Student Expectations

Classroom Rules

• Be Respectful …we need to be respectful of our classmates and teachers. All voices deserve respect which means not engaging in side conversations, distractions on screens, or other behaviors while Ms. Antunes or other students are talking

• Be Prepared … Complete assignments by the due date so you can engage fully in lessons and discussion. Bringing all materials to every class especially charged Chromebooks and independent reading books

• Take Responsibility … be proactive when you have technology issues, use your prep time for classes wisely, and follow Ms. Antunes’ Classroom Expectations. And most importantly, admit when you make a mistake--we all will make mistakes--and accept the consequences of off-task behavior. Learn from your mistakes 

Rewards & Consequences

I know that all individuals at Fisher are capable of following the classroom rules. Such rewards include an enhanced learning experience through more creative, less structured assignments, positive emails and/or phone calls home, or leadership opportunities. While consequences for forgetting classroom expectations will vary by student and situation, in general, the following procedure will be followed: 

1. First Offense: Verbal warning during class
2. Second Offense: One-on-one conference directly after class with Ms. Antunes
3. Third Offense: Parent/Guardian contacted with follow-up call or meeting scheduled
4. Fourth Offense: Office referral

Grade Breakdown and Policy

All assignments should be completed to the best of your ability and submitted on time. Grades are calculated on a traditional point scale. Grades will consist of two categories: product and process. Product grades make up 60% of your grade and are assignments that assess a specific content area standard. Process grades are 40% of your grade and are learning processes/skills that are unrelated to a content standard but are still essential for academic achievement. 

At any time, you may view your grades on PowerSchool as grades are entered and updated as the year progresses. If you see a grade that has been incorrectly entered, please make me aware of the error as soon as possible, so I may promptly correct it.  If you have questions regarding a grade, please talk to me about it before/after school, during the break, or by appointment. 

Retakes/Rewrites

If you earn a grade you are not happy with, and you wish to improve your score, you may request to retake the quiz or resubmit the assignment/essay with changes. You are only allowed one retake per quarter, per writing assignment and quiz.  Assignments completed after the unit is completed will not be accepted (for example, turning in assignments from early September after the end of the first quarter)

Grading Scale

A+ to A-  =  100% – 90% B+ to B-  =  89% – 80% C+ to C-  =  79% – 70%

D+ to D-  =  69% - 60% F  =  Below 60%

Curriculum

Our curriculum is built on the four pillars of the Common Core State Standards: reading, writing, speaking/listening, and language. We will focus on different units that develop targeted skills from the Common Core State Standards. Students will engage in class discussions, Writer’s Workshop, a Socratic Seminar, and many other activities that will allow them to become readers, writers, and thinkers who can question, interpret, analyze, and synthesize various texts. Our major units of study include:

 Historical Fiction Novels:

The Watsons go to Birmingham: 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis 

Revolution is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang-Compestine 

Writer’s Workshop Units:

Personal Narrative (First Quarter)

Literary Essay (Third Quarter)

Nonfiction 

Argumentative Presentations

Independent Reading

Genre Study instruction from Fisher librarian, Ms. Bateman

6th Grade 10 Book Challenge

Supplies

The following supplies will be needed specifically for English this year. Please bring them to class each day we meet.

• a charged Chromebook
• earbuds/headphones
• pencils
• black or blue pens
• a free reading book (This must be brought to school every day)
• one composition book (about 50 pages) (Will be provided)

• Folder

• Post-it notes

Classwork/Homework

• Classwork and homework are assigned on Google Classroom. 
• In English, the amount of homework will depend on our current unit.
• In addition to daily homework, you are expected to be reading for at least 20 minutes a night.
• Assignments should be completed by the following class meeting unless directed otherwise.
• **If you turn in a late assignment, you must email me the name and the screenshot of the late assignment.**
• Late work = 75%

Absent?

Attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of class. Attendance at the beginning of class is submitted to the Fisher office. If you are late during 1st period, please go to the office for a late pass. If you are absent from a class for any reason, it is up to you to check Google Classroom or Ms. Antunes’ website.