Ninth Grade English Syllabus
2011-2012
Welcome to Ms. Greene’s 9th grade English/Language Arts class! This is a college-preparatory course which follows the California State Standards and is also designed to begin building the skills that will prepare students to succeed in Advanced Placement Language and Literature at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Coursework will focus on the further development of students’ literary analysis, critical thinking, academic writing, and speaking skills. While the rigorous curriculum of this course will prove challenging, it is my expectation that every student will succeed in my class.
Materials
- One 1 ½ - 2 in. binder
- Two to three composition notebooks (depending on size of writing) to be used throughout the year
- College ruled loose-leaf paper
- Five-tab dividers
- Blue/black pens
- Red and green pens
- Yellow highlighter
- Colored pencils and/or markers
- Scissors and gluestick
Texts
All required texts for 7th – 11th grade English Language Arts classes have been ordered through Anna’s Books, located at 1150 Sunset Blvd., Suite 155, Rocklin, CA (916) 434-1335. Books for the first semester will be available by September 15th with a 10% discount to WSCA students. You are strongly encouraged to get your required texts at the beginning of the school year. Early planning will ensure that no last minute crises arise, and that you do not fall behind in your rigorous reading schedule. Late fall, Anna’s Books will begin to carry the texts for second semester; however, there are several copies of the second semester texts now, and additional copies for the next semester can be ordered by request at any time. Students require their own copies of each class text, as one of the college-preparatory skills taught in this course is annotation. Please speak with me individually in advance if you would like the school to provide you with a school copy of the texts.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain (ISBN: 978-1-59308-000-6)
Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury (ISBN: 0345342968)
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (ISBN: 0446310786)
Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer
Othello, by William Shakespeare (ISBN: 0743477553)
Other selected titles provided by the instructor either online or as handouts
(Subject to future revision)
Literature
The selection of texts is based on a combination of those that thematically compliment each other, as well as those that are recommended reading of the Advanced Placement College Board. Selections will be used to study the various literary elements (plot, theme, characterization, point of view, and setting) as well as to practice literary analysis through close readings. An emphasis will be placed on discussion of the text and making connections between text to self, text to texts, and text to world in an effort to expand students’ critical thinking abilities. Students should expect a rigorous reading schedule both in and out of class, and to develop habits as active and reflective readers. In addition to class required texts, students will participate in Independent Reading (IR), individually choosing a different text of preference each quarter.
Language and Vocabulary
Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) is a program that will use regularly to reinforce linguistic skills concerning word classes and functions, mechanics, structure, agreement, and style. DGP quizzes will be given periodically within units of study. Daily language skills sheets will serve as in-class anchor activities. Vocabulary lists will be comprised of those constructed from learned Latin and Greek roots, as well as from our literary texts. These will be practiced both in class and independently with frequent and regular assessments.
Writing
Writing will be strongly emphasized this year as students prepare for the increasing demand to communicate effectively on a global scale. Formal writing assessments, timed writing practice, journal entries and reflections, textual annotations, and portfolio development are a few ways in which writing will be incorporated. Students should be prepared to write EVERY DAY in class. We will produce expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive writing, as well as much response to literature. Emphasis will be placed on the writing process, especially prewriting and revision. All writing will be graded using detailed rubrics. Final graded copies will remain in the classroom as part of the student’s writing portfolio. Parents and students may visit the classroom to review the writing portfolio at anytime.
Grading Policy
Progress Reports and Semester Report Cards will be broken up into TWO sections – a Product (Letter) grade and a Progress (Standards) grade – each independent of one another. Students work each quarter on a Product grade, which summarizes the students’ achievement on the current work and assessments being taught in class. This is recorded as an A, B, C, or I (Incomplete). Also, learning goals (essential standards) will be specified and measured on a scale of 4-3-2-1 showing a Progress grade toward end of year mastery of essential standards.
Note: Students are expected to prove mastery of the essential skills (as assessed through presentations, exams, essays, and major projects). Therefore, rewriting essays is required to pass the class, master the material, and to develop further as a writer. Retaking exams or other assessments will be allowed at the teacher’s discretion. No re-takes OR essay re-writes will be permitted during the week prior to end of each grading period.
Submission of Work
· All written work (drafts, essays, etc.) is to be turned in at the beginning of your class period on the day it is due.
· Students are responsible for printing their assignments, and should always anticipate unexpected technical difficulty. Plan ahead: print your work well in advance of the deadline since NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA DISK, USB, OR EMAIL unless otherwise noted.
· All major papers, projects, or presentations will be marked down one full grade if late. Absences on the day of a presentation or submission of a project/paper will cause the submitted work to be considered late and scored as such, unless excused.
· Any quiz or test missed due to an excused absence must be made up in a period less than or equal to the number of days absent. For example, a student who was ill and absent for three days will have three days to take the quiz/test upon returning to school. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for any work missed during an absence!
· Work will only be accepted if it is neat and completed to the best of the student’s ability. Submitted work that does not meet these standards will be returned to the student with a (R) Redo.
Classroom Rules and Expectations
ü Come to class prepared with a pen, highlighters, paper, binder, composition book and current class text.
ü The classroom is a learning environment. Any disruptions to the learning of students in the classroom or the instruction of the teacher will not be tolerated.
ü Be respectful and considerate of one another. Any discrimination, intolerance, disruption, or rudeness is unacceptable. My classroom is a safe environment for all students.
Class Procedures
Following these procedures will help you have a successful year in language arts:
- Upon entering class, check the board for the day’s agenda and homework and begin the warm-up immediately. Have your binder and composition notebook out and ready before the bell rings.
- If you must borrow an item from the classroom, you will be expected to leave “collateral” (i.e. to borrow a pen from the teacher, you will be expected to leave something of yours behind – a student ID, shoe, etc. is sufficient.) This will be returned when you return the borrowed item.
- If you have been absent, 1) Check the Absences folder for your class period, 2) Check in with the Work Coordinator in your class, and 3) Make an appointment with me to make up your work. Available times are: office hours, Enrichment/Support, or after school.
- Be considerate of others while they are working. Writing and reading take a lot of concentration! Remember that everyone is working on mastery and not all are always on the same assignment.
- A computer/printer malfunction is not a good excuse for late work. Remember, you can email your work to me, save it on a flash drive, or handwrite it. Planning ahead is the best way to prevent a technology-induced homework crisis!
- Restroom and locker breaks should be taken between classes, unless a medical condition exists.
- School-wide policies stated in the Western Sierra Student Handbook are to be followed. Cell phones are to be silenced and put away during class time, otherwise the phone will be confiscated by the office and returned only to the parent/guardian.
I look forward to a great year of learning together! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Emails will usually elicit the quickest response, though voicemail is equally welcome. Students, sign below that you have read and understood this document, then share it with your parent or guardian and have him/her sign as well. You will receive a homework score for doing so. Keep this syllabus in the front of our binder throughout the year.
Thank you,
Ms. Greene
Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
English and Foreign Languages
“We have read the English 9 course syllabus and have understood the class expectations and requirements.”
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Student’s Printed Name and Date Student’s Signature
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Parent/Guardian’s Printed Name and Date Parent/Guardian’s Signature