2016-2017 syllabus and parent letter

1. 6th
Grade Social Studies Syllabus
Norris Middle School
Expectations:
I have high expectations for all students, the goal in this classroom is for everyone to become self motivated learners who set
and reach goals daily. It is necessary for all students to put forth their very best effort and exhibit a high level of respect and self-
discipline in class everyday. This will promote and foster a positive environment where all students can work to their highest
potential.
Classroom Guidelines Daily Supplies: Bring every day to
class!
***If students choose not to follow the classroom guidelines, the following will occur: ***
• Verbal Warning
• 1st
Checkpoint Slip
• 2nd
Checkpoint Slip & parent phone call
• 3rd
Checkpoint Slip & Lonely Lunch
• 4th
Checkpoint Slip & after school detention
• 5th
Checkpoint Slip & Office Referral
• *Severe Clause* if a student uses profanity, fights, damages school property, or is disrespectful they will be sent to the
office immediately.
Parent/Student Communication: email, blog, Instagram:
Open lines of communication are strongly encouraged for both students and parents. Students or parents with questions or
comments may contact me through my ACS email account: jtaylor1@acs.ac I try to respond to questions about homework promptly.
Parents/Students may check Skyward for grades throughout the year as well. You should also check our class blog for assignments,
extra credit, etc. The blog’s web address is www.mrstaylornms6.blogspot.com and don’t forget to check out our class Instagram
for fun photo’s throughout the year mrstaylornms.
Make-up Work/Late Work Policies:
Students will be given the opportunity to complete make-up work for all excused absences. Students have 3 days for every
day absent to complete and turn in any make-up work. After an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to retrieve the
missing assignments from the “Absentee Binder” located in the classroom and to check our classroom calendar and our classroom
blog to see the daily assignments. Of course, if a student has missed an important lesson or needs help after falling behind I will ensure
he/she receives the help that is needed.
Homework:
Homework is a very important way to stay involved in your child’s learning and school life homework will be assigned on
Mondays and Wednesdays and due on Tuesdays and Fridays. Extra homework may be sent with their nightly homework as needed if
your child did not finish his/her class work, projects, study guides, extra practice, etc. Homework counts for 20% of your students’
grade and should not be taken lightly. Please make sure that your child is devoting the appropriate amount of time to homework each
night. After all, it doesn’t help to practice incorrectly!
Assessments:
The 6th
grade team uses several different methods to assess students’ learning throughout the year. Students will be given
ample notice of tests to allow enough time to appropriately prepare for the exam. The dates for any test given will be posted in the
classroom and should be copied in students’ planners. Please check your student’s planner regularly to stay informed of upcoming
• 1 composition or spiral notebook (this
is your interactive notebook)
• Sharpened pencils with erasers
• Several glue sticks, we use a lot
• Positive attitude
*It is your child’s responsibility to come to
class prepared, I will not supply them with
daily materials.
1. Be in your assigned seat and working on bell work when the class
starts.
2. Bring ALL books and materials to class and take them with you
when you leave.
3. Follow directions the first time they are given.
4. Treat each person in this room with respect and dignity.
5. Follow all procedures and policies as outlined in the NMS and
Anderson County Schools handbooks.
6. No whining or excuses! You are capable of doing anything you put
your mind to..so keep it positive and leave the whining at the door!
7. No gum in any class in 6th
grade
8. No cellphones in any classes
This is per nine weeks. This will restart
every nine weeks.

2. assignments. Students are encouraged to use a student planner to organize assignments and test due dates. The use of planners is part
of being prepared for class.
Grades/Categories:
Participation: 15%
Homework: 20%
Quiz: 20%
Daily Assignment: 15%
Tests: 30%
Extra, Extra, Read All About It!
All quizzes, and homework assignments can be corrected for higher credit. All student have to do is correct the assignment,
write corrected on top of the assignment, and then turn it back into me for re-grading. Since tests and exams are used to evaluate
understanding at the completion of a unit students cannot correct exams.
I will post extra credit opportunities on our Enrichment Wall each month for students to take advantage of. These 5 and 10
point extra credit projects will push students to delve deeper into the units we are studying and will help to boost their grade; new
projects will be posted throughout each month.
I am SO excited to have your child in my social studies class at Norris Middle School this year!
Respectfully,
Mrs. Jennifer Taylor
6th
grade Social Studies-NMS
Email: Jtaylor1@acs.ac
Classblog: www.mrstaylornms6.blogspot.com
Class Instagram: mrstaylornms
6th
grade homework schedule
Social Studies: jtaylor1@acs.ac class blog: www.mrstaylornms6.blogspot.com
• Quiz on Wednesdays
• Homework on Mondays (due on Wednesday) and Wednesdays (due on Friday), have 2 days to complete
• Can correct quizzes and homework for higher credit
• Cannot correct exams
Language Arts: dsawyer@acs.ac rmadron@acs.ac
• Nightly homework Monday-Thursday (about 5 minutes of work) can correct during the week
• Read each night (20-25 minutes) and record pages stopped on
• Journal entries are given on Monday and are due on Friday
• Can correct quizzes and homework for higher credit
Science: dblackburn@acs.ac Class blog: www.blackburn211.blogspot.com
• Homework on Wednesday, due the following Wednesday
• Quiz Wednesday
• Can correct quizzes and homework for higher credit
Cellphones
No student is allowed to use their cellphones in the classroom unless their teachers are allowing it
for a specific purpose. If caught using their cellphones when they aren’t supposed to they will have
the following consequences.
First offense they will have to put their phones in “Tech Time Out” for one day in each class.
Second offense they will have to put their phones in “Tech Time Out” in each class for one week.
Third offense they will lose technology privileges and have to place their phones in “Tech Time Out”
in each classroom for the entire semester.
We will contact you if this becomes an issue, no teacher will physically take up a cellphone, students
will be responsible for placing them in “Tech Time Out” and then retrieving them at the end of each
class.

3. Math: lnorris@acs.ac Class blog: www.norris207.blogspot.com
awilson@acs.ac
• Nightly homework Monday-Thursday
• Wednesday, spiral review quiz
• Wednesday quizzes returned every week and corrections should be made
• Can correct quizzes and homework for higher credit
Parents Homework! For Mrs. Taylor’s Social Studies class
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Hello and welcome to sixth grade Studies at Norris Middle School. I am pleased and very
excited to be your child’s teacher this year. I am eager to get the year started and get to know each of
the students better.
With your support from home, I do believe that each child can be successful. I would like to
start of this school year with a quick and painless “Parent Homework” assignment. Your child’s
education is very important to me and I would like to know more about them. I realize that no one
knows the students like their families, that is why I am asking you to write a letter, telling me about
your scholar in a million words or less. Please tell me anything you wish and send it back by August
12th.
1. Child’s name: ___________________________________________________________________
2. Child’s preferred name: __________________________________________________________
3. Guardians name(s) and relationship to student:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. Sometimes I will have to call home and I need any current work, home, or cell phone numbers.
Numbers to contact you with: Please label if its Home, Cell, or work. Please list all guardians’ numbers.
a. (H/C/W) ________________________________________________________________
b. (H/C/W) ________________________________________________________________
c. (H/C/W) ________________________________________________________________
d. (H/C/W) ________________________________________________________________

4. 5. Home address: Please include city and zip code
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
6. I use email to contact parent most frequently and a current email address allows for speedy
communication. Email addresses: Please label who the email addresses belongs to.
a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________________________________
7. Is there anything going on at home that you would like us to be aware of that might affect your
students’ progress at school?
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8. Share with me something you want me to know about your child, allergies, health issues, concerns,
praises, etc.
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5. ____________________________________________________________________________________
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I look forward to getting to know your child this year and helping them get used to the middle school setting.
Please do not hesitate to email me with any concerns.
Mrs. Jennifer Taylor
Jtaylor1@acs.ac
Classblog: www.mrstaylornms6.blogspot.com
Instagram: mrstaylornms

6. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
I look forward to getting to know your child this year and helping them get used to the middle school setting.
Please do not hesitate to email me with any concerns.
Mrs. Jennifer Taylor
Jtaylor1@acs.ac
Classblog: www.mrstaylornms6.blogspot.com
Instagram: mrstaylornms