1. Sixth Grade
Language Arts
MRS. ROSS

2. Course Description
 This year, you will learn how to use
the English language correctly
and effectively in both written and
oral forms.
 You will also build both your
academic vocabulary and
everyday vocabulary.
Essential Understandings:
 Follow directions quickly.
 Raise your hand for permission to
speak.
 Raise your hand for permission to
leave your seat.
 Respect all people, things, ideas,
and beliefs.
 Make smart choices. (In other
words, STOP and THINK before you
say or do anything that might
interrupt the educational process.)

3. Course Objectives
Course Objectives
Results/Outcome
Expected
Skills Developed
Use the English language
correctly in written form.
Be able to write well-
developed sentences
and paragraphs.
English language usage;
writing skills
Use the English language
correctly in oral form.
Be able to speak in front
of an audience.
Public speaking skills
Correctly use the
conventions of the
English language.
Be able to use
punctuation,
capitalization, and
correct spelling in
context.
Punctuation,
capitalization, and
spelling skills
Use appropriate
research skills.
Use facts appropriately
to provide evidence for
writing and speaking.
Research skills.

4. Required Materials
• You must have a book to read at all times. This
can be a school library book, a classroom library
book, or a personal book.
Reading
• Loose-leaf notebook paper
• (1) 5-subject spiral notebook (wide-ruled)
• (2) Pens (blue or black ink only)
• (2) Sharpened pencils and extra lead if
applicable
• (1) Black sharpie marker
• (1) Dry erase marker
Required
Supplies

5. Assessment Criteria
 Classwork and Homework
 Tests and Projects
 Quizzes
 Life Skills
40
30
20
10
Percent of Grade
Tests and Projects Quizzes
Classwork/Homework Life Skills

6. Instructor Contact Information
Email:
deidre.ross@k12tn.net
School Phone:
901-465-3151
Class Website:
www.ddross.net

7. CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
ENTERING CLASSROOM:
 Enter quietly.
 Sharpen Pencils.
 Have homework ready to be checked.
 Begin bellwork.
DURING CLASS:
 Remain seated and quiet during instruction.
 Keep all trash at your seat until you leave the classroom.
 Do not interrupt the educational process unnecessarily.
EXITING CLASSROOM:
 Dispose of all trash.
 Turn in any assignments or exit tickets.
 Leave the classroom in an orderly manner.

8. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
 What if I need to use the restroom?
 You should use the restroom BEFORE you enter the classroom. Hall passes for the restroom will be issued on an
EMERGENCY basis only.
 What if I need a tissue?
 If you think you will need tissue, please get enough to last you throughout the class. You will not be allowed to
leave your seat during instruction. Mrs. Ross will bring you a tissue or grant you permission to leave your seat in
an emergency.
 What happens if I forget my supplies (i.e., textbook, paper, or writing utensil)?
 You will receive a five point deduction from your life skills grade for each occurrence. You may use tickets
earned in class to “buy” supplies from Mrs. Ross.
 What happens if I am absent?
 You will have one day for every day you are absent (provided it is an excused absence) to make up your work.
 You will find your missed assignments posted in the classroom.
 It is YOUR responsibility to find out about missed work.
 What happens if I forget my homework?
 You will receive a zero for that homework grade AND a five point deduction from your life skills grade.
 What happens if I do not follow the Essential Understandings?
 We will follow procedures for PBIS. You will learn more about this later.
 Mrs. Ross may call parents at any time.

9. What are the tickets for?
 The tickets are used in class as “money.” If you
forget basic supplies (pencils, paper), you may “
buy” those items from Mrs. Ross using tickets you
have earned in class. Tickets may also be
exchanged for Bulldog Bucks and special
privileges.
 You will keep the tickets you earn in an
envelope that will be taped inside your
Language Folder.

10. How do I get tickets?
 Tickets are earned by:
 exhibiting appropriate behavior in class
 participating in class
 completing classroom jobs successfully
 any time that Mrs. Ross deems a student has
done something worthy of a ticket

11. Classroom “Price List”
 Pencils 2 Tickets
 Paper 1 Ticket per sheet
 Bulldog Bucks 10 Tickets per Buck
 ONE piece of candy 20 Tickets
 Bathroom Pass 15 tickets
 Life Skills Points (5 point max) 20 tickets
 ONE free quiz grade 40 tickets

12. Ticket “Cash Out” Day
 Every reporting period (just before interims and
report cards are issued) we will have a “Cash
Out” day.
 If you choose to do so, you may cash in tickets
for Bulldog Bucks, Life Skills credit, or for one free
quiz grade.
 You may also choose to save your tickets for
future emergencies or Cash Out Days.

13. Job Descriptions
Librarian (all periods) (1 ticket per day)
This person is responsible for keeping the classroom
library neat and orderly, for maintaining the library
notebook, and for labeling any new books that
come into the classroom library. All books will be
checked out and in through this individual.

14.  Attendance (all periods)(1 ticket per day)
This person is responsible for retrieving their class
period’s clipboard and checking off all those
present. This person should alert the teacher to
absent students and to tardy students.
 Gardener- (7th period only) (2 tickets per week)
This person is responsible for checking the
classroom plant to see if it needs water. This
person will water the plant weekly or as
needed, and they will remove dead leaves from
plant if necessary.

15.  Custodian (2)-(all periods)(1 ticket per person per
day)
One person is responsible for sweeping classroom
floors prior to leaving class and making sure that there
is no trash or supplies left on the floor or otherwise out
of place. The other person is responsible for dusting
classroom surfaces regularly.
 Paper Managers (2)-(all periods) (1 ticket for each
instance)
These individuals will be responsible for handing out
graded papers and any materials I need distributed.
They will check the period folder daily for graded
papers (after completing their bellwork) and hand out
any items in the folder. They will return work for absent
students to the period folder.

16.  Laptop Manager-(1st and 7th periods only) (3 tickets
per week)
This person is responsible for learning how to distribute
laptops (1st Period) in an orderly manner. The 7th
period person will be responsible for collecting laptops
in numeric order and storing the laptops and their
cords neatly.
 Tech Support-(all periods) (1 ticket per day worked)
This person must be familiar with computers and will be
responsible for helping Mrs. Ross with any technical
difficulties she may have. They will also be responsible
for helping with technical difficulties on classroom
“laptop days.”

17.  Messenger-(all periods)(2 tickets per day
worked)
This person will be responsible for running errands
during class as needed. This must be a reliable
person who understands that leaving class is a
privilege and must be respectful of other classes
while on errands.
 Homework Manager-(all periods) (1 ticket per
day worked)
This person is responsible for making sure that every
student who has signed a homework turn-in sheet
actually has work in the envelope. This person
must be reliable and trustworthy.

18.  Board Manager-(all periods)(1 ticket per day
worked)
This person is responsible for cleaning the board as
needed by Mrs. Ross. **7th Period only will also be
responsible for changing the date**
 Light/TV Manager: (3 tickets per week)
This person is responsible for turning classroom
lights and TV on and off as requested by Mrs. Ross.
**Other jobs may be added through the year as
needed.**

19. Librarian (1 per Class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Attendance (1 per class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Gardener (7th period only) 3 Tickets per week
Custodian (2 per class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Paper Managers (2 per class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Laptop Managers (1st & 7th Periods) 3 Tickets per day worked
Tech Support (1 per class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Messenger (1 per class) 2 Tickets per day worked
Homework Manager (1 per class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Board Manager (1 per class) 1 Ticket per day worked
Lights/TV manager (1 per class) 3 Tickets per week
***Write name on tickets as you receive them and place them in your
envelope****