Ninth Grade Literature and Composition

Course Syllabus

Mrs. Jordan Motsinger, Ms. Karen Daisy

Teacher Contact

E-mail: ;

Blogs: Mrs. Motsinger and Ms. Daisy will use Schoology as the primary blog for this class. Please see

instructions below.

Mrs. Motsinger’s blog:

Mrs. Daisy’s blog:

9th Literature celebration blog:

SchoolPhone:(678) 594-8104 ext.2016

Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Location: Room 9106, Freshman Academy Building

Remind:Text the following code to 81010:

1stPeriod: @9lit1spr16

4thPeriod: @9lit4spr16

EOC Dates:May 2, 3, 4

Freshman Academy

Vision Statement: We will inspire freshmen to develop an intrinsic curiosity for learning that they will apply to future academic and civic participation.

Mission Statement: We will prepare our freshmen for both the remainder of their high school career and for the challenges of becoming productive members of our community by focusing students on core academics, proper study habits and character building.

Course Content

Literature: Various poems, various short stories, Romeo and Julietby WilliamShakespeare

Parallel Novels:

Fiction - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (must be purchased by Monday, March 7th)

Non-fiction - Autobiography/biography of student's choice (may be checked out from library or purchased

by student and must be approved by teachers)

Grammar, usage, and mechanics: Daily language practice with weekly assessments

Writing: Argument, informative, narrative

Vocabulary: Vocabulary Workshop Level D Units 1-12

*The teacher reserves the right to make adjustments in course content as needed.

Texts

  • Prentice Hall Literature:Grade 9
  • Sadlier-Oxford: Vocabulary Workshop Level D ($12 purchased from teacher by cash or check made out to Harrison High School)

Schoology

This class will use Schoology. Here is how to access our class:

  1. Go to
  2. If you have an account already, log in.
  3. Click “Courses” and then click “Join.”
  4. Use an access code below.
  5. If you are creating an account, in the top right corner of the screen, you’ll see “Get Started.” Click there.
  6. Click the orange button that reads, “Create a Free Account.”
  7. Click “Student.”
  8. Use one of the following access codes:
  9. 1st Period 9th Grade Literature and Composition: ZP46D-HJ3MS
  10. 4th Period 9th Grade Literature and Composition: ZP46D-HJ3MS
  11. Complete the sign up information. You must use an email address. Click “Register.”
  12. Feel free to explore Schoology by clicking “Next” on the pop-up window inviting you to tour the site.

Grading

The Harrison High English Department uses a standards-based grade book. Each assignment is categorized according to the standard addressed.

Motsinger/Daisy Ninth Grade Literature Composition Syllabus1

Vocabulary & Language Practice: 10%

Speaking and Listening: 10%

Portfolio: 10%

Writing: 25%

Reading: 25%

EOC Milestone*: 20%

Motsinger/Daisy Ninth Grade Literature Composition Syllabus1

100-90 =A89-80=B79-74=C73-70=D69-0=F

*This class has an End of Course Milestone assessment worth 20% of each student’s final grade. The EOC test dates are May 2-4.

Supplies

Required:

Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level D

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3-ring binder

Dividers

Loose-leaf notebook paper

Blue or black ink

Pencils

A current email address which can be accessed from school computers

Flash drive and/or Dropbox or other cloud storage account

Optional supplies: Hand sanitizer, tissues, paper towels (always appreciated!)

Notebook Sections: Language Practice, Vocabulary, Portfolio/Writing, Literary/Informational Text Notes

Mrs. Motsinger’s and Ms. Daisy’sClassroom Policies and Procedures

  1. All handwritten work must be turned inon standard notebook paper. All work must be legible and must meet all specified requirements in order to receive full credit. All final work must be submitted in blue or black ink, preferably typed. When turning in any work, follow the Harrison standard manuscript form: your name, teacher’s name, name of class and period, and today’s date with year on the top left corner. See page 5 of this syllabus for additional formatting requirements for typed assignments.
  1. Plagiarism and Cheating. Please review the following information carefully. You will sign that you have read and understand its meaning. Please ASK me for guidance at any time (preferably before turning in an assignment). When in doubt, cite.

Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated and are treated additionally with a discipline referral. All assignments, including vocabulary, unless specifically noted differently in writing, are INDIVIDUAL assignments, where any collaboration with peers will be considered cheating. Henceforth, no further explicit written or verbal warning regarding plagiarism or cheating will need to be expressed about any assignment, as ALL assignments will be graded based on this policy. Those who provide the work as well as those who copy the work are considered to be cheating. Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s ideas and expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source. Repeating another’s words, phrases or sentences without quotation marks and proper citation is one form of plagiarism. Restating another’s “apt phrase,” argument or idea without proper citation is also plagiarism as it indicates the work is your own rather than that of the original source (MLA Handbook).

Consequences for plagiarism include receiving an F (0 points) on the assignment and a disciplinary referral to the administrators for disciplinary action. According to the Cobb County Code of Student Conduct, plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, tests, quizzes, reports, homework, term paper and thesis writing.

  1. Be prepared every day. You will not be allowed to go to your locker for work or books. Bring your textbook with you everyday unless Mrs. Motsinger or Ms. Daisy instructs otherwise. Visit the restroom before class begins. Limited restroom breaks will be available.
  1. All work is due on the date assigned. Long term assignments (essays, projects, etc.) turned in late will be dropped 10 percent per day including weekend days. Late daily grades will only be accepted until that individual unit is complete. Late daily grades will receive a grade of 70 percent. Late assignments will be accepted at Mrs. Motsinger’s and Ms. Daisy’s discretion and on a case-by-case basis.
  1. Make-up work is your responsibility. When you are absent, check Schoology for work. Schedule a time to make up all tests, quizzes, and assignments within five days of your EXCUSED absence. If you were present on the day an assignment was given but absent the day it was due, the assignment should be emailed to Mrs. Motsinger on or before the due date. All materials distributed in class are available from Mrs. Motsinger and on Schoology. Work missed for an UNEXCUSED absence will receive a zero. Please see HHS Student Handbook if further clarification is needed.
  1. A hall pass is mandatory when leaving the classroom during class time. Each student must receive permission before leaving the room during class. No students will be allowed out of the classroom during the first 10 or last 10 minutes of class. Students must sign out on the clipboard before leaving the room.
  1. No food is allowed in the classroom unless required for medical reasons or approved by your teachers ahead of time. Only bottled water is allowed. You may not leave the classroom to visit the vending machine.
  1. Please make yourself aware of the dress code and tardy policy. I support school policy. See your student handbook for details and consequences.
  1. If there is a discipline problem, the procedure is as follows:

Motsinger/Daisy Ninth Grade Literature Composition Syllabus1

  • 1st offense: Warning
  • 2nd offense: 15 minute detention and parent contact
  • 3rd offense: 30 minute detention and parent contact
  • 4th offense: Referral to administration

Motsinger/Daisy Ninth Grade Literature Composition Syllabus1

  1. All detentions will be served within two days of the offense in the morning before school or directly after school. Parents will be notified of the detention. No shows will be given double detention time.
  1. Students shall not use, display, or turn on cellular phonesor electronic devices during instruction time except when a teacher uses these devices for instructional purposes. The consequences for inappropriate cell phone use are: 1st offense – Saturday School; 2nd offense – 1 day of ISS; 3rd offense – 2 days of ISS. Students may not listen to music or wear headphones/earbuds during class until permission is granted by Mrs. Mostinger or Ms. Daisy.
  1. Mrs. Motsinger will be available for conferences or tutoring on Mondays and Wednesdays from7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. You may also schedule an appointment with Mrs. Motsinger.

Mrs. Motsinger’s and Ms. Daisy’s Classroom Expectations

  1. Be on time.
  2. Bring all materials to class every day.
  3. Be prepared, engaged, and ready to learn.
  4. Listen with an open mind.
  5. Respect yourself, one another, me, and our school.
  6. Be kind to one another.

Motsinger/Daisy Ninth Grade Literature Composition Syllabus1

Harrison High School

English Department

Manuscript Form

Follow these guidelines for your essays:

  1. Formal papers should be typed unless instructed otherwise by the teacher.
  1. Type/write a heading in the upper left corner of the first page, including your name, your teacher’s name, the name of the course and period, and the date.

Samuel Student

Motsinger/Daisy

Ninth Grade Literature, ____ period

November 13, 2015

(Space one line before typing your title.)

  1. Center and type the title of the paper. Use standard capitalization rules. Space one line between the title and the body of the paper. Do not underline, bold, italicize, or otherwise alter the title.
  1. Double-space the body of the paper. (If you must write your paper by hand, skip lines. Do not leave an extra space between paragraphs.) In Microsoft Word: Go to Paragraph in the tool bar (or right click and choose Paragraph). Under Indents and Spacing go toLine Spacing. Choose “Double” or “2.0.” Click the box beside the line,“Do not add space between paragraphs.”
  1. Use a one inch margin around all edges of paper. In Microsoft Word, this is the default margin setting.
  1. For a typed paper, use 12-point Times New Romanfont only.
  1. For multi-paged papers, number all pages after the first in the upper right-hand corner. Type your name immediately before the page number with no comma. In Microsoft Word: Go to InsertPage Number. Choose “Top of Page” and “Right” or “Plain Number 3.” In the Header and Footer toolbar, choose “Different First Page.” Go to the second page of the document and double click on the page number. Type your last name and hit the space bar once. For example:
Smith 2
  1. Write or print on only one side of the paper.
  1. Edit your papers carefully. Rules concerning Standard English apply to all assignments.
  1. Take pride in the overall appearance of your paper!

Ninth Grade Literature/Composition

Course Syllabus Received Log

Mrs. Motsinger/Ms. Daisy

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN.

______

Student Name (please print)

______

Class period

FOR THE STUDENT:

I have read and understand the course syllabus, standard procedures, and classroom expectations. I agree to follow the procedures and expectations for the class. I understand that there are penalties for not following the procedures and expectations and that these penalties are to be determined by the teacher.

______

Student signatureDate

If you would like to be included on Mrs. Motsinger’s mailing list, please clearly print an email address here.

______

Student E-mail (please print clearly)

FOR THE PARENT:

We have read and understand the course syllabus, standard procedures, and classroom expectations. We further understand that there are penalties for not following the procedures and expectations and that these penalties are to be determined by the teacher.

______

Parent signatureParent’s printed name

______

DateParent’sdaytime phone number

If you would like to be included on Mrs. Motsinger’s mailing list, please clearly print an email address here.

______

Parent E-mail (please print clearly)

Motsinger/DaisyNinth Grade Literature Composition Syllabus1