Mrs.

Jarretts
Language Arts Newsletter
The first nine weeks for sixth graders can be very difficult and challenging. They are adjusting to
many changes, realizing that being organized is a must, and ultimately finding their own place in
their new junior high environment. This newsletter will inform you of upcoming projects and dates
that you may not otherwise know about so your child may be better prepared for when that time comes around.
With your help, Mr. Burre, myself, and of course your childs, my goal is to help your child have a successful and
educational sixth grade year in language arts.
~Mrs. Jarrett
Classroom Expectations
Homework/Classwork Assignments Policy:
I assign homework because it gives students
the much needed practice and repetition
necessary for learning. It also prepares
students for upcoming lessons, teaches
them responsibility, and helps to develop
positive study habits.

Consequences for missing homework: (per
nine week grading period)
1. First time no penalty. Students may
return work the following day for full
credit.
2. Second time no penalty, however,
during the first nine weeks I will notify the
parents of the missing work.
3. Third time and all subsequent offenses
After School Detention Parents will be
notified by a letter.
4. If your student continues to miss
assignments after several detentions, a
student will then receive a referral where
a Tuesday Night School may be
assigned.

Supplies needed for class:
1. A textbook cover
2. One 1 three-ring binder (this is your
childs Language Arts binder only
3. One pack of 5 tabbed dividers
4. One two-pocket folder with three ring
holes down the center for paper
5. Loose leaf notebook paper
6. Two highlighter markers (different colors)


Skills to be covered during this nine weeks:
Reading Skill Focus:
The students will be taught the following skills
during this first nine weeks. There will be class
discussion and PowerPoints for each skill.
Students will take guided notes on each skill
and keep in their binders as a resource. The
students will complete activities, graphic
organizers, and other assignments to help them
fully understand and practice each skill so they
can eventually reach mastery.
1. Characterization
2. Authors Purpose for Writing
3. Plot and Setting
4. Cause and Effect
5. Fact and Opinion
6. Compare and Contrast
Reading Strategies:
I teach reading strategies to my students to
help with their comprehension, answer multiple
choice, and written response questions. The
students will be expected to use these
strategies every time they answer questions
based on a reading selection.
1. Question Diagramming used to break
down 2 and 4 point questions.
2. Working Backwards used to help with
comprehension of a story.
Computer Skill Focus:
On September 4
th
, I took the students to the
computer lab. Our librarian, Mrs. Meyer, taught
them how to use Microsoft Word and its many
functions. This will help them when they create
their persuasive advertisement for the fantasy
novels. Mrs. Meyer also used that time to help
them set up their Progress Book passwords and
their email account.









General Sherman Jr. High
Lancaster, OH

September 8, 2014
1
st
Nine Weeks



Individual Book Assignment and Project

Genre: Fantasy
The students went to the library on September 2
nd
and chose fantasy novels to read for their
independent assignment. They will have10 minutes of silent reading time almost everyday in
class. If that is not enough time to finish the novel, then they will need to take the novel home to
read.
Important Dates:
September 2
nd
September 26
th
: read fantasy novel
September 29
th
: take AR Test on fantasy novel in the computer lab during language arts class
September 29
th
: begin fantasy book project which is a Fantasy Persuasive Advertisement
October 3
rd
finish final draft of Fantasy Persuasive Advertisement
October 1
st
3
rd
work in the computer lab for the 2
nd
part of each language arts class to
complete the published copy of the Fantasy Persuasive Advertisement
October 3
rd
turn in completed Fantasy Persuasive Advertisement
October 6
th
-7
th
: peer critique and judge Fantasy Persuasive Advertisements
(The advertisements will not have names on them. They will be numbered so
students will not know who the advertisements belong to.)

Genre: Mystery
On October 6
th
, the students will return fantasy novels and check out mystery novels for the next
independent assignment.
More to come about the Mystery Project in the next newsletter.
Important Dates:
October 6
th
November 3
rd
read mystery novel
Upcoming (Tentative) Quiz/Test Dates:
September 11
th
~ Sp. Test 3-1 & District Writing Assess.
September 12
th
~ Voc. Test 3-1 & Question Diag. Quiz
September 15
th
~ TCITA Voc. List #1 Quiz
September 17
th
~ Character Quiz
September 18
th
~ Spelling Test 4-1
September 19
th
~ Voc. Test 4-1 & DLR Quiz #2
September 23
rd
~ TCITA Voc. List #2 Quiz
September 25
th
~ Spelling Test 5-1
September 26
th
~ Vocabulary Test 5-1
October 2
nd
~ Spelling Test 6-1
October 3
rd
~ Voc. Test 6-1 & DLR Quiz #3
*No Spelling/Vocabulary the week of fair Oct. 6-8*
October 15
th
~ Sp. Test 7-1 & Plot and Setting Quiz
October 16
th
~ Voc. Test 7-1 & DLR Quiz #4
October 20
th
~ DMIIC Voc. List #1 Quiz
October 23
rd
~ Spelling Test 8-1
October 24
th
~ Vocabulary Test 8-1
October 27
th
~ DMIIC Voc. List #2 Quiz
October 30
th
~ DMIIC Novel Test & Spelling Test 9-1
October 31
st
~ Voc. Test 9-1 & DLR Quiz #5



September 11
th
~ Late Arrival
September 26
th
~ Interims for1
st
9 weeks
October 9
th
10
th
~ No School (fair)
October 17
th
~ No School (ODE)
October 24
th
~ End of 1
st
9 weeks
November 6
th
~ student-led conferences

Novels read as a class:

Fantasy: The Castle in the Attic
September 8
th
October 3
rd

Mystery: The Dead Man in Indian Creek
October 6
th
November 3
rd


For each novel, we will have
vocabulary lists and quizzes, chapter
questions, novel review, and a novel
test at the end of the novel.

Contact
Information
Email:
s_jarrett@lancaster.k12.oh.us
Phone
740-687-7344