Berrien Springs Middle School

Berrien Springs Middle School

Sixth Grade Syllabus

SIXTH GRADE TEACHERS:

Mrs. Amanda Barrett
Science
473-0586

www.shamrockscience.wikispaces.com / Mrs. Kimber Sotnyk
English Language Arts
473-0588

www.bsmsenglishrocks.wikispaces.com
Mrs. Heather Shembarger
Reading
473-0573

www.shemmysite.wikispaces.com / Mr. Tony Scaccia
Math
473-0585

http://bsms6thgrademath.weebly.com
Mr. Joseph Miller
Social Studies
473-0584

http://bsmsjmiller.wikispaces.com/ / Mr. Luke Antvelink
Special Education
473-0572

http://lukeantvelink.wikispaces.com/

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1.  All 6th Grade teachers follow the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE’s) for their subject area.

2.  Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE’s) can be found at the Michigan Department of Education Website: http://tiny.cc/tfvy8

INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY:

All students will succeed in our classes. Students will follow the ROCKS classroom expectations, and by doing so, ensure their success. Students will work to their fullest potential and disruptions to the learning environment will not be tolerated. Failure is not an option.
Course work will be completed using various learning methods – cooperative groups, teacher talk, class discussions/debates, project-based learning, Internet research and simulations, and independent work.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT:

Student will be evaluated through projects using rubrics, cooperative learning activities, individual assignments, labs, and tests/quizzes.

●  Grading scale:
100% A+ 76-73% C
99-93% A 72-70% C-
92-90% A- 69-67% D+
89-87% B+ 66-63% D
86-83% B 62-60% D-
82-80% B- 59%-0% F
79-77% C+ / ●  Categories and Weight:
●  Quizzes / Tests 33%
●  Projects 33%
●  Daily Assignments 34%

AREAS OF STUDY

Math
Chapter 1 - Decimals and Place Value Chapter 7 - Data and Graphs
Chapter 2 - Algebra: Patterns and Variables Chapter 8 - Tools of Geometry
Chapter 3 - Number Theory and Fractions Chapter 9 - Geometry and Measurement
Chapter 4 - Adding and Subtracting Fractions Chapter 10 - Algebra: Integers
Chapter 5 - Multiplying and Dividing Fractions Chapter 11 - Exploring Probability
Chapter 6 - Ratios, Proportions, and Percents Chapter 12 - Algebra: Equations and Inequalities
Science
Physical Science – kinetic and potential Energy, energy transfer, changes in state
Earth Science – soil, rock formation, plate tectonics, magnetic field of Earth, fossils, geologic time
Life Science – producers, consumers, decomposers, interactions of organisms, relationships of organisms, biotic and abiotic factors, environmental impact of organisms
Social Studies
Unit One - The Geographer’s World
Unit Two - Canada and the United States
Unit Three - Latin America
Unit Four - Europe and Russia
Unit Five - Africa
Unit Six - Southwest and Central Asia
Unit Seven - Monsoon Asia
Unit Eight - Oceania and Antarctica
Reading
The Reading Process - predicting, picturing, questioning, making connections, identifying a problem, summarizing, fixing.
Word Study - word origins, roots, prefixes, suffixes, specialized vocabulary, multiple-meaning words, connotation, denotation, idioms.
Literature Genres - fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry, folktale, action, adventure, fantasy.
Narrative Texts - character analysis, plot, climax, theme, prior knowledge, summarization.
Informational Texts - organizational patterns, textbooks, summarizing informational essays, how-to articles, research reports.
English Language Arts
The Writing Process—pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing.
Writing Traits—ideas, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency, conventions, presentation.
Writing Genres—personal narratives, essays (compare/contrast, cause/effect/ expository), folktales, action/adventure, poetry.
Author’s Craft—imagery, internal/external conflict, dialogue, elaboration, symbolism, irony.
Grammar—independent/dependent clauses, simple/compound/complex sentences, appositives, adverb phrases, transitive/intransitive verbs.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

Respect for myself and others
Ownership for my actions
Compassion for others
Knowledge for growth
Success for life

Individual Classroom Procedures Will Vary Slightly