English 9B

Statement of Core Values and Beliefs:

Milford High School is a community of diverse students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and local citizens who foster a safe, respectful culture in a supportive environment that promotes equal opportunity for high-quality education.

We believe well-educated citizens are prepared to contribute responsibly in their civic, social and career endeavors. Our school community works collaboratively to provide a rigorous and varied curriculum and to engage all students in authentic experiences, which motivate them to achieve their potential.

Thus prepared, students go forth as well-informed critical thinkers who keep pace with the advancement of the 21st century and contribute positively in a dynamic and competitive world.

Jean Locicero Shankle C Blocks, Fall 2011

Teacher voicemail extension: x3177

Classroom Number: 190

Course Description – Emphasis is placed on reading and writing skills, critical thinking skills, test taking skills, and vocabulary in preparation for success in high school and college. Students demonstrate the acquisition of these skills through presentations, in-class quizzes and tests, writing and revision, and projects.

  • Syllabus/outline of topics covered in course

Literature

  • A Step from Heaven by An Na
  • Antigone by Sophocles
  • Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
  • The Odyssey by Homer
  • Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals
  • Shakespeare Bats Cleanup Ron Koertge
  • Additional short story or poetry assignments may be required
  • Writing – ongoing study – various writing assignments including literary analysis, compare and contrast, and reading response
  • Vocabulary - Vocabulary Workshop Level C – roughly one unit per week
  • Grammar – Grammar for Writing Blue Level – ongoing study
  • Competencies – What must students know and be able to do?
  • Paragraph organization including thesis-support, compare and contrast;definitions and uses of paragraphs and sentences, transitional words, organization of multi-paragraph papers.
  • Essential Questions: How do characters in various genres respond to life altering experiences (loss, love, consequences)?
  • Student Expectations for Learning to be evaluated in this course:

Complex Thinker, Quality Producer

  • Common Core Assessments
  • Comparison and contrast essay
  • Resources
  • Required supplies
  • Notebook for class materials and notes
  • Writing utensils
  • Books used in the course are supplied.
  • Milford High School Library Media Center (MHS-LMC)
  • Computer use in MHS-LMC for word processing and research is occasionally available during class time.
  • Students without computer access at home use the MHS-LMC after school for assignment completion.

Grading

  • The final gradefor this course is calculated according to the following:

Quarter 1: 45%, Quarter 2: 45%;Final Exam, 10% for semester courses.

  • Quarter grades are determined using a total point system. This means that each assignment is assigned a value. The total possible points allowed are divided by total earned by the student. For example, if a student took a quiz for 40 points, wrote a paper for 150 and completed an in class worksheet for 10 points, 200 points would be the total possible. If the student earned 30 out 40 on the quiz, 125 out of 150 on the paper, and 8 out of 10 on the worksheet, the student would have earned 163/200 points for a grade of 81.5%, which would be rounded to 83%.
  • Each literature unit will end with at least one of the following: test, project, or writing assignment.
  • Vocabulary and grammar quizzes are scheduled for Tuesdays, unless workshops, delays or snow days interfere. The quizzes will then be bumped to the next day.

Classroom Rules/Policies/Guidelines

●Milford High School has a handbook that details behavior guidelines. These include dress code, an electronics policy, a cheating policy and more. I support these policies, so please read the handbook and plan to abide by those rules.

●Discussion is an integral part of an English classroom; however, the discussion must be curriculum centered, respectful and positive to support learning. Therefore, distracting and disruptive talking is not permitted.

●Due dates are firm. Late work may not be accepted.

●Questions emailed to me are usually answered promptly but an unanswered emailed question is not an excuse for late work.

Extra Help

I am available for extra help in my classroom, Room 190 before school or immediately after school most days. However, I often have meetings, so please see me to make an appointment.

Website and Apps

On the Milford High School site, go to Departments>English? Jean Locicero Shankle

Choose Class Websites on the right. Find your class.

Optional: Sign up for Class Messenger for your phone or email access. I send out daily homework reminders, hints and helps and answers to urgent questions. Directions sheet available in class. Check your data plan , if accessing on your phone.