Welcome to Mrs. Syfert's class!

Things to do today: ·Take attendance / clarify names·Pass out lunch numbers·Pass out / go over schedules·Pass out / go over PTA packet forms·Go over bus numbers·Go over rules 1-5 in Rights and Responsibilities handbook·Go over 6th grade Language Arts prospectus·Go over classroom procedures and expectations·10:10 - Broncos assembly in cafeteria

Your Schedule

6th Grade Language Arts Course Prospectus 2011-2012

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Robinson Middle School. I am Mrs. Syfert, your Language Arts teacher. Language Arts is a class full of thinking, reading, and writing opportunities focusing on personal experiences and expression. In this class, you will read poetry, novels, short stories, news articles, and other non-fiction selections, as well as write poems, stories, and personal narratives. We will also concentrate on word building, academic vocabulary and vocabulary in context.

What kind of books do you like to read most? What is your favorite book? Why? What are you most nervous about in Language Arts this year?

Daily supplies needed:

- 3 ring binder (to be used only for Language Arts)- agenda- pencil or pen for notetaking- highlighter- EXPO (dry erase) marker- markers or colored pencils- independent novel

Tutoring will be offered on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-4:00. Students need to notify me in advance and have a note or email from their parent indicating they will be picked up promptly at 4:00.

Tutoring

Grading Policy:

· The purpose of collecting grades is to assess students' mastery of content and skills, not effort.

· Make-up work will be accepted when a student is absent. Arrangements for completing the work should be made as soon as possible; the student is given 5 days to do so. Arrangements must include a schedule for completion of the work. Students are encouraged to call classmates when absent to stay on top of class assignments.

· Late work will be accepted, but will be assigned a 70% if turned in a day late and a 50% for anytime thereafter.

If a student is caught cheating, he/she will receive a zero for the assignment. Cheating is defined as any attempt to communicate with another student during a formal or informal assessment or placing resources in view of self or another student (including a test paper) during a formal assessment. Cheating on informal assessments or homework is determined by me when answers are too similar to be coincidental or have been obtained using resources that were not permitted for the assignment (another student, Internet, dictionary, etc.).

Cheating

Classwork and Informal Assessments

45% of quarter grade

Homework 10% of quarter grade

Formal Assessments Formal assessments include tests and projects.

45% of quarter grade

Breakdown of grading

Check my teacher wiki site, http://emeselsyfert.cmswiki.wikispaces.netfor class information.

You should write your homework into your agenda daily, and it is your responsibility to have your agenda with you in class everyday.

If you have questions about an assignment, you can email me at emesel.syfert@cms.k12.nc.us. I will try my best to respond that evening, however, there is no guarantee that I will be able to.

Pre-assessmentRead the excerpt from "Bud, not Buddy" in the Literature book pgs. 105-109 and answer the following questions in as much detail as possible. Referencing the text is always a good thing.

1. Who is the main character?2. Describe the main character in 2-3 sentences.3. What is the setting?4. How does the setting impact the main character?5. What is the problem/conflict?6. How is the problem solved?7. Describe the parents in the story in 2-3 sentences.8. Why do the “parents” pretend that the boy is their son?9. Why does the pretend brother stick his tongue out at the end of the story?10. How is the story a representation of hope?

Genre characterization 1. Silas Heap pulled his cloak tightly around him against the snow. It had been a long walk through the Forest, and he was chilled to the bone. But in his pockets he had the herbs that Galen, the Physik Woman, had given him for his new baby boy, Septimus, who had been born earlier that day.2. Today, 65 percent of all Americans are overweight. This isn't just an American problem. Half of the people who live in the UK are overweight, too. It's an epidemic. Despite the abundance of diet books, pills, and programs, people are getting fatter. Obviously, the current dieting regimens are not working.3. ZWINGLI: We didn’t like putting all those people to death, but the survival of our nation, our very way of life was at stake -- so we did what had to be done.CAMPER: Maybe you have a point, but I still don’t see what I could possibly have in common with the two of you.HEROD: You never put anyone to death? CAMPER: Not even close. I’m a pacifist. I oppose the death penalty. I invest only in socially-responsible stocks that exclude firms which manufacture weapons.4. I'm Steve the Superhero and you simply won't believe

the superpowers I possessby merely being Steve.

Classroom procedures

Mrs. Syfert - room 615

Beginning of period

· Be seated in your assigned seat upon entering the classroom. · Begin work immediately on warm-up exercise or other activity posted on board. Copy your homework into your agenda. · You will not be allowed to return to your locker after the bell rings.

Tardy / Absent

· If you are not in the classroom when the bell rings, you are tardy. · Habitual tardiness will result in appropriate disciplinary action. · YOU are responsible for completing any missed assignments and notes when absent. · Get with a buddy to find out what you missed. · If you have any questions, see me BEFORE or AFTER SCHOOL, not during the middle of class.

Bathroom

· Bathroom should be used at designated times (before class and lunch)· ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY - Come to me with your agenda already filled out for me to sign. Repeat offenders will receive lunch detention.

Pencils

· Keep a number of pencils sharpened for the day (Homebase is the best time to do this). · Do not sharpen pencils during the middle of class, especially not during the lesson while I am teaching.

Student participation

· Raise your hand when you have a question or would like to share a response with the class. · Wait to be called upon. · Call outs are not acceptable and will not be acknowledged.

Lunch block

· Wait for my direction. · Upon my direction, assemble in a single file line at the door without talking. · We will proceed as a group to the cafeteria in a quiet and orderly manner. · Do NOT leave the lunch room or get up out of your seat without my permission. · When lunch is finished, I will lead the group back to the classroom.

End of block

· Remain in your seats until I dismiss class. THE BELL DOES NOT DISMISS YOU! · When dismissed, leave the classroom in a quiet and orderly manner, NOTlike this

Assignments / Classwork / Homework

· All papers should have the following heading in the upper right hand corner unless indicated otherwise:

o First and last nameo Language Arts and Class period / blocko Date

· Use pencil or erasable pen for all work unless told otherwise. · Formal writing assignments should be typed (12 font, double spaced unless otherwise indicated). · Late or incomplete work will only be given partial credit.

Questions?