DearbornHigh School

Language Arts 2013-2014

Mr. SchmittEmail:Conference Period: 1st Hour

Office Hours: Before or after school on Tuesdays and Fridays, by appointment only.

Blog:

Remind 101: Text @ lah__ to (586) 690-4859

2nd Hour = @lah2, 3rd Hour = @lah3, 5th Hour = @lah5, 6th Hour = @lah6

Course Overview:Language Arts is a challenging course that will expose students to skills and strategies provided by the Common Core Standards for ninth grade throughout the second semester.Students will be engaged in careful reading and critical analysis of literature. Through the close reading of selected poetry, drama, non-fiction, and novels, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students will consider a work's structure, a writer’s style, arguments and themes. Literary elements such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, voice and tone will also be analyzed. Students will be writing (graded and non-graded) fully developed essays, short paragraphs, structured responses to specific questions, and original poetry to develop fluency, creativity, and a sense of risk-taking in their writing. In addition, students will complete projects using technology, and will conduct research using multiple sources.Grammar and vocabulary study will help sharpen each student’s reading and writing skills as well.

Textbook: Prentice Hall LiteratureTimeless Voices, Timeless Themes

Required Texts:Animal Farmby George Orwell, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

*Note: while Dearborn HS will provide copies of the required novels, students are strongly encouraged to buy their own copies. This allows them to take notes and highlight in their texts. If you choose to purchase personal copies, please make sure to consult with me prior to ensure it is the correct version of the text.

Honor Code: We have very high expectations for ninth grade students, and hope that students have equally high standards for themselves and their classmates. Students are reminded that all work that they do should reflect their own efforts and ideas. Work from other sources,for example, from research or your classmates, must be cited accurately. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarized or copied work will receive a grade of E. **Remember, your honor is more valuable than any grade, and your reputation is worth more than a GPA.

Classroom Policies:Iexpect that students will adhere to all DPS and DHS policies including, but not limited to, cell phone use, attendance, tardiness, and dress code. In addition, students must adhere to the Dearborn HS policy of no food or drink in the classroom. However, water will be allowed as long as students dispose of empty bottles when leaving the classroom. Any student who chooses not to follow any of the above-mentioned policieswill be referred to the assistant principal designated to his/her grade level. Finally, my classroom rules are simple: Iask that students stay on task, treat classmates with respect and consideration, and follow my instructions the first time they are given.

Behavior Expectations: The Dearborn Public Schools Code of Conduct is in effect at all times. Students are expected to demonstrate the following behaviors on a daily basis:

  • Arrive to class on time
  • Bring all necessary materials for learning (i.e. agendas, binders, writing utensils)
  • Show respect towards classmates and assigned teachers/instructors
  • Treat the classroom and school equipment safely and with care
  • Use school appropriate language at all times
  • Follow directions the first time they are given

Addressing Behavior:

1st Offense-Conversation with student individually and incident will be documented

2nd Offense-Parent will be contacted and incident will be documented

3rd Offense-Student will be referred to the principal

Student Devices

Personal wireless devices (laptops, iPod Touch, iPad, etc.) may not be used for communication during class time—no texting, IM-ing, FB updates, etc.However, with teacher permission, you may use wireless devices for CLASS RELATED tools like online dictionaries and search engines.Please keep in mind that I reserve the right to check any devices that are turned on during class to make sure they are being used appropriately. If you are caught using a personal device inappropriately, Iwill confiscate it and it will be treated with the same disciplinary action as the school cell phone policy.

Late and Make-up Work: All work must be turned in complete and on time in order to be eligible for full credit. We follow the district policy for work missed due to absences, but it is the responsibility of students to approach me for absent work upon arrival back to class. If absent work is not submitted tous on time (one day for each day of absence) it will not be accepted for full credit. It is the student’s responsibilityto turn his or her work into me.I will not ask them for it. In addition, students MUST make up any quiz or test that was missed due to an absence the day they return to class. If a student is anticipating a long absence from school, please contact us via email so that we can send assignments.**Missing work will be accepted until the end of the first semester. Students will have not receive full credit, but will have an opportunity to receive most of the points possible based on the date it is received.Computer problems are NOT an excuse for late papers! In case of technical difficulties, you will have the following options at your disposal:

  • Email your paper to us at , , or to yourself. However, you must send it as a Microsoft WORD attachment (preferable 97-2003 format). If you do not have Microsoft WORD, you can compose your paper as email text, send it to yourself and re-format it in WORD in the media center BEFORE class.
  • Save to a flash drive and print it in the media center BEFORE class.

Daily Scribe: Every day we will write the class period’s agenda on the white board or post it on the promethean board. Each student will receive a calendar which will determine the “scribe” for the day. It is the scribe’s responsibility to write the daily agenda on a provided scribe sheet. Once completed, the scribe will place the handout in the designated folder so that absent students can review assignments to be completed. **If you are absent on the day that you are to serve as the scribe, you must find a classmate to trade or cover for you. Assignments will be numbered and labeled. If you are absent, please check the folder for absent work. If something is missing or you need further clarification, please speak with either of us before the end of the class period.

Bell Work & Learning Targets: The daily “bell work” assignment and the daily “learning targets” will be posted on the board at the beginning of each class period. I will provide you with a handout each week. Responses for the week will be turned in on Friday. If you are absent, you are still required to complete the assignment. Please check the scribe folder for the assignment you will need to make up.

Class Materials (required):1 inch binder, 6 binder tabs (to separate sections), school agenda (must be filled out to use your hall pass), notebook or lined notebook paper, pencils, 1 black or blue pen, 1 highlighter. **Each student is responsible for maintaining organization of his or her binder.**Students must have all required materials by Friday 1/31/14.

Class Materials (optional):Duo tang folders, extra writing utensils, and dictionary.

Grading: Students’ grades are determined based on points earned in the following categories:

Summative (80% total)Formative (20% total)

40%-Assessments (tests, quizzes, projects)20%-Homework, class work, bell work, discussions, etc.

30%-Essays

10%-Participation

Grading Scale:

A100-93B86-83C76-73D66-63

A-92-90B-82-80C-72-70D-62-60

B+89-87C+79-77D+69-67E59 and below

**Note-Each marking period grade will be worth 40% of the semester grade. The final exam will be worth 20% of the semester grade. Grades will be posted on a regular basis on Student Connect and Parent Connect.

Dearborn High School Plagiarism Policy

Academic Honesty Agreement

Last name, First name: ______

Dearborn High School has high expectations for students and hopes that students have equally high expectations for themselves and their classmates. Students are reminded that all of their work should reflect their own efforts and ideas. Work from other sources must be credited accurately. Unless directed by the teacher, students must assume all assignments are to be done individually. Remember – your honor is more valuable to you than any grade.

“Plagiarism occurs when an individual takes writing and/or ideas of another person and presents them as his/her own.”

The following are all examples of academic dishonesty (cheating or plagiarism):

  • Buying and/or downloading a paper or partial paper from a term paper mill or website.
  • Copying material from the source text without citing the source, or citing the source and omitting quotation marks.
  • Paraphrasing the source text without proper citation.
  • Copying word for word without properly giving the source credit.
  • Taking credit for someone else’s ideas without properly listing the source.
  • Copying a classmate’s homework or class work for any subject or class.
  • Allowing a classmate to copy work from any subject or class.
  • Looking at a classmate’s paper or discussing/sharing answers during independent work time, quizzes or tests.
  • Looking at/taking assessments and/or answer keys from a teacher
  • Using electronic devices to give help, answers or advance knowledge to other students.
  • Disclosing test or quiz questions or answers to classmates.
  • Reading/using novel supplements (ex: Sparknotes/Cliffsnotes) instead of an assigned novel.
  • Turning in /taking credit for an assignment you did not do yourself.

Consequences for academic dishonesty:

  • Student will receive a grade of E for the paper, project, or assignment.
  • Student may not resubmit assignment for credit or grade.
  • A formal reprimand will be placed in the student’s deportment file.
  • Coaches, directors (Theater, Vocal, Instrumental), advisors (National Honors Society, Student Council, Model UN), etc. will be notified as to the reprimand.
  • Disciplinary action will be taken; Range of intervention will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct (p.19, 3B-9).

Students, by signing this form you are agreeing:

  • That you understand all of the above are examples of academic dishonesty.
  • That you understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and the consequences for it.
  • To be academically honest with your teacher, your classmates and yourself.

Student signature: ______Date: ______

Parents, by signing this form you are agreeing:

  • That you understand all of the above are examples of academic dishonesty.
  • That you understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and the consequences for it.
  • To help your student understand the importance of always doing his or her own work.

Parent signature: ______Date: ______

Behavior Expectations:

_____The student only leaves his or her assigned seat after receiving permission from Mr. Schmitt.

_____The student does not engage in physical altercations or “horse-play” with fellow classmates or

other students.

_____The student actively participates and is engaged in daily lessons (i.e. no sleeping, actively listening, participating in partner/group work).

_____The student completes and turns in his or her assigned class work on time.

_____The student arrives to class every day on time, prepared, and ready to learn, with all required class materials.

_____The student takes notes on lecture content and shows signs of active listening when deemed appropriate.

_____The student uses appropriate school language and follows directions the first time they are given, without argument or complaint.

_____The student consistently shows respect towards his or her peers at all times.

_____The student shows respect towards his or her classmates by waiting for his or her turn during class discussions, partner work, or group work (i.e. does not interrupt classmates).

_____The student uses his or her “indoor/quiet voice” to avoid distracting his or her classmates during work or study periods.

Students, by initialing and signing this form you are agreeing:

  • That you clearly understand all of Mr. Schmitt classroom rules and policies
  • That you will meet the outlined behavior expectations to the best of your ability
  • That you understand the seriousness of failing to comply with the rules and policies
  • That you are subject to DHS and DPS consequences per DHS administration

Parents, by signing this form you are agreeing:

  • That you clearly understand all of Mr. Schmitt classroom rules and policies
  • That your student will meet the outlined behavior expectations to the best of his or her ability
  • That you understand the seriousness of your student’s failure to comply with the rules and policies

Student’s Name: ______Date: ______

Student’s Signature: ______

Parent(s) Signature: ______