6th Grade Language Arts, Reading - Team Explorers

Ms. Abby Palof - Meyzeek Middle School - Room 223

School Phone: 502-485-8299 E-mail: Abigail.Palof@Jefferson.kyschools.us
Online Grades: Parent Portal Website: www.english-palof.weebly.com
Remind 101: Text @mspalof to the number 81010 Twitter: @MsPalofTeach
https://www.remind.com/join/mspalof

Overview of Class:
The curriculum for 6th grade language arts builds on the previous year’s Core 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)

Team Explorer students will have 2 Language Arts classes, one focusing on Reading and one on Writing, but standards
will often overlap.

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) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90–100%

B (Meets Standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80–89%
C (Marginally Meets Standards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70–79%
D (Below Standards). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60-69 %
U (Unsatisfactory). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Below 60%

Grade Components/Categories:
There are 3 categories for assignments—Student 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, and group work.

o Notebook & Journal Grades

Assignments may include daily reading, Warm-ups, exit slips, journals, reading logs, reading
reflections,notebook quizzes, reflections and note-taking.

● Student Progress with Standards (30% of total grade)

o Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly. Homework will include 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

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 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, etc. Students will be asked to reflect on their learning target
daily and periodically asked to assess themselves and their own work.

● 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.

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= Respect for All
o I= Improve Self Discipline
o D= Do the Right Thing
o E=Excellence Through Effort

Homework

● Homework will always be announced and clearly posted in the room. 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 articles, independent reading, projects, or finishing incomplete
classwork. STUDENTS’ ARTICLE HOMEWORK WILL BE CHECKED DAILY AND DONE IN CHUNKS! The finished
homework will be collected at the end of the week and students will be given a quiz on it.

Absent & Late Work Information:

● Work is due when it is collected and checked 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 appropriate (not
when answers were already gone over in class!).

Getting Missed Work & Homework

● Students will be expected to check the “What Did I Miss” pink bin. 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:

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 o 1) Record class information 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 friend’s 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 appropriate (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. 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 class information in it. 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.

Supplies (*what was listed on Meyzeek’s List should cover this list*)

o Folder for ELA Reading to be left in student binder

o A 1 or 2 inch binder (*** You will only need 1 for both Ms. Palof and Ms. Mastronicola).
o School Agenda
o Folder
o 2 Packs of Loose Leaf Paper (1 for personal use, one to be collected and shared in the
classroom).
o Pencils (NO PENS PLEASE, PENCILS ARE PREFERRED).
o Highlighters
o Post it notes (optional)
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. Don’t rely on it to “save” you! It will not be given often.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions/concerns. E-mail or remind text is usually the
fastest way to contact me (at top of syllabus). Please keep in mind that I typically will not respond in the
evenings when with my family. 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.

~ Ms. A. Palof

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