Author: jve1014
Last saved by: its
Company: SLCSB

COURSE SYLLABUS FOR
6^th GRADE READING/ MAKOS
	Mrs. Silas	

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/PERCENTAGE OF GRADE

	HOMEWORK					10%
	CLASSWORK				25%
	PROJECTS/QUIZZES/TESTS		25%				
	MINI ASSESSMENTS (Formative):		20%
	READING COUNTS (Summative):		20%

HOMEWORK

Homework is always to read 30 minutes EVERY night and complete a reading log. In addition to completing the reading log students should study their weekly vocabulary words. Reading logs are due every Monday for full credit (100%) or Tuesday for a late grade (80%), reading logs turned in after Tuesday will receive half-credit (50%). Readings logs are required to have the specified heading completed with the assignment of a summary and/or question stems. All reading logs should have a parent signature.  
Once each class has had an opportunity to choose their reading counts books from the library, each student is required to complete 30 minutes of independent reading from their Reading Counts book nightly—Monday through Friday.  This time is documented on a weekly reading log that is created by each student on lined paper. If a student is absent on the day the log is collected, the student is still expected to hand in the log sheet when he/she returns to school (without a late penalty).  
No 0 (zero) Policy for HOMEWORK!!!  
Students are expected to read and turn in their homework

CLASSWORK:

Class work is also graded at least once per week.  
* Students will need a binder, composition book, student agenda and sharpened pencils (at least 5) to be prepared for class. 

READING COUNTS:  
*Reading counts is a required program of SLW K-8 and counts for 20% of their grade

•	Once identification cards are available, students will be responsible for checking out at least two RC books.
•	The identification card and checked out books are the student’s responsibility; therefore, a lost card that is not replaced or an overdue book or late fine will prohibit the student from checking out RC books from the media center.

Every student is required to participate in the school-wide program Reading Counts.  I will assign individual point goals every nine weeks.  The points and level will be assigned based on the Scholastic Reading Inventory assessment.  The goals and/or levels may change throughout the year.  Students will receive a brief consultation from me on their lexile level/ range, point goal and due dates every nine weeks.  This information will be written in their agenda.  

Students will read books that are in their designated level and will take the RC tests in my classroom.  The test will be given to the student if the reading logs document the reading.  READING LOG = READING COUNTS TEST= READING COUNTS POINTS.  Students are not permitted to take a RC test in any other classroom or in the Media Center.  Any test that is taken in any other location or Not within their lexile range will be deleted.

TESTS AND QUIZZES:

Students will have a vocabulary test EVERY Friday. Most quizzes will be announced in advance.  However, there may be times when I choose to use class work or exit slips as a pop quiz grade.  Quizzes will be used to assess students’ understanding of material.

Tests will usually be announced at least two days in advance.  The tests will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and FCAT short/extended responses.

PROCEDURES

Students are expected to come to class prepared with all materials, assignments, and their agenda. 

Pencils are to be sharpened before class begins with spare pencils in case one should break.  NO PENS IN MY CLASS…PENCILS ONLY!!!  

Homework (reading logs) will be collected at the start of the class every MONDAY.  It will not be accepted once class has begun.

ALWAYS RAISE YOUR HAND!!!

I highly encourage students to join in class discussions and participate on a daily basis.  However, class sizes are large and to ensure classroom control, I require students to raise their hands and wait to be called on before speaking out or getting up from their seats.  Students that repeatedly shout out answers will be sent to time out.

I will send only five students to the Media Center during independent reading time on the designated day.  Students have 10 minutes to get back to class.  Any students who are not back in time or misbehave while they are there will lose their Media Center privileges and will be required to use the public library to check out books.  

Student Structures for Success!!!

We will do a great deal of team work in this class and so we must have a very structured, or organized, classroom.  The more organized the classroom, the more successful the students and teacher.  The more organized you are in life, the more successful you will be.  

Ground rules for team work:
1.	You will not snicker or complain when you are assigned to work with others.  Unfortunately, you will not always be working with your best friends.  But like in life, we have to be able to work with all different kinds of people…sometimes even people that are not our best friends.
2.	You will work quietly on the task assigned.  For every team assignment, there is an alternate assignment that can be completed independently in another classroom.  That means if you talk loudly and/or are causing others to be off topic, you will leave the classroom with an alternate assignment.  
3.	You will follow all of the structures.  Posters will be placed on the dry erase board that describes the structures that we will be using.  There are at least 20 that we will use so you must pay attention to what is being assigned.
4.	You will not speak to other teams.  In some instances, there will be a friendly competition between teams.  They should not know what you are working on until it is time to present your findings.  This means you should talk very quietly with your teammates.
5.	You must participate in the assignment.  If you fail to participate, you will receive an alternate assessment.

Ground rules for computer work:
1.	Be quiet in the hallways to and from the computer lab.
2.	Do not sit next to your friends in the computer lab.    
3.	Do not touch or login into the computer until you have received instructions from me to do so.
4.	Make sure the volume is turned off on the monitor before logging on.
5.	Do not use any other programs or websites without my permission.
6.	Work quietly and stay on task.
7.	Do not lean back on your chairs.
8.	Do not touch another student’s computer.
Failure to follow these rules will result in alternate assignments in another classroom.

Transitioning:

After being dismissed from my class students will report directly to their next class.  YOU MAY NOT LEAVE THE LINE TO USE THE RESTROOM OR WATER FOUNTAIN WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM A TEACHER.

Parental contact:
Progress reports are available on Skyward.  

Contact me with any questions or concerns, 
Email: chavonn.silas@stlucieschools.org, chavonn007@yahoo.com  or leave me a message with the front office and I will return it as soon as possible.

Team conferences can be scheduled through the guidance department.  

Every student is capable of Success, No Exceptions!!!

Thank you for your support,
Mrs. Silas