White Plains High School s1

English 1R Ms. Rosenka

White Plains High School

2015-2016

“So long as we learn, it doesn’t matter who teaches us, does it?”

- To Sir with Love, 1967

In light of these powerful words, you must understand that every person and every situation you encounter can teach you something. It is these lessons that propel you into adulthood. While this coming of age varies greatly among different cultures, it is important to remember that each of us shapes our unique voice through our experiences and our exposure to those around us.

Course Description

The core curriculum of ninth-grade English is developed to provide a roadmap for attaining the knowledge and skills students need for success in Advanced Placement courses and in college-level work. The curriculum is organized into units centered on the concept of coming of age. We will study challenging texts including the novel The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros; the novella Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck; and the screenplay To Kill a Mockingbird, by Horton Foote. In addition, we will analyze short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Each unit contains a wide-range of reading and writing activities designed to prepare students for college and for the 21st century.

Essential Questions We Will Explore This Year

·  What does it mean to “come of age”?

·  How do writers use language to influence their audience?

·  What is poetry?

·  What are the essential features of drama?

·  How does an author use literary elements to establish a theme?

·  What impact does the historical, cultural, geographical, and social background have on a novel and its readers?

General Expectations

As a student, you are expected to:

·  Attend class every day and be on time.

·  Be prepared with all appropriate materials and assigned work.

·  Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings of our classroom.

·  Participate in all class activities.

Student Responsibility

Part of being a high school student means you are becoming more responsible for your own education. This means you must advocate for yourself. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate or the teacher in order to get any missed assignments. You have three days to make up a test or quiz due to an excused absence. In addition, if you are having an academic or personal difficulty and need to meet with your teachers, you must contact them to make an appointment. You should own and use your planner/assignment book every day, turn in assignments on time, and take care of your class materials. You will be given at least a week’s lead time for out-of-class writing assignments and other major assignments, so plan accordingly.

Important: Always have an extra hard copy of your formal writing assignments.

Formal Writing Assignments

All formal writing assignments submitted in this class are to be typed (in twelve-point font), double-spaced, numbered, and stapled before they are handed in. You should always make copies for your records. These specifications pertain to rough drafts as well as final drafts.

·  Use the Times New Roman font and standard one-inch margins.

·  Correct spelling and punctuation are expected as a minimum.

·  Create a header with your last name and page number for each page.

·  Late work is penalized. Five points will be deducted each day your paper is late. After five days, a formal writing assignment will not be accepted.

You will submit most formal writing assignments through an online essay collection site called TurnItIn.com.

Grading

Quizzes/Tests/Projects/Writing Assignments 60%

Classwork and Class Participation 25%

Homework and Reading Quizzes 15%

Supply List

For this class, you will need the following supplies:

1.  A three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper and three sections for:

·  Classwork/Homework

·  Writing

·  Academic Vocabulary/Literary Terms

2.  Blue or black pens

3.  Highlighters

4.  Several packages of 3x3 Post-it notes

Plagiarism/Cheating

You begin the year with my complete trust. Please do not take that trust away by cheating or being dishonest in any way. I always encourage cooperative learning, and you’re always free to get together to brainstorm, discuss assignments, and study for exams. However, no form of plagiarism or cheating will be tolerated. We will review and abide by the school’s plagiarism and academic honesty policies.

I am excited to be your English teacher and to help you improve and grow as readers, writers, and thinkers. My expectations for you are high, but I will support you as you reach towards those expectations. I value you each as an important member of this class, and I look forward to a productive and satisfying year.

Mrs. Rosenka J

After reading and discussing the course syllabus with your parent/guardian, please complete the student contract and return it to me by Tuesday, September 8.

Student Contract 2015-2016

English 1R

I, ______, have read the syllabus for English 1R and understand the course requirements and expectations. I also understand the following:

·  If I am absent from school, it is my responsibility to find out what work I have missed. I have three days from when I return to school to make up any missing tests or assignments.

·  Homework will not be accepted late.

·  The first time I am late to class, I will receive a warning. For every subsequent time I am late without a pass, I will receive an administrative write up.

·  I am not to use my cell phone in class. If I use my phone in class, I understand that I will receive an administrative write up.

·  I will respect myself, my fellow classmates, and my teacher.

·  If I plagiarize any assignment or any portion of an assignment, I will receive an automatic zero for the assignment grade.

Student Signature ______

Parent Signature ______

* Parents/Guardians: Please provide your preferred method of contact below:

Home Phone Number: ______

Cell Phone Number: ______

Work Phone Number: ______

Email Address: ______

Additional contact information and/or comments:

Attention Parents/Guardians

·  If you would like to receive email notifications regarding due dates, assignments, projects, papers, and other pertinent information, please print your personal email address below.

Personal Email Address: ______