SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS***
6th Grade Novel Studies
Link to Language Arts Florida State Standards:
http://www.fldoe.org/pdf/lafs.pdf
All ESE/504/ESOL student accommodations
will be provided within the classroom.
2100 PEDRICK ROAD
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32317
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Sharman Rodriguez email: [email protected] website: http://msrod.weebly.com/
COURSE DESCRIPTION: To prepare students for appreciation of Literature and its elements, we have developed a curriculum which focuses on novel studies. Through our class, students will be reading and studying various genres of fiction including Realistic, Young Adult, Adventure, Historical, and Fantasy. Students will develop and enhance their reading comprehension and text analysis skills. Through the curriculum, students will be engaged in novels, text-dependent and analytical writing, and creative projects. Students will learn to understand and appreciate a variety of literary devices while expanding their academic and critical thinking skills.
REQUIRED COURSE RESOURCES:
BOOK: All books are provided
Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
4th book will be student’s choice
MATERIALS:
- Sharpened pencils (no mechanical pencils please)
- Handheld pencil sharpener
- Blue or black pen (for final drafts only; not for daily use)
- Three ring binder with 5 tabs
- Loose leaf paper for binder
- Composition Notebook
- Highlighters
BE PROMPT. BE PREPARED. BE POLITE. BE PRODUCTIVE. BE POSITIVE.
Ms. Rod’s Specific Expectations:
- School is your first job! Come to your job on time, ready to learn and participate appropriately. There will be daily discussions and assignments. Contribution to academic discussion may reflect in a classwork grade.
- Students are allowed to use electronic devices before and after school or when I give permission for in-class use. Therefore, all electronic devices should be turned off in the classroom unless otherwise told! No ear buds or head-phones at any time. Absolutely no texting or social media usage in class. Any student who violates this policy will have his/her phone confiscated and the device will be held in the front office for parent pickup.
- Students should take care of all restroom and water breaks between classes. My students are permitted a clear water bottle in class.
- Upon entering the classroom, students should quietly turn in homework, be seated, and write in his/her planner for the week. Student should immediately begin bell work and/or journal entries daily.
- Students should arrive to class with all materials needed for success, including all supplies.
- Turn in all assignments on time. Homework should be turned in before the tardy bell unless otherwise advised. Late work will be assessed with a penalty the first 9 weeks and not accepted at all thereafter.
- MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL!!! Be respectful of yourself and each other at all times. Respect the work and opinion of others.
GRADING POLICY- Please note that in the grade portal and on the report card, Novel Studies course name is listed as M/J RESEARCH
PERCENTAGE / TYPE OF ASSIGNMENT
20% Assignments Classwork
10% Homework, Academic Discussions
10% Class Participation, Journal Entries, etc.
60% Assessments (Tests, Projects, Final Drafts)
100% TOTAL
Student classroom performance can be accessed through an online system, “Pinpoint” (updated weekly). To use this convenient feature, the student information and a password will be issued.
In accordance with Leon County School Board policy, 9-week grades will be assigned as described below.
LETTER GRADE / NUMERICAL GRADE / MEANING OF GRADE
A 90-100 Student displays mastery of course content.
B 80-89 Student has a very good understanding of course content.
C 70-79 Student is successful with most assignments. Gaps may exist in difficult topics
D 60 – 69 Student is having difficulty with course content, assistance is necessary for improvement
F 59-0 Student has put forth no effort and requires immediate intervention.
MAKE-UP WORK PROCEDURE
Leon County School Board Policy allows students to make up work within a reasonable amount of time after returning to school following an excused absence. The allotted time will be determined by district policy and communicated by the teacher to both parent(s) and the student.
Make up work is the student’s responsibility. On the day of the student’s return, the student should check with his/her teacher to find out what assignments were missed. Weekly assignments are posted on the board and will also be posted on the class website. I expect students to take preplanned assessment(s) upon return. Students should schedule a time to take these assessments. This does not include final drafts. For every day of an excused absence, students have two (2) days to make-up assignments; this does not include preplanned assessments.
LATE WORK POLICY
Students will be given ample time to complete assignments and are expected to turn in every assignment on time. Work turned in after the due date will be assessed a penalty for the first nine weeks and late work will not be accepted the second nine weeks without an excused absence.
EXTRA HELP OPPORTUNITIES
I am available to meet with students before school Wednesday and Thursday. Please notify me at least two (2) days in advance to ensure that I will be able to meet on your desired date and time.
Nondiscrimination Notification and Contact Information
“No person shall on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex (including transgender, gender nonconforming and gender identity), marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation or genetic information be denied employment, receipt of services, access to or participation in school activities or programs if qualified to receive such services, or otherwise be discriminated against or placed in a hostile environment in any educational program or activity including those receiving federal financial assistance, except as provided by law.” No person shall deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminate against, any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, or any other youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.
An employee, student, parent or applicant alleging discrimination with respect to employment, or any educational program or activity may contact:
Dr. Kathleen L. Rodgers
Equity Coordinator and Title IX Compliance Officer
Leon County School District
2757 West Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
(850) 487-7306
[email protected]
A student or parent alleging discrimination as it relates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act may contact:
Dr. Alan Cox, 504 Specialist
Leon County School District
2757 West Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
(850) 487-7190
[email protected]
***All information provided in this syllabus is tentative and subject to change. Please check Pinpoint and the class website for updates.