9th Grade English I Syllabus

2015-2016

Mr. McDaniel

Email:

Twitter: @SC9thMcDaniel

Classroom Phone:(502)-863-4523

Course Overview

Welcome to Mr. McDaniel’s freshman English class! This class will involve you directly in reading, writing, and most importantly, thinking. My goal is to help all freshman smoothly transition from 8th grade into high school, assisting students in constructing a solid foundation for their next three years of high school and beyond. During our time together, students will become more fluent readers, persuasive writers, critical thinkers, insightful group contributors,and independent learners, while also developing and refining the skills necessary to succeed on the English 10 standardized assessments (English End-of-Course Assessment and On-Demand Writing Assessment) and future assessments such as the ACT and AP course assessments.

Course Content

Unit 1: Making Connections and Finding Patterns (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Unit 2: Rhetorical Appeals: Influence on an Audience

Unit 3: Voice and Style: Reading and Writing Perceptively (Fahrenheit 451)

Unit 4: Poetic Voices: The Function and Effect of Poetic Structure and Poetic Devices

Unit 5: Tragedy and Comedy: Making Thematic Connections (Romeo and Juliet)

Unit 6: Journeys and Homecomings: Ancient and Modern Literature (The Odyssey)

Course Materials

• Pen and pencil and loose leaf lined paper

• 3-ring binder to organize your class materials.

∙Notebook for journal entries.

Classroom Conduct: Students will be expected to follow theClassroom Rules:

1. Be in your assigned seat with all materials before the bell rings.

2. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

3. Follow directions the first time they are given.

4. Do not talk while the teacher or another classmate is talking.

5. No headphones or cell phones (unless instructed otherwise).

Attendance and Tardiness

Refer to the Scott County Ninth Grade School student handbook for tardy policies and procedures.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism

Any incident of cheating on an assignment will result in a zero. Students caught using or looking at a cell phone during a test will automatically have their phone confiscated and receive both a zero on the test and a discipline referral. Also, plagiarizing published work is an example of cheating. Students must give the original author(s) when using his/her work. Any student who engages in any of these behaviors will receive a zero for the assignment in which he/she cheats. I will also call home and possibly pursue disciplinary action in these situations.

Absences, Missed Work, and Late Work Policy

Excused late assignments may be turned in at the next class meeting for full credit. If you are absent on the day that a major project is due or test is to be taken, you are expected to be prepared for the test or project at the next class meeting.

Unexcused late assignments may be turned in the next day for 75% partial credit. After one day, the maximum score allowed is a 68%. All late work must be turned in within the current grading period. Make up work is your responsibility. I will be happy to help you with make-up work before or after school. All make-up work will be recorded as a zero (M in Infinite Campus) until turned in and graded. Make up-work will not take grading priority over any other class assignment. Missing work is unacceptable. Repeated failure to complete missing assignments (student’s defiance will be documented) may lead to an office referral.

Classroom Gradingand Evaluation Policies:

Grading Scale 92-100%= A; 84-91%= B; 76-83%= C; 68-75%= D; 68%- below= F

Tests, Quizzes, Projects, and Writing Assignments will be 40% of your final grade.

All student projects, presentations, process (multi-draft) papers, and timed writing will be evaluated using scoring guides or the school-wide 0-9 scale writing rubric. Sometimes the teacher will evaluate these assignments; at other times, the students will receive commentary and feedback from other students. These major assignments will make up 40% of students’ nine weeks report card grade and final grade.

Independent Reading will be 40% of your final grade.

Students will read ten novels outside of the classroom this school year, completing various assignments along the way. Students will receive more information about these assignments in the coming days. These assignments will make up 40% of students’ grades.

In-class assignments and Homework will be 20% of your final grade.

Students will have both independent and collaborative assignments regularly. These assignments such as journal entries, daily activities, etc., along with homework, will count for 20% of students’ grades.

Bell work will be 15% of your final grade.

Each day, students will have a start up assignment to begin class. These assignments will make up 15% of students’ grades.

Remind

I utilize REMIND as a one-way texting/e-mail system to send reminders about assignments and upcoming tests to students. Parents AND students are encouraged to sign up to receive the reminders. You have the option to receive my messages via text, e-mail, or both. To receive text messages:

-English I- Text @sceng9 to 81010

- Pre-AP English I- Text @sc9preap to 81010

To receive messages via e-mail:

English I- send a blank e-mail to

Pre-AP English I- send a blank e-mail to

Success in English Class

  1. Attendance- I’ve found that students that often miss class fail to make up the assignments.
  2. Responsibility- Individuals that hold themselves accountable for their learning instead of making excuses or blaming others tend to be more success in class.
  3. Attentiveness- Students that possess open minds to new ideas and concepts, pay attention in class, and attempt all assignments to the best of their ability tend to perform more proficiently, display rapid academic growth, and enjoy the class much more than students that do not.

------

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Welcome to a new school year! My name is Mark McDaniel, and I am very excited to have your child in English I this school year. I am committed to giving your child the best experience possible. We will certainly be working very hard to reach your student’s goals this year.

Please review the class syllabus and curriculum plan to get a feel for what we will be doing in class and familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures of the department and my classroom. Please take some time to go over the syllabus with your student and sign below to indicate that you are aware of my classroom expectations and procedures. Have your student return the signed slip for his/her first grade in the class.

To let you know a little about myself, this is my fourth year teaching English. I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education- English and received my Masters of Arts in Teaching from Morehead State University. I am certified to teach middle and secondary English/Language Arts (grades 5-12). While I have expectations for myself, it is also my goal that every student obtains the skills necessary to be highly successful in his/her future high school career and beyond!

Because this is a transitional year for your child, I will send home weekly English newsletters to keep you updated on due dates, targets being addressed in the class, and the activities we have conducted throughout the years to achieve those targets. However, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. You may reach me by e-mail at . Also, you can follow @SC9thMcDaniel on Twitter for daily classroom updates and reminders. I will do my best to respond to an e-mail within 24 hours. When working together, we can ensure your child reaches his/her potential.

Sincerely,

Mark McDaniel

9th grade English Instructor

Scott County Ninth Grade School

------

Additional Information

Questions and Help: If you have questions regarding your student’s schoolwork, please contact me. I will be here late most days after school, and I am willing to do whatever it takes for your child to succeed in this class. Also, we may be viewing film/documentary clips related to core content and classroom material that are rated PG, PG-13, and/or contain course language or sensitive subjects. Please note below and sign if you do notwant your child to view these videos.

Signature(s): Discuss this course syllabus with your parent(s) or guardian(s). I am looking forward to working with you this year. Please sign and have your child return to Mr. McDaniel.

I, ______(Student Name), have read and understand the English I course syllabus and expectations.

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

I, ______(Parent/Guardian Name), have read and understand the English I course syllabus and expectations so that I can help keep my child accountable and hold him/her to the same standard they are asked to keep.

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

*Parent e-mail ______

(I send out a weekly e-mail newsletter to let parents/guardians know important dates and stay up to date on classroom happenings.