Welcome to English Language Arts & History! I am delighted to have you as a student this year. Throughout this class, there will be daily opportunities for you to grow as a scholar, reader, and writer, while we engage in a variety of explorations, texts, and writing genres.
Textbooks
Reading Genres
In addition to what we read in class, students are required to read up to 20 independent reading books of their choice. Students are required to write and talk about what they read. Students will sample books from a variety of different genres (e.g, historical fiction, biography, fantasy, mystery, etc.) throughout the year. Students will also engage in book discussions with their peers and may have book projects to complete. See attached letter on the importance of daily reading.
Due to the vast number of books available, it is impossible for me to preview all the content. Please be aware of the content of the books that your child is reading.
Writing & Digital Portfolios
Students will learn the following types of writing.
Required Materials
In Class, Every Day:
Homework
Grading
See attached letter on standards-based grading.
Communication
I communicate with students and parents through Remind, a mobile text app, available on your iPhone and Android devices, or through email. Please expect weekly reminders, important updates, assignments, and information for my classes. Parents and students may use this service to privately text me with any questions or concerns you may have. This is my preferred method of communication Please sign up now to avoid missing any announcements:
Please send a text message to 81010 and include @kb7fk7a in your message
December 11, 2023
Dear Los Primeros Students & Parents-
For the third year, I will be utilizing a standards-based grading policy in English Language Arts, History, and Communication in the Digital & Creative Arts. This grading policy is a blend of the standards-based grading system used in PVSD in grades K-5 and the traditional “A-F” grading system used by PVSD in grades 6-8.
The grading policy that I will be using a research-based grading practices from Grading for Equity and A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-Based Grading that will ensure the following:
The implementation of this will look like this:
My focus as a teacher continues to be on educating the whole child and providing quality, standards-based instruction for each student. My shift in my grading policy is to provide clarity and transparency in communicating progress toward mastery of standards. By removing non-academic factors (general behavior, punctuality, effort, and work habits) from the academic grade and ensuring students have multiple means and opportunities to demonstrate mastery, my academic grades will more accurately reflect student knowledge and skill.
My standards will remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned to Common Core State Standards. By providing opportunities for revision and reassessment, this shift will allow students to relearn content or material that they may not have fully understood the first time it was taught. Students will be able to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate mastery of knowledge at more than just one point in time.
Thank you for partnering with me on this brave journey in grading. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Jennifer L. Lippold, M.Ed
6th Grade ELA & History Teacher
Los Primeros School of Sciences & Arts
https://lippold.weebly.com
Textbooks
- California Collections - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt textbook and consumable. Students will also read collections of fiction and nonfiction along with various digital lessons used in class.
- TCI- History Alive! Ancient History
Reading Genres
- Short Stories
- Poetry
- Novels
- Informational Texts
In addition to what we read in class, students are required to read up to 20 independent reading books of their choice. Students are required to write and talk about what they read. Students will sample books from a variety of different genres (e.g, historical fiction, biography, fantasy, mystery, etc.) throughout the year. Students will also engage in book discussions with their peers and may have book projects to complete. See attached letter on the importance of daily reading.
Due to the vast number of books available, it is impossible for me to preview all the content. Please be aware of the content of the books that your child is reading.
Writing & Digital Portfolios
Students will learn the following types of writing.
- Argument--Writing to persuade or argue a particular point of view
- Informational/Explanatory -Writing to convey information or explain knowledge
- Narrative--Writing that tells a story (fictional)
Required Materials
In Class, Every Day:
- Independent reading book
Homework
- Late homework is accepted with no deduction until the end of the grading period.
- Students can expect to receive 20 minutes of homework on a minimum of four nights a week (Mon-Thur).
- Students are REQUIRED to read for 100 minutes a week/20 minutes a day.
- If there is no specific homework, students should read their books and review what we learned in class on that day.
- Major assignments should be turned in by the due date even if you are absent! Please make arrangements to email or share it with me.
- If what you are doing INTERFERES with learning, HURTS someone’s heart or body, or PREVENTS you for being your best self, you should NOT be doing it.
- No use of your Chromebooks for video games in my classroom.
- Students must have all their required materials and individual reading novel present for each class.
- Verbal warning , discussion, reminder
- Campus Beautification/Email/Call Parents
- Detention
- Counselor/Principal Contact
- Parents or Guardians MUST contact the school office for an excused absence.
- Students are responsible for making up homework and classwork when they are absent. They must check the Google Classroom or with a study partner immediately following the absence.
- Students have as many days as they were absent to complete and turn in missed work.
- If a student missed a test or quiz. he/she must schedule an appointment with me to make it up during office hours.
- My office hours will be during lunch by appointment.
Grading
See attached letter on standards-based grading.
Communication
I communicate with students and parents through Remind, a mobile text app, available on your iPhone and Android devices, or through email. Please expect weekly reminders, important updates, assignments, and information for my classes. Parents and students may use this service to privately text me with any questions or concerns you may have. This is my preferred method of communication Please sign up now to avoid missing any announcements:
Please send a text message to 81010 and include @kb7fk7a in your message
December 11, 2023
Dear Los Primeros Students & Parents-
For the third year, I will be utilizing a standards-based grading policy in English Language Arts, History, and Communication in the Digital & Creative Arts. This grading policy is a blend of the standards-based grading system used in PVSD in grades K-5 and the traditional “A-F” grading system used by PVSD in grades 6-8.
The grading policy that I will be using a research-based grading practices from Grading for Equity and A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-Based Grading that will ensure the following:
- Clearly defined and distinguished academic marks from citizenship marks
- Opportunities for revision and reassessment, and
- Inclusion of specific, actionable feedback for students on progress towards mastery of standards
The implementation of this will look like this:
- Use of updated academic marks on core group standards:
- 0: D 0% Standards/Assignment Not Attempted/Completed,
- 1: C 33% Standards Partially Met,
- 2: B 66% Standards Met,
- 3: A 99% Standards Always Met
- 0: D 0% Standards/Assignment Not Attempted/Completed,
- Tracking of assignments via teacher email:
- Individual assignments will be tracked and listed as complete/incomplete every two weeks.
- Grade values for mastery of core standard groups will be gradually entered into the gradebook just before reporting periods for midterm progress reports and end of trimester reporting periods.
- Individual assignments will be tracked and listed as complete/incomplete every two weeks.
- Utilization of proficiency scales or standards-aligned rubrics to communicate progress towards mastery of standards:
- Provided on Google Classroom and paper-based assignments.
- Provided on Google Classroom and paper-based assignments.
My focus as a teacher continues to be on educating the whole child and providing quality, standards-based instruction for each student. My shift in my grading policy is to provide clarity and transparency in communicating progress toward mastery of standards. By removing non-academic factors (general behavior, punctuality, effort, and work habits) from the academic grade and ensuring students have multiple means and opportunities to demonstrate mastery, my academic grades will more accurately reflect student knowledge and skill.
My standards will remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned to Common Core State Standards. By providing opportunities for revision and reassessment, this shift will allow students to relearn content or material that they may not have fully understood the first time it was taught. Students will be able to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate mastery of knowledge at more than just one point in time.
Thank you for partnering with me on this brave journey in grading. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Jennifer L. Lippold, M.Ed
6th Grade ELA & History Teacher
Los Primeros School of Sciences & Arts
https://lippold.weebly.com