1. 6 th Grade Pre-AP Reading & Language Arts Mrs. Sony

2.  lived in Houston for most of my life - in Kingwood for 8 years  taught at Riverwood for 7 years  married with three children - son, 2014 KHS grad - off to - daughter, 10 th @ KHS - son, 7 th @ RMS  enjoy reading, running, movies, & outdoor concerts

3. Course Syllabus: First Nine Weeks Literature: Literary Elements, Short Stories, Memoirs, and Poetry Literature: Literary Elements, Short Stories, Memoirs, and Poetry Writing: Poetry, Literary Analysis, Paragraph Writing, Multiple Paragraph Essay Writing: Poetry, Literary Analysis, Paragraph Writing, Multiple Paragraph Essay Grammar: Parts of Speech, Subject/Predicate, Types of Sentences, Sentence Structures Grammar: Parts of Speech, Subject/Predicate, Types of Sentences, Sentence Structures Vocabulary: Knowsys Vocabulary: Knowsys

4. Grading Information Formative Assessments: 40% Formative Assessments: 40% Daily Work, Homework, and Quizzes Daily Work, Homework, and Quizzes Summative Assessments: 60% Summative Assessments: 60% Tests, Projects, and A.R. Tests, Projects, and A.R. Testing days Tuesday and Thursday Testing days Tuesday and Thursday

5. RMS Grading Policy All assignments will be accepted up to 4 days late. It is worth 80% of the earned grade the 1st day late; the 2nd day is 60% credit of the earned grade, the 3rd day is 40% credit of the earned grade, and the 4th day is 20% credit of the earned grade. After the fourth day late, no credit will be offered (“0” in grade book). Grade book Codes: – student absent; needs to complete for makeup work A – student absent; needs to complete for makeup work – student exempt from assignment X – student exempt from assignment - final grade; teacher has requested missing work & student has not complied O - final grade; teacher has requested missing work & student has not complied blank space – teacher has not yet entered grade blank space – teacher has not yet entered grade Make-up Work – district policy is 1 extra day per excused day absent

6. Class Novels Walk Two Moons – Sharon Creech The Pearl – John Steinbeck The Pearl – John Steinbeck Gifted Hands - Ben Carson and Cecil Murphey ** It is a good idea for students to have their own copies of novels to practice annotating, but it is not required. of novels to practice annotating, but it is not required.

7. Knowsys Vocabulary Vocabulary program used throughout Humble ISD in grades 6-8  New word list assigned each Friday (10-12 words)  Quiz each Friday (formative)  TEST (summative) after each five groups of words  Quizzes and Tests are cumulative  Word Group Lists and Alphabetical List are available on my website  Pre-made vocabulary cards are available for purchase @ myknowsys.com  iPhone and Android apps also available at myknowsys.com

8. Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader  Novels are on a point value system. Students need to earn 20 A.R. points per nine week grading period.  AR is an ongoing homework assignment  AR is a summative (test) grade

9. 2014-15 AR Deadlines: 1st 9 weeks- October 21 2nd 9 weeks- December 16 3rd 9 weeks- March 17 4th 9 weeks- May 28

10. AR All tests will be taken on the computer in my room. All tests will be taken on the computer in my room. All tests must be taken by the end of the class period on the due date. All tests must be taken by the end of the class period on the due date.

11. Tutoring 8 th Grade -Wednesdays 7:45-8:25 a.m. 8 th Grade -Wednesdays 7:45-8:25 a.m. 6 th Grade -Wednesdays 4:05-4:45 p.m. Other days/times by appointment *Anytime your child is absent, he or she needs to come to tutoring on the first morning back to check the “Absent” student file & to ask for clarification on missed assignments. **I encourage students to come to tutoring as much as needed. They can use that time to finish incomplete work, ask for help for help with certain assignments, or to catch up on reading. **Testing days are Tuesdays and Thursdays

12. Contact Info Web Site http://www.humbleisd.net/rms/msonyEmail melissa.sony@humble.k12.tx.us Phone281-641-4856

13. How Parents Can Help Check planners. Check planners. Check grades online. Check grades online. Make sure students are reading. Make sure students are reading. Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary words. Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary words. Proofread essays, but don’t write or re- write. Proofread essays, but don’t write or re- write. Check the teacher’s website when absent. Check the teacher’s website when absent. Check the website to see if information is posted that will answer your question. Check the website to see if information is posted that will answer your question. E-mail questions. E-mail questions. DON’T bring their “forgotten homework” to school. DON’T bring their “forgotten homework” to school. Encourage independence. Encourage independence.