Mrs.

Zarif’s 2019-2020 Math & Science

6th Grade Syllabus
Office Hours:
Tues. and Thurs. 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Naimah.Zarif@aspirepublicschools.org

Vision
As a part of the Aspire network of schools, Langston Hughes's vision is based on the desire to enrich
students' lives and to reshape local public school systems. It is the vision of the Aspire Langston Hughes
staff to create an environment for student to learn and to become “College Ready.” Our focus is “College
for Certain” and it is our vision that as a student graduates, they will transition into college with all of the
skills and tools needed to be a successful part of the College of their choice.

Mission
Aspire Langston Hughes’s mission is to:
 Provide personalized learning experiences for Stockton, California's diverse students
 Prepare students for College
 Promote a desire for Achieving Goals and Mastering Skills
 Produce students that will become active parts of a college community

Class Description
Welcome to a new year of math! In this course, you will learn to use new models and various strategies
to conceptually and critically think/solve math problems. You will be developing mathematical skills and
learning new ways of thinking about and investigating mathematical situations. You will be making
connections, discovering relationships, figuring out what strategies can be used to solve problems, and
explaining your thinking. Learning to think in these ways and communicate about your thinking is useful
in mathematical contexts, across content (other subjects), and situations outside of the classroom. The
math skills you have learned in previous years will be valuable for learning in this course. That prior
knowledge, and what you learn in this course, will prepare you for 7th grade and higher level math courses.

Philosophy
I believe that all students have the potential to be academically successful. I wish to motivate students
and to renew their love of math, science, and learning. This will take a great effort from all parties involved:
Parents, Educators and especially Students. I also wish to help students replace bad habits with new
productive habits that will lead to success in their academic career. My philosophy includes inspiring
students to use academic discourse to present themselves in a manner that will allow others to hear and
see the potential of their future and avoid judgements that are associated with their surroundings or
where they come from.

Course Learning Objectives

In grade 6, instructional time will focus on four critical areas:

 Connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of
ratio and rate to solve problems
  Completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the
system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers

 Writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations

 Developing understanding of statistical thinking

Objectives of Course

Students will be able to…

 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
 Model with mathematics.
 Use appropriate tools strategically.
 Attend to precision
 Look for and make use of structure.
 Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Course Units of Study

Ratios and Proportional Relationships
 Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

The Number System

 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions
by fractions.
 Multiply and divide multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.
 Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

Expressions and Equations

 Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.

 Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.
 Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent
variables.

Geometry

 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

Statistics and Probability

 Develop understanding of statistical variability.

 Summarize and describe distributions.

Ongoing SKILL PRACTICE each night:

  Your child should read 15-20 pages per night. (Build reading fluency to make word problems easier
to understand.
 Your child should spend 10 minutes each night reviewing notes &/or study guides.
 Your child will write down their daily assignments in their school planners every day.
 Recommendation: Parents should initial the planner daily to acknowledging completion of
work.

Course Assessment Plan

Students will be assessed by both traditional paper and pencil tests and computer-based assessments, as
well as performance tasks such as:
 Oral presentations
 Do-Nows/Exit Tickets
 Projects / Exhibition
 Quiz/Tests (COIs – Cycles of Inquiry)
 Writing Assessments / Writing Wednesdays

Determining a Grade for the Course (All Point Based)

Participation
Quiz/Tests/Assessments
Assignments – classwork and homework
Projects

Behavior and Classroom Expectations

Students are expected to participate in classroom activities in order to receive full daily credit. Complete
classwork and projects individually and/or in groups, as assigned. Students will stand and address their
peers when it is time to share and will ONLY speak when it is their turn. Students will demonstrate proper
academic discourse and manner when speaking. Our classroom is a safe environment; anyone who is
rude or makes negative remarks will be asked to go outside the room for a reset and may serve a
detention.

Classroom Rules
1. Be Safe (restrain from horseplay, rough housing, tripping, etc…)
2. Be Respectful (restrain from name calling, rude sounds, talking back, smacking lips, follow all class
rules, etc…)
3. Be Responsible (Be prepared with materials and homework; keep up with the assignments and
INB, etc…)
4. Have a positive attitude towards learning and maintain a safe environment
5. No food, drinks (other than water) or chewing gum is permitted in the classroom.

Consequences
1. Verbal/Non-verbal Warning: Student will have an opportunity to correct behavior.*
2. 2nd Warning: Student may move seats, will fill out a reflective form and take home to have parent
sign. If not completed and/or returned the following day signed it will become a detention.*
3. 3rd Warning: Detention and a call home*
4. 4th Warning: Referral Form and will be sent to the Dean’s office.
*Students who are constantly on steps 1-3 may involve a parent meeting with the teacher, student, and
Dean of Students – Dr. LaNitra Curtis.
Entering/Exiting the Classroom
Students will enter the room in a quiet and orderly manner. Students will practice until they have met
the expectation. This may infringe in their learning minutes so it is important to follow the classroom
expectations. Students will only be excused from class when the class is quiet and the classroom is
organized (trash is disposed of, belongings are packed, and classroom materials are stored in the correct
location properly). Students will be held responsible for their actions and the tidiness of their spaces.
This may infringe in their transition time so it is important to meet the classroom expectations.

Seating
There will be seating arrangements based on the student’s needs so it will be important to understand
the arrangement is done for their success in the classroom.

Absence
If a student is absence it is his/her responsibility to get the missed assignments and INB handouts form
the Absent Work Bin located in the front of the room. Please check with the teacher for any other
handout-outs that may have been sent home.

CANVAS Grading: Late or Incomplete work

 It is the responsibilities of the parents and students to check CANVAS and Power School regularly.
Grades are updated weekly by Sunday evening. Progress reports are disseminated EVERY
TUESDAY in ADVISORY class.
 Any assignments with 0 besides it on a progress report need to be made up within a week for a
partial credit, unless communicated otherwise.
 Any assignments with a checkmark need to be redone and turned in the NEXT day to receive full
credit. If turned in in 2 days it will receive partial credit, unless otherwise communicated.
 NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED THE LAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF THE
QUARTER/SEMESTER.
 It is up to the teacher’s discretion to accept or deny the work. Indicated assignments will NOT be
accepted past the due date.

Attendance & Tardies

Daily attendance is imperative for student success. Students are required to make-up all missed work:
Class work, Homework and any assessments. DO NOWs cannot be made up. It is the student’s
responsibility to record missed homework in his/her planner. Make-up work is located in the Absent
Work bin and handouts for INBs is located in the INB bin. Students may pick up make-up work from the
homework folder or after school from 3:30-4:00. Students have one day for each day absent to make-
up work. Students may not be given any homework prior to their absences (not including Independent
Study). All tests will be given as scheduled. In the event of an absence on the test day, the test will be
given upon the students return. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the test. Students will be
required to make-up any missed work due to tardiness.

The teacher will take attendance as soon as the bell ring. Students are responsible to be in their assigned
seats ready to work when the bell rings. There is no talking allowed while attendance is taking place except
for those answering. Students that are not in their assigned seats by the time the tardy bell rings will be
marked tardy. Students who are regularly tardy (more than 2 per week) will be sent to the Dean of
Students for support.

Leaving the classroom for restroom breaks

It is the student’s responsibility to use the restroom during passing period and/or lunch time. The student
will have 3 restroom passes for the entire semester. However, If the student has an emergency and/or a
documented doctor’s note, they will be allowed to go as needed with a restroom pass. Students who
exceed their restroom passes will still be allowed, but will be assigned a lunch detention for each exceeded
use.

Agenda/Planner
The best communication tool between parents and teachers is the student planner that is provided by
LHA. The student will be responsible to copy all homework in this agenda and if there is no homework for
any specific day, they will mark NO HOMEWORK. Parents are encouraged to check the planner regularly
and make sure their children are on top of their work. This IS the BEST way to communicate and check
for student progress. Students will need their planner at the beginning of each class period. Students will
receive a free agenda at the beginning of the school year. If the agenda is lost, it is the responsibility of
the parent to purchase a new one from the front office.

If a student leaves their planner at home, the teacher will provide a Daily Planner for day use. The student
is expected to transfer all information to their actual planner by the end of the day.

“Planner Check” credit (assignment for using planner appropriately) will only be given for a using LHA
planner regularly. (Other planners, not LHA issued planner, must receive teacher approval for credit PRIOR
to use)

Homework & Unfinished Work

To receive full credit for completed homework it must be:
 Legible and neat (crumpled, messy papers will not be accepted)
 Turned in at the beginning of each block
 All math assignment must be completed in pencil only!
 All answers must be highlighted or boxed.
 Students must show all work, calculator use will be specified.
 Students must have proper headings for each assignment.
 NOT ALL INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ASSIGNED AS HOMEWORK.

*All homework assignments are graded for completion only! We will go over the homework assignment
daily in the classroom, however it is the student’s responsibility to seek help and come to after school
hours if he/she does not understand the assignment.

Titan Bucks
Titan Bucks may be used for in-class/school raffles & prizes. Students may also exchange Titan Bucks for
merit points. I Titan Buck = ONE Merit Point. Students are NOT allowed to give or sell Titan Bucks to other
students. In order to for the Titan Buck to be valid, it MUST be have the students first and last name AND
be signed by an LHA staff member.
Materials
The materials listed below are required for student independence and success. Please make sure that the
students have all of their materials with them by Monday, August 12th. Students who bring these
materials will gain TITAN BUCKS for class/school rewards.

Classroom Materials
 2 - 9x11 Sketchbooks, minimum 100 pages (One for Science and one for Math)
 2 packs of flash cards*
 Pencils (Led is ok if they will have extra led and will not be distracted by this during class)**
 Pens (2 – 3 nonblack in color; no sparkle or neon yellow)**
 1 box of color pencils for art projects**
 1 Pencil Sharpener (Closed ONLY)
 1 Mini-Stapler (optional)*
 1 three-hole puncher (optional)*
 College ruled paper
 Graph paper
 12 in. Ruler
 Protractor
 High Lighters (at least 2 colors)
 5+ glue sticks**
 2 dry erase markers**

 * = may be kept at home

 ** = WILL need replacing throughout the school year
 Mrs. Zarif’s 2019-2020 Math & Science
6th Grade Syllabus
Office Hours:
Tues. and Thurs. 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Naimah.Zarif@aspirepublicschools.org

Donations
If you have the means to support the classroom and would like to donate any of the above materials,
please bring these to my classroom and/or send with your students. It will be highly appreciated.

Please keep the previous pages for yourself and return the bottom portion of this page of the document,
signed by both parent and student, to Mrs. Zarif after reviewing it with your student. Returning the signed
portion will give the students extra credit that is good towards their first grade for Quarter 1.

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I have read the classroom policies and understand my expectations and responsibilities while in class.

X ______________________________________________ Date: __________________________

Student Signature

I have read the classroom policies and understand the expectations. I also agree to support Mrs. Zarif
in upholding these policies by checking in with my child at home.

X ______________________________________________ Date: __________________________

Parent Signature