SAS English Notes / 6th Grade



Scroll down for vocabulary and questions for
A Wrinkle in Time.


Scroll down for vocabulary and questions for The Incredible Journey

Scroll down for grammar notes.

Scroll down for the Course Content Letter

Proper Heading for All Written Work
Please note that the proper heading for all papers is shown on this page. You will use your name and not the name that is written here and you will use the correct date using the format noted!

 

Skippy Dog

English, P. 3
10 April 2012

Incredible Journey Chapters 3 and 4

 

Vocabulary


staggered                    walk or move unsteadily

sedge                            a grass-like plant

remote                        far away, distant

undaunted                   not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty

sauntered                    walk in a slow relaxed manner

forage                         search widely for food

cantering                     a three-beat gait

paroxysms                  a violent expression of emotion

hospitality                   friendly and generous reception of a guest

guttural                       harsh-sounding

ravenous                     extremely hungry

abhorrent                    disgust and loathing

adversary                   one’s opponent in a conflict

transformation             dramatic change in appearance

aloof                           cool and distant

ambling                       walk at a slow relaxed pace

grimace                      an ugly twisted expression of pain or disgust

mirth                           amusement

derision                      mockery

reluctant                     unwilling and hesitant

 

Questions

1.     What considerations did the Labrador make for the bull terrier while they were traveling? The Labrador made sure the old bull terrier walked on softer ground, had more shade and food.

2.     Why was killing an animal for food abhorrent to the Labrador? It was not in the Labrador’s nature to kill living creatures for any reason.

3.     What happened that enraged the bear, and how did the bull terrier escape? The cub was curious about the bull terrier and scratched the dog’s shoulder by pawing at him. The cat attacked the cub, enraging the mother bear. The cat’s attack distracted the bear and her cub away from the bull terrier.

4.     How did the cat and the Labrador help keep the bull terrier alive in this section? They brought food for the bull terrier, and the other animals waited for several days before they tried to travel again.

5.     How long did it take the old dog to recover enough so he could start traveling again? It took the old dog three days.

6.     How did the Ojibways help the cat and the bull terrier? The Ojibways gave them food and made them feel welcome.

7.     What are Ojibways? The Ojibways are native Canadians.

8.     Why didn’t the Labrador visit the Ojibways? The Labrador was anxious to continue the journey right away.

9.     What did the Ojibways consider the bull terrier to be? The Ojibways considered the bull terrier to be “the virtuous white dog of Omen.”

10. Why did the Ojibways believe that the omen would prove fortunate? The Ojibways believed the omen would prove fortunate because the bull terrier allowed the cat to steal some of his meat.

 

The Incredible Journey Chapters One and Two.

 

 

1.     Whyare the English bull terrier, Siamese cat, and Labrador retriever staying withJohn Longridge? The animals are staying with John Longridge because the owners,the Hunters, are temporarily living in England. Mr. Hunter is a college professor and they will begone for nine months.

2.     Whatdecision did the Labrador make that affects himself as well as the other twopets, John Longridge, and the Hunter family? The Labrador decides to go home tothe Hunters.

3.     Whatdoes the author mean when she writes, ‘But all these human beings together areas a handful of sand upon the great ocean shores…”? The author means that therewere very few humans inhabiting this part of the world.

4.     Whatthree events give hints that the animals many not be at the house when JohnLongridge returns from his trip? The Labrador shook John’s hand, the catmanaged to knock John’s note into the fire, and there was a bad phoneconnection when John spoke to Mrs. Oakes.

5.     Whydidn’t John worry about the animals being alone outside when he left for hisvacation? John didn’t worry about the animals because they had never beforewandered from the large garden area.

6.     Whydid Mrs. Oakes assume that John had taken the animals with him? Mrs. Oakesfound only part of the note John left and she knew he likes being with theanimals.

7.     Howdo we know that the animals are no longer in their home environment? TheLabrador does not like to hunt for his own food, and the bull terrier istotally worn out after only one day.

8.     Inwhat direction did the Labrador thinks his “beloved master’s home” was? TheLabrador’s instinct told him that the Hunter home was due west.

9.     Whatwas “clear and certain” to the Labrador? It was clear to the Labrador that hewould make it home to the Hunters.

 

Vocabulary

 

sprawling:spread out over a large area

austerely:severe or strict manner

sybaritic:fond of sensuous luxury

reciprocal:given, felt or done in return

contrition:the state of feeling remorseful and penitent

mellow:free from harshness, pleasantly smooth or soft

pursuit:the action of following someone

gait:manner of walking, paces of an animal

contented:happy and at ease

obedient:willing to comply (agree) with orders or requests

amphibious:suited for both land and water

irrepressible:not able to be controlled or restrained

assented:express approval or agreement

province: aprincipal administrative division of certain countries

barbarian:an uncultured or brutish person

adjacent:next to or adjoining something else

placid: noteasily upset or excited

wary:feeling or showing caution about possible dangers

acute:highly developed

instinct:an innate behavior in animals


A Wrinkle in Time Chapters 3, 4, 5

 

Vocabulary


frenzy                         intense and wild activity

corporeal                    relating to a physical body

tangible                       real

elliptic                         oval

inexorable                   relentless

ephemeral                   lasting a short time

centaur                       mythical creature

resonant                     echoing, having a quality of richness

corona                        a faint glow surrounding something

 

Chapter 3

1.     Read the paragraph beginning, “This has been the most impossible…”

The main idea of this paragraph is

Although confused, Meg is happy

 

 

2.     Read the paragraph beginning, “A mother like that…”

The main idea of this is paragraph is

 In spite of the problems in his family, Calvin loves them.

 

 

3.     Read the paragraph beginning, “The trouble with Meg and math…”

The main idea of this paragraph is

         Meg knows quicker methods to solve math problems and resents the longer approaches, thus creating problems

 

 

4.     Read the paragraph beginning, “With a sudden enthusiastic gesture…”

The main idea of this paragraph is

        Calvin recognizes how alike he and the Murry children are

 

 

5.     Read the paragraph beginning, “Meg choked down a sob…” through the paragraph ending “That’s what I’m afraid of…”

The main idea of this paragraph is

       Meg is afraid no one in Washington knows her father’s whereabouts

 

Chapter 4

1.     Compare and contrast the three strange ladies. How are they alike and how are they different?The three women are alike in their gender, their bizarre dress, and their ability to communicate without speaking. They are unique in their manner of dress, and in their personalities.

2.     How does the description of the being into which Mrs. Whatsit is transformed compare with an encyclopedic description of a Greek centaur?The centaur, a creature in Greek mythology, is half human and half horse. Mrs. Whatsit has been transformed into a half-human, half-horse creature, but she also has wings.

3.     How are the creatures and occurrences the children see on Uriel foreign to what is seen on Earth?Some of the phenomena the children perceive on Uriel that are not available on Earth include monolithic granitelike rock formations, dancing creatures like Mrs. Whatsit, and flowers that give off enough oxygen to sustain people at very high altitudes.

 

Chapter 5

1.     Where is Father as this chapter opens?As this chapter opens, Father is behind the darkness.

2.     What is a tesseract?A tesseract is a jump, or wrinkle, in time that takes place in the fifth dimension.

3.     Why would the children not be able to function on a two-dimensional planet?Because the children are three-dimensional beings, they would be flattened on a two-dimensional planet.

4.     Why is the Happy Medium reluctant to look at Earth in her crystal ball?The Happy Medium is reluctant to look at Earth because she prefers to look at delightful things.

5.     What is the smoky haze hovering over Earth’s surface?The smoky haze hovering over earth’s surface is the Dark Thing, also called evil.

6.     What effect has it had on the planet?Mrs. Whatsit claims its presence around the earth is the reason the planet is a troubled one.

7. What do the three Ws and the children plan to do about this situation?The three ladies inspire the children to fight the Dark Thing.

8. Where are the children going to find Father? They are going to find Father on a “Dark” planet, a planet that has given in to the Dark Thing.


7. What do the three Ws and the children plan to do about this situation?The three ladies inspire the children to fight the Dark Thing.

8. Where are the children going to find Father?They are going to find Father on a “Dark” planet, a planet that has given in to the Dark Thing.


A Wrinkle in Time Chapters One and Two.

 

 

1.     Whereis Meg having trouble? school

2.     Aboutwhom is she unable to think without crying? father

3.     Howold are her twin brothers and what are their names? Sandy and Dennys, herten-year-old twin brothers

4.     Whatis the name of the dog that frightens Meg? Fortinbras

5.     Whomdoes Meg find waiting for her in the kitchen? How old is he? Charles Wallace,her five-year-old brother

6.     Peopleseem to regard _________Meg________ as unattractive, ____Charles

Wallace___________________as “not quite there”, and _______Sandy_____________ and _____Dennys____________________as regular children.

7.     Whattype of tests reveal that Meg and Charles are “more than okay”? I.Q.

8.     Whatis Mrs. Murry’s profession? scientist

9.     Accordingto Mrs. Murry, what will cause Meg to be beautiful and life to be easier forher? time

10. Who lives in the haunted house inthe woods? Mrs. Whatsit and her friends

11. Who does Mrs. Whatsit recognize asunique? Charles Wallace

12. What does Mrs. Whatsit tell Mrs.Murry does exist? tesseract

13. What word does Mrs. Murry promise todiscuss with Meg? tesseract

14. Who appears to be the most “normal”members of the Murry family? The twins

15. About what does Mr. Jenkins askquestions? Meg’s father

16. After discussing the sheets, withwhat do Charles Wallace and Meg need to caution. Mrs. Whatsit

17. What does Calvin O’Keefe callCharles Wallace? sports

18. With whom does Calvin share severalcharacteristics? Charles Wallace

19. On what is Mrs. Who sewing,something that she suggests may come in handy as a disguise? a sheet

20. Who does Mrs. Who seem to know eventhough this is the first time they have met? Meg

21. The silence of what signals that allis well at the haunted house? Fortinbras

22. Where is Calvin invited? Supper or dinner

 

Vocabulary

 

wraith-like:ghostlike image of someone

smugly: havingor showing an excessive pride in oneself

serenity: the state of being calm

uncanny: strange or mysterious

luxuriously: extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable

crevices: narrow openings

fury: wild or violent anger

diction: the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

prodigious: impressively great

sullen: bad-tempered and sulky

cunning: havingskill in achieving one’s ends by deceit

supine: lying face upward

warily: carefully or cautiously

avid: eager

belligerent: angry, wanting to argue

tractable: easily handled, obedient

inadvertently: accidently

placidly: quietly and serenely

probingly: in an investigating way

dilapidated: decayed, partially ruined

stifled: held back

assimilate: absorb and understand something

 

 

 



Greek and Latin Roots 
(Helpful website for homework: 
 http://wordinfo.info/.)

Week Ten

 

Root                                                           Meaning

91. mal, male                                     bad

92. techni                                           skill

93. ist                                                one who

94. ic, ical, ive                                    like

95. noct                                             night

96. vert, vers                                     turn

97. photo                                           light

98. dict                                              say, declare

99. temper                                         temperature

100. fin                                              end

Week Nine

 

Root                                                           Meaning

81. non, un, im                                   not

82. inter                                             between, among

83. intra, intro                                    in, into

84. omni                                            all

85. migra                                           wander

86. retro                                            backwards

87. ible, able                                      able, can do

88. neo, nov                                       new

89. gen                                              birth, origin

90. mem                                            to remember

 

Week Eight

 

Root                                                                          Meaning

71. re                                                          back, again

72. ject                                                       throw

73. medi                                                     middle

74. pro                                                        before, forward

75. mob, mot, mov                                     move

76. loc, log, loqu                                        speak, talk

77. luc, lum                                                light

78. ante                                                      before

79. miss, mit                                              send

80. ex                                                         out of, outside   

Week Seven

Root                                                                         Meaning

61. bene, bon                                            good, well

62. doc                                                      teach

63. co, col, com, con, syn, sym                 with, together

64. meter                                                  measure

65. fore, pre                                              before, toward

66. fract, frag                                           break, shatter

67. post                                                     after, behind

68. therm                                                  heat

69. port                                                     bring, carry

70. trans                                                   across, over 

Week Six

Root                                                         Meaning

51. mega                                                 large, great

52. micro, min                                         small

53. magn, magni                                     great

54. spec, scop                                         see, look

55. stru, struct                                        build

56. crat, cracy                                         rule, power

57. equi                                                    equal

58. extra, exter                                      outside, excessive

59. ortho                                                  straight, right

60. dent, don                                           teeth 

Week Five

Root                                                          Meaning

41. chron, tempo                                    time

42. aqua, aqui, hydr                               water

43. ques, quer                                         ask

44. geo, terr                                            earth, land

45. pri                                                       first

46. oper                                                    work

47. nat                                                      birth

48. maxi                                                   large, great

49. sphere                                               ball

50. cycl, orb                                             circle

Week Four

Root                                                          Meaning

31. mono, uni                                           one

32. bi, du                                                   two

33. tri                                                         three

34. quar, quad                                          four

35. penta, quint                                        five

36. dec, deca                                            ten

37. cent                                                     hundred

38. kilo, mill                                               thousand

39. semi, hemi                                          half

40. hyper                                                   above, over, more

Week Three

Root                                                            Meaning

21. phon(o)                                               sound

22. hyp, hypo                                            under

23. im, in(a)                                              in, into

24. il, ir                                                       not

25. card, cor, cord, cour                          heart

26. capit, cap                                             head

27. man                                                      hand

28. pod, ped                                              foot

29. en, em                                                  in, into, with

30. ant, anti                                               against

Week Two

Root                                                            Meaning

 

11. poly, multi                                            many

12. auto                                                      same, self

13. graph, gram, scrib, scrip                    write, writing

14. tele                                                        far, distance

15. vis, vid                                                   see, look

16. tion, sion                                               act of, state of

17. patr, pater                                            father

18. matri, mater                                         mother

19. ped                                                         child

20. dem(o)                                                  people

Week One

Root                                                            Meaning
1. an                                                            related to

2. contra, counter                                     against

3. bio, vit, viv                                              life

4. ology                                                       study of

5. y                                                               inclined to, related to

6. phil                                                           love

7. act                                                            go, do

8. super, sur, supr                                      over, above, more

9. sub                                                            under, below

10. anthro                                                     man, human being 


Weekly Class Work

Bring a pack of index cards (100) to class. When you are given your list of root for the week, write the root on one side of the card, and the meaning on the backside.

(There is a sample in the class.)

Weekly Homework
On a sheet of paper, write the roots and the meanings for this week’s roots. Find two words that contain the root as a prefix, stem or a suffix. Write the definition of the word you chose. Remember, it must reflect the root meaning. This is a helpful website: http://wordinfo.info/.

(There is a sample on the website. You must use this format!)

Grammar Week Five

 

The adverb, the fifth of the eight parts of speech, modifies (qualifies or limits) verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. An adverb can answer any of these four questions: Where? When? How? To what extent (how much)?

 

Adverbs modify verbs

 

Henry swam quickly. (How fast did Harry swim?)

 

The train then entered the station. (When did the train come into the station?)

 

The runner fell down. (Where did the runner fall?)

 

Adverbs modify adjectives

 

The day was almost perfect. (To what extent was the day perfect?)

 

Some people were quite happy with the new rules. (How happy were they?)

 

Adverbs modify adverbs

 

Swallow your food very slowly.  (How slowly should you swallow your food?)

 

The painter worked quite methodically. (How methodically did the painter work?)

 

Though it can be said that many adverbs end in –ly, these 33 do not!

 

again

almost

alone

already

also

always

away

even

ever

here

just

later

never

not

now

nowhere

often

perhaps

quite

rather

seldom

so

sometimes

somewhat

somewhere

soon

then

there

today

too

very

yesterday

yet

 

 

 

 

Grammar Week Four

Verbs

The verb, the fourth of the eight parts of speech, is an action word. All good writing starts with strong verbs.

These are the three basic types of verbs:

The action verb tells what action the sentence’s subject (or doer) performs, is performing, has performed, or will perform.

            Our lawyer speaks often with his clients.

            This lawyer spoke to some clients this week.

These lawyers will be speaking soon.

The linking verb connects (or links) a subject (or doer) to a noun, pronoun, or adjective in the sentence. The words that follow a linking verb answer the question, what?

Common linking verbs are am, is, are, was, be, being, appear, grow, seem, smell, stay, taste, turn, sound, remain, look, feel, and become.

            These chickens are hungry.

            Selena is the club president.

Note: To tell the difference between an action verb and a linking verb, substitute a form of the verb to be. If the new sentence seems logical, the verb that you replaced is probably a linking verb.

            Sylvia sounded the alarm. (action verb)

            Sylvia sounded nervous. (linking verb)

The helping verb assists the main verb in a sentence. One or more helping verbs can assist the main verb. If a sentence is a question, answer the question, and the helping verb will precede the main verb.

The mechanic will repair the auto this morning. (helping verb: will, main verb: repair)

These mechanics will be inspecting the car. (helping verb: will be, main verb: inspecting)

Has the mechanic spoken with you? (helping verb: has, main verb: spoken)

Grammar Week Three

Adjective Notes

The adjective, the third of the eight parts of speech, modifies (qualifies or limits the meaning of) a noun or pronoun. An adjective can answer any one of these questions: What kind? Which one? How many? or How much?

In addition to regular adjectives such as tall, muscular, beautiful, and intelligent, there are two specific types of adjectives: proper adjectives and compound adjectives.

A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun. For example French bread, Chinese food, or Belgian waffles.

A compound adjective is composed of two or more words. For example: part-time cashier, eleven-year-old student, or eight-foot tree.

NOTE: Do not hyphenate an adjective that follows an adverb than ends in –ly. For example smartly dressed actress or nicely groomed horse.

Grammar Week Two

Pronoun  Notes

Pronouns are the second of the eight parts of speech. It takes the place of a noun.

Personal pronouns refer to people, places, things, and ideas.       

Singular first-person personal pronouns: I, me, my, and mine.

            Plural first-person personal pronouns: we, our, ours, and us.

            Singular second-person personal pronouns: you, your, and yours.

            Plural second-person personal pronouns: you, your, and yours.

            Singular third-person personal pronouns: he, his, him, she, her, hers, it and its.

            Plural third-person personal pronouns: they, their, theirs, and them.

Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding ‘-self’ or ‘-selves’ to certain personal pronouns. They ‘reflect’ back to the person or thing mentioned in the sentence. Examples: myself, himself, herself, itself, yourself, yourselves, themselves. Theirselves does not exist!

Demonstrative pronouns can be singular or plural. They point out a specific person, place, or thing. This, that, those and these are examples.

Interrogative pronouns are used when asking a question. Examples: who, whom, which, and whose.

Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific person, place, or thing. Examples: another, both, everyone, most, no one, and several.

Grammar Week One

Noun Notes

The noun is the first of the eight parts of speech.

A noun is person, place, thing, or idea.

A singular noun is the name of only one person, place, thing, or idea.

A plural noun is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

Common nouns begin with a lower-case letter as they name any person, place, thing, or idea.

Proper nouns begin with an upper-case letter as they name a specific person, place, thing, or idea.

Concrete nouns name a person, place, thing, or idea that are perceived by one or more of your senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling). Thunder, skunk, hair are concrete nouns.

Abstract nouns name an idea, feeling, quality, or trait. Example: pity, weakness, humility, elation.

Collective nouns name a group of people or thing. Examples: squad, team, jury, flock, herd.

 

Sixth Grade English / Language Arts Course Content
 
The goal is for students to become better readers and writers by using analytical skills and their ability to think, explore and expand upon that which is initiated by intellectual curiosity. Students will be exposed to a variety of genres throughout the year, including short stories, novels, poetry, non-fiction text, folk tales and myths. We will be using the Sixth Grade English / Language Arts book, The Development of the Human Story which was developed as an extension of the English / Language Arts Instructional Guide, the Prentice Hall Literature Textbook Series, and core literature novels.
 
The writing component includes instruction and practice in grammar, language mechanics, vocabulary development, and reference skills. The writing process will be utilized throughout the year. Students will apply these skills through written exercises, research reports, oral presentations, creative writing, as well as book reports. The school year is divided into four distinct areas: narrative, expository, response to literature and persuasion.
 
All instruction is guided by the California Language Arts Content Standards. Standards are posted in the classroom. California State Standards can also be accessed atwww.cde.ca.gov.
 
To read a complete course description, please go to my website and look under handouts. If you do not have access to the Internet, I will print out a copy for your student.
 
Language Arts will be composed of the following:
 
  • Literature
Reading comprehension, plot analysis, exams and quizzes on literary material, literary response and analysis in a variety of genres including poetry, reading strategies, response to literature.
 
  • Writing
The writing process from drafting through editing to the final written product; various writing strategies and applications; narrative writing, expository writing, persuasive writing, response to literature.
 
  • Grammar
Language conventions, figurative language, parts of speech, mechanics, usage, vocabulary development.
 
  •  Greek & Latin Roots
Identifying word parts and their foundational elements to understand individual meanings and how they work in combination to form the basis of our language.
 
  • Book Reports
Plot analysis, listening and speaking strategies; combine elements of literature, writing, and grammar through student selected / teacher suggested / parent approved readings.
 
Work Habits will be determined by:
  1. Completing assignments on time with the best effort of the student
  2. Coming to class prepared to work with the required materials each day
  3. Participating in class with an effort placed on examining their own work for improvement
  4. Being ready to work when the bell rings, on time and on task
 
Cooperation will be determined by:
  1. Respecting others’ right to learn and the teacher’s right to teach
  2. Adhering to all classroom and school rules and procedures
  3. Being willing to learn, participate, and improve
  4. Maintaining courteous relations with teachers and peers
  5. Demonstrating the ability to work with others, helping as needed, setting and achieving goals
 
Grades: Work will be graded using a point system and grades will be assigned using the following scale:
90-100%  A
80-89%  B
70-79%  C
60-69% D
0-59%  F
 
Work Habits / Cooperation Marks
E = Excellent S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory
 
Homework Policy
  • All assignments are to be completed on time and with the student’s best effort! 
  • No late / missing work after the first five weeks of school.
  • Homework / tests missed due to excused absences to be made up within 48 hours of returning to class.
  • Homework may consist of a separate assignment, or any work not completed in class.
  • All assignments, including tests, quizzes, and projects, are to be written in the Binder Reminder.
Student binders and supplies are to be kept organized and updated at all times.



Welcome to Mrs. Wexler’s Sixth Grade Core Classes!
 
Dear Parents / Guardians:
 
One of the hallmarks of sixth grade is teaching our students organizational skills and for them to be responsible to bring the required materials to class each day. ‘I left it at home’ or ‘I left it in my locker’ are not acceptable excuses.
 
Here is a list of supplies for my classes:
a. 2- or 3-inch, 3-ring binder
b. Spiral notebook for English
b. College-rule paper (Please do not tear sheets from a notebook!)
c. Spiral notebook for social studies
d. Composition notebook for English
e. Binder Reminder
f. Pencil pouch that holds
i. Two red pens for correcting only
ii Two to four black and / or blue pens (gel pens okay).
NO OTHER COLORS ALLOWED!
iii. Four sharpened pencils
iv. A box of 12 sharpened colored pencils
v. Small pencil sharpener with a lid to hold shavings
vi. Ruler (optional)
vii. Glue stick (optional)
viii. Small personal stapler (optional)
 
1. Bring the Interactive Student Notebook (social studies) and History Alive! textbook to class every day.
 
2. Bring the sixth grade student text, The Development of the Human Story for English each day.
 
3. Students will be told when they need to bring the English literature book to class.
 
4. Students need to bring a book to read every day!
 
5. Backpacks are allowed in class BUT they must be able to fit under the seat of the student’s desk. Students will be moving around, doing group work and I walk around as I teach so I need to maintain a high level of safety in the class. Rolling backpacks are extremely dangerous especially as students maneuver through the hallways from their lockers or if students are walking too quickly.
 
6. Ideally, students should gather their materials for Advisory, first and second periods before school starts. These are the only materials they should bring to class. At nutrition, students return the materials they just used to their lockers and pick up the materials they need for periods three and four. At lunch, they return all materials to their lockers. After lunch they can gather the materials for their electives. Backpacks are NOT allowed on the PE fields or in the PE locker rooms.
 
7. Food is not allowed in the classroom. Water, not power or vitamin water, may be consumed during class time as long as it is in a clear container or bottle. Gum is never to be brought to school.
 
8. If students have seasonal allergies or a cold, please have them bring their own pack of tissues. Due to the budget cuts, we will not be supplying tissues for mass consumption in the classroom.
 
9. Students may throw away their trash before and after class, not during instructional time.
 
Homework
Homework is due the day it is due at the beginning of the period it is due. After entering class, students will place their work in the appropriate class homework basket. 
 
If homework is missing, students will receive a missing on the grade sheet. A missing is equivalent to a zero. For each day the assignment is missing, the student will lose one grade (an A will become a B, and so forth). If an assignment is more than four days late, the student will receive a zero.
After the first progress report, Mrs. Anderson and I will no longer accept late work unless it is due to an excused absence. 
 
Projects, essays, major assignments and book reports are considered NO EXCUSEassignments. NO EXCUSE assignments are due the day the assignment is due. There is NO EXCUSE. If you are ill that day, make sure your parent / guardian gets the assignment into my mailbox in the main office by 3:00. Or email it to me as an attachment; I must receive it by 3:00. These assignments are usually given with at least four weeks lead time which gives you plenty of time to get the work done. If I do not receive the assignment on the day it is due, it is an automatic zero. There are NO EXCUSES.
 
Homework will be posted online by 6:00 p.m. and it is also posted in the classroom on the assignment whiteboard.
 
Clearing Absences
When a student is absent, you need to send a note to school with the student. The note needs to state the child’s name, date of birth, Advisory room number, grade, and reason for the absence. The note must be turned into the Attendance Office before Advisory so that the absence can be cleared. The note does not go to the Advisory teacher.
 
Making Up Work When Absent
If your student is absent from class, there are ‘master’ workbooks that I keep at my desk that students may borrow to correct their work. There are also composition notebooks for each English class that list all the work that is covered in class each day. Finally, for social studies, there is a folder with the vocabulary and class notes. (These are also available online.)
 
Tests that have been announced before an absence must be taken the day of the student’s return. Otherwise, there is one-day grace period for each day absent.
If a child has an extended absence, due to illness, the homework is always posted on my website and you may request any additional materials from me. Most notes and study guides are posted online. We can make arrangements to meet to go over the assignments.
 
If you are going to take a vacation during the school year, please wait until scheduled vacation time. There are four weeks of vacation this school year (winter break and spring break). It is extremely difficult for students to make up all the missing work and tests; homework will NOT be given to a student going on vacation during scheduled school time. It will be your responsibility to check the website for homework and class work you are missing. NO EXCUSES projects need to be turned in before you leave, not after.
 
Bathroom Breaks
Please encourage your student to use the restroom before school, at nutrition, and at lunch. Bathroom breaks during instructional / class time are discouraged.
 
Tardies
Please get your child to school on time every day. As there is a lot of traffic on Hatteras and Califa, plan accordingly. Students also need to get to class on time.Continued tardies will result in an unsatisfactory on the progress report.
 
Dress Code
Read over the Hale Dress Code with your student. It is posted on the Hale website (under Students) and printed in the Binder Reminder. Students who violate the dress code will be sent to the office and they will have to change into their PE clothes (or loaner PE clothes if theirs are not available). Parents will need to come and retrieve the clothing. The Dress Code is strictly enforced.
 
Cell Phones and Other Electronics
While cell phones are allowed on campus, they are not to be turned on during school hours. If you need to reach your student, do not text them. Call the attendance office (818-313-7400) and your child’s teacher will relay the message to your student. If a phone rings during class, the student will receive an automatic unsatisfactory for that grading period. All other electronics such as iPods, gaming devices and MP3 players are not allowed at school and should be kept at home.
 
Thank you.
 
Mrs. Wexler