Culver City High School
English Language Arts Grade 9 Laureen (Laurie) Gatz
2015-2016
CCHS MISSION STATEMENT
Culver City High School is an engaged and caring community where diversity is valued and respected. We are committed to educating and inspiring all students to become life-long learners and contributing members of our global society.
Course Description: English 9 is a one year course that surveys the basic literary genres of the novel, poetry, short story, and drama. It provides practice with the writing process which stresses: pre-writing, drafting, sharing and responding, revising, and editing. Students respond to literature through speaking and writing. The writing component includes the literary analysis essay, expository response, a persuasive essay, and a research paper. The course introduces basic elements of oral communication, emphasizing development of articulation, poise and confidence in speaking and developing a sense of audience in speaking and writing.
Textbook(s):
The Language of Literature
Of Mice and Men*
Animal Farm*
*Students will be told when to obtain these items.
Recommended Materials: Textbooks, (unless otherwise stated), paper, pen, SSR book, and English binder. Mrs. Gatz will check for these items periodically. Students will be deducted participation points if they do not have these items.(See below).
English 9 Binder: It is recommended that students keep a binder in which to keep all assignments for this class. The English binder should house everything from the course description to individual assignments and notes. Students should bring their English binders to class each day, along with the other materials listed in the course description. English binders will be checked at random, and students should make sure that they are always up-to-date on what is in the binder. The ideal English binder will have 5 dividers. Neatness is key! Students should be careful to place all assignments in the correct section of their binders. Do not throw away anything without checking with the teacher first!
The dividers in the English binder should be labeled as follows:
Fall Semester / Spring SemesterWarm Ups/Quick Writes* / Warm Ups/Quick Writes*
Vocabulary / Vocabulary
Writing- Literary Analysis/Argumentative / Writing- Research/Argumentative
Grammar and Mechanics / Grammar and Mechanics
Literature: Of Mice and Men, Short Stories, various non-fiction pieces / Literature: Animal Farm, Romeo and Juliet, various non-fiction pieces
*It is recommended that students keep Warm Ups and Quick Writes in a spiral bound notebook.
Homework: Students will NOT have homework every day. However, any work that is not finished during class time automatically becomes homework. Parents can check the school website for assigned homework. It is also recommended that students contribute some time to reading a book of their choice on a daily basis.
Neatness: All work submitted to the teacher must be neat, without exception. Illegible or messy work will be returned for revision OR will receive a “0” for the assignment. The same is true of papers which are tattered or torn. Students are expected to submit their best work and to take pride in what they do. Own your work!
Silent Sustained Reading: Periodically, Mrs. Gatz will schedule a period of time in which students do silent sustained reading (SSR). Students are welcome to bring a book of their own, or they may choose from the books available in class. Students earn participation points for participating in SSR.
Make-Up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about missed assignments. However, because Mrs. Gatz believes all students can succeed, late work will receive full credit in cases of excused absence, emergency or special circumstances. (See Mrs. Gatz for details). It is not the teacher’s responsibility to collect work from students who are tardy or absent.
Make-Up Tests: It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a date and time with the teacher for make-up tests/quizzes. Make-up tests/quizzes must be taken within the number of days a student is absent. For example, if a student misses one day of school, the student has one day in which to make up a test/quiz. Mrs. Gatz cannot return tests/quizzes until all students have taken a test/quiz. For this reason, it is important that students see the teacher about making up tests/quizzes as soon as possible so that Mrs. Gatz can provide timely feedback.
Grading Policy: Grading is done on a point system. Final grades are based on homework, class work, classroom participation and cooperation, and tests/quizzes. Points are converted to a percentage. A student’s grade is made up of the following:
Homework 15%
Class Work 15%
Participation/Cooperation 15%
Quizzes 15%
Tests/Projects/Essays 20%
Final Exam 20%
*Students/parents can keep track of a student’s academic performance on the Parent Portal.
Participation: We at Culver City High School expect all our students to attend school regularly and arrive to all classes on time, ready to participate, learn and achieve. Participation points are awarded during each grading period. Participation consists of, but is not limited to, being present, arriving to class on time, bringing appropriate materials, following classroom and school rules, and being attentive and involved in classroom activities. Students should be ready to be positive and productive members of the classroom environment. A student’s participation grade is reflected in the Work Habits and Cooperation portion of the grade, and makes up 15% of the student’s letter grade.
Classroom Guidelines:
1. Show respect for yourself and others at all times.
2. Bring your materials every day.
3. Be in your seat and ready to work when the final bell rings. (You will be marked tardy if you are not seated by the final bell).
4. Unless otherwise stated, ALWAYS raise your hand to speak.
5. There is no food or beverage allowed during class time. Water is the only exception.
Consequences:
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Student/teacher conference/Detention referral
3rd Offense: Parent phone call/email and possible parent/teacher/student conference and detention
Note: If the violation is severe or is a distraction to others, the teacher reserves the right to immediately remove the student from class.
Bathroom: It is generally expected that unless a student has a dire emergency or a medical excuse, he or she will not be able to leave the classroom without a bathroom pass. Students receive 2 bathroom passes each at the start of the semester and are expected to surrender a bathroom pass to leave the room for any reason. Passes are not to be used during the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of class. If a student does not use his or her bathroom passes by the end of the semester, he or she may surrender any remaining bathroom passes to the teacher to receive extra credit points. Mrs. Gatz determines the number of points to be received for each bathroom pass.
Tissues: At the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Gatz receives a limited number of tissue boxes. When they are gone, they are gone. It is recommended that if a student has a need for an excessive number of tissues, (e.g., allergies, illness), he or she bring tissues from home. Students may not leave the room to “blow” their noses.
Leaving Your Seat: Students may retrieve tissues, throw away trash, or sharpen their pencils at any time, provided they do not disturb others. They should ask to leave their seats for other reasons.
Electronic Devices/Hats: Electronic devices and hats are subject to Culver City High School Electronics policy. See student handbook.
Defacing School Property: Defacement of school property is never permitted. Per school rules, tagging or scratching into school property will be reported to the administration, and students suspected of defacement will be subject to the appropriate consequences, which may include suspension. If a student does not want to be falsely accused of defacing school property, it is imperative that the student report any new markings on desks, etc., as soon as they are noticed.
Report of Conduct: Periodically Mrs. Gatz may communicate with parents using a Report of Conduct (R.O.C.) form. The Report of Conduct informs parents of students’ in-class behavior and conduct. This form can be sent via email (preferred) or via mail. Guardians, please make sure you include a valid/current email address below so Mrs. Gatz can keep you informed as to your student’s performance in this class.
English 9 Contract
Student: I have read and understand the class expectations, required materials, and contract for English 9. I agree to adhere to all rules and work to the best of my ability.
Guardian: As guardian, I agree to monitor my student and to make sure that he/she complies with this contract.
It is suggested students bring the following items by ______
o English binder (or section in a binder)
o The Language of Literature
o 5 dividers
o paper
o pens
o SSR book
______
Student Name Student Signature Date
______
Guardian Name Guardian Signature Date
Guardian Email: ______
Guardians: Please give me a current email address which you check regularly so that I may do my best to communicate concerns and other information related to your student’s performance in my class.
Special Situations
If there are any special cases or situations of which you would like me to be informed, please do not hesitate to make a note here, or if you prefer, contact me via email at .