Welcome to 6th Grade Language Arts
Mr. Findlay
J.O. Combs Middle School

It is my pleasure to welcome you to reading/language arts class. I love to read and I also love to teach. Therefore, I am tremendously excited to share this school year with you. I believe that all students can learn and achieve. Reading is a key component to the success you will enjoy throughout your life. Writing is the medium by which you express who you are as well as what you know. During this class, you will read and write…a lot. You also will learn different skills to better your understanding and appreciation of multiple styles of writing and literature. Thank you for being a part of this class. We will have a fascinating and enjoyable learning experience.

Grades:

You will read and write every day in this class. Your grade will reflect how well you learn and implement reading strategies and demonstrate reading comprehension objectives. It also will be based on how well you learn and implement the six traits of the writing process. You will receive points for:

Tests
Final exam/project
AR
Writing
Class work
Vocabulary
Homework
Bell work

Grade level expectations will be measured by the following rubric:

A= 90-100% 
B= 80-94% 
C= 70-79% 
D= 60-69 %  

Rules & Expectations

1. Be Trustworthy.
2. Be Respectful.
3. Be Responsible.
4. Be Fair.
5. Be Caring.
6. Be A Good Citizen.

Hidden Rules
1. No food, gum, or drinks other than water. All food, gum, etc. may be confiscated to be returned to the student at the end of the day.
2. Personal grooming is not allowed. Combs, lip gloss, lotions, make-up, etc. may be confiscated to be returned to the student at the end of the day.

If You Choose to Break a Rule

First time:     Warning-verbal or name on board

Second time: Check mark by name

Third time: Lunch detention

Fourth time: Call home and office referral

Severe disruptions: immediate office referral.

Rewards

Praise (daily)
Quality education (daily)
Fun and relaxed learning environment (daily)
Class reward events (each quarter)

Procedures

The following are procedures which will enable an optimum learning environment:

1. Entering class: You will enter quietly, sit in your assigned seat, take out your character card and planner.
2. Planner: Copy in your planner the learning objective and homework located on the white board.
3. Bell Work: Do the day’s bell work located either on the white board or smart board.
4. Tardy: You will be considered tardy if you are not in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
5. Class dismissal: The teacher will dismiss the class, not the bell, when students are quiet and in their seats.
6. Transitions: Students walk directly to next class, no hanging out or gathering in groups.
7. Bathroom: You are allowed to use the bathroom at the teacher’s discretion.
8. Assignments: All work is to be done in pencil or blue and/or black ink pens.
9. Finished early: This is a reading class, so you will read an AR book when you complete an in class assignment.
10. Homework: Will be turned in to the homework basket.
11. Late work:  Assignments are accepted one day late for half credit.
12. Make up work: You are responsible for any and all work should you miss class. The assignments can be found in the make up work folders.
13. Make up tests: Missed tests will be made up during Cougar skills or another time agreed upon by the student and me.
14. Passing in papers: Bell work and other in class assignments will be turned in. All papers will be passed to the back of the row and collected by a designated student.
15. Heading of papers: Will be put in the upper right hand corner. Name, date, subject and period.
16. Coming to attention: There will be times when the teacher will need the entire class to come to attention. This will be done by the teacher saying “class” and the counting down from 3.
17. How to get my attention: During class discussions, direct teaching, and independent work please raise your hand without talking.
18.  Materials: I will have a small supply of paper, pencils, pens, etc. You may borrow an item for the class period. If I do not have what you need, please ask a fellow classmate.
19. Pencil sharpening: You may sharpen pencils during independent work time only.
20.  Stay tuned: Be prepared to add any further procedures.