Course Syllabus

Sixth Grade Honors Language Arts

Teacher:Mrs. Cyrus

Email:cyrust1@charlottesvilleschools.org

Curriculum

1. This year sixth grade will focus on Genre Studies. The units are designed to meet the sixth grade literacy goals and expose students to a variety of genres (i.e. autobiography, biography, expository nonfiction, poetry, realistic fiction, authentic text, and traditional literature).
2. Students will practice key literacy skills outlined in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL). There are examples of class activities to meet the SOL goals below.  Activities are subject to change based on student needs and interests. The Honors Language Arts course will address all sixth grade SOL learning benchmarks, while including significant extended and enrichment activities.
3. All students are encouraged to use technology to enrich learning activities. It is important to log-in to the class Canvas Page for more information and additional resources.

 

Quarter	Genre Study	Activities will include, but are not limited to:
First Quarter	Our Reading and Writing Community Myself as a Reader and Writer Biography and Autobiography (Narrative Nonfiction)	Participation in Writer’s Eye Two column note study and practice 40 Book Challenge Discussion of Growth Mindset Literacy Circles, Reading-Writing Response Groups, Book Talks Emphasis on developing higher level thinking skills: Philosophical Chairs, Socratic Seminars Nonfiction Poster Project Participation in online blogs and discussion forums, Creation of websites and other media Word Study or Stems systematic study of the etymology of the English language, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes Read Shakespeare play and field trip see play at American Shakespeare Center Research project using online media and databases SOL Review as needed
Second Quarter	Expository Nonfiction Poetry
Third Quarter	Realistic Fiction Authentic Texts (Magazines, recipes, articles, computer text, multi-media resources)
Fourth Quarter	Traditional Literature (fairy tale, tall tale, folk tale, fable, legend, myth, etc.) Research Project and Oral Presentation

 

Sixth Grade Language Arts SOL Standards

6.1  The student will participate in and contribute to small-group activities.

6.2  The student will present, listen critically, and express opinions in oral presentations.

6.3  The student will understand the elements of media literacy.

6.4  The student will read and learn the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases within authentic texts.

6.5  The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.

6.6  The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of nonfiction texts.

6.7  The student will write narration, description, exposition, and persuasion.

6.8  The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.

6.9  The student will find, evaluate, and select appropriate resources for a research product.

Class Materials

Students are expected to come to class each day prepared with the following required materials:

1.  Walker Organizer and Agenda Book
2.  Sharpened Pencil and Eraser
3.  Reading Notebook: two-subject, college-ruled notebook x2
4.  Journal: black and white marbled composition book x2
5.  Earbuds

Grading

Charlottesville City Schools uses a Parent Portal through which you can access your student’s grades.  Students will receive at least one grade per week that will be entered into the Parent Portal grade book.

Grades will be computed on the following scale:

A 90-100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 60-69%

F 59% and below

Grades are weighted based on the following percentages:

50% Tests and Projects

25% Quizzes and other Short-Term Assessments

15% Class Work

10% Homework

Late Work Policy

Homework should be turned in on the day it is due. All students are responsible for their own work, including make-up work due to illness or an excused absence.  It is the student’s responsibility to meet with the teacher to discuss missed assignments. Assignments should be submitted within 3 days of the absence.

Behavior Expectations

1. Review the Walker Parent and Student Handbook to discuss, prepare and practice the expected behaviors.
2. Review the course Homepage to learn about classroom-specific structures and management systems.