Huntington Middle School
6th Grade English and Social Studies
Mrs. Negroe. Room 205
Course Outline and Signature Form
August 2016
Dear Students and Parents,
We had a great first week of school! We spent time getting to know each other and establishing our classroom routines and expectations. At this time, I would like to present to you our class policies and evaluation procedures. Please read the following information together, sign the bottom portion of the second page, and bring the signed portion back to class by ______
Grade 6 English-Language Arts Course Syllabus (McGraw-Hill Study Sync Program)
This course meets the California English-Language Arts Grade 6 Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for reading (literature and informational texts), writing, speaking and listening, and language (grammar and conventions). Our focus is on effective writing, critical reading and thinking, and analytical skills. Our goal is to create literate individuals – “students whodemonstrate independence; build strong content knowledge; respond to varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline; comprehend as well as critique; value evidence; use technology and digital media strategically and capably; and come to understand other perspectives and cultures” (California Department of Education).
Using McGraw-Hill’s Study Sync program, we read and respond to various texts including narrative and expository pieces, poetry, and short stories in a variety of genres. We discuss, interpret, and analyze literary elements of fiction such as character, plot, theme, conflict, imagery, etc. We compare fiction to nonfiction, paying attention to the structural features of both. We dive into a variety of informational texts. We learn “close and careful” reading skills and annotation to aid in comprehension. For more information on Study Sync you can click on this link:
Writing for a variety of purposes, vocabulary, and grammar skills are explicitly taught and practiced through frequent quick writes, extended responses, and in-depth writing assignments. Students learn to cite textual evidence using the MLA format to prove, argue, or illustrate a point. We incorporate the 6+1 Traits of Writing to further improve writing skills.
Grade 6 Social Studies Course Syllabus – Ancient Civilizations
This course addresses the California History/Social Science Grade 6 State Content Standardswith an emphasis on “historical thinking” – learning reasoning skills that include: evaluating sources, asking questions, and examining multiple accounts and perspectives. Students study and analyze the geographic, social, cultural, economic, political, and religious structures of ancient civilizations including the earliest humans, Mesopotamia, Egypt/Kush, India, China, Greece, and Rome.
Through reading, discussion, critical thinking, and interactive projects, students consider why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined. Students read, analyze, and interpret a variety of sources including maps, charts, documents, pictures, drawings, writings, video clips, and journals to gain insight into the people, places, and events of the past and to understand the impact of the past on our place in the world today. Students discover the ancient world through Prentice Hall’s Ancient Civilizations textbook, CTI’s History Alive! The Ancient World program (online), document-based questions (DBQs), and other supplemental source materials.
For more on “historical thinking” see: and watch the brief introductory video “What is Historical Thinking?”
Evaluation - Students receive a report card with both academic and citizenship grades each quarter. For academics, students will be graded on the timely completion and quality of assignments and projects, participation in whole class as well as small group discussions, following directions, and test/assessment scores. Students should monitor their academic grade in PowerSchool online at regular intervals. Progress reports will be distributed mid-quarter if the grade is C+ (79%) or lower. Citizenship grades are based on prompt arrival to class, being prepared with completed homework and necessary supplies, behavior and attitude, group cooperation, and following class and school rules.
General Grading Guidelines
Academic evaluation will be based on:
- Homework & Classwork Assignments - 30%
All homework and class work must be neat, complete, and turned in on time. Fully explained and detailed responses, exhibiting a student’s best effort, are necessary for full credit for each assignment.
- Tests & Essays - 40%
Tests will be generally administered at the end of a chapter or unit of study. Students will be writing essays in class, at home, and during essay tests.
- Projects & Reports – 30%
Over the course of the school year, students will work on various projects and reports for both classes. Most of this work will be done in the classroom, although occasionally typing and revising may be done at home.
Academic Integrity & Ethics
A deep commitment to academic and personal integrity is a cornerstone of HMS. This commitment is essential if HMS is to prosper as an institution that is concerned with the moral and ethical development of its students. Thus, any behavior that violates this commitment is unacceptable. Incidents involving academic dishonesty that would include cheating, plagiarism, copying homework, and other similar infractions are treated very seriously.Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in a grade of zero (0) for the assignment in question with no opportunity to make up that work in any way. Parents and/or guardians will be notified.
Grade Scale
A 94-100B 83-86C 73-76D 63-66
A- 90-93B- 80-82C- 70-72D- 60-62
B+ 87-89C+ 77-79D+ 67-69F 59 and Below
6th Grade Policies
Bring all required materials to class each day (refer to the “Each and Every Day” sheet). Once class begins, students may not leave class to retrieve items from lockers.
Use restroom during breaks and passing periods to avoid disrupting class time.
Do not bring food, beverages, gum, or candy into the classroom. Water, in a tightly sealed container, is permitted.
Late work will not be accepted! No credit will be given for late work/homework – no exceptions!
Put your name and proper heading on all assignments! No credit will be given to assignments without a name; points may be deducted for assignments turned in with improper heading.
Students are responsible for notes, handouts, and information discussed in class. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain missed work. Contact a study buddy or check our class website for class agenda updates.
If you are absent on a day of a quiz, test, or in-class essay, you will be given an alternative make-up test/essay within one week of the date of absence; it is your responsibility to set this up!
Make-up assignments/tests will be due no later than 1 week from date of absence – otherwise, you will receive no credit (a score of 0) for that assignment. It is your responsibility to find out what you’ve missed and to turn in assignments.*Exceptions: long-term assignments, work assigned before your absence, and reports are due upon return from absence; the one-week grace periodwould not apply in these situations.
I have read, understood, and will abide by the termsset above regarding class policies and general grading guidelines for Mrs. Negroe’s class.
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Student’s NameClass PeriodStudent Signature
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Parent’s/Guardian’s NameParent/Guardian Signature
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Date