6th Grade Language Arts- Team Ivy League

Ms. Abby Palof - Meyzeek Middle School - Room 232

School Phone: 502-485-8299 E-mail: Abigail.Palof@Jefferson.kyschools.us
Online Grades: Parent Portal Website: www.mspalof.weebly.com *Not always current*

Overview of Class:
The curriculum for 6th grade language arts builds on the previous years content standards. These standards come directly from
the Kentucky Core Academic Standards (KCAS) map for instruction. These standards are divided into 4 headings that drive
instruction:
o Reading (Informational and Literary texts)
o Writing (Narrative, Informational/Explanatory, Argumentative, On-Demand)
o Language (Grammar and Vocabulary Acquisition)
o Speaking and Listening (Comprehension, Presentation, Public Speaking)

*Many of the students writing pieces, both formal and informal, will be placed into their writing portfolios, which must be
completed yearly as per JCPS policy.

The KCAS standards can be accessed via the link below:

https://spinternal.jefferson.kyschools.us/gheenswebsite/Public%20Documents%20%20ELA/Forms/ELA%20Mid%20Curriculum
%20Maps.aspx

Grading:
Grade will be calculated based on the categories below and in accordance with the JCPS Promotion and Progression Policy.
Grades are posted on Parent Portal once a week. Below are the letter grade equivalents for student scores. Students MUST
pass Language Arts to pass 6th grade!

A (Exceeds Standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90100%

B (Meets Standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8089%
C (Marginally Meets Standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7079%
D (Below Standards). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60-69 %
U (Unsatisfactory). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Below 60%

Grade Components/Categories:
There are 3 categories for assignmentsStudent Engagement, Student Progress, Student Mastery. Examples of what type of
assignments typically go in these categories are listed below.
Parent portal will be updated no more than once a week, typically on Sunday or Monday evening.

Student Engagement with Standards (20% of total grade)

o Participation Grades
Assignments may include discussions, raising hand to contribute to class, having necessary supplies/materials,
agenda checks, peer conferencing and group work.

o Notebook & Journal Grades

Reading/Writing notebooks will be used DAILY. Assignments may include Warm-ups, journals, reading logs,
reading reflections, writing workshop drafts, notebook quizzes, reflections and note-taking. Students will be
expected to know their learning targets (in order to assess if they hit the target) and will be expected to have
their student agenda daily and to write in it!

Parent Portal abbreviation for these grades:

1. JN= Journal/Logs
2. NB= Notebook Entries
3. AG= Student Agenda/Learning Target Checks
4. CD= Class Discussion
5. GW= Group work

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 Student Progress with Standards (30% of total grade)
o Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly. Homework will include weekly work with affixes (Greek & Latin roots, word
parts), informational Articles of the Week (A.O.W.) and Independent Reading. On occasion other supplemental
material for whatever we are working on will be added. This might include vocabulary, grammar work, small
research assignments, and writing assignments. Occasionally, work not finished in class may become
homework if not done on time!
o Class Assignments & Self-Analysis
Students will often have work to do that must be done in class. This might involve completion of activities we are
working on such as reading, questions on reading, or writing projects components (first draft, etc.). Students will
be asked to record their learning target daily and periodically asked to assess themselves and their own work.

Parent Portal abbreviation for these grades:

1. HW= Homework (Misc. assignments and reading work)

2. AF= Affix Homework
3. AR= Article Homework
4. CA= Class Assignment
5. SA= Self-Assessment/Self-Reflection

Student Mastery of Standards (50% of total grade)

o Assessments
There will be several district reading assessments that will count for a student grade. Tests and quizzes on what
we are working on in class will occur weekly. You will be quizzed on your homework! Some assessments will be
announced and some will be a surprise check. Being prepared and attentive is the best way to be ready for
assessments at any time.
o Projects & Presentations
Each 6 weeks students will be required to read at least ONE book independently and on their reading level.
There will be project work to assess ongoing independent reading. Students will also work on writing projects
and final draft pieces will be assessed as projects and presented to the class as we share our writing.

Parent Portal the abbreviation for these grades:

1. MA= Mini-Assessment (Quiz)

2. T= Tests
3. RPA= Reading Proficiency (District Test)
4. PR= Projects
5. HQ= Homework Quiz

Other Policies:
Behavior Expectations & BEAR PRIDE
Failure to meet expectations may result in various consequences depending on the severity and frequency of the
offense. Consequences may include a phone call home, a TAB in/out (Movement in the classroom or to another room to
take a break), lunch detention, behavioral referrals, in school suspension, or administrative action.
We will make every effort to contact parents for support should disruptive behavior become an issue. Please
keep a current phone number on file with the school office.
Report cards will list conduct grades as S (satisfactory), NI (Needs Improvement), and U (Unsatisfactory).
We adhere to BEAR PRIDE expectations:
o P= Positive Attitude
o R= Resect for All
o I= Improve Self Discipline
o D= Do the Right Thing
o E=Excellence Through Effort

*See Ms. Palofs Procedures Handout for more information on how class will be conducted, students have access to this
and it will remain in their classroom folder. *

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Homework

Homework will always be announced and clearly posted on the Bulletin Board near the classroom door. Homework will
be given weekly; expect it! Late homework is taken for a reduced grade up to 1 day before the grading period ends
(must turn in before the grading period ends). Typically homework will consist of vocabulary affixes, articles, and
independent reading. Typically it will be assigned Monday and due on Fridays or the end of the week (in cases of short
school weeks).

Absent & Late Work Information:

Work is due when it is collected in class.
Do not give me work in the hallway or in the middle of class; If you have it AFTER it has been collected, you will turn it
into the Late. Absent, or Re-Do work tray.
o Late: RED slip & explain why it was late
o Absent: GREEN & explain when/why you were out
o Re-Do: YELLOW & explain what you changed to deserve a better score
Late work is defined as work not turned in when due when the student was in class when assigned. The exception is
absent work (sick, field trip, etc.). Absent work earns full credit if submitted in a timely manner. Re-Do work is defined as
work that the students wants to re-submit for a better grade. This can be done when the student finds it approriate (not
when answers were already gone over in class!).

Getting Missed Work & Homework

Students will be expected to check the What Did I Miss area of the room ear the sink and TV. In this area of the room
will be a record of what was done in class, any assignments that were listed on the board, and directions for what to get
(if paperwork or notes are given they will be in the labeled bin under your class name).
Steps to get Missing/Late/Absent Work:
o 1) Record the learning target in your student agenda for the day(s) you were out.
o 2) Get any missing work or notes from your class file in the bin that says What Did I Miss?
o 3) Turn in work in the absent work tray with an absent/late form attached
(The absent form is GREEN and just reminds Ms. Palof to give you credit because you were out. The
missing form is RED and lets you explain what caused you to not have the work. The RE-Do forms are
YELLOW, you want me to slow down and reconsider).

* A homework buddy is strongly recommended so you can copy a friends notes if you are not in class! *

Re-Do Work
If you feel the work you turned in could be better, you may re-do an assignment. Re-Do means you do it over, fix it,
change it, and correct errors. Re-Do work should be turned in within 2 days of getting the assignment back so that
grades can remain current. This can be done when the student finds it approriate (not when answers were already gone
over in class!).

After School Study Help

If you need extra Ms. Palof is willing to stay after school to work with you on THURSDAYS. If you plan on staying,
discuss it with Ms. Palof so she knows you are coming and can pick you up from the cafeteria (where all afterschool
activities wait after school, you are not allowed to wander the halls). You must provide your own transportation home.

Agenda
Learning organization skills is crucial to success in 6th grade. Students will be expected to carry their school agenda at
all times and will record their learning target and homework in their school agenda. The agenda also serves as a hall
pass in the event that the student needs to leave the room. No agenda=No way to leave room, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Restroom Breaks
Restroom breaks are built into our schedule. Student should not have to ask during class time. All restroom breaks are
monitored, and thus, we cannot monitor while we teach You will only use the restroom during designated break
times.

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Supplies (*what was listed on Meyzeeks List should cover this list*)
o Composition Notebook & Folder (To leave in the classroom for daily use)
o School Agenda
o A take home folder for work to be done at home (Homework folder)
o Loose Leaf Paper
o Pencils (NO PENS PLEASE, PENCILS ARE PREFERRED)
o A Novel/Independent Reading Book should be with you DAILY!

Extra Credit

Extra credit work is voluntary and supplemental, it does not make up for lack of effort earlier in the grading period. Dont
rely on it to save you! It will not be given often. Check the How do I bring up My grade sign by the What Did I Miss?
area near the TV/SINK.

Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have any questions/concerns.

E-mail is usually the fastest way to contact me: Abigail.Palof@jefferson.kyschools.us

While I make every effort to adhere to the policies and guidelines outlined here, the class structure is
subject to change based on students needs.

I am looking forward to working with you this year

~ Ms. A. Palof
Check out my website for updates throughout the
year www.mspalof.weebly.com

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 Ms. Palofs Language Arts Syllabus Scavenger Hunt
NAME: _____________________________ CLASS NAME (Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Cornell) : ___________________
Please return by ___________ SIGNED by a parent or guardian.
Please keep the syllabus for reference and return just this page.
Students please answers to the questions below (use the syllabus & your own words to explain) & get your
parent/guardian to sign at the bottom before you turn this in:
1) What is Ms. Palofs policy on late work? Does she accept it? Explain:

2) How can you find out what you missed when you return to school after an absence?

3) What supplies do you need for class every day?

4) What categories is your grade based on? Explain as much as you can in your own words:

5) Why do you need to bring your agenda to class every day?

6) What is the behavior expected by The Ivy League? Explain

Parents,
Signing below shows that you talked with your child about school and what their Language Arts class will be
like this year. This paper will help your students earn a few easy points and will show that they are ready to be
responsible and successful 6th graders! Please sign and have you student return on time.
Parent/Guardian Name (print neatly please): __________________________________________________________
Parents/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________________________
Contact information (phone or e-mail): _______________________________________________________________
Additional comments you may wish to share about your student or your home situation (is there a preferred parent to
call, something going on at home that might matter to your childs teacher, etc)?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
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