WEST RANCH HIGH SCHOOL
HONORS ENGLISH 9A COURSE ORIENTATION
Mrs. Babakhanian
e-mail:
web site: WestRanchHighSchool.com
voicemail: (661) 222-1220 x207
WEST RANCH HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
“West Ranch High School is committed to challenging and motivating each student to achieve excellence
and become a responsible and valuable member of society. Through relationships, rigor, and relevance,
West Ranch High School promotes integrity, distinction, and vision.”
Dear Students and Parents:
This course orientation has been prepared to share information that will give students the opportunity to achieve and have a positive learning experience. Students are expected to behave in a manner that will promote academic growth and social cooperation. Students will pass this course if they try to succeed in doing assignments, if they attend class regularly, if they pay attention, if they participate, and if they cooperate.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Honors English 9A is an accelerated level of curriculum and is intended for the advanced, highly motivated, four-year-university bound student. Students will analyze literature for structure, meaning, and social context. They will learn to write in a form that is acceptable for scholarly work. They will also expand their vocabularies and strengthen their command of the English language both in speaking and in writing. Class activities will vary, but the course will revolve around demanding assignments of reading, writing, and discussion.
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS
Each student is responsible for covering books and caring for them. Lost or damaged books must be replaced or paid for by the student. Each student is expected to bring appropriate books and materials to class everyday. The approved video for this course is To Kill a Mockingbird. If parents do not want their student to view this video, they may write that information on the signature sheet.
Textbook: myPerspectives (Pearson) 2 volumes
Students can also log in to the electronic text through Hart District website
1. Go to www.hartdistrict.org.
2. Click on “Departments.”
3. Click on “Curriculum & Assessment.”
4. Click on “myPerspectives Student Login” on the right-hand side.
o Username: Student
o Password: first initial, last initial, #, 6 digit birthdate (without commas, lowercase)
Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee (replacement cost: $20.00)
Suggested Materials: 3-ring binder with divider sheets
Spiral or Composition Notebook for textbook exercises & journals
Pen/pencil case (a backpack is appropriate)
Black or blue pen (do not use red/pink on tests)
#2 pencil
Ear buds
Enough lined notebook paper to do the day's work (do not turn in
papers with "fringe")
GRADING POLICY
All grades will be computed on a point basis. Tests, homework, quizzes, essays, group and individual projects will be given a point value based upon their importance and difficulty. The following scale is used to determine students' grades:
Grading scale: A=90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F=below 60%
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework is assigned every night. Students will need to spend out-of-class time reviewing material, completing assignments, reading, and preparing for essays and exams. Students are responsible for all essays, projects, and homework, etc. that is handed back to them. They must keep all passed back work until the end of the semester. Assignments and their point values will be listed on the assignment sheet daily, and students are expected to keep their sheet current. If an assignment has not been completed on time, it may be turned in the next class date, but it only will be worth half the credit. Students may also be held after class to complete work at the teacher’s discretion. A zero will be assigned for any assignment not turned in.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Because most learning occurs in the classroom, good attendance is necessary for students to be successful. The school tardy policy and district attendance policy will be enforced in this class. Upon returning from an absence, it is the student's responsibility to report to Tutorial to ask about make-up work. Assignments not completed due to absence should be made up by the next class date. If the student needs more time in which to complete the work, the issue must be discussed with the teacher before the due date. Tests must be made up immediately upon return.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Young adults have reached a level of maturity that requires them to accept full responsibility for their conduct and their treatment and interactions with peers and instructors. The overall rule in this classroom is "No student shall interfere with the learning of another student." Class is a safe place where all points of view are welcome.
The following behaviors will not be tolerated:
· talking when the teacher is lecturing or giving instructions
· interrupting fellow students during discussion
· playing with electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, etc.)
· eating, drinking, chewing gum, or littering in class – any mess you create you will need to clean before being dismissed
· vulgar language
· bullying and harassing others
· horseplay
· throwing anything
· sleeping
· hair brushing or applying of cosmetics
· working on assignments from any other class during English class
200 CORE COMPUTER LAB AND CHROME LAPTOP USE
The use of the computers in the 200 core and the Chrome laptops are only permitted while students are under direct supervision of a teacher or staff member. Limited use of core computers may be available to students during brunch, lunch, and open periods. During that time, students must have direct permission along with a written pass to use the lab. Students unable to produce a pass will be asked to leave the lab immediately. Printing is only allowed after a teacher has seen, and approved, the documents that require printing. Any misuse of the computer lab may result in a student losing the privilege of its use. Laptops will not be available outside of class time, and printing is not an available option. Students will be held responsible for any damages.
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
When there is an infraction of any rule, a referral may be given, or the following steps will be taken:
1. Warning from teacher
2. Teacher/student conference
3. Teacher/parent conference
4. Teacher/counselor/parent conference (Saturday School assigned or one day
suspension from class in OR)
5. Administrator/parent conference (two day out-of-school suspension)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic dishonesty is a serious disciplinary matter. Not only does it merit severe punishment, but parents, teachers, and other students will have difficulty in trusting or respecting academically dishonest students thereafter. There will be opportunity for group work; however, any work not considered group work, and assigned as such, will be considered independent work and must be completed as such. The following actions will be deemed violations of Academic Integrity:
· plagiarizing (see definition below)
· copying or exchanging assignments with other students, whether it is believed they will be copied or not
· using notes, electronics, or other means of assistance on an assignment or test without the expressed permission of the instructor
· providing work, answers, or information to other students about an assignment or test
· altering a teacher’s grade book/records/tests
· taking a copy of a test or key to a test to use it for personal advantage or to distribute to other students
· any other trick or device used to create a misimpression about a student’s performance
· using teacher manuals/solution manuals without the expressed permission of the instructor
· using a computer or other means to translate an assignment from one language into another language and submitting it as an original translation
· using any form of memory aid during tests or quizzes without the expressed permission of the instructor
· giving or receiving answers during tests or quizzes (It is the student’s responsibility to secure his or her papers so other students will not have the opportunity or the temptation to copy.)
Plagiarizing: “Plagiarism is using others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information.”(from: Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Recognize and Avoid It) Examples include
· taking someone else’s assignment or portion of an assignment and submitting it as one’s own
· submitting papers or portions of papers from the Internet written by someone else as one’s own
· submitting purchased papers or portions of purchased papers as one’s own
· presenting the work of anyone else, including parents, tutors, siblings, friends, as one’s own
· submitting material written by someone else or rephrasing the ideas of another without citing the author’s name or source
The following consequences will be enacted if a violation occurs:
· The parents of the student who has been academically dishonest will be notified of the event and a report will be filed in the student’s permanent record
· The student will receive an automatic zero (failing grade) on the assignment or test; no make-up work will be offered to compensate for the zero.
· The student will be dropped from the National Honors Society (NHS) and/or California Scholarship Federation (CSF) if the student is a member of that organization.
The following consequences may be enacted if a violation occurs:
· The student may be removed from the class for one day at the teacher’s discretion,
· The student may serve a four hour Saturday School.
EXPECTATIONS
To foster student success, the teacher will:
· be prepared to teach each day.
· write the content standards, daily objectives, and agenda on the whiteboard daily.
· teach the district-approved curriculum.
· prepare interesting and engaging lessons.
· be available during tutorial if students need extra help.
To be successful in this class, students should:
· follow directions the first time.
· treat classmates, school personnel, and school property with respect.
· come to class on time, prepared to learn each day.
· complete homework on time.
· turn off/put away all electronic devices upon entering the classroom.
· identify a study buddy to contact if they are absent from class to get assignments or extra help.
· use the student planner/calendar that was given to them at summer check-in to organize learning and keep track of assignments.
· come to tutorial if they need help.
· take responsibility for their learning.
To maximize student learning, parents can:
· take an interest in their child’s studies.
· talk with their child each night about what they learned in school and ask to see their notebooks.
· help their child develop good time management strategies.
· work with their child to set realistic goals for success.
· contact the teacher if their child is having difficulties in a class
· encourage their child to attend tutorial each morning with the teacher from 8:00 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. or Mondays at lunch
· attend Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings and other school events.
CLOSING
I look forward to working with you this semester. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns by phone at (661) 222-1220 extension 207 or by e-mail at . I am dedicated to helping you succeed. If you find that you need extra help, please come to my classroom for tutorial any day before school between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. or Mondays at lunch.
Mrs. Babakhanian
English Teacher
West Ranch High School
Honors English 9A – Mrs. Babakhanian
Student Name:
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From the parent/guardian to the teacher:
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My signature below indicates that I have read and understand the requirements for this class as outlined in this course orientation.
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