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Welcome6
GradeTravisBobcats!
6th/7th Grade GT ELAH
Mrs. Emily Kelsay
Room 120b
www.mrskelsay.weebly.com
ekelsay@irvingisd.net
(972) 600-0100
Curriculum Year-At-A-Glance
This school year is an exploration of two major themes: the Ancient World and Choices.
Using the Language Arts and Humanities curriculum, students will examine a variety of narrative
and expository text, poetry, and the arts (visual and performing). Students will be engaged in
project-based learning, writing workshops, and literature circles, just to name a few.
Supplies
Students will need to bring your required binder and materials from the Travis supply list, as
well as a library book or book from home. In addition, each student is requested to bring the
following supplies, which will
remain in the ELAR classroom
for continued use:
100 page composition notebook
box of tissues
package of 8-10 washable markers (any brand is fine)
Students
MAY
take their interactive notebook home, but are
REQUIRED
to bring it to use
in class every day. GT students are encouraged to be self-directed learners that take pride and
ownership of their work. Students should take the initiative to speak with Mrs. Kelsay concerning
questions about instruction, grades, tutoring and/or reassessment.
Classroom Procedures
Arriving to class:
Entering the roomEnter the room calmly and get out your materials according to your
assigned jobs. Once you are in your seat, look at the board for the days agenda to begin your
first assignment. Once passing period is over, we begin class.
BackpacksBackpacks should be placed on the back of your chair.
TardiesStudents are expected to be on time to class. We will follow the tardy policy
according to the Travis Student Code of Conduct.
During Class:
Sharpen Pencils Only one person at a time is allowed at the wall sharpener. Take care of
this at the beginning of class. You should never sharpen your pencil while you are listening to
the teacher or getting instructions for the day. Bring a pencil every day.
Getting QuietI will always let you know when its time to have an academic or group
conversation by saying Class-class and you will respond Yes-yes.
RestroomsIt is expected that students use the restroom during passing period. If you need
to use the restroom during class time, you must privately ask for permission to leave, rather
than asking in front of the class.

 School AnnouncementsStudents are expected to be completely SILENT any time an

announcement comes on the intercom. If it is time for the pledges and moment of silence,
you should listen or participate respectfully.
What if I miss something?
Absent WorkYou are responsible for checking the calendar at our classroom Student Center
and for getting any work you missed while you were gone. If I am out of copies, you must
write down what you need on a post-it note and give it to me. Check the grading policy for
timelines to complete make-up work.
Missing AssignmentsIt is your responsibility to turn in your assignments and to check your
grades. Missing assignments will be entered into the gradeboook as missing until they are
turned in. If you have multiple missing assignments, parent contact will be made and we will
work on a contract and schedule tutoring to get your work completed.
What else do I need to know?
Teachers Desk and materialsMy desk and materials on the desk are off limits to students.
Students should never go behind teachers desk or take any materials there for any reason
unless given permission. This enables me to do my best work in teaching you!
Visitors Please do not open the door for visitors unless it is a student from our class, an
administrator, or unless I ask you.
Cell Phones and Personal Electronics These items are NEVER to be used in the classroom
without my permission.
Getting ready to leave class:
Put Away MaterialsEach person per group with an assigned job will neatly put away class
materials where they belong. Completed work must be turned in to the orange turn-in work
trays.
DismissalIn order to be dismissed, you should have your materials put away, your desk
clean, and should be quietly in your seat. I will dismiss you by telling you to Have a Great
Day!
Tutoring:
My tutoring times will be posted in the Student Center or on the Travis MS website.
Grading Policy
Per district policy, in secondary schools, Summative Assessments will count as 80% of the
grade and Formative Assessments will count as 20% of the grade.
Formative assessments are designed to provide direction for improvement and/or
adjustment to a lesson or assignment for all students. These are assessments FOR learning,
e.g. observations, quizzes, homework
o Middle School formative assignments will have due dates.
o Guided practice and homework are considered formative assessments.
Summative assessments will be eligible for reassessment with the exception of semester
exams.
o If a student has a grade below 70 on a summative assessment, the student will also
need to fill out a Request to Retest form for reflection and attach proof of one activity
related to the content that needs to be reassessed. The type of proof required for
reassessment will be relayed by the teacher to the student requesting to retest.
o The period of time for re-teach/re-assess shall not exceed one week.
o The maximum grade assigned after any reassessment is up to an 85.
Make-up work after an absence:
o Make-up work will be made available to students after an absence. It is the students
responsibility to request work missed due to an absence.

o Students will be given the same number of days that the student was absent to
complete the work and submit his or her assignments. This includes school-related
absences.
Connect With the Classroom
Our class will frequently use LivingTree to
receive reminder information regarding
homework assignments, projects, and other
class announcements.
Class website (s): We will utilize the Travis
teacher webpages on the
www.irvingisd.net
and also
www.mrskelsay.weebly.com
for in-class assignments.
Special Notes
To Students:
I am so excited to get to know you, find out how you learn best, and what you need to be
successful at Travis Middle School this year! Im sure you will have many questions, and I want you
to know that I am available to help you and find out answers together. You are important, and you
are the reason our school exists today!
To Parents/Guardians:
I am honored to have the privilege of working with your child this year. I enjoy helping
students discover new ideas and interests, and look forward to all the things we will learn together.
Because you are the most important person in your childs life, I greatly value your input and
communication to best meet your students needs. Please feel free to contact me anytime and look
for frequent communication from me.

*Please sign and date the attached form, and return it WITH your
required supplies by T
hursday, August 27th
!

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6
Grade GT ELAH with Mrs. Kelsay

I, the student, understand what the expectations are for my GT ELAH class. I must apply
myself, abide by the classroom expectations and district grading policies, and use the resources
available to me. I also understand that tutoring is offered by my teacher, and that I must take
advantage of the assistance to be a successful learner.

___________________________________________
Student Name
(printed)
___________________________________________
Student Signature

_____________
Date

I, the parent/guardian, have read the classroom expectations for GT ELAH. I am aware of the
resources available to me and my student and have reviewed the district grading policies. I also
understand that tutoring is available for my student, and that I must encourage and help my student
utilize tutorials when necessary.
_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (printed)
_____________________________________
Parent Signature

_________________
Date

_____________________________________
Email address where I can be contacted

_________________
Best Phone Number