In order to focus on student success, provide quality instruction, and communicate openly and honestly with students and parents, secondary teachers will publish a course syllabus each term.
2015-2016 Course Syllabus for 6 th Grade ELA Term 1
Teacher: Kristen Balius
Teacher’s Web Site:
E-mail: Kristen.balius@biloxischools.net
Objectives: This is a general overview of what the teacher will teach and what the student is expected to master.
Reading Literature
RL 6.1 - Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL 6.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL 6.3 - Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
RL 6.4 – Determine the meaning words or phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, and conative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RL 6.6 – Explain how the author develops the point of view of the character.
RL 6.9 – Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres in terms of their approaches to similar themes or topics.
RL 6.3 - Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
RL 6.3 - Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Reading Informational Text
RI 6.2 - Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RI 6.3 - Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
RI 6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
RI 6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
RI 6.6 - Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
RI 6.7 - Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
RI 6.8 - Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
RI 6.9 - Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another.
Writing
W 6.1 - Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. http://www.biloxischools.net

In order to focus on student success, provide quality instruction, and communicate openly and honestly with students and parents, secondary teachers will publish a course syllabus each term.
W 6.2 - Write informative/ explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W 6.4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W 6.5 - With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
W 6.9 - Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Speaking and Listening
SL.6.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Language
L 6.1 – Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L 6.2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing or speaking.
L 6.3 – Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L 6.4 – Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L 6.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language , word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L 6.6
– Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domainspecific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Week 1: August 6 th & 7 th – School orientation
Week 2: August 10 th -14 th – Pronouns, Star testing, Writer’s workshop
Week 3: August 17 th -21 st – Pronouns, Library orientation, Writer’s Workshop
Week 4: August 24 th -28 th – Writer’s workshop, Pronouns
Week 5: August 31 st -September 4 th – Writer’s workshop, Reflexive/intensive pronouns
Week 6: September 7 th -11 th – Pronoun Shifts, “In Olden Times”, T1T2
Week 7: September 14 th -18 th – Vague Pronouns, Engage NY, Percy Jackson
Week 8: September 21 st -25 th –
Correcting Pronouns, Engage NY, Percy Jackson, T1T3
Week 9: September 28 th -October 2 nd – Punctuating Parentheticals, RCC, Engage NY,
Percy Jackson
Week 10: October 5 th -9 th - Varying Sentence Patterns, RCC, Percy Jackson http://www.biloxischools.net

In order to focus on student success, provide quality instruction, and communicate openly and honestly with students and parents, secondary teachers will publish a course syllabus each term.
Grading: A=90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D=65-69 F=below 65 I=incomplete
Grading follows the policies of Biloxi Public Schools. A mid-term progress report and a report card following the end of each term are issued.
Tests: A minimum of three tests, five activities, and one writing assignment will be given during the term. The writing assignment will count as two activity grades. In order to prepare students for the upcoming PARCC assessment, all tests will be timed.
Grades are weighted as follows: Major tests 55%, Activities 35% and CTA 10%.
Retesting: Students may retest on all major tests. Students must have all classwork completed in order to reteach/retest. If a student fails a test or wishes to retest, he/she must come in for reteaching. Reteaching/Retesting will be offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:10 -
3:55. Due to the length of ELA tests, the student may be required to attend an additional afternoon to complete testing.
Tutoring: Afterschool tutoring is available for all BJHS students on Tuesday and Thursday from
3:10 - 3:55 for those students who need additional reinforcement. In order to attend tutoring, the student must have the appropriate form signed by the parent. The student can request a form from his/her teacher.
Homework/Assignments/Projects: Homework is to be written in the planner daily by the student. Students can expect to read a minimum of 15 minutes every night and possibly have additional homework related to the lesson of the day. Any assigned projects will be expected on the due date. Late work will result in loss of 10 points per day, and projects/assignments not turned in will result in a score of 0. Makeup work should be completed and turned in within 10 school days. Parents will be notified of consistent violations.
Course Requirements: Master all objectives with a 65% or higher.
Important Dates:
Progress reports- September 11 CTAs-October 8 Term 1 Report Cards- October 19 http://www.biloxischools.net