GVMS GRADING SYSTEM
IMPORTANT DATES
A+
99 – 100
A
94 - 98
A-
92 - 93
1st week of October
B+
90 - 91
1st week of December
B
85 - 89
3rd week of February
B-
83 - 84
1st week of May
C+
81 - 82
C
76 - 80
C-
74 - 75
D+
72 - 73
1st ~October 31st
D
67 - 71
2nd ~January 16
D-
65 - 66
3rd ~March 27th
F
64 - 0
4th ~June 15
Interim Dates:
Marking Period Dates:
Fall Parent Conferences:
Call the guidance counselor in November if you desire a conference with our
team.
November 24th 8:00 – 3:00
November 25th 1:00 – 8:00
November 26th 8:00 – 11:00
GENERAL INFORMATION AND EXPECTATIONS
1. Students
are
expected
to
come
prepared
for
class
every
day
with
all
necessary materials.
2. Students are permitted to go to their lockers at scheduled times only.
3. Independent Skills Class, held during third period, is a time to complete class work, begin
homework, go to the library, or seek help from teachers.
4. Grades are calculated based on daily homework, quizzes, classwork, tests, and projects or
reports.
5. Textbooks must be covered at all times. If a cover becomes worn or torn, it should be
replaced immediately.
6. Students are expected to know and follow the rules set forth in the student handbook.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
1.
Always demonstrate concern toward others and respect their questions and opinions.
2.
Remember – no question is a stupid question. If you have it, someone else might too.
3.
Be on time!
4.
Respect and take care of all classroom supplies. Please ask before removing supplies
from the classroom
5.
Complete all assignments regularly and on time.
6.
Come prepared for class with your notebook, textbook, writing utensil, student
planner and completed assignments.
7.
No eating or drinking unless it is your snack time.
8.
You are not permitted to chew gum in school.
GOALS FOR ALL SIXTH GRADERS
The sixth grade teachers have developed the following goals to enhance the academic
program. In order for these goals to be met successfully, everyone’s cooperation is essential.
The goals for our students include:
1.
Learning to cooperate in a variety of situations.
2.
Practicing self-control.
3.
Showing respect for others and their possessions.
4.
Following verbal and written directions throughout the school day.
5.
Demonstrating good listening skills in all areas.
6.
Becoming more self-reliant.
TIPS FOR ASSISTING IN YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS
1. Make a place for your child to study which provides the least amount of
distraction.
2. Set up a designated time to study and complete homework assignments.
3. Establish a routine, for example, a place where books are placed when your child comes
home.
4. Check to make sure everything is finished and ready for the following morning.
5. Pack the backpack after finishing homework.
6. Have extra supplies at home such as filler paper, pencils, ruler, and dictionary.
7. Check the daily assignments.
8. Check weekly to see if your child’s backpack needs to be reorganized.
9. Check to see if all books are covered.
10. Instill in your child that school matters are his or her responsibility.
11. You are there to help, but if homework is forgotten, it is not the parent’s fault.
SIXTH GRADE HOMEWORK POLICY
1.
There will be 2 to 4 homework assignments per class per week.
2.
All homework assignments are posted in the classroom.
3.
All homework assignments are to be completed neatly according to the oral and
written directions provided.
4.
Assignments must be completed and handed in on time.
5.
Students must have their homework ready to be checked or collected at the beginning
of the class period.
6.
Following an absence, students are expected to request, complete, and hand in missed
work on time.
7.
In case of absence, the student will have two times the number of days absent to make
up his or her work with no penalty. For example, with a two-day absence, the student
will have four days to complete assignments. Please note that it serves the student’s
best interest to complete the assignments as soon as possible.
8.
When students are absent for two or more days, the parents may call the counselor or
the teacher’s voice mail to request assignments. The teacher or counselor will pass
the information on to the other teachers on the team.
9.
All students are required to record their assignments in their Daily Planner. If the
planner is lost, a new one can be purchased from the guidance office.
10.
Homework is part of the final grade for each class.
SIXTH GRADE MATHEMATICS
Text: Middle School Math,
McDougal Littell, 2005
The Middle School mathematics addresses the objectives of our Garnet Valley
mathematics curriculum as well as satisfies the objectives presented in the PA State Academic
Standards for Mathematics. The sixth grade students work with Course 1 of McDougal Littell’s
Middle School Math. Course 1 provides a solid foundation in fundamental middle grade topics,
such as decimals and fractions, with an age-appropriate introduction to key algebraic topics.
Problem solving is an essential skill for the students to master. Before the first chapter in the
text, the Problem Solving Practice will help the students focus on the big picture of problem
solving. Building on past experiences, this initial unit encourages students to approach problems
using a variety of strategies. These strategies, once reviewed, will be revisited throughout the
year.
The second area of focus deals with Statistics and Data Analysis. Chapter 2 focuses on
real-world data, a unique and motivational topic with which to begin the school year. The level
of thought required of students increases from analysis of data to interpretation to drawing
conclusions.
Geometry topics are integrated throughout the year, providing a solid preparation for
future math studies.
The topics grow in depth and complexity as students build their
measurement skills, increase their understanding of geometric relationships, and develop
visualization skills.
Methods of instruction and assessment will vary throughout the year. Large group
instruction and demonstrations, small group interactions and discussions, and independent work
time will all be utilized at appropriate times to help students perform to their fullest potential.
Assessment techniques will range from the traditional quizzes and tests to journal writing,
responses to open-ended prompts, projects and demonstrations, observation, and class
involvement. Students will also complete self-assessments throughout the year and be involved
in formulating plans for improvement and success.
The Following Topics Constitute the Mathematics Scope and
Sequence for the Year:
 Problem Solving
 Data Analysis and Statistics
 Order of Operations
 Algebraic Properties
 Working with Equations
 Estimating
 Operations with Decimals
 Working with the Metric System
 Operations with Fractions
 Working with the Customary System of
Measurement
 Working with Ratios, Proportions, and Percents
 Two Dimensional Geometry
 Three Dimensional Geometry
 Probability
 Working with Integers
SIXTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS
Texts— The Language of Literature, McDougal Littell, 2006
Write Source, Great Source Education Group, a division of
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
Elements of Writing, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1998

The writing of informative, narrative, and persuasive pieces will be emphasized
throughout the year.

The five domains of writing will serve as tools for evaluation by both the students and
teachers. These domains include Focus, Content, Style, Organization, and Conventions.

Conventions such as spelling, grammar, usage, and mechanics will be emphasized in the
context of writing throughout the year.

Writing across the curriculum will be supported in English class.

Writing assignments often correspond to reading activities.

Using The Language of Literature as well as high interest, award-winning novels,
students will integrate skills such as vocabulary, reading comprehension, inferential
thinking, predicting, drawing conclusions, and other higher-level thinking skills.

Students will participate in lively class discussions that offer opportunities to view
situations from a variety of perspectives.

Students will report information in a variety of ways, such as through written reports, oral
reports, in small and large groups, via projects, or through traditional tests.

A schedule for Independent Reading assignments and required due dates will be given to
most students in September for the entire year. Students will complete written and oral
reports, as well as use our Accelerated Reader program.

Reading, English, and spelling will be integrated throughout the year.
SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE
Texts: Astronomy, Prentice Hall, 2007
Inside Earth, Prentice Hall, 2007
Matter, Globe Fearon, 2004
In an effort to further align curriculum to state standards, sixth grade science
has adopted three new textbooks: Matter, Inside Earth, and Astronomy, along with
two STC (Science and Technology for Children) kits: “Earth in Space” and
“Catastrophic Events”.
The STC kits are designed to engage adolescents in inquiry-based science
learning. Keeping inquiry at the center of the learning process fosters student
curiosity and enables students to learn new concepts in a real-world setting.
Students will learn to plan and conduct their own experimental procedures. They
will devise their own data tables and analyze their own results. These kits were
designed to address the unique characteristics of the middle school learner. This
year we plan to develop students’ abilities to make predictions, explore causal
relationships, discover patterns, and generate explanations based on their
observations.
The “Earth in Space” unit will focus on the earth as it functions as a system
with the sun and the moon. The Astronomy textbook will be used with this unit. In
conjunction with the Inside Earth textbook, the “Catastrophic Events” unit will
focus on the heating and cooling of the earth’s surface and the way in which storms
form. Lastly, using the Matter textbook, the matter unit will cover properties of
matter, density, elements and atoms, compounds, mixtures, and solutions.
SIXTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
Texts: Medieval Times, Prentice Hall, 2001
The Ancient World, Prentice Hall, 2005
This year the sixth grade students will focus on the geography,
history, culture, government, and economics of ancient civilizations.
We will cover the Beginnings of Human Society, the Fertile Crescent,
Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece,
Ancient Rome, and a portion of the Middle Ages.
There are two textbooks that are used to cover this curriculum.
The first text, The Ancient World, covers ancient history. The second,
Medieval Times, covers the Middle Ages. In addition to the student
text, each student can also receive a CD for the Ancient World text,
available upon parental request.
Within the social studies curriculum, students are afforded
many learning opportunities. They will practice reading and writing
skills. They will use research skills to complete projects. Vocabulary
skills are developed. Maps, tables, and graphs are used. Online
activities are provided, and critical thinking skills are practiced.