Dear Parent(s)/Guardian:

We want to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to CarrollMiddle School and the sixth grade. In order to make this a successful year for you and your child we would like to share with you some of the policies and goals in our classrooms. As a team, we have strived to stay consistent with our policies and goals. Please understand that each of us will have different methods and teaching styles in our respective classes, so activities may vary from teacher to teacher.

In sixth grade we teach the curriculum, but we also try to teach responsibility. This is a transitional year, and we want to help prepare your child for the years ahead. On the next pages you will find our behavior policy, absence policy, homework policy, and subject requirements. We feel that if we work together, we can make this year a successful year for you and your child. Please read and go over this information with your child. Once you have done this, then please sign and return the bottom portion of this paper to your child’s Charger Time teacherby August 22nd. Please contact us with any questions.

We have also attached a homework help sheet. Please put this in a safe spot for quick referral. If there are any concerns with your child’s progress we will refer to this page frequently for ideas.

Many parents have also shown a concern for the late lunch. Students may bring in a snack. This snack should consist of healthy foods. No pop or candy. The snack will be eaten during 3rd period. We hope this alleviates any concerns you may have about the late lunch.

Sincerely,

Team LightningTeam Bolt

Matt Kochert—Social StudiesKarsten Lochmueller—Social Studies

Bryan Koehlinger—MathTheresa Silveus—Math

Noel Brinker—Language Arts/ReadingGabe Garman—Language Arts/Reading

Caitlin Houser – Language Arts/ReadingDeAnna Koons – Language Arts/Reading

Jason Corah—ScienceBrett Windmiller—Science

My son/daughter, ______, and I have read and understand the 6th Grade behavior policy, absence policy, homework policy, and subject requirements.

______

Student SignatureParent/Guardian Signature

Welcome to CarrollMiddle School,

In an attempt to try to make the adjustment to sixth grade and the middle school as easy as possible, we have created a syllabus for a “one stop” place to get all of your information for this year. This copy will be kept in your student’sbinder all year for reference for you and your child. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via phone (260) 637-5159 or e-mail.

TEAM LIGHTNING / TEAM BOLT
LANGUAGE ARTS/READING
Ms. Caitlin Houser– / Mr. Gabe Garman -
Mrs. Noel Brinker – / Mrs. DeAnna Koons –
MATH
Mr. Bryan Koehlinger - / Mrs. Theresa Silveus -
SCIENCE
Mr. Jason Corah / Mr. Brett Windmiller -
SOCIAL STUDIES
Mr. Matt Kochert – / Mr. Karsten Lochmueller -

6th Grade Bolt Team Time: 7:35-8:05 a.m. (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)

6th Grade Lightning Team Time: 7:35-8:05 a.m. (Monday, Thursday, and Friday)

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is important because it is a valuable aid in helping students make the most of their school experience. We give homework to extend the classroom activity, to prepare students for future activities, to teach responsibility, and to develop good study habits.

Homework should not take more than one hour to complete each night. This does not include studying for tests, and long-range projects. Students will know about tests in advance. There should be no excuses for not studying.

We expect students to do their best on homework. Homework must be turned in neatly and on time. Sloppy work will be redone and counted late. Students are expected to do their homework on their own. They may ask for help after they have given it their best effort. If they don’t understand something they should ask for help.

All homework will be posted on our school’s web site by 3:00 p.m. every day. This is posted for the knowledge of the parent so that there is no confusion as to what the student has to work on each night. Please check this resource daily and print it out to compare with your student’s planner. The student should be filling out their planner to have the most up to date assignments listed.

No daily work will be accepted late. It is a 0.

Long-term projects will be as follows:

Projects turned in on time may receive full credit.

Projects 1 day late can receive a maximum 75%.

Projects 2 days late can receive a maximum grade of 50%.

Projects turned in 3 or more days late will receive a 0%.

***Students will be notified which projects are considered long-term projects.

***Spelling is considered to be Daily Work.

If late work continues to be a problem, then we will notify you that your child is having problems completing assignments, and we can work on a plan to remedy this problem.

As in all situations, students will forget assignments or have off days. That is why the students have a “Passport” in their assignment notebook. There are 13 spaces for students to return to their lockers to get homework, or use the restroom. We have decided to designate the first 10 spaces as homework and/or restroom passes. Once these 10 passes are used, then the student won’t be allowed to return to his/her locker or use the restroom during class time. The last 3 passes will be used for tardiness to class. Once the student has used these 3 passes to arrive to class late, then the student will start receiving detentions. Detentions result in the student eating lunch on their own. Every 9 weeks the students will start over with 13 new “Passports.”

EXTRA CREDIT

We do not offer extra credit in any of our classes.

DISCIPLINE PLAN

In order to guarantee your child, and all the students in the classroom, the excellent learning climate they deserve, we are utilizing the following Discipline Plan. We believe all students can behave appropriately in the classroom. We will tolerate no student stopping us from teaching and/or any student from learning.

RULES/PRIORITIES:

1. Teacher must know where you are at all times.

2. Do what is asked the 1st time.

3. Read the board or screen at the beginning of class and do what it says.

4. Respect others and property.

*Severe Clause: A student will be sent directly to the principal when he/she is displaying extreme behavior.

PLAN:

When a student is misbehaving or does not have the required materials in class, then he/she will be sent to a designated teacher with an assignment to complete for that period. The assignment will relate to what is being learned in class that day. The student will have to have the assignment completed to be able to return to class the next day. If the student misbehaves in the designated teacher’s class, then he/she will be sent to the principal’s office for further disciplinary action. *

The first time a disciplinary action takes place and a student is sent out of a classroom, the student will receive a warning. A phone call will be made home to the parent the second time a student is sent out by the same teacher. By keeping the parent involved, we feel that the student will have the opportunity to be more successful. The third and each subsequent time there after, the individual will be sent directly to the office. Each time with a phone call home to the parent letting them know of the situation.

*Please Note: If a student is sent out of Science during a lab, then that student will receive a 0 for the lab.

ABSENCE POLICY

We feel that finding out what a student missed from an absence is up to the student. Therefore, the following rules and guidelines are posted in EACH room and your child will be responsible for doing each step.

1. Turn in any work due while absent to the teacher!

2. Check the board or teacher’s assignment book for any missed assignments.

3. Copy missed notes or handouts from a friend.

  1. Double check with teacher for any other instructions, directions, assignments,

etc.

**If a student is absent the day prior to a quiz or test, the student will have the option of taking the quiz/test the day they return OR the following day. They MUST decide BEFORE they see the quiz/test. Once they have it physically in their hands, they MUST take it.

** All make-up work/quizzes/tests due within the amount of days you were absent. See handbook for explanation. Example: If you’re absent 2 days, then you have 2days to turn in your work or take a quiz/test.

Mr. Garman, Mrs. Brinker, Ms. Houser, and Mrs. Koons

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • Pencil only for homework assignments
  • One-1 inch click binder (slip front preferred)
  • Language Handbook
  • Language Workbook
  • Loose Leaf paper with holes to match binders (notes/assignments)
  • Click Binder Dividers (2 pkgs.)

GRADES:

You must earn your grade in this class! We will always give you advanced warning for any long-term project or assignment. We will always give you at least one week’s notice of quizzes. We have an assignment board in the room. All assignments will be written on this board at the beginning of each week. WRITE THESE DATES IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT BOOK! Homework for each week is also posted on the school website. You MUST bring your planner with you to class everyday! The grade scale for the class will be the same grade scale as determined in the CMS student handbook.

Students' grades are determined by taking the points that they receive on assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests divided by the total number of points possible. You will also be graded on the following items:

  1. Essays
  • Descriptive, Expository, Persuasive, Narrative (Stories)
  1. Research Report
  • Topic to be determined
  1. Speeches
  • Descriptive, Persuasive, “How To”
  1. Journal Writing
  • Respond to writing prompts, Reflect on various topics
  1. Poetry Unit
  • Write different forms of poetry
  1. Grammar Units
  • Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Pronouns, Sentence Structure, diagramming etc…
  • Using correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling
  1. Writer’s Workshop
  • Writing Process will be used

Any form of writing that is done in this class will be taken through the steps of the Writing Process. Finished writing pieces will be graded using a writing rubric and/or a

6 + 1 Traits Writing Rubric.


Mr. Koehlinger and Mrs. Silveus

How grades are calculated:

Homework 40%

Tests 50%

Quiz 10%

*Homework will be given 3-4 days per week and a test or quiz will be once a week.

Materials to be brought to class everyday:

  1. Math book
  2. Paper, pencil, and pen
  3. Math notebook

Notebooks:

Each student is required to use a notebook for taking only math notes. Anything written on the board must be copied into the math notebook. The notebook will be graded throughout the school year. Notebooks can be used on both quizzes and tests.

Mr. Windmiller and Mr. Corah

Your Science Grade

Student’s grades will be 50% homework and 50% tests. The grading scale we will use is the one found in the student handbook.

Required Materials:

Everyday:

TextbookRuler

Science NotebookColored pencils (NO MARKERS)

PencilsGlue

Black or Blue Ink Pen2 highlighters

Dry Erase Marker

Science Notebook:

A science notebook is required for all students in this class. Organization is the key to success. It will be to the students benefit to keep up with their organization skills each day. Assignments will be checked and the notebooks will be collected throughout the year. The organization of the notebook will be discussed in class with further and more detailed information provided at that time.

Lab Rules

Science is best understood with hands-on experience and therefore this course is centered on a lab-based approach. Maintaining a safe learning environment is our goal. Please read, sign, and return the safety contract outlining all safety rules for science.

Group Work

There will be opportunities for students to work in collaborative groups, especially in the lab. It is important that students work together as a team to complete the investigation. Each member of the group will be expected to do his/her share of the work during the collaborative portion. The remainder of all investigations outside of measurements and data collection are the individual students responsibility.

Mr. Lochmueller and Mr. Kochert

This year in Social Studies we will be studying many fun and exciting topics. We will be focusing on Western European & Western Hemisphere history, and how different events have affected the way the world is today.

Topics:Map SkillsAncient Greece

Ancient RomeAncient Americas

Middle AgesRenaissance

Age of ExplorationWorld War I

World War IIEconomics of the world

We will be using the book, Western World in class. Tests will consist of information from the book, notes, and in class lectures and activities. Students will also have projects and inquiries to complete with different units. The large projects will be considered a test grade. They will also have some daily homework assignments from the workbook and other sources.

Grading:50%Homework

50%Tests & Projects

Absences & Assignments: Students will need to check the clips/pockets on the blackboard for notes papers, worksheets, etc. They will also need to check with the teacher to find out what information they need or what notes we took in class.

Materials Needed Everyday:Other Items to Have Available:

Social Studies BookColored Pencils/Markers

Green BinderGlue

Notebook PaperScissors

Pen & Pencil

Mr. Garman, Mrs. Brinker, Ms. Houser, and Mrs. Koons

CLASSROOM TEXTS

At the beginning of the year, we will focus on reading strategies and skills. We will incorporate these skills using a collection of texts: short stories, novels, newspapers, magazines, the internet,text books,etc. Some of the fictional novels we may read: There’s a Girl in My Hammerlock, The Boy Who Saved Baseball, Detectives in Togas, and Where the Red Fern Grows.

Spelling

Spelling lists and inquiries will be given out each Monday. The students will typically receive 10-15 minutes during Reading class to get a start on the work for the week. The inquiries are due on Thursdays and the tests are on Fridays (unless told otherwise).

Accelerated Reader (AR)

  • Students are responsible for bringing their AR book to class each day.
  • Double check that CMS has the AR test for the book you want to read (these formal in binders in the library and reading classrooms).
  • Students will need to pick books that are in their ability level (reading range).
  • Individual AR point goals for each quarter will be 20 points.
  • Points are compiled for a test score, incentives, and for entry in the AR drawing.
  • To earn points students must take and passAR tests.
  • Students may use their notes in their reading logs on their AR tests. This is optional.

Materials for Reading class:

1 two-pocket folder with 3-prong fasteners

3 pads of 3" x 3" Post-it notes

1 spiral notebook(a multi-subject notebook to be shared with other classes will not work because there will be times you will have to keep your reading notebook in class)

Notebook paper and pencils

AR books (From CMS, ACPL library, or your own. Not all AR tests are at CMS, so be sure to check the CMS AR list in the binders at CMS library or in your reading classroom!)

Charger Time is a controlled study hall! Therefore, the first 10 minutes of each day will be spent with students quietly in their seat. They are to double check that they have filled out their planner for the week and be sure they have everything they need. This is also a time to get a great start on any assignments that they want to finish so they don’t have homework.

CARROLL MIDDLE SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELP SHEET

The following are suggestions that have been compiled to help both the parent and the student with homework.

  • Stay informed. Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child's class rules are. Teachers can be reached via phone and e-mail. All faculty e-mails are posted at the school’s web page ( Check your child’s book bag, planner, homework folder and the school’s homework page DAILY. Keep a folder at home for returned/graded work to save in case it is needed at a later date.
  • Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.
  • Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance. A dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas and other resources are available online at the following web site (
  • Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.
  • Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.
  • When your child does homework, you do homework. Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.
  • When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him.
  • When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it. Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.
  • If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away. Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.
  • Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework. Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.
  • Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration. Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping their mind on an assignment.
  • Reward progress in homework. If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.
  • Tips for success on exams and quizzes in science. Study guide is passed out at the beginning of the chapter. IT IS THE TEST!!! This helps to narrow the information they need to know.
  • Students should study multiple nights with an adult. You can use the worksheets and study guide for resources! There are review questions at the back of the chapter, also.

RESOURCES