Course Overview
Grade 9 English C.P.
Instructor: Mrs. Connors
Office Hours: All students are encouraged to come for help after school.
Monday-Thursday 1:50-2:45 PM
REQUIRED MATERIAL
1.) A 3-ring binder that is at least 2 inches wide
2.) Dividers that will break up the following units:
*Vocabulary, Grammar, Poetry, Short Stories, and each of the longer literature units
3.) Writing utensils (pens or pencils are acceptable)
4.) College-ruled filler paper
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
1.) A flash drive may be useful. We use the computer labs and do a lot of powerpoints, essays, and presentations that you may choose to store.
General Course Description:
Welcome to Freshmen English! Throughout this course, we will read a variety of short stories,
poems, and texts which will be linked thematically and may include the following:
Collection of short stories The Odyssey Romeo and Juliet
Nature-themed poems To Kill a Mockingbird Romiette and Julio
Tears of a Tiger The Call of the Wild
We will respond to these works in a variety of ways: class discussions, personal responses, group work, quizzes and exams, projects, presentations, and formal essays.
Frequent reading and writing assignments will require critical thinking, analysis, and careful reflection. You will be challenged to become a better reader, writer, thinker, and student. Paper assignments will develop your writing skills, focusing on structure, organization, and clarity.
Vocabulary and grammar are also important parts of the course and are designed to help you use language effectively.
Expectations:
*Be on time
When the bell rings, you are in your seat with the appropriate materials out on your desk. If you come to class late (without a pass from a teacher), you will be expected to make up the time you missed in a detention after school with me. You will not be allowed to make up the work from class that you missed.
*Be prepared
You should always bring the following materials to class: something with which to write (pen or pencil), something on which to write (notebook or binder), your homework, and the book or short story we are reading at the time.
*Do your own work
There is a NO TOLERANCE policy for plagiarism and / or cheating. You are expected to neither give nor receive any unauthorized aid or information on anything – test, quiz, paper, project, homework, etc. You are expected to do your own work at all times.
*Be respectful
Our classroom will be a place for honest and open discussion. As you will be working in many different groups throughout the course of the year, I expect that you will be both active participants and thoughtful listeners.
*Class Rules
No food or drinks (besides water) are allowed in class. This goes for classes after lunch as well. Throw away any food or beverage before entering class. You are expected to go to the bathroom before and after class; excluding emergencies, you should not have any reason to leave this room. In addition, the cell phone policy (off and in your locker) will be strictly enforced. I also do not allow IPODS in my class so leave them in your bags.
First strike= I take your electronic device and you receive it at the end of the day
Second strike= I turn your electronic device over to the office
Make-up Policy
Turn in your work on time. Assignments are due on the assigned date – no exceptions. Late work will be penalized. If you are absent, you are responsible to find out what you’ve missed and to make it up within an appropriate time frame. See me after class, during free blocks, or after school to discuss makeup work. Any work due on the day of your absence must be submitted on the first day you return. Makeup tests and quizzes are to be taken with me after school.
Compositions
Each term there will be multiple formal essays and writing assignments. Papers should be:
Typed in 12 pt. font Times New Roman and double-spaced
Stapled!
Properly formatted and headed (MLA)
Grading
You will be assessed on the following:
*Quizzes: 20 %
*Formal Essays: 25 %
*Tests and Projects: 25 %
*Homework Assignments: 15 %
*Class Participation and Class Work: 15 %
Class Participation – engaging in daily discussions, having a positive attitude, and coming prepared to class will be worth 15% of your grade each term. This is a great place to earn points as there will be no extra credit given in this class.
GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR!
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