Cooper
Middle School
Project H.O.P.E.
6th grade LanguageArts
Gloria Lewis M.Ed.
Third Nine Weeks Syllabus
Course Objective: The objective of the Language Arts program is to empower students to become readers, writers, listeners, speakers, and interpreters of communication. The goals for eighth year students are to demonstrate their understanding of the writing process and apply that process to individual compositions and essays, and to identify and examine literary elements. Student grades are determined by their performance and demonstration of Georgia Performance Standards for Language Arts.
* Each student is required to read one million words per year. Students are required to bring reading material to class everyday.
Unit Objective: During the nine-week period students will explore research techniques and how to apply information gathered from research to writing.
Essential Questions guide the focus of teaching and learning. The following questions will guide instruction for the third nine weeks.
ü How does the comparing and contrasting of ideas help to clarify my thoughts and conclusions?
ü How can I use information from research to develop solutions for a problem?
ELA6W1. ELA6W2. ELALSV1. ELA6W3.
Specific criteria related to each of the above standards listed above can be found at http://picasso.cobbk12.org
Performance Skills: Students will demonstrate mastery of the following unit performance skills:
ü Identifies and uses the eight basic parts of speech in writing
ü Demonstrates the writing process
ü Writes a autobiographical composition
ü Expository writing: Establishes a statement as the main idea
ü Develops a controlling idea that conveys a perspective on the subject
ü Creates an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience , and context
ü Uses information from research to develop solutions for a problem
ü Develops thesis statements and research questions
ü
Major Assignments:
Comparison and contrast Essay
An Essay examining cause and effect
A Research assignment to developing solutions for a given problem
Creation of a Children’s Book – demonstrating the research process
Language Arts Materials: Students are required to bring the following to class every day:
ü Binder with notebook paper and three dividers
ü Black and White(any color) Composition book
ü Blue or Black ink pens and highlighter
ü Novel for reading
ü A three ring hole puncher(a must for handouts)
Grading Procedures: Grades are calculated on a continuous basis for the entire nine weeks. Assignments are expected to be turned in and completed on time. Late assignments will be accepted with 25 points deducted from the grade of the assignment. Only quality work will be accepted for a grade, crumbled, soiled, written in pencil, illegible papers will not be accepted, nor will papers with less than 50% of the assigned work
Make-up Work: If a student is absent, he/she will have the same number of days of the absence to make up any assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what assignments were by checking the assignment folder located in the classroom. It is a good idea for students to exchange phone numbers with some of their classmates, so that they can call each other about missed material. If a student is absent the day and assignment is due, the assignment is to be turned in immediately upon returning to school. In addition, check the ‘teacher’s blog’ page on the Cooper website for updates and assignments.
Approximate Grade Weights:
Daily-work 25%
Homework 15%
Outlines, Drafts, Drafts with revisions 25%
Portfolio (final copy) 20%
Writing & Grammar, Spelling and Vocabulary Exercises 10%
Parent Visitation: Parents are invited to observe their child’s language arts class during the semester. Please contact the teacher to arrange your visitation. Parents can check the teacher (or team) website found on the Cooper website for information on homework and upcoming assignments and events.
Feel free to contact me with any concerns, please do not hesitate to write a note in your child’s agenda or contact me at gloria.lewis@cobbk12.org.
Thank you in advance for your support of Project H.O.P. E. as we begin the journey to greatness.
Beginning the journey,
Gloria D. Lewis, M. Ed.
Cooper
School
Council
Language Arts Coordinator
Project H. O. P. E. Curriculum Coordinator