Course Overview for English, Grade 9

2011-2012 Academic Year – Classroom Policies

Phyllis Donahue contact info: or

Supplies

• A 1” three-ring binder (larger is fine)
• Dividers for binder
• Loose-leaf paper
• Post its (for annotating in the textbooks)
• Highlighters
• Hole punch (optional for handouts)

Student Responsibilities

• Be punctual, be prepared (textbook and binder), be polite
• Complete assignments on time
• Contribute to class discussions
• Write honest, original papers
• Ask questions
• Most papers will be typed

Grading or What Counts

• Tests and quizzes, writings (essays, response journals, projects). Tests and major assignments comprise 70% of a grade; quizzes 15 % and homework and classwork 15%.
• Homework and classwork will be graded with a check (85), check plus (100), check minus (70), check 0 (0). Late daily homework is not accepted.

• English test days are and . Test dates will be announced in advance, quizzes will be surprises.
• NOTE: Students and parents can access for students’ grades for homework assignments, quizzes and tests – as well as assignments not turned in or quizzes or tests not completed.
• This year the School District has required teachers to use a new grading system called GradeSpeed. Unfortunately the system cannot currently be accessed by students. I will try to maintain both grading systems until the district approved one provides access to students. Please contact the district if you need more information about the new grading system.

“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.”… A. Einstein

Classroom Policies

The Bathroom

• Passes are available 15 minutes after the start of class and up to 15 minutes before the of end class.
• Please do not interrupt class with a request to use the bathroom. Instead, sign out and take the Room 212 bathroom pass.

The Absence

• If you are absent it is your responsibility to check the Engrade calendar for missed work and upcoming tests and assignments and be prepared for both when you return to school.
• If you have a planned absence ( doctor’s appointment, for example) please submit your assignment before you leave school. Even homework.
• If you are absent the day a major assignment is due, I will expect an electronic copy by class time; a hard copy the following day.

The Extracurricular Activities

• If you want to be excused from a class for a special school related event, you must see me before class meets; in addition, any work due must be turned in by class time.

The Un-approved Technological Devices

• They will be confiscated. First offense till the end of the day. Second offense they go to the office.

The Late Papers

• They must be personally signed by you, noting the number of days late. Each day late subtracts 10 points from your grade. Papers mysteriously appearing on my desk will remain a mystery.

A Few Reminders

• Academic honesty is a must. All work must be your own. If you copy another student’s work you both get a 0. If you copy from a Cliff’s Note type source, you get a 0.
• Three or more latenesses or threeor more times without your assigned text earn you a 3 in behavior.
• Lost books have to be replaced. You will be expected to make good for lost books at the year’s end.

Help is on the way

• You can arrange to meet with me after school for help on assignments or we can consult via email. My most frequently checked and Engrade messages.
• National Honor society offers tutoring before and after school???
• Websites that provide writing models and grammar practices will help if you are struggling in these areas.
• A dictionary and a grammar and writing guide (Writers Inc., for instance) are indispensable for a student’s home desk.

Students, please review this syllabus with your parent or guardian and place the signed copy in your binder by Friday, September 9th.

Student Signature______

Parent/Guardian Signature______

Parent/Guardian E-Mail______

Parent/Guardian Telephone/Cell Phone______