Core English 6
2015-2016 Course Expectations
Teacher: Ms. Andrea Vinikoff
School Telephone Number: 757-648-4950
Email Address: andrea.vinikoff@vbschools.com
Class Website: http://pams-avinikoff.wikispaces.com/
Edmodo: Students will be given a “join code” in class that is specific to their block.
Important Information: Sign up for Parent Portal to view your child’s grades by accessing the school’s
website or by visiting the VBCPS page (http://www.vbschools.com/schoolnet/). Grades are usually updated
weekly. I will also be utilizing wikispaces this year for communication purposes. This will house information
such as announcements, homework, useful websites, etc.
Course Description: The English Curriculum is organized around four thematic units that integrate skills in
reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The following four units will be taught in this order: Search for
Identity, Passages and Challenges, Acceptance, Exploring Themes from Mystery and the Unknown or Laughter
and Sorrow. Throughout the year, students will use writing as a tool to analyze literature, express ideas and
opinions about literature, and expand on new ideas. Students will also hone their critical thinking,
communication, listening, and collaboration skills.
Course Objectives: The VBCPS English objectives reflect the SOL objectives. A detailed listing of the
objectives and their correlation to the SOL’s are listed on SchoolNet. Many different strategies will be used to
prepare students for the SOL tests.
Text and Materials: We will be using the following texts: Holt’s The Elements of Literature, The Holt
Interactive Reader, and Write Source. In addition, we will read a variety of novels that coincide with each unit.
It is highly recommended that your child bring an independent reading book daily.
Class Supplies/Materials:
 Three-ring binder containing a separate section for English
 Loose-leaf paper
 Pencils
 Pens
 Coloring Utensils
 Highlighters
 Pocket folder with brads (this will be their Works in Progress folder)
 Spiral notebook with at least 100 pages
 Flash drive (this will be used for all classes)
 Agenda (which students will be given)
 **Donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, glue sticks, and any other
classroom supplies would be greatly appreciated!
Grading Procedure and Policies: Your child’s English grade will generally be computed in the following
manner:
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
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Tests, projects, and essays are weighted as two grades, depending on complexity
Quizzes, class work, and shorter writing assignments are weighted as one grade
o Students will be given the opportunity to retake a test/quiz or redo an assignment if it is evident
he/she does not understand the objective and earns a poor grade (typically below a 69). Students
must be the ones to initiate the retake and demonstrate to me that they’ve mastered the learning
target and are ready to prove it. This may be through an additional assignment as well as a
parent/guardian signature on the original assignment. Please note that not all assignments will
have a retake. It is the students’ responsibility to be prepared at all times.
Assessment Measures: Students will be evaluated using formative and summative assessments, which may
include, but are not limited to, observation, discussion, graphic organizers, cooperative group work, oral
presentations, written assignments, self-evaluation, quizzes, tests, class work, and performance tasks/projects.
All of the sixth grade English classes will take a Reading SOL in the fourth quarter.
Homework: Homework will be assigned as necessary to reinforce or extend the lessons learned in class.
Although there may not be a written assignment given every night, it is recommended that students review each
day’s lesson at home. If your child does not complete the homework assigned, he or she risks being unable to
successfully participate in or complete the next day’s activities and work. If a student is absent, it is his or her
responsibility to get the make-up work and complete it in a timely manner. Homework assignments are posted
in class every day and can be found on my wikispace page. It is the student’s responsibility to write daily
assignments in his or her agenda and check the While You Were Out folder for make-up work. Students may
earn an academic detention for choosing not to complete homework, class assignments, or projects.
Academic Detention: Princess Anne Middle School is implementing an academic detention program for
teachers to utilize with students who fail to complete assigned work. Teachers will issue academic detentions to
students who fail to complete class work, homework, or other assignments for the Wednesday following the
week in which the work was due. Wednesday detentions will be held from 4:00-5:30 PM, and parents will be
notified of the detention via an AlertNow email. The purpose of the academic detention is to notify parents of
missing assignments and to ensure students complete and return work considered important to the learning
process. Therefore, students will have until the day of the assigned detention to submit work owed. Those who
do will not have to serve the detention. Students who must serve detention will be required to complete the
work owed during that time frame. Keep in mind these academic detentions will not become part of a student’s
disciplinary record.
Help Sessions/Make-up Work: With twenty-four hours notice, students may come for extra help before
school Monday through Thursday. I am available from 8:15 – 9:00 A.M. Students arriving for tutoring before
school must have their agenda signed by me the day before. If a student is absent from class for any reason, it is
his or her responsibility to ask the teacher for any make-up work on the day he or she returns to school.
Procedures for Conferences, Parental Contacts: Please feel free to email me or call me about any matter
regarding your child. Keeping the communication lines open between the parents and the teachers are vital to a
student’s success. Conferences may be scheduled by contacting the guidance department. As always, progress
reports will be issued each nine weeks. In the meantime, please sign up for Parent Portal on the school’s
website and keep a close check on your child’s grades. If your child’s grade has fallen below a C average,
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
please contact me, so we can discuss different strategies for student remediation. If we all work together, your
child will certainly succeed!
Citizenship and Behavioral Expectations: Students are expected to be seated, quiet, and ready for instruction
upon entering the room. Everyone should always be honest, respectful, responsible, and prepared! Students
should know and adhere to all policies stated in the Code of Conduct as well as those of PAMS. Failure to do
so will result in implementation of my discipline plan. The steps of the plan include a documented warning,
parent contact, and morning detention. The last step is a referral to administration. Serious offenses result in
automatic referrals – please refer to the Code of Conduct for these offenses. The Dress Code will also be
enforced. Any student not dressed properly will be sent to the office so that he or she may call home for new
clothing. Cell phones are not allowed in the classroom and will be confiscated and dropped off in the office for
parent pick up if BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is not occurring. Attendance is crucial, and the VBCPS
Attendance Policy should be read carefully.
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
Core English 6 Class Expectations - Ms. Vinikoff
I have received a copy of Ms. Vinikoff’s class expectations (or have read them online here: http://pamsavinikoff.wikispaces.com/) and have reviewed the expectations and information with my child.
Student’s Name: _____________________________________
Student’s Signature: _________________________
(Please print!)
Parent or Guardian’s Name: ____________________________
Signature: ________________________________
(Please print!)
Home Phone: ________________
Cell Phone: ________________
Email Address: __________________________
 I have Internet access at home.
 I have a smart device for BYOD.
Work Phone: ________________
This form should be returned by: ________________
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I do not have Internet access at home.
I do not have a smart device for BYOD.
Parent/Teacher Communication Log
**For teacher use only.
Type of Contact
Date
Concern/Notes
P. A. Middle- a school where every child achieves
(Phone, Email, Progress
Report)