6th Grade Language and Literature (Honors)

Mountainside Middle School 2018-2019

Instructor Contact Room
Alexis Baumgartner E-mail (Preferred): Room 151
abaumgartner@susd.org Students may schedule time to meet with me
before and after school or during lunch.

Welcome to 6th Grade ELA! Reading and writing are the foundation for learning and telling
others your knowledge. We will be reading and analyzing two novels per quarter, as well as
working on developing skills focused on comprehension, vocabulary, literary elements,
speaking, grammar skills, and writing. Our theme for this year is: Change.
Primary Objectives:
 Read and analyze work by historical and modern authors.
 Write narrative, expository, and argumentative texts.
 Learn specific strategies for planning, drafting, revising, and editing their writing.
 Explore the fundamentals of research, such as citations and how to evaluate the
credibility of sources.
 Deepen understanding of topics using film and other media.

Course Materials
Supplies
 Pencils  1 pack of 3x5 notecards
 Pens (3 colors; red, black, and blue)  2-3 glue sticks
 Loose-leaf lined paper  Eraser
 Binder (1-2”)  Sticky notes (regular size, any color)
 5 Tabs for binder  Spiral-bound notebook
 Highlighters (multiple colors preferred)  Pocket dictionary (optional)

Students are expected to have these supplies with them every day. Students will be
subject to supply checks at the beginning of each quarter. A copy of this supply list will be
provided at the beginning of each quarter.

Novels:
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (possibly subject to change)
Excerpts of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew

Textbook: Springboard

Note: Policies are subject to teacher discretion and exceptions will be made for extreme/rare circumstances. Please
contact the teacher as soon as possible if this applies. Teacher may amend these policies at any time, and will notify
parents and students accordingly of changes.
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 6th Grade Language and Literature (Honors)
Classroom Procedures
Expectations
Students of this class are held to high standards and expectations. First and foremost, I require that all
of my students are respectful, kind, courteous, and mindful. This class aims to allow students to
explore, create, and question on a deeper level, within a safe space for students to share and receive
support from peers. Harassment, bullying, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. ROAR to
be kind! Students are also expected to participate and do their best to engage in the lessons and
activities. The more students engage and participate, the more they will learn and enjoy the process.
This includes coming prepared to class with the required materials and the homework/reading
completed.
Rules and Expectations
● Be respectful to both peers and instructor(s) – including substitutes!
● Be in class on time.
● The teacher excuses you, not the bell.
● Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses and will be immediately reported to parents and
administration. Don’t do it.
● Zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol, or weapons.
● Obey all rules and guidelines detailed in your student code of conduct.
Cell Phones and Technology
As per the updated technology policy of Mountainside Middle School, all technology is to be turned off
and stowed in a backpack during passing period and class time. Students may freely use cellphones
before school, after school, or at lunch ONLY. If an emergency occurs, students must consult a
teacher or administration before using the device. Students who do not follow this guideline will be
subject to a minor infraction.
Bathroom
All students receive 5 bathroom passes per quarter, and may use them to be excused for the
bathroom during class or kept to be “cashed in” for prizes at the end of the quarter. These will NOT be
replaced if lost, so keep them safe! Note: Bathroom passes are only in effect during class time (bell to
bell). Students may arrive to class before the bell and ask to use the bathroom (so I know you have
arrived on time) without using a pass.
Homework
Any assigned homework and classwork will be collected at the start of each class period in which it is
due (unless otherwise instructed by teacher) and will be turned into the period homework basket.
Students should expect that homework will be graded and returned in a reasonable and timely manner
(up to two weeks).

Students can also expect to be given digital homework on a regular basis and will be given ample time
to complete it. Issues with login details or technology failure (with very few exceptions) is not a valid
excuse – give yourself time to use the library if necessary!

Note: Policies are subject to teacher discretion and exceptions will be made for extreme/rare circumstances. Please contact the teacher
as soon as possible if this applies. Teacher may amend these policies at any time, and will notify parents and students accordingly of
changes.
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 6th Grade Language and Literature (Honors)
Quality of Work
Take pride! Work must be completed on full-size notebook paper. Unless otherwise noted, you should
always write in complete sentences with proper spelling, punctuation, and structure. In addition, badly
wrinkled, dirty, illegible, torn, and/or sloppy work will not be accepted.
Redo’s/Retakes:
Students who wish to redo or retake an assessment will need to complete a Redo/Retake form,
located near the Absent Work folders and return it to the teacher. Teacher must approve this form
before students will be allowed to redo or retake the assignment. Once approved, the student must
come in at lunch to redo or retake the assessment.

Grading
A = 90% - 100% Weighting: Parents have full access to their
B = 80% - 89% 70% Assessments student’s grades via
C = 70% - 79% 30% Homework/Classwork Synergy/ParentVUE.
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% or below

Extra Credit
Graded extra credit will be a rare occurrence in this classroom and will have little impact on a student’s
grades if it is given. Instead, point systems will be in place for each class, providing students with an
opportunity to earn points for their teams as well as extra enrichment opportunities.

Absences and Late Work

Make-up Work Policy
Make-up work is accepted without penalty for an excused absence only, and is to be turned in
within one class day per absent day (example: if a student has two days of consecutive excused
absence, he/she has two days to submit the class work for full credit). Late work for unexcused
absence will follow the Late Work Policy detailed below. Students must write “Absent” at the top of the
paper before submitting to the Late/Absent Work basket.
Late Work Policy
All late work is subject to a 10% late penalty and must be submitted by the end of mid-quarter or
quarter in which it was assigned. This date will be written on the front board at the beginning of that
unit so all students are aware of the final acceptance deadline. Students must write “Late” at the top of
the paper before submitting to the Late/Absent Work basket.
Absence Policy
All students are expected to contact the teacher as soon as possible for any known absences (such as
a sport event, family travel, scheduled appointments, ect.). Students should also check the Absent
Work folders for missed assignments and ask table leaders/classmates about missed notes before
asking the teacher for assistance.

See Make-up Work Policy for information on absences and late work.

Note: Policies are subject to teacher discretion and exceptions will be made for extreme/rare circumstances. Please contact the teacher
as soon as possible if this applies. Teacher may amend these policies at any time, and will notify parents and students accordingly of
changes.
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 6th Grade Language and Literature (Honors)

Please complete this form and return to teacher.

Student Consent
Student Signature
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read the syllabus and have agreed to its terms and
conditions and will behave in accordance to the terms. If changes are made to this contract, you will
be notified in print by the teacher immediately.
Student Signature:___________________________________________________

Student Name (Please Print):__________________________________________

Parental/Guardian Consent
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact me at any time with questions, comments, or concerns.
I firmly believe in the value of having open parent-teacher communication. My contact details are
provided on the front page of the syllabus, should any questions, comments, or concerns arise please
let me know as soon as possible.
Parent/Guardian Signature
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read the syllabus and have agreed to its terms and
conditions. If changes are made, you will be notified in print by the teacher immediately.

Parent/Guardian Signature:___________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print):__________________________________________

Phone Number: (_______)_________--_______________

Email Address:
____________________________________@____________________._____________

Note: Policies are subject to teacher discretion and exceptions will be made for extreme/rare circumstances. Please contact the teacher
as soon as possible if this applies. Teacher may amend these policies at any time, and will notify parents and students accordingly of
changes.
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