize,

identify, and use the

different parts of

speech?

Label and identify parts

of speech

Content/Types of

Literature

Know Understand Do

Fiction

Non Fiction

Historical Fiction

Adventure

Plays

Poetry

Folk Tales

Short Stories

Novels

How to write

summaries of the

literature

How to use

vocabulary words

from the novel in

the correct context

How to identify and

discuss the basic

elements of fiction:

title, plot, setting,

character, point of

view, narrative

voice, prose, scene,

form and structure,

genre

How can I make a

connection to a

character in the

novel?

Have I faced a

situation similar to a

main character?

Do I have the same

beliefs as a character

in the novel?

Have I read or heard

about similar events

that happen in the

novel?

Set goals and

evaluate progress to

improve reading

Develop reflective

thought and positive

moral and religious

values through

reading

Read different

materials for a

variety of purposes

Understand the

meaning of what is

read

Understand and use

different skills and

strategies to read

Make predictions

Recognize clues for

opinions

Use resources to

check facts

Analyze websites

Form

generalizations

Develop listening

and speaking skills

Compare literary

works

Social Studies Resources: Discovering our Past, A History of the World, Internet, Library, movies, National Council for Social Studies Standards, Common Core State Standards Content Know Understand Do Regions of the World Read critically

Read and interpret maps

Develop vocabulary Organize study

materials

Differences between reading for information in a text book and reading for entertainment

Create imaginary island

Use geographical terms

Read and create maps

Understanding History Read timelines Measure and

calculate calendar time (BCE and CE)

Historical time Chronology

Create a timeline

Early Cultures Describe the patterns humans make on places and regions

Natural characteristics of places and regions that lend itself to civilization

Trace routes of early man Study and create Catal Huyuk village

The Middle East: Current Events

Know and identify countries of the current Middle East

History and relationships between countries

Memorize and locate Middle Eastern countries

Ancient Mesopotamia How to read a textbook

How to read and interpret maps

Why was the area of Mesopotamia conducive to civilization?

What were the characteristics and contributions of Mesopotamian civilization?

Presentation on Mesopotamian life and location

Make comparisons to present day Iraq

Ancient Egypt How to read a textbook

How to read and interpret maps

Why was the Egypt conducive to civilization?

What were the characteristics and contributions of ancient Egyptian society to civilization?

How did geography influence Egypt’s trading abilities

Design and create pyramid models

Write about the inhabitants of the pyramid

Nile River postcards

Ancient Greece How to take and study from notes

Why is Greek civilization

Create and adapt Greek polis persona

How to organize

information

How to identify

places on maps

Greek city­states

important to

Americans?

What were the

Ancient Greek

contributions to our

world today?

How were Greek

city­states similar

and different?

How did

democracy develop

in Ancient Greece

What were the

causes of the

decline of Athens

and Sparta?

Define the

influential thinkers

who left important

contributions to

Western civilization

Study the roles of

women in Greek

society

Create a

presentation

describing life in

Ancient Greece

Essay and

composition

writing

Ancient Rome How to read maps

How to take notes

How to make logical

connections with

previously studied

concepts

How to read a

timeline

Where the Roman

empire was

located?

How was the

Roman empire

governed?

How did

Christianity affect

the Roman empire?

How did Roman

civilization benefit

from Greek

civilization?

What form of

government did the

Roman Republic

use?

Possible causes for

the decline of the

Roman Empire

Compare Ancient

Mesopotamia and

Rome

Study Roman gods

Compare qualities

of Roman gods to

classmates

Create digital

Roman art

Medieval Europe Read a text book and

take notes

Evaluate events and

their consequences

Map reading and

interpreting

Conduct research

Differences

between the early

and late Middle

Ages

Feudal society

Influence of the

Catholic Church

Crusades

Rise of trades and

towns

Rise of monarchies

Read medieval

literature

Participate in

Middle Ages

Reading Project

Research a famous

medieval person

Study and create

medieval castles

Renaissance and

Reformation

Read a text book and

take notes

Draw a conclusion

Develop vocabulary

What conditions

sparked the

Renaissance in

Europe?

What underlying

causes led to the

Reformation?

Who were the main

influential

individuals during

the Renaissance

and Reformation?

How have the

Renaissance and

Reformation

contributed to our

society today?

Write essays

Trace spread of

Renaissance on

maps

Examine the art and

the discoveries of

the Renaissance

Research famous

artists

Paint in the style of

Michelangelo

Religion Resources: Break Through! An Old Testament Guide, St. Mary’s Press, The Catholic Youth Bible, Saint Mary’s Press, Internet, Library, Films, Community Service Resources, Seattle Archdiocese Essential Concepts for Grade Six Content Know Understand Do Exploration of the Old Testament through biblical characters

Written revelation of God

Old Testament Inspired word of

God Literary Forms

How do the biblical characters uniquely connect with our lives today? How do the biblical characters fit into God’s big picture of salvation history?

Identify parts of the Bible

Create a covenant Create a spirituality

card Locate parts of

Bible scripture passages

Compare and contrast Bible stories

Engage in activities to connect with biblical characters

Develop a prayer life

Liturgical Seasons of the Church

Liturgical Seasons How can I best prepare for the different seasons in the liturgical calendar?

Prayer Services

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Principles Why is it difficult to love like Jesus?

Community Service

Prayer Review Mass responses, spontaneous prayers

How does prayer and ritual add to my spirituality?

Prayer Services Mass

Student Expectations 1. Be prompt; in seat, on time, with materials and assignments.

2. Be prepared. Assignments are due at the beginning of class.

3. Be a participant. Participate appropriately in classroom activities. Laptop screens must be visible

to teacher at all times.

4. Be positive. Enthusiasm and effort from everyone is essential for our working environment.

5. Be polite.

6. Treat classmates’ questions, answers, and ideas with respect at all times. Respect school policies,

property, and equipment. Appreciate all learning provided for a variety of learning styles. Use

appropriate manners in all settings.

Behavior Interventions If a student needs a reminder about his/her behavior, here are the positive interventions used:

Visual or verbal reminder

Change of seat

Conference with student and teacher

Phone call to parent

Conference with student, parent, and teacher

Referral to Director of Middle School

Written contract

Daily Materials Binder

Laptop with power cord

Pen and Pencil

Textbook (may be left in classroom except when needed to complete assignments)

Grading Each trimester students will be evaluated according to the following:

Homework

In class assignments

Projects

Tests

Grades and assignments will be posted on PowerSchool. However, all students are expected to write or

record all assignments, projects, tests and other school work in a planner.

Villa Academy Middle School Grading Scale

Villa M.S. Grading Scale

Grade Score GPA

A 100 ­ 93 4.00

A­ 92 ­ 90 3.67

B+ 89 ­ 88 3.34

B 87 ­ 83 3.00

B­ 82 ­ 80 2.67

C+ 79 ­ 78 2.34

C 77 ­ 73 2.00 C­ 72 ­ 70 1.67 D+ 69 ­ 68 1.34 D 67 ­ 63 1.00 D­ 62 ­ 60 0.67 F 59 ­ 0 0.50

Homework Policy Definition of Homework: Homework consists of out­of­class tasks a student is assigned as an extension of classroom work. These tasks will include different types of student engagement and focus; they are not limited to written assignments. Students may be asked, for example, to read literary or informative texts, to rewrite class notes, review notes, or to research on the Internet or in the library, among other assignments. Purpose of Homework: At Villa Academy, homework is intended to supplement and reinforce classroom learning and will be assigned at all grade levels. Homework offers students the opportunity to:

Practice and reinforce newly acquired skills independently. Apply skills to appropriate learning activities. Develop confidence, work habits, and motivation needed to study effectively and independently. Prepare students for specific demands, which await them in their further studies. Demonstrate to their parents the content and type of work in which they are engaged.

Amount of Homework: Focused, uninterrupted time is necessary for the successful completion of homework. All students vary in the way they approach their tasks and in the time they need to accomplish them. Below is a guide for a reasonable amount of time students should spend on their homework every day. GRADE TARGET RANGE

6 th GRADE 1 HOUR .5­1.5 HOURS

7 TH GRADE 1.5 HOURS 1­2 HOURS

8 TH GRADE 2 HOURS 1.5­2.5 HOURS

Villa Middle School Homework Pass Policy ­ HUMANITIES

Homework will not be accepted after its due date. Each teacher will allow two (2) Homework Passes to every student, in every class, every trimester. These Passes allow the student to miss an individual, daily assignment in a particular class. Homework assignments for which a student uses a Pass will be entered as excused and reflected in PowerSchool as “hwp”. Students are strongly encouraged to use these passes judiciously and to plan ahead. Using a Homework Pass does not affect a student’s grade negatively. For a missed assignment, use of a Homework Pass must be communicated to the teacher by the student when the assignment is due, in writing (either via email, in an online document, or at the top of the paper

assignment).

Homework Passes are not accepted for long­term or group projects, quizzes or tests. Passes on a

test review, if allowed by the teacher, is not recommended.

Homework Passes are non­transferable and non­cumulative. ** In 7th grade Humanities, HWP

may not be used for ANY World Fair assignments.

When students choose to make use of Homework Passes, the teachers will record their use on

PowerSchool so that students and parents can track them and plan for their use.

Any assignment not turned in on time after both Passes have been used will receive a zero and

will be averaged into the student’s grade for the class.

When students make use of their Homework Pass(es), students are still expected to master the

material covered in the assignment(s).