Course Syllabus

th
6 Grade English Language Arts
Carla M. Jefferson
Room number: 125 Phone Number: 843-326-7780
carlaj1@darlington.k12.sc.us
Schedule
8:05 – 9:03 First Period Planning
9:06 – 10:04 Second Period ELA – Honors
10:16 – 11:14 Third Period ELA
11:17 – 12:15 Fourth Period ELA
12:15 – 12:45 ---- Lunch
12:55 – 1:15 Advisor/Advisee
1:18 – 2:18 Fifth Period ELA
2:21 – 3:21 Sixth Period ELA

Course Description
During the middle-grade years, both on their own and with their peers, students read a variety of informational
texts as well as four major types of literary texts: fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama. They also learn to
respond to texts in a variety of ways. Students examine facets of an author’s craft.
In the sixth grade, students use writing to entertain, to inform, to describe, and to persuade. They plan, draft,
revise, edit, and publish narrative and expository writing. They pay careful attention to the author’s craft—examining the
content and development, the organization, the quality of voice, and the correct use of Standard American English
conventions in their own writing and in the writings of others. They also learn to use a variety of sentence structures to
express their thoughts in both oral and written form.
The research process offers adolescents the opportunity to be actively involved in learning about topics that are
relevant to their lives and that appeal to their interests. Sixth graders access information in print and electronic forms
and use both primary and secondary sources as reference materials. Using evidence to support the ideas they examine,
they properly credit the work of others by documenting the sources they have used.

Overview of Topics
First Quarter
Reading and Writing Narrative Texts Author’s Craft
Story Elements Main Idea

Second Quarter
Reading and Writing Informational Texts Context Clues
Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions Cause and Effect

Third Quarter
Reading and Writing Persuasive Texts Figurative Language
Propaganda/ Bias Analyzing and Writing Speeches

Fourth Quarter
Reading and Writing Descriptive Texts PASS Review and Preparation
Poetry
Major Projects
Students will have a quarterly major project that will demonstrate their understanding on one of the books that they
have read during independent reading. Students will be provided with the directions, rubric, and due date at the
beginning of the quarter. A parent signature is required to indicate that they are aware of the requirements for the
student project.

Weekly Contracts
Students will receive a weekly contract at the beginning of each week that will outline classwork and homework
assignments. Parents will be asked to review the contract with their child and sign it. The contract will be turned in on
Friday.

Homework
Homework will be used to introduce a new skill or provide additional support for skills taught in class. Homework will be
provided Monday – Thursday. Students that do not have their homework will be given a Missing Homework Slip that it
to be signed by the parent and returned on the following day. Students have three days to complete the assignment
with the average decreasing by 10 points each day. On day four, the assignment grade will be recorded as a zero.

Grade Distribution
Homework – 15% Projects – 15%
Classwork/Quizzes – 30% Tests – 40%

Tutoring
After-School Tutoring will be offered every Thursday from 3:30 – 4:15. Students will be able to sign up on Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday if they wish to stay – there is a maximum student load of 15. This is so that students can
benefit from small group/individual instruction to improve areas of weakness.

Expectations/Consequences
Students will be expected to be:
1. Punctual 4. Productive
2. Polite 5. Present (Mind and Body)
3. Prepared

Positive Consequences
Praise Free Time
Positive Notes or Calls Home Jefferson's Bucks

Negative Consequences
Warning Break Detention
Notes or Calls Home Lunch Detention

ELA Supplies
1 – 3 Subject Notebook (with holes) 1 – 2 pocket folder
1 – 3 Ring Binder (one that the notebook can fit in) Loose Leaf Paper
1 – Composition Notebook (purchased from me for $0.25) Pencils/Pens
 Course Syllabus
We have reviewed the course syllabus for Mrs. Jefferson’s 6th Grade English-Language Arts, and are aware of all the
instructional and behavioral obligations that are required.

Student Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________

Parent Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Course Syllabus
We have reviewed the course syllabus for Mrs. Jefferson’s 6th Grade English-Language Arts, and are aware of all the
instructional and behavioral obligations that are required.

Student Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________

Parent Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Course Syllabus
We have reviewed the course syllabus for Mrs. Jefferson’s 6th Grade English-Language Arts, and are aware of all the
instructional and behavioral obligations that are required.

Student Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________

Parent Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Course Syllabus
We have reviewed the course syllabus for Mrs. Jefferson’s 6th Grade English-Language Arts, and are aware of all the
instructional and behavioral obligations that are required.

Student Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________

Parent Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________