Welcome to the first English class of your high school career; working together, I hope we can build a firm foundation for the four years of English that you will take in preparation for college English.

  1. Course Content

The Common Core State Standards for English and Language Arts prepare students for college and careers by developing competency in the following areas: reading literary texts, reading informational texts, speaking and listening, writing, and language. These skills are integrated into four thematic modules or units of instruction. Each module includes an extended literary text as well as shorter texts that support students’ understanding of the unit’s theme. Students will produce multi-paragraph essays and shorter written responses related to their reading. Each module includes a research activity or paper in which students will locate, evaluate, organize, cite, and present information. Throughout each unit, students will also develop skills related to speaking, listening, vocabulary, and the conventions of English grammar.

  1. Module 1: Thematic Focus – Self-Discovery Literary Focus: Fiction
  2. Module 2: Thematic Focus – The Hero’s Quest Literary Focus: Epic Poetry
  3. Module 3: Thematic Focus The Meaning of Freedom Literary Focus: Nonfiction
  4. Module 4: Thematic Focus – The Pursuit of Love Literary Focus – Drama
  1. Materials

A. Prentice Hall Literature: Language and Literacy, Grade 9

B. Prentice Hall Literature: All-in-One Workbook, Grade 9

C. Sadlier Oxford Vocabulary, Level E

D. White loose-leaf paper, 8 1/2 x 11

E. Mechanical pencils

F. Blue or black ballpoint pens

G. Composition book

H. A three-ring binder with 5 dividers labeled reference, reading literature,writing, language skills, and vocabulary.

I. A flash drive or other removable storage device.

If for financial reasons you are unable to obtain a composition book, binder, and dividers, please speak to me privately before class day 4. No student’s grade will suffer because of economic hardship, but everyone is expected to have these materials in order to fully participate in the planned learning activities.Students are expected to have all materials in class every day.

III. Classroom Procedures

  1. When the tardy bell rings, be in your assigned seat ready to begin work.
  2. Note the day’s agenda and learning questions that will be posted on the board.
  3. Respond to the writing prompt on the screen.

D. Come prepared for class each day. Bring textbooks, notebook, paper, pen, and pencil.

Do not ask for passes out of class in order to get materials you have

forgotten.

E. Homework will be due at the beginning of class.

F. Go to your locker, the restroom, or water fountain between classes, not during English

class. You will only have two (2) hall passes during the semester.

G. When the bell rings at the end of the period, please wait to leave until I dismiss the

class.

IV. Makeup Work

A. When you miss a class, check the teacher blog for the agenda and any

homework assignments.

B. Upon your return from an absence, be sure to give me your absence admit or

attendance office pass so that I can mark your absence excused.

C. Arrangements for makeup work must be made with me within five school days. Make

up days will be Wednesday and Friday after school.

D. You will be provided an alternate make up assignment for any quizzes, tests,

compositions, or projects that are not completed on the due date.

E. If you are absent on the due date of a routine, long-range assignment (composition,

vocabulary, etc.), then it is due upon your return to class (the 5-day rule does not

apply).

V. Evaluation

Grades will be recorded in the Synergy gradebook. I highly recommend that you establish an account in order to keep track of your academic progress.

The school-wide assessment policy can be found in the student handbook and applies to all classes. Students may reassess tests, projects, and compositions that are summative evaluations.

Reassessment Deadline 9 weeks ______

Reassessment Deadline 18 weeks ______

The class average for students entering ninth grade duringthe 2015-2016 school year will be determined by the following categories:

Reading Literary and Informational Texts – Summative30%

Reading Literary and Informational Texts – Formative10%

Writing/Language – Summative15%

Writing/Language - Formative10%

Speaking and Listening – Formative 10%

Mid-Term 5%

Cumulative Final Exam (or EOC) 20%

Scholarly Behavior and Participation 0%

**Students will take a state-mandated End of Course assessment in December.

**The writing portion of the final exam may be given prior to the objective portion.

VI. Help Sessions

My schedule is posted outside the door. I am available and eager to help you any time you need my help. Please see me before or after school. I always make it a point to be available on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:45.

I anticipate that we will work together to make this semester of English a very educational, beneficial, successful, and enjoyable experience for you as you begin your journey through the honors level English program at McEachern.

I have read the syllabus for Honors Ninth Grade Literature and Composition. I understand the requirements set forth in them and have listed below any questions or concerns I have.

______

student name – please print legibly

______

student signaturedate

______

parent signaturedate

______

parent email address phone number

Please return this signed sheet to me at our next class meeting.

10 points - returned on class day 2

5 points – returned on class day 3

2 points – returned on class day 4