Mrs. Garant-Homeroom 17

Language Arts/ Reading/ Science

Mulcahey Middle School 2008-2009

Class Rules and Routines

Topics that will be covered during ELA: grammar, phonics, punctuation, the parts of speech, the stages of writing, proofreading skills, vocabulary, reading literature novels, response journals, figurative language, newspaper interviewing, reporting, and publishing, (and much more).

DAILY DOUBLE

Each morning you will be required to complete two small English warm-up assignments, that we will call the daily double. One blue and one pink assignment for each day will be placed in your file folder when completed. You will be responsible to place them in your labeled folder. You will also be responsible to complete any missed days assignments if you are tardy or absent.

Once per six day cycle, I have scheduled part of a class to review your answers, correct them as a group, and grade them. We will tally the number of answers and grade them using a scale that I will provide each of you. These scores will count as a grammar grade for language arts.

JOURNAL RESPONSE

Each student is required to have two journals and will divide one of their reading response journals. One part will be used for double entry and the other for assigned writing prompts. The second journal will be used by group 63 only. This will be used to answer comprehension questions assigned from the current novel reading.

VOCABULARY BOXES

You will be required to use the assigned template with four boxes to complete all vocabulary. The word lists are generated and required for all grade 6 students in Taunton. You will be asked, in these vocabulary boxes, to include the page number where you find the vocabulary word and then copy the entire sentence including that word. You will also have to draw a small illustration to help you visualize the word in context. Dictionaries are available for class work but cannot go home with students. You will need a home dictionary to complete any homework. After being graded, you will store these sheets in your 3-ring binder in the vocabulary section. You will essentially be building your personal dictionary.

HOMEWORK

ELA homework will be assigned daily in a worksheet format and is due the following day.  At the beginning of each week you will also be given a packet of skill review for homework that you will have all week to finish and will be due every Friday morning.

Homework is 10% of your grade and every assignment counts.  

HOMEWORK EXCUSE FORMS must be filled out by a student for each missed assignment. You will write in the name of the assignment (worksheet title, page numbers, vocabulary, etc), the date, and the reason that you did not complete the homework, and place your signature on the bottom. I will keep these on record for parent-teacher conferences, restriction lists for activities (school dances), and grades.

LIBRARY

We will visit the school library each cycle. Students are encouraged to borrow books at that time. Several visits will take up the entire period while others will not. You will be challenged to complete six different scavenger hunts that will reinforce library research skills. These will be graded. You will be responsible for any books that you check out and fail to return.

SCIENCE

Groups 61 & 63 will have science each day. We will begin with “Thinking like a Scientist”. This includes measuring, investigating, using data tables and graphs, inferring, predicting, and following directions. These skills are introduced first to prepare students for each topic to be covered over the course of the school year.

In our first science text, The Earth’s Changing Surface, we will begin with utilizing the skills handbook in back before starting Chapter 2 Erosion and Deposition, and Chapter 3 Weathering and Soil Formation. This will bring us to Mid-October. At that time I will collect all texts prior to assigning the next, Human Biology and Health. Each text must be covered. The stretchy cloth covers can simply be exchanged as one book is collected and the next book assigned. We will use five different texts from August to June.

Students will integrate technology first term when they work in groups to complete an Erosion Web-quest. Labs will follow depending upon student maturity levels and behavior. Each student will need a 3- ring binder for science. Students will answer guided reading sheets and compile them into the science binder. These are used for review, quizzes, and study guides for tests.

Science homework will be required, corrected, and counted as a grade.