Course Syllabus

Welcome to Language Arts

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Ms. Mefford

Summer Reading: 

You were required to read one book from our school list over the summer.  I will allot times to take a novel quiz during class once we have laptops.  You are allowed to take multiple quizzes on different books and I will accept the highest grade.  The deadline to take the quiz is September 6th. 

 

Class Assignments:

1. Weekly Reading Passage Practice

During the first six weeks, students will be responsible for completing one practice passage in class that resembles an EOG passage.  I will walk them through the annotation process and students will complete this graded activity in class.  After our first grading period, practice will be assigned in Schoolnet and students will be responsible for completing this weekly assignment on their own.  More information regarding this expectation will be given at the beginning of the second six-week grading period. 

 

2. Novel reading
Throughout the year, students will alternate between self-selected independent reading novels and class assignment novels.  At home, students will be responsible for completing novel-based assignments when necessary.   Homework and reading expectations will always be posted online, and in the classroom.  

 

3. Stems/Vocabulary Study

Students should study their vocabulary or stems list each night.  A pacing guide with a quiz calendar for stems/vocabulary study is included in this packet.  

 

Homework assignments will be available for students in 3 places:

1. Classroom board-clearly written by teacher

2. In student agenda-clearly written by student

3. Canvas-available online and updated as needed by teacher

 

Communication:
Please email me for the quickest response: sydney.mefford@ucps.k12.nc.us
 

Classroom Website:

From Weddington Middle’s homepage, click on “Teacher  Pages” under the quick links tab.   We will bookmark this once laptops are distributed.

 

Grading:
Homework/Weekly reading: 20%
Classwork: 25%
Quizzes: 25%
Tests/Unit Projects/Published Writing: 30%

Grade Changes:

If you find a mistake on Canvas, need to turn in extra credit, or want me take another look at a score, please complete a request form and turn it in to me before the end of the grading period. 

 

Tutoring/Extra help:
-Wednesdays:  8:00am-8:30am

-Ask me for a hall pass prior to leaving school on Tuesday. 

-This is for extra help, homework questions, study time, etc. Come with a purpose to maximize our time!

 

Behavior Consequences:

-Tardies:  You are allowed three per semester in each core class.  4th tardy= lunch detention

-Misbehavior:  On your third behavior sign-up, you are given a lunch detention.  This will start over at the new semester. 

-Responsibility:  3 sign-ups= curb (forgetting agenda, materials, etc.)

 

Late work (6th grade policy):

1 day late= -10%

2 days + late=partial credit
It is YOUR responsibility to remember to bring late work to me, I will not ask for it! 

 

Make-up Work

When absent, complete the following steps:

1. Check our classroom Canvas page for updates, objectives, and homework requirements. 

2. Check our make-up work bin and ask me for clarification (when needed).

3. Sign-up for Study Hall to make-up missed work, tests, and quizzes.

 

What we study:

-Narrative Fiction Reading & Writing

-Informational Reading & Writing

-Argumentative Reading & Writing

-Vocabulary-Flocabulary and Latin/Greek stems

-Grammar & Conventions

-Speaking & Listening Skills

 

Tips for a Successful Year:

  • Use your agenda!
  • Check Canvas on a consistent and frequent basis.
  • Check PowerSchool on a consistent and frequent basis.
  • Don’t procrastinate!
  • Students need take an active role in advocating for themselves.
  • Attend weekly tutoring sessions when help is needed.

 

Contact our School Counselors:

Ms. Lewis (A-G)

 Ms. Elsaesser (H-P)

 Ms. Cook (Q-Z)

 

Vocabulary & Stems Schedule

Assignment

Dates
(Quizzes will be on the final date listed for each assignment)

Stems list #1

8/26-9/6

Flocabulary list #1

9/9-13

Stems list #2

9/16-27

Flocabulary list #2

9/30-10/4

Stems list #3

10/7-18

Flocabulary list #3

10/21-25

Stems list #4

10/28-11/8

Flocabulary list #4

11/11-15

Stems list #5

11/18-11/26

Flocabulary list #5

12/2-6

Stems list #6

12/9-20

Flocabulary list #6

1/6-10

Stems list #7

1/13-24

Flocabulary list #7

1/27-31

Stems list #8

2/3-2/14

Flocabulary list #8

2/17-21

Stems list #9

2/24-3/6

Flocabulary list #9

3/9-13

Stems list #10

3/16-27

Flocabulary list #10

3/30-4/3

Stems list #11

4/6-4/24

Stems list #12

4/27-5/1

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due