20 Church St. Mansfield, MA 02048
6TH GRADE ENGLISH SYLLABUS
Educator: Hamzah Henshaw
E-mail: hhenshaw@anahs.org
Phone Number: 508-261-7077
English Department Philosophy
The ANA English Department aims to develop in students powers of analysis, concentration, and
communication which will enable them to achieve a heightened awareness of themselves, of
others, and of the world around them. The content in literature, language, composition, and
media is arranged so as to encourage in each student the optimum growth of his or her reading,
writing, listening, speaking, and thinking skills.
English Department Objectives
1. To develop in each student the ability to write and to speak clearly, coherently, and
cogently;
2. To develop to the fullest in each student his or her power of concentration and
comprehension (especially with respect to listening and reading);
3. To teach each student to himself or herself and the world critically through literature and
the media.
4. To develop in each student an appreciation of literature as a reflection of a humanity we
all share;
5. To develop in each student a sensitivity to and an appreciation of the English language.
6th Grade English Course Overview
The sixth grade English course seeks to kindle a lifelong love of reading and writing in its
students. The course will help students make the critical leap from focusing on superficial
questions like “What?” and “Who?” to exploring deeper questions like “Why?” and “How?” The
novels chosen this year cover themes such as overcoming racism, dealing with adversity, and
finding oneself in the world. Excerpts from Muslim authors will be included whenever possible.
In addition to reading classic novels and short stories together as a class, students will be
expected to complete at least one free reading book per trimester. Students will keep a free
response journal, produce at least one graded, revised writing assignment per month, and have
bi-weekly vocabulary, grammar, and reading tests. Finally, students will participate in numerous
local and state contests such as: Boston Courage Essay Contest, Massachusetts Science Poetry
Contest, Letters about Literature, Muslim Poetry Contest, and various spelling bees.
Learning Objectives
By the completion of this course the successful student should have learned:
1. How to extract the main idea and analyze themes, characters, settings, and narrative
structures in a wide variety of literature
2. How to write a personal narrative, a creative short story, various forms of poetry, a
persuasive speech, and an analytical essay
3. The 8 parts of speech, how to vary sentence structure, and how to parse/diagram most
sentences
4. How to format an essay on the computer and how to evaluate online content
5. A wide variety of new vocabulary through explicit instruction and context clues
6. How to happily curl up with a book on a rainy day without a TV, iPhone, iPad or other
device in sight!
Learning Experiences
In this course students will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Read, discuss, and analyze a wide variety of novels, short stories, nonfiction and poetry
Read at least one free reading book per trimester (3 per year)
Keep a writing journal for in-class writing prompts and reading responses
Produce at least one graded, revised writing assignment per month
Complete bi-weekly tests in vocabulary, grammar, and critical reading
Learn how to appropriately use technology in the English classroom
6th Grade English Course Structure
Sixth Grade English meets three times a week during a “double block.” There are thus six
separate class periods. In order to ensure that class objectives are met and that students stretch a
wide variety of mental muscles, the course will generally follow this structure:
Class Name
A
B
C
D
E
F
Meeting Time
Mon: 9:28-10:11am
Mon: 10:11-10:54am
Tues: 10:54-11:34am
Tues: 11:34am-12:14pm
Fri: 9:12-9:50am
Fri: 9:50-10:28am
Objectives
Free readingDiscuss reading or writing HW
Test/Reading Rug/Journal or Notebook Check
FreewritingDiscuss reading or writing HW
Introduce weekly vocabulary or grammar
Free reading Discuss reading or writing HW
Practice/review vocab or grammar
6th Grade English Course Outline
The following grid attempts to outline the material to be covered this year. This curriculum may
change as every group of students is different.
Trimester I
Literature
The Cay, Al Capone
Does My Shirts,
nonfiction
Trimester II
Literature
Tuck Everlasting,
Iqbal, Poetry
Trimester III
Literature
Hatchet, Where the
Red Fern Grows, The
Little Prince
Writing/Project
Analytical essay,
Metaphorical Prison
Project, Boston
Courage Essay
(personal narrative)
Grammar
Sentences, Nouns,
Verbs, Spelling
Vocabulary
Units 1-4 Wordly
Wise
Writing/Project
Fable, Advertising
Project, Letter About
Literature, MA State
Science Poetry
Grammar
S/V Agreement,
Adjectives, Adverbs
Spelling
Vocabulary
Units 5-8 Wordly
Wise
Writing/Project
Newspaper,
Persuasive speech,
Learning portfolio,
Muslim poetry
contest
Grammar
Pronouns,
Punctuation,
Diagrams, Spelling
Vocabulary
Units 9-12 Wordly
Wise
6th Grade Textbook and Required Supplies
Supplies
 Journal—Black & White Composition Book (will be provided)
 Notebook—Either a three ring binder with paper for taking notes OR a spiral notebook
with pockets for storing handouts (students provide their own)
 Ample pens & pencils
 Access to a computer at home with word processing, internet, and printing capabilities
Novels (subject to change)
 The Cay by Theodore Taylor
 Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
 The Little Prince by Antoine de St.-Exupery
 Various short stories and poems (photocopied)
Grammar
 Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics: Grade Six (McDougal Littell)
Vocabulary
 Wordly Wise 3000: Book 6 (EPS)
Spelling
 www.sweetspelling.com, www.beewizards.com, www.spellit.com
Class Rules
‫حسن الخلق نصف الدین‬
The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “Having good character constitutes half the religion.” To
achieve half the religion, my class has just five rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Listen And Follow Directions
Raise Your Hand Before Speaking Or Leaving Your Seat
Respect Your Classmates And Your Teacher
Keep Hands, Feet, And Objects To Yourself
Come To Class Prepared And Ready To Learn
Consequences
If any of the above rules is broken, these are the consequences:
 Violation 1: Warning
 Violation 2: Time-Out
 Violation 3: Letter Home
Assessments Plan
The following items will be assessed regularly:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Homework—margin notes, grammar & vocabulary exercises, completion of free reading
Class Participation—active, appropriate participation; maintenance of notebook
Journal—informal writing such as writing prompts & reading responses
Tests—bi-weekly tests on grammar, vocabulary, and critical reading
Essays/Projects—monthly formal writing/project
Grading Plan
For the first trimester, course components will be weighted as outlined below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Homework—25%
Class Participation—15%
Journal—15%
Tests—25%
Essays/Projects—20%
Free Reading Requirements
The very first command of the Quran was, “Read!” Studies have shown that children who love to
read lead happier, more successful lives. Students are thus required to read at least one book of
their choosing during each trimester. As soon as they have read the book, they should ask for
class time to give a report on it (maximum ten minutes). I would prefer that only one student
reports on a given book so that we can hear about many books, and students will give only one
oral report.
Students should choose at least one fiction and one nonfiction book. They should try to find
books that genuinely interest them and that they want to read and that they have NOT read
before. These books may be taken out of the ANA library, a local public library, or purchased.
Free reading books should be approved by the teacher. To track the books that are read, students
must keep a free reading log in the back of their journals. Students will begin “A” and “E”
classes with time dedicated to free reading. Extra credit will be given to the student(s) who
complete the most free reading each trimester. Free reading will affect the students’ homework
grades.
On Homework
Islam flourished in Madina Munawwara when the Muhajireen of Makkah were assisted by the
Ansar of Madina. Muslim scholars have said that the divine formula is: hijra + nusra = hidaya.
Similarly, in the academic setting, experience has shown that students achieve the greatest
success when they combine focused classwork with meaningful homework. The formula is thus:
classwork + homework = achievement.
Since all of our classes are double blocks, students will typically have two different types of
homework as explained below:

Homework 1—Reading or Writing: When reading novels or short stories, students will
be assigned a certain number of pages/chapters. To ensure careful, active reading, they
will have to write 1-2 key quotes and 1-2 questions about the reading in their journals.
They will also add at least three new words to their vocabulary logs. When working on
essays or projects, students will have to meet intermediate deadlines.

Homework 2—Vocabulary or Grammar: Students will usually have either a written
vocabulary or grammar assignment from one of their textbooks.
Note: Sometimes teachers can miscalculate how long their homework will take and thereby
unintentionally inundate their students with more homework than they can handle. If students
have spent 1 hour on their English homework and are still not done, they may get a note from a
parent explaining that they had to move on to other subjects. This will not negatively affect the
students’ grade.
Notebook Requirements
The prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “Cleanliness is half of imān (faith).” Staying organized is
essential to success in the increasingly busy modern world. Students will be expected to file all
handouts in an organized manner. They must maintain a vocabulary log in the back of their
notebook in which they define unfamiliar words they come across in any of their classes or
reading. Finally, they must adopt a system for taking notes during class. Student notebooks will
be collected and assessed three times per trimester, and this will affect their class participation
grade.
Journal Requirements
Becoming a competent writer of the English language is absolutely essential if you want to leave
your mark on the world. Peter Elbow has distinguished between two types of writing: freewriting
& formal writing. While the latter consists of edited essays that have long been the mainstay of
schools, the former is often neglected. Freewriting means simply that for ten minutes you write
without stopping. The idea isn't to produce a polished piece of writing, but to simply get in the
habit of writing without censoring and editing. In freewriting, “[n]ever stop to look back, to cross
something out, to wonder how to spell something, to wonder what word or thought to use, or to
think about what you are doing.” The only rule to follow in freewriting is to simply not stop
writing.
Students will do their freewriting in their journals, during the “C” class, often in response to a
writing prompt. They will also use their journals to write responses to the class book or their free
reading book. Entries should always be dated. Journals will be collected and assessed regularly
throughout the trimester.
Vocabulary and Grammar Requirements
Middle school is a time where students can take a “shortcut” to becoming competent scholars of
English by explicitly studying vocabulary and grammar. “D” and “F” classes will be devoted to
introducing and practicing the new vocabulary from the vocabulary textbook and completing
grammar exercises in the grammar textbook. Additionally students should create a vocabulary
log with the definitions of unfamiliar words in the back of their notebooks. Tests on grammar,
vocabulary, and critical reading will be given every two weeks, usually during the “B” class.
Rewrite Policy
Students may revise and resubmit any or all of their essays except for journal entries and in-class
essays. My only stipulation is that you may submit only one revision per essay. I will average the
first and second grade for the final grade on this essay. Although I often do not change the grade,
I will never lower from the original grade. Please turn in all revisions at least one week before
the end of the trimester. Except in exceptional circumstances, students who fail tests will NOT
be permitted to take a retest.
On Personal Computing
It is the policy of the English Department of Al-Noor Academy that every student have free
access at home to a reliably functioning personal computing device, together with a functioning,
compatible printer. The computer and printer will be integral to the curriculum, and any student
without one will bear the responsibility of finding a reliable alternative (e.g. public library,
commercial Internet café). The teacher will frequently communicate by email, and reliable email
address is also necessary (email may, of course, be filtered by parents).
Students are responsible for keeping a folder — backed up, most likely on a USB “thumb drive”
for the purpose—on their computer containing their cumulative English work. If necessary,
parental assistance may be required. Writing should be done in MS Word, Pages (the Apple
competing product) or a plain text editor. However, text editors may not allow the required
formatting.
In an effort to cut down on costs and harness the power of an exciting new technology, the
school is seeking, whenever possible, to obtain literature books in electronic form. The “books”
will be distributed by electronic mail, most likely in the form of PDFs, for reading on any
compatible electronic device. The school is also exploring the possibility of acquiring Kindle ebook readers, and more information will follow if this step is taken.
Academic Dishonesty
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Academic dishonesty of any kind, including but not limited to plagiarism, cheating
on any assessment, copying homework answers from the back of the book or other
students, will not be tolerated
Plagiarism is stealing. It includes downloading papers from the Internet and using words
or ideas without attribution
Remember, changing a few words or phrases around does not make the work your own
and is still considered plagiarism even if you cite the source. You need to use direct
quotes or really make the work your own by synthesizing material from several sources
(and then citing those sources) to avoid plagiarism
You should also not cite sources that you haven’t used
Cheating on tests encompasses using or having the appearance of using any unauthorized
materials during a test or quiz. Students are responsible for removing all study materials
and electronic devices from within sight and reach during each testing period
Incidents of academic dishonesty will be result in a grade of 0 and will be reported to the
administration and your family
General School Expectations
1. The class will follow all ANA rules and regulations
2. Unexcused absences or tardiness will result in lowering of the grade
3. If a day is missed for any reason, it will be the student's responsibility to find out about
assignments and do them on time and to catch up
SAMPLE PARENT DISCIPLINE LETTER
Dear Parents,
broke the following rules today
:
(date)
___Listen and follow directions.
___Raise your hand before speaking or leaving your seat.
___Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
___Respect your classmates and your teacher.
Classroom rules must be followed in order to protect the rights of every student to learn
and enjoy school. By choosing not to follow them, your child interfered with those rights.
Please acknowledge receiving this letter by signing your name at the bottom and having
your child return it to me tomorrow.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Hamzah Henshaw
Parent Signature___________________________________