The Jou r n al i sm Tim es August 28,2017

MS. MCMANUS JOURNALISM AND6- GRADE LEARNING LAB

Teacher Contact: Melissal.mcmanus@cms.k12.nc.us
Bookmar k t he
What wil l we bel ear ning t his y ear ? cl ass websit e!
I'm excited to teach another year of Journalism with SWMS! Over the summer I
have revamped my curriculum. We will still be doing oldie but goody assignments SWMSjour nalists.weebly.com
like Peer Interviews. However, we have some exciting new activities coming up like
interactive lessons on checkology.com, a student filmed news report project, and
daily positive news segments by CBS broadcaster Steve Hartman. This year we will
focus on the power of positive thinking in reaching our goals and developing a
growth mindset. Sixth Grade Learning Lab will also focus on literacy enrichment.

Assignment s and Pr oj ect s

- All work will be on paper until the arrival of our classroom set of chromebooks (expected to arrive late September). At
that time, student work will be due on Canvas.
- Formal grades are 65% of the final grade and include class projects, notebook checks, and tests
- Informal grades are 35% of the final grade and include class activities, worksheets, and homework.
- Assignments need to be submitted on time. Only formal assessments will be accepted late this year. Late
assignments need to be completed at home, otherwise the student will be perpetually behind.
- A list of assignments and examples are posted on the class website SWMSjour nalist s.weebly.com

MATERIALS
Students should come to class with :
2 sharpened pencils, or a mechanical pencil with lead replacement.
1- 3prong folder
1 pack of notebook paper
Highlighters, colored pencils, and markers are also helpful.
DONATIONS(GREATLY)
APPRECIATED

- tissues
- copy paper
- markers
- hand sanitizer
 August 28, 2017

The Jou r n al i sm Tim es

Cl assr oom Rul es
1. Be Positive: Show respect towards everyone
2. Be Polite: Be silent when the teacher is talking
- 1 3.
NOTEBOOK
Be Productive: complete class work
4. Be Prepared: come to class with sharpened pencils and all needed materials
(com position
5. Follow or
Procedures
spir al)
ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY INCLUDING NO CELL PHONES,
- 1 PACK COLORED
FOOD, OR FIDGET SPINNERS IN CLASSROOM
PENCILS
- 1 ROLL OF TAPE
Pr ocedur es - Assigned student will pass out folders by number
- Enter class quietly, find assigned seat, and start warm up right away
* Please have the notebook
- If you do not have a pencil, you will lose 5 points daily for being unprepared. Get one from Ms. McManus
by the second class.- Itat the door.
is
Read or look at next assignment online while waiting for teacher ?s presentation
our fir st gr ade of the
- Remain silent during teacher ?s introduction/presentation; raise hand to answer/ask questions
- Work quietly on classwork. Keep voice within range according to our voice level chart.
sem ester. - Stay seated throughout class. . To signal that you have trash to throw away, hold it up in the air. To signal
the need to sharpen a pencil, hold it up in the air. Permission will be given at teacher discretion.
- Work is collected at end of class, or turned in online
- At end of class pass your folder to the end of your row for pick up
- Wait for teacher to dismiss class

Consequences Level 1: Individual warning, re-practice procedure, last person to leave class
- TISSUES Level 2:Isolation seat in classroom with reflection worksheet, teacher/student conference
- M ARKERS/COLORED
Level 3: Call home, lunch detention
PENCILS Level 4: Call home, bounce to another classroom
- HAND SANITIZER Level 6: Call home, referral

Please cut and r et ur n t o Ms. McManus t he f ir st week of school.

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Student Name:_____________________________________
Parent phone 1:_____________________________________
DONATIONS(GREATLY)
Parent phone 2: _____________________________________
Parent Email_________________________________________________________________________:
APPRECIATED
Does your child have any allergies or health concerns that I should know about? Please include if your child is allergic to bees, wasps,
or ants since my classroom is in a trailer and they will be commuting outside to me.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is there anything you would like me to know about your child?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This year we are going to make a short news segment video using the chrome books. Check one of the following:

- Yes, I give my child permission to be photographed and video recorded for class projects
- No, I do not give permission for my child to be photographed or video recorded for class projects
Parent Signature:______________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature:______________________________________________________________________________
Date:________________________________________________