English I Syllabus

Instructor: / Carol Keener / Phone: / (931) 668-5858 Ext. 259
Credit: / 1 / E-mail: /
Prerequisites / -Successful completion of an 8th grade English course.

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  1. Course Description:

English I focuses on preparing students for the demands of English II and college or career readiness. Students read complex texts, write for a variety of purposes and audiences, participate effectively in groups, communicate clearly, and use technology for research and presentation. In this course, students take an active role in the learning process while the teacher guides and facilitates. Students will maintain an organized notebook, turn in assignments on time, and complete a writing portfolio. For more information about the TN state standards for ninth grade English, please visit the TDOE website: .

II.Provided Texts:

Allen, Janet, et al. Literature: Grade 9. Orlando, Florida: Holt McDougal, 2012.

Irvin, Judith L, et al. Elements of Language: Third Course. Austin, Texas: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2011.

Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet: Shakespeare Made Easy. London: Barron’s, 1985.

III.Required Text and Materials:

Wiesel, Elie. Night. Translated by Marion Wiesel. New York: Hill and Wang, 2006.

1 three-ring binder

6 notebook dividers (ACT prep., vocabulary, language, literature, writing, and portfolio)

Loose-leaf notebook paper

Pencils

Colored pens for editing

Spiral notebook

Highlighters (multiple colors please)

Small post-it notes (squares, strips, or both) for annotation

A pencil pouch or some other way of bringing supplies to class each day

3x5 lined index cards

**Please know I absolutely understand that buying for school supplies can be expensive, especially for seven classes! Many of the supplies I am asking for, such as pencils, paper, etc., can also be used in your student’s other classes so that you do not have to buy the same supplies multiple times. I am only asking for parents to purchase one book, Night, which can be bought in paperback format at McKay’s, Amazon, and most major bookstores for less than ten dollars. Since we will be discussing and annotating the book by page numbers, please be sure to buy the version translated by Marion Wiesel. For discussion purposes, it is easier to have to book in hand rather than on an e-reader. If it is difficult for you to purchase the book, please send me an e-mail, and I will gladly provide a used copy for your student.

IV.Classroom Rules/Policies:

This classroom is a valuable learning community, and all students are members of this community. By adhering to these “rules,” we will have a positive environment for everyone. You will

  1. arrive to class on time ready to learn with all personal needs taken care of before arrival
  2. be in your seat when the tardy bell rings with technology turned off
  3. treat others and the teacher with respect
  4. speak at the appropriate time
  5. act responsibly
  6. follow all school rules as addressed in the student handbook.

First time violation of these rules is a verbal warning. If the student continues to disregard these rules, he or she will be written up and sent to the grade level principal. Severe misconduct will be referred immediately to the office.

V.Grading:

All assignments, quizzes, and tests will be given a point value. Tests, major assignments, and most quizzes will be worth 100 points, whereas homework and some in-class assignments will be worth fewer points.

The school’s grading scale can be found in the student handbook.

**The semester grade will be determined by an average of each of the two nine-week periods and a semester exam. The first semester exam counts as 20% of the semester average.**

**ALL English I students are required to take the TNReady assessments, which include writing assessments and an end-of-year assessment.**

All students will take the midterm and final exams. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!

VI.Make-up Work, Late Work, and Redo Policies:

Students are responsible for the work that is missed during any absences. If a student is absent the day an assignment is due but was present when it was assigned, the assignment must be turned in on the day the student returns to school. If a student is absent on the day an assignment is given, he or she is responsible for getting the assignment and any notes from that day. If a student does not complete the work that has been missed, a zero will be assigned, and lunch remediation will be required.

Students are expected to turn in assignments on time; however, I understand that things happen sometimes. Ten percent will be deducted from an assignment each day it is late until a maximum of thirty points has been reached.

Occasionally, even the best students perform poorly on a test or assignment, which can create a lot of stress for students who are concerned about GPA. I offer a redo policy to help alleviate stress and to create additional learning opportunities. Please understand that this is not an excuse for students to skip studying or avoid doing their best on assignments. To be eligible for redos, students MUST have all assignments completed (no blanks or zeros in the grade book). Redo tests will not be the same as the original tests and must be completed within ONE week of the original test date. Redo tests and assignments will only earn partial points.

The re-do policy for homework assignments will be at the teacher’s discretion.

VII.Academic Dishonesty:

Academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism) will not be tolerated in this classroom. The policies and procedures in the student handbook will be followed.

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: These offences will not be tolerated in any form. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying another student’s homework, quiz, or test with or without his consent. Allowing another to copy your homework, quiz, or test is also cheating. Plagiarism is copying the words or using the ideas of a published author without giving proper credit. Handbook policy states that any plagiarism or cheating will result in one day of ISS and a grade of zero that cannot be dropped or made up!

I want this class to be a positive and rewarding learning experience!

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Verification of Student Notification:

I have read and understand the information and requirements provided in this syllabus.

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student’s signature dateparent’s signaturedate

English I - Core Texts by Genre

Allegory:

Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust - Eve Bunting

Autobiographical Essay:

“Superman and Me” - Sherman Alexie

Drama:

Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare

Epic:

The Odyssey - Homer

Memoir:

Night - Elie Wiesel

Short Stories:

“Checkouts” - Cynthia Rylant

“The Cask of Amontillado” - Edgar Allan Poe

“The Pedestrian” - Ray Bradbury

Famous Speeches:

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death - Patrick Henry

Infamy - Franklin D. Roosevelt

I Have a Dream - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Informational Texts:

Students will be exposed to a variety of informational texts that pertain to the core texts they will read.

**This list is subject to modifications throughout the year.

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