MR.

NULTY 6
TH
GRADE ELA SYLLABUS.
YOKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL. HOME OF THE TIGER 2014 - 2015


Welcome to my classroom and its a year of transition for both you and I. Coming from elementary to
middle school is a rite of passage and as I transition from one school to another we both get to have
new challenges to face together.
Together we will have a successful academic year together. Fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a
year of learning, growing, and developing new tools and sharpening old ones. On the Rise is our
theme for the year as we rise to the opportunities to stand out as citizens of the 21
st
century.
Resources: www.ymsnulty.weebly.com
POC: Michael.Nulty@pac.dodea.edu
Major Concepts/Content: Students are expected to make sense of longer, more challenging texts than
in previous grades. They will read a variety of grade-level-appropriate fiction and nonfiction and will
make critiques of what they have read. Students will participate in class and independent novel studies.
Students will conduct research and write a report, delivering the information orally using available
technology. Students will write multi paragraph essays that use simple, compound, and complex
sentences. Writing will focus on a variety of audiences and purposes including narrative, descriptive,
expository, and informational accounts.
"The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence." Jiddu Krishnamurti
Topics Addressed:
The topics include, but are not limited to: recognizing news, identifying material appropriate for school
publication, interviewing skills, choosing and using appropriate objective journalistic writing techniques
in preparing publishable material (applying the conventions of English usage, using effective words,
sentences and paragraphs, and writing publishable newspaper stories), researching, and using accepted
techniques in the preparation of journalistic material (applying ethical methods of obtaining
information). Also included are writing, rewriting, editing, proofreading features and editorials, writing
headlines and leads, creating an aesthetic page layout, and demonstrating balanced writing on
controversial issues.
Major Evaluative Techniques: Evaluations may include, but are not limited to: written products, quizzes,
tests, projects, daily work, participation, quality products from assigned tasks, the timeliness of the
product, and the demonstration of the understanding of ethical issues inherent in the practice of
journalism.
Grading Policy
Class work/participation: 30%
Homework: 10%
MR. NULTY 6
TH
GRADE ELA SYLLABUS.
YOKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL. HOME OF THE TIGER 2014 - 2015

Tests/Major Projects, Quizzes/Writing Projects: 60%

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
59 or below = F

On-line Resources
1. Go to: https://dodpacific.gradespeed.net/ Click Parent in the list of choices.
2. The Pacific Area appears automatically. Click the link in the lower left corner that says Click here to
sign up.
3. Fill in the blanks. You will use this username and password each time you log into Parent Connection.
4. Click the Add Email button. You will need to enter the e-mail you provided during registration.
5. Click OK.
6. Click the Add a Student Link. Select the students full legal name. Click submit.
7. Click O.K.
8. Log off and wait a full work day for your account to be approved.

Tiger Net
Tiger Net is a private web site established for safe usage by the students, parents, and staff of Yokota
Middle School. The site provides the advantages of on-line capabilities for the posting of information,
interactive participation by students, celebration of student success, and communication between
YMS and the community we support.
Student User ID: FirstName.LastName
Password: Ykms#1234 (1234 represents the last four of the students unique student number.
Parents should use these student accounts to access Tiger Net.

Google Accounts
As we move into the 21
st
Century Educational Environment, we will use your google account
extensively. Let us address how you will access the system and set up your account. ALL
work assigned will be accomplished, edited, and delivered to me via google.com.
User Name: FirstName.LastName@student.dodea.edu
Password: Passwords to be given by YMS IT Specialist

Homework
Homework will be given on an as-needed basis for practice or reinforcement of skills being taught in
class. In general, students are expected to read 20 minutes daily.

Late Work Policy
There is no penalty for late work the first 2 weeks of school.
Parents may email me directly to discuss extenuating circumstances; reasonable accommodations will
be made so that all students can succeed.

Tardy Policy
MR. NULTY 6
TH
GRADE ELA SYLLABUS.
YOKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL. HOME OF THE TIGER 2014 - 2015

If a student enters the classroom after the bell,
she/he is tardy.

Tutoring/Extra Help Option(s):
There are various resources available, please contact me for further direction.

Classroom Management
Rule 1: Respect people. (i.e., one person talks at a time; treat others as youd like to be treated; be a
good citizen)
Rule 2: Respect property. (i.e., return borrowed items; if its not yours, dont take it; take care of
school property)
Rule 3: Respect your schedule. (i.e., be on time; dont waste class time; ask to be excused; use a hall
pass)

Content Outline
Content in this course will include but is not limited to the following topics:
Semester 1: Literary Elements. Sentence Structures. Grammar. Vocabulary Development.
Nonfiction. Comprehension and Analysis of Literary Text. Writing Process. Short Stories. Relevance
and Strategies.
Semester 2: Literary Comprehension. Word Meaning and Content Usage. Vocabulary
Development. Compare and Contrast Themes and Plots. Structural Elements. Plot Development.
Structural Strategy Writing. Implementing Applications of Editing Practices.
Semester 3: Poetry Unit. Identify Significant Literary Devices. Evaluate the Structural Devices in
Literature. Organization and Focus of Meaning. Editing. Graphic Organizers. Research Application with
Technology. Evaluation and Revision.
Semester 4: Identify Literary Devices. Vocabulary and Word Recognition. Concept Development.
Nonfiction Reading. Compare and Contrast Organizational Patterns. Expository Critique. Debate/Oral
Communication.

Additional Information
It is never too late to turn in an assignment. Students success is the goal of all instruction. Additional
assignments and opportunities to increase your grade are usually available, come to me for specific
directions.

Course Standards
ELA 6
th
grade standards are available online: http://www.dodea.edu/Curriculum/ELA/standards1.cfm
The full text version of these standards will be posted on my Tiger Net homepage or my Home Page
under the standards tab: www.ymsnulty.weebly.com

School Goals
Goal 1: All students will improve their writing proficiency. 6 + 1 Writing

Goal 2: All students will understand, interpret, and apply number concepts in real-world situations.