Cactus Shadows High School
Honors 9th Grade
English Language Arts (ELA) Syllabus
2017-2018
Instructor: Mrs. Lorraine Burke, NBCT Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs, 2:10-3:00 PM
Office: Room 314
Office Phone: 480-575-2492
Website: http://www.ccusd93.org àSchoolsàCSHSàEnglish DepartmentàLorraine Burke
E-mail:
Course Description:
Ninth grade English is a graduation requirement and is the first step in an integrated sequence of instruction in the Language Arts Common Core standards. In this course, students will use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate literature and informational text, expand vocabulary, writing skills, and grammar knowledge; engage in class discussions, and prepare/deliver speeches based on meaningful research.
Literary Content Overview**
Textbook: Holt McDougal Literature-9th grade The textbook will be provided online. Students can check out a textbook from the bookstore is they need to.
Anchor texts Semester 1: Short Story/Poetry collection; To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee;
Anchor texts Semester 2: The Odyssey by Homer; Latin American literature; Selected works of Shakespeare
**Literary content is subject to change based on resource availability and student needs**
First Semester Writing Emphasis: Second Semester Writing Emphasis: Narrative Informational/Expository
Literary analysis Comparative Analysis
Informational/Expository Argumentation
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:
§ Write effective and coherent essays related to specific topics.
§ Read, analyze, and discuss literature using a variety of platforms.
§ Present information through oral presentations (debate, speech, seminar, etc.)
§ Continue developing critical thinking skills as related to textual analysis.
§ Use effective reading and study strategies.
§ Continue to increase vocabulary in daily use, speaking and reading.
Honors:
Honors students and parents are required to sign the Honors Contract stating they understand a student may be moved out of Honors English for not maintaining grades, diligence, or work ethic. Honors students must maintain a grade of 70% or better to remain in the program.
Additionally, honors students typically:
- read more advanced novels - produce work that demonstrates more in-depth analysis.
- work more independently - engage in more advanced critical thinking exercises.
Grading:
Grades are based on writing assignments, journals/warm-ups, assigned readings, homework, projects, vocabulary, in-class assignments, participation, and multi-disciplinary assessments. Grades will be available via the online access program and updated often.
89%-80% B
79%-70% C
69%-60% D
59% and lower F / Weighted Scale:
Reading Assessments =25%
Writing Assessments = 25%
Vocabulary =10%
In-class Assignments =20%
Homework/Participation = 5%
Final/Mid-term Exams - 15%
Points will be earned on each formal assignment. Special grading situations may occur. You will be informed of any special grading situations. Extra credit is almost NEVER given as it is unnecessary for any student doing their personal best.
Classroom Expectations:
ü Be in your seat when the bell signals for class to begin.
ü Bring all necessary supplies and reading material to class EVERYDAY.
ü Stay on task in class.
ü Electronic devices are permitted ONLY for teacher directed learning activities.
ü Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place.
Classrooms are now designated as ‘No Phone Zones’ except with teacher permission. All phones are expected to be housed in backpacks during class time.
District Policy JK-R
A student may be subject to disciplinary action when the student engages in any of the following forms of academic misconduct:
· Lateness - For missing or leaving school or class without permission or excuse.
· Cheating - Including but not limited to copying, using unauthorized help sheets and the like, illegally obtaining tests in advance, substituting for a test-taker, and other forms of unauthorized collusion.
· Plagiarism - Representation of the ideas or work of another person as his/her own.
· Collusion - Supporting malpractice by another student as in allowing one’s work to be copied or submitted for assessment by another.
· Duplication of work - Presentation of the same work for different assessment components and/or requirements.
· Fabrication of Data - Manufacturing data for a table, survey, or other such requirement.
· Any behavior that gains an unfair advantage for a student and/or affects the results of another student.
Cactus Shadows High School takes academic dishonesty seriously. Any violation of this policy will result in a zero for the assignment/assessment for a first offense, a zero for the assignment/assessment and short term suspension for a second offense and a loss of credit for the semester course (.5) and short term suspension for a third offense.
Students who share assignment/assessment information with other students via pictures, paper or electronics will receive a zero on the assignment/assessment and a short term to long term suspension (prior academic misconduct referrals from any other school or CCUSD grade level will be considered).
School Absence Policy
Students are responsible for contacting teachers to complete missed work. Parents can e-mail teachers to request homework to pick up during a student’s absence. For every day of excused absence, a student has two days to make up homework, classwork, quizzes, and tests (parents have 24 hours to contact the school to excuse the absence). Work previously assigned with a due date during an absence is due on the first day of his/her return to school (including suspension dates). Be advised that each department, which assigns extended projects, has specific deadline dates. All make up work from an excused absence is eligible to receive full credit if completed and turned in within the 2 day window. Some courses such as Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Dual Enrollment courses have numerous long-term projects or portfolios, which may have absolute deadlines. Students will be advised of these project/portfolio deadlines in the course syllabus or on grading outlines and will be expected to turn in projects/portfolios prior to the designated date for credit regardless of days absent. Assignments, tests, quizzes not completed within the 2 day window will receive a zero. (Ref: Board Policy JH-R)
Absences/Attendance/Late Work:
Make-up work for absent students is always available and accepted per district policy, two days for each day missed. PRE-ASSIGNED, LONG-TERM MAJOR PROFECTS AND ESSAYS ARE DUE ON THE DUE DATE. THEREFORE, THEY ARE DUE THE FIRST DAY BACK FROM AN ABSENCE. Students should check the website for work they have missed due to an absence.
ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL. While students can be given reading/writing assignments and “paper” work that is missed, they can never make up the class discussions and interactions that are central and essential to learning. Commit to being here EVERY day. Vacations and appointments should be scheduled after checking the school calendar.
Mrs. Burke encourages student responsibility.
LATE WORK: Students who have missing work (unrelated to an excused absence) will have the chance to turn it in for 50% credit if one day late. No late work will be accepted for credit after one school day.
Materials: Please have by MONDAY, AUGUST 14th, 2017
The following materials are required for class and will be used on a regular basis:
1. At least 300 lined 3x5 index cards for vocabulary (400 would be even better!) You need these by Mon. Aug. 14
2. A Composition Notebook (the black and white kind whose pages cannot be removed)
3. Plenty of Loose Leaf, College-Ruled paper (spiral bound is NOT acceptable)
4. Dark Blue or Black pens and pencils with erasers
5. Multi-colored Highlighters
6. A section in a 3-ring binder for handouts
7. White printer paper (for at-home printing)
8. A Flash Drive
9. A box of Tissue for the classroom
**(If possible, please also donate some disinfecting wipes for the classroom)
Students must bring their reading material with them to class EVERY DAY. Having your book is part of your GRADE and it cannot be “made up”.
****You must not throw anything away in Language Arts class this year unless I ask you to throw something away. We will continually use assignments throughout the year and for conferences. ****
Materials: Please have by MONDAY, AUGUST 14th, 2017
The following materials are required for class and will be used on a regular basis:
1. At least 300 lined 3x5 index cards for vocabulary (400 would be even better!) You need these by Mon. Aug. 14
2. A Composition Notebook (the black and white kind whose pages cannot be removed)
3. Plenty of Loose Leaf, College-Ruled paper (spiral bound is NOT acceptable)
4. Dark Blue or Black pens and pencils with erasers
5. Multi-colored Highlighters
6. A section in a 3-ring binder for handouts
7. White printer paper (for at-home printing)
8. A Flash Drive
9. A box of Tissue for the classroom
**(If possible, please also donate some disinfecting wipes for the classroom)
Students must bring their reading material with them to class EVERY DAY. Having your book is part of your GRADE and it cannot be “made up”.
****You must not throw anything away in Language Arts class this year unless I ask you to throw something away. We will continually use assignments throughout the year and for conferences. ****
Honors 9th Grade ELA Syllabus Signature Form
PARENTS: You can expect that I will provide a safe and positive learning environment in my classroom. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I will answer emails from you within 24 hours, usually the same day if received in the morning. I look forward to speaking with you and would greatly appreciate your help and support in making this year a great experience for your child!
STUDENTS: please keep the syllabus in your ELA binder for the entire school year and return this sheet to Mrs. Burke by Monday, August 14, 2017.
I have read the 9th grade ELA syllabus and understand the requirements, rules, and responsibilities involved in being in this class. I am going to make this a GREAT year in Language Arts by being prepared, responsible, and doing my best at all times.
Student Name (print): ______
Student signature: ______Block: ______Date: ______
Parent signature: ______Date: ______
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I believe that educating your child is a joint effort between you, your child, and me. I am confident that with our collaborative commitment, your child will be a success. Feel free to contact me via email should you have any questions. I look forward to working with you and your child!
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Best regards,
Mrs. Lorraine Burke, NBCT
480.575.2492