2015-2016 Course Syllabus
Middle School English Language Arts
Teacher Contact Information:
Name: Mrs. Kelly Ibarra
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Mission Statement:
The Mission of Catholic East Elementary School, a richly diverse Catholic Community, is to
pursue academic excellence, nurture strong moral development and foster lifelong learning
through living out the Gospel values. Renewed September 29, 2013
Course Overview:
5th grade- Treasures, Novels (Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, Promises to Keep: How
Jackie Robinson Changed America by Sharon Robinson, and the Little Prince by Antoine de
Saint Exupery), Newsela articles (online non-fiction program), Prentice Hall Writing and
Grammar, Treasures Spelling, short fiction and non-fiction text corresponding to novels,
narrative writing, informative writing, explanatory writing, and persuasive writing.
6th grade- Classroom novels (The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, Bud, Not Buddy by
Christopher Paul Curtis, Dragonwings by Laurence Yep, and Island of the Blue Dolphins by
Scott O’Dell, Newsela articles (online non-fiction program), Prentice Hall Writing and
Grammar, Treasures Spelling, short fiction and non-fiction text corresponding to novels,
narrative writing, informative writing, explanatory writing, and persuasive writing.
7th grade- Classroom novels (A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, Lyddie by Katherine
Patterson, The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Newsela articles (online non-fiction program),
Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar, Treasures Spelling, short fiction and non-fiction text
corresponding to novels, narrative writing, informative writing, explanatory writing, and
persuasive writing.
8th grade- Classroom novels (To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A Midsummer Night’s
Dream by William Shakespeare, The Omnivore’s Dilemna: Young Reader’s Edition by Michael
Pollen, and True Legend by Mike Lupica, Newsela articles (online non-fiction program),
Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar, Treasures Spelling, short fiction and non-fiction text
corresponding to novels, narrative writing, informative writing, explanatory writing, and
persuasive writing.
Grading Determination / Scale:
Letter grades will be assigned using the standard Catholic East Elementary School grading scale:
A 92.5-100
D 68.5-76.49
B 84.5-92.4999
U Below 68.5
C 76.5-84.49
Honor Roll:
 At the end of each quarter, scholars in grades 3-8 achieving a grade point average of:
 4.0 are recognized with Highest Honors Awards
 3.75-3.999 are recognized with High Honors Awards
 3.4 to 3.749 are recognized with Honors Awards
Test Re-take Policy:
If a scholar scores under a 76% or lower on a test, THE SCHOLAR, not the parent, will need to
speak with me within 5 days of getting the test back to discuss options for improving their score.
The highest score a scholar can receive is a 77% after a retake.
Expectations for Learning:
 Absences: When you return from an absence, it is your responsibility to make up the
work you missed. ALWAYS copy down missed assignments from the assignment board
or from one of your classmates. Make sure you write “absent” on the days you were
gone. Turn in assignments that were due into the appropriate late/absent drawer. If YOU
MISS:
a) Worksheet/handouts- pick up missed paperwork from the extra copies bin.
b) Notes- borrow and copy it from one of your classmates on your own time.
c) A TEST- you have 5 days from the day you come back to arrange a time to make it
up with me before or after school. If you know ahead of time that you are going to
be absent for an extended period, please give me at least 1 week notice to schedule
an appropriate make-up test.

Late Work: If you do not turn in an assignment on time, the grade you can receive on the
assignment will drop one letter grade for each day it is late. If you have a late assignment
that you have to turn in, write late on the assignment and turn it into the appropriate
late/absent drawer.

Discipline Policy: Scholars who receive two disciplinary checkmarks in content area
classes will have their parents/guardians contacted by the content area teacher. If a
scholar receives ten disciplinary checkmarks within a week by a content area teacher, the
scholar will receive a disciplinary notice. After three disciplinary notices, scholars will
have a meeting with the principal, teacher, and their parents/guardians.

Incentive Policy: Scholars that are observed doing something above and beyond the
classroom expectations will receive a scholar dollar. These can be redeemed for certain
prizes. When a whole class goes above and beyond collectively, they will receive an
“Eagle,” which will be displayed in their homeroom. At the end of the month, the
homeroom with the most eagles will receive a special treat decided on by the teachers.
Classroom Expectations:
1. Be ready to learn something new every day!
2. Be respectful to yourself, your classmates, personal property and that of others, and to the
process of your education.
3. Try your best!
Classroom Rules:
1. Come to class with all required supplies
2. Follow directions in a timely fashion
3. Use age appropriate behavior and language
4. Use correct tone of voice
Classroom Procedures:
1. Walk quietly in and out of class. Greet your teacher with a handshake.
2. Homework will be turned in at beginning of class
3. No water bottles or food in class unless allowed by school administration
4. NO GUM
5. Use restroom and water fountain during appropriate times
6. NO PERSONAL ELECTRONICS IN CLASS unless approved by teacher
7. Non-verbal cue of zero in the air to be silent
ELA Assignment Expectations:
1. Name, grade, teacher, and date in the top left corner of our paper
2. Write neatly
3. Try your best
4. Ask clarifying questions about assignment
ELA Assessments:
1. The classroom “BUZZ WORD” wall will include vocabulary words of the week for each
grade. Students are to study these every night in preparation for weekly or bi-weekly
vocabulary quizzes. If scholars vocalize that they have no homework, I encourage
parents to quiz them on their “buzz words” (vocabulary).
2. Scholars will take weekly or bi-weekly spelling tests. Again, if scholars vocalize that
they have finished all homework, please quiz them on their weekly list.
3. 5th grade scholars will begin the year with a unit of Treasures in order to ease them into
Middle School curriculum. They will then join 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in novel
units which will include both reading and writing mid-unit and end of unit assessments.
Group Rules:
1. You are responsible for your own work and behavior.
2. You must be willing to help any group member who asks.
3. You may ask the teacher for help only when everyone in your group has the same
question.
ELA Class Routine:
1. Enter the room quietly and sit in your assigned seat.
2. Work on the Do Now question on the board.
3. Go over warm-up and homework.
4. Be attentive to daily objective, lecture, guiding directions, peer questions and responses
5. Copy homework assignment onto your agenda.
6. At the end of class, sit quietly in your seat until your teacher instructs scholars to line up.
Mrs. Ibarra’s Prayer Time and Prayer Wall:
1. In the back corner of my classroom there is a “Prayer Wall.” Here scholars can post
prayers of petition, thanks, praise…etc. I will review when it is appropriate to post such
prayers.
2. It is my personal teaching goal to begin each class with a prayer (after students are
situated and have finished their “Do Now’s”).
College Gear:
 Parents, I would like to encourage our “college bound” theme as much as possible. In my
classroom, you will notice a college wall which is full of Marquette posters and other
paraphernalia. If you went to college and own college gear, please feel free to send it in
with your scholar. This is, however, not an opportunity for scholars or parents to feel
better or less than others who did or did not have the privilege to attend college. It is
indeed a very special opportunity, and one that IS POSSIBLE for our CEE scholars!
Thank you for your cooperation.