Description: The Humanities: Language Arts and Literature block for sixth graders is a combined course that integrates writing and reading, using fiction and non-fiction texts, while strengthening and developing written expression and comprehension.
- Program includes daily written responses to literature, writer’s workshop, daily oral language grammar exercises, independent and guided reading of novels and non-fiction reading material, discussion groups, and oral communication skills.
- Students will practice writing in the narrative, explanatory, and argumentative formats for multiple purposes and audiences with a focus on the six traits of effective writers and the writing process.
- Writing is integrated with literature to reinforce and critically evaluate effectiveness of literary elements and structures such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc. and for thematic content.
- Significant integration with Science learning for locating, evaluating, paraphrasing, and citing non-fiction content in essay writing (Science fair research project and Puget Sound species research reports).
- Technology is emphasized for publishing to a broader audience in a variety of formats, presentation skills, and for research skills, including critically evaluating and organizing sources of information.
- Vocabulary study includes assessments on words encountered in reading material.
- Students are additionally required to read two independent novels of their own choice and reading level each trimester, with in-class and take home assessments.
Texts: Great Source: Write Source 2000, Writer’s Choice Grammar, Daybook of Critical Reading and Writing, Novels include: Tuck Everlasting, excerpts from Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, and Fantasy Reader’s Workshop novels.
The 6th Grade Language Arts and Literature curriculum will address the following essential questions:
- Why is it important to gain proficiency in written and oral expression?
- What strategies can be implemented to gain such proficiency, and how do these strategies differ between formats and audiences?
- How can increasing my vocabulary help me communicate more effectively?
- Why is an understanding of the mechanics of writing important for my future?
- Why is it important to have study skills for locating, evaluating, and interpreting information from a variety of sources?
- How can reading effectively and critically from a variety of fiction and non-fiction sources teach me about communicating effectively and about the human experience?
Assignments/Grades:
- Assignments, tests, quizzes, journals, and projects are assigned a point value relative to the workload. Grades are determined by percentage of points earned, out of total points possible for the subject area. Participation, direction following, and effort will be factored in when assigning final grades (Citizenship points).
- Only homework turned in on time is eligible for full credit. One day late results in loss of points earned.
Grading Scale:
A (95-100), A- (93-94), B+ (90-92), B (86-90), B- (83-85), C+ (79-82), C (74-78), C- (70-73), D+ (67-69), D (63-67), D- (60-62), F (59 and below).
Absences:
- Illness: Students are entirely responsible for contacting another student for homework. Please make arrangements before school, for another student to record, collect, and leave materials at a specific place. Student has as many days as the illness to turn in work for full credit.
- For planned, extensive absences please make arrangements with each teacher a minimum of two weeks in advance.
Grade reports will be updated and available on-line, through Power School, and students and families will be expected to access these on a regular basis.
Discipline/ Citizenship:
All sixth graders begin each trimester with 50 citizenship points. Citizenship points are kept (not earned) based on respect, courtesy, honesty, integrity, engagement, participation, attitude and effort. Students are expected to come prepared and ready to learn, be in uniform without a reminder, stay on task, allow the teacher to teach, and are expected to stay in the classroom/ learning environment at all times– saving bathroom/ office trips for emergencies only.
