Below, you will find information about the 6th Grade Literacy and Writing class.  Students will be given a copy of the syllabus during the first week of school.  It is recommended that all students and parents review the information. 

6th Grade Literacy and Writing:
Units of Study: (based on the 7th Grade CPS Literacy Content Framework 2.0) Each of our units will range from 2-5 weeks long and align to the 7th Grade Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts (www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/).  Throughout the year, the structure of the class will alternate between Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop.  All Literacy units will integrate writing standards using all of the modes of writing.  (Narrative, Argumentative and Persuasive, Expository, and Descriptive)    
Unit 1:  Launching Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop / Introduce and Review Writing Traits
Unit 2:  Poetry Study and Analyzing Author’s Writing Style / Expository and Narrative Writing  
Unit 3:  Short Story Analysis / Narrative Writing
Unit 4:  Novel Study - Dystopian Literature (Literature Circles) / Expository and Argumentative Writing
Unit 5:  Shakespeare Study / Descriptive and Expository Writing Unit 6:  Point of View Analysis - Literature / Descriptive and Narrative Writing   
Unit 7:  Novel Study / Expository and Argumentative Writing
Unit 8:  Short Research Writing Project
Unit 9:  Point of View Analysis - Informational Texts (Literature Circles) / Argumentative Writing

Supplies:
Students are expected to have the following supplies in class daily:
1.  Binder with Reading and Writing notebooks (the notebooks will be supplied by the teacher)
2.  Independent Reading book
3. Current book for Literacy (if given to take home)    
4.  Planner
5. 1 small pencil box (with a few pens and/or pencils, markers, 1 black sharpie, highlighters, pencil sharpener, and any other supplies)  All supplies must fit in the small pencil box.  This is a suggested supply and not required, however, all students are expected to bring a pen or pencil.

Homework:
The weekly Literacy homework is to read for at least 20 minutes per day, for a total of 5 days per week.  This weekly homework will begin the 2nd week of school.  My goal for each student is to develop lifelong reading habits, along with building responsibility for choosing what to read and when to complete the homework.  The weekly homework will be given out every Monday and due the following Monday.  (or on a Tuesday, if there is no school a Monday)  You will get to decide which 5 days you read and which book / text to read, however, all reading must be done during non-school hours.  Each marking period, students are required to select books from at least 3 different genres.  All books read for homework will count towards the 30 Book Challenge for the entire school year.      
All homework assignments will be posted on the homework calendar that is on the Skinner North Middle School website.  There will also be copies of the homework posted on Google Classroom.   In addition to this weekly homework, any in class assignment not completed during class time will become homework and due the next day.  Since this will vary by student, it is the responsibility of each student to write this in his or her planner and turn it into his or her mailbox the next class period.  For any in class assignments not turned in the next day, please see the Late Work Policy information listed below.    Late homework assignments must accompany a late homework slip that has been signed by the student and parent to receive partial credit.  
Homework assignments over three days late will not be given credit.
 
Make Up Work (only when absent):
If a student is absent, he or she is responsible for all missing assignments.  If an assignment was given during the course of the student’s absence, the student has as many days as he or she was absent to turn in the assignment(s) (i.e. 2 days absent, 2 days to turn in work).

Late Work Policy:
Late homework, projects, and in class assignments must have a late slip signed by a parent/guardian and the student in order to receive partial credit.  For each day late, 25% of the total score will be taken off of the assignment.  For example, if an assignment/project/homework was worth 10 total points and turned in 1 day late with a late slip, the student would receive 7.5 points.  If the assignment/project/homework was turned in 2 days late with a late slip, the student would receive 5 points.  If the assignment/project/homework was turned in 3 days late with a late slip, the student would receive 2.5 points.  Late assignments over 3 days late will not be given credit.    

Gradebook Categories:
Participation 10%
Homework 10%
Tests 35%
In Class Assignments 30% Projects 15%

Teacher / Student / Parent Communication:
Along with using email to communicate with parents,  I will post information on the middle school homework calendar, under the Literacy tab on the middle school website, and on Google Classroom.  Students will be given the codes for Google Classroom in the first few weeks of school and I will model how to use it.  Also, I will be using the Remind App to communicate reminders to parents/guardians and students.  Please see the instructions given to each student for directions.  I will also have the Remind App codes for each class and computers available for parents to sign up during our upcoming Open House.    

Middle School Website:
Please check the middle school website for announcements, helpful websites, unit overviews, and homework.