English 9 Syllabus
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
English 1 is a college preparatory course designed to increase student proficiency in language arts skills. Students will develop an appreciation of literature through in-depth study of a variety of literary works, styles, genres, points of view, and literary devices successfully employed by many distinguished authors to communicate their important insights to the world. Students will respond to these studies through homework, discussion, analysis, creative works, individual and group projects, reports, and presentations. In addition, English 1 will emphasize the discovery and use of vocabulary as found in the assigned texts to increase comprehension and broaden student ability to communicate expressively. The greater goal is to help each student develop the close reading, analytical writing, critical thinking, and complex speaking skills vital to a successful and happy life in the modern world.
II. TEXTBOOKS (potential)
**Various short historical and biographical video clips and excerpts from films & television programs will be used to provide context and information related to units of study.
III. MATERIALS REQUIRED
-- A composition notebook (provided)
-- 3 Ring binder with plenty of paper
-- Pencils, erasers, and pens
-- The current text in use
-- Self-determination and goals
IV. GOALS
1. Students will learn, identify and apply literary terms essential to understanding the literature they are reading.
2. Students will study, learn, use and be tested on new vocabulary words encountered in the literature study.
3. Students will practice and improve their writing skills by utilizing a variety of writing strategies and writing types (from short answer to multi-paragraph essays), including pre-writing, peer editing and evaluation, writing portfolios, and in class journal activities.
4. Students will utilize speaking and listening skills to participate in the following activities: class discussions, small group discussion, oral reading and oral presentations.
5. Students will improve upon and demonstrate research, study and computer skills by utilizing library and computer lab resources for a variety of assignments.
6. Students will demonstrate responsibility and accountability by being a supportive, productive member of the classroom community.
7. Students will develop the following skills:
Writing Goals
1. Students will increase their English writing proficiency at the sentence, paragraph, and short essay level.
2. Investigate, research a topic and use the writing process to develop a brief report, including citations of sources used.
3. Create descriptive writing using imagery, simile, and metaphor.
4. Write narrative and autobiographical compositions for a variety of purposes.
5. Self- monitor and self-correct grammatical structures and conventions of writing.
6. Respond to open-ended prompts using a variety of vocabulary, sentence types and writing strategies (dialogue, suspense, humor)
Reading Goals
1. Students will increase their understanding of and build skills in interpreting a variety of literary genres.
2. Derive meaning from text by applying knowledge of word parts.
3. Recognize and understand idioms, analogies, and metaphors.
4. Read independently and demonstrate comprehension through responses to literal and inferential questions.
5. Analyze the interaction between literary characters.
6. Use dictionaries and reference works to verify knowledge and interpret new vocabulary.
7. Recognize and explain the use of similes, metaphors, and other poetic devices.
8. Describe how various literary elements contribute to mood or tone of a piece.
Listening Goals
1. Take appropriate notes during a lecture.
2. Demonstrate understanding of simple figurative language and idiomatic expressions.
3. Interpret inferred meaning as expressed by intonation, rhythm and stress.
4. Demonstrate understanding of idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms, speech registers and differing dialects.
5. Demonstrate understanding of academic discussions using few visual aides.
Speaking Goals
1. Use standard English speech that is comprehensible with consistent grammar, although some errors may be evident.
2. Use simple figurative, idiomatic expressions to communicate ideas.
3. Initiate conversations stating viewpoints and opinions, with evidence to support their ideas
4. Prepare and deliver organized presentations.
5. Be understood when speaking using standard grammatical forms.
6. Participate in academic discussions with few visuals.
V. UNITS OF STUDY
VI. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT & GRADING POLICIES
1. Daily Exit Tickets - 30 points, including a 5 point daily quiz:
Timeliness, Prepared with homework and materials, participation, written activity (30% of grade)
2. Homework - 20 points per night: 1 page writing, worksheet and/or reading assignment (20 % of grade)
3. Projects/Essays - 100 points each (30% of grade)
4. Independent Book Report - due each quarter - 350 points each (10% of grade)
5. Final Exam per Semester - 10% of Semester Grade
VII. CLASS PROCEDURES
You are expected to attend this class every day. Each class period will consist of a bell assignment, direct instruction, class discussion & reading, writing responses, and independent work time. If you are absent, you must make up the time and/or the class work missed. You have the number of days that you were absent to make-up the work that you missed without penalty. CHECK THE INTERNET for missed class assignments & links.
Be on time to class. If you are late, you will not receive a stamp for the bell assignment. This will result in a loss of points for the journal grade, which is a large part of your written grade. At the start of each class, we will go over the vocabulary word of the day. By using the word during class discussions or on written assignments, you can receive extra credit points. You may also earn “BOOM” points by impressing me with your wit, wisdom, or being a virtuous classmate.
Breaks: You will receive 6 bathroom passes per semester. At the end of the semester, unused passes are worth for 5 extra credit points each OR 50 points for all six unused passes. DON'T LOSE THEM!!
*If you are found wandering campus without permission, you will automatically lose a minimum of 5 points.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER ONE WEEK!!
Work Quality (READ CAREFULLY!).
Extra Credit. Students may earn extra credit by:
Cell phones. Cell phones should be kept OFF and AWAY unless they have been approved by a teacher for class use. Appropriate uses: music during silent writing time IF the playlist is not changed; looking up words on dictionary; online research; taking notes; homework recording/photo of whiteboard...
*If you are seen using your phone inappropriately, you will automatically lose a minimum of 5 points.
**If you show me consistent effort and progress throughout the class, participate in oral class discussions, contribute to group projects, and complete all of the assignments thoroughly and timely, you will earn an A. You will lose points for missing assignments, refusal to participate, incomplete, sloppy, or lazy work. Additionally, you will lose points for tardiness, excessive absences, or behavior that disrupts the learning environment. On the other hand, if you show steady improvements, I will weight your grade in a more favorable direction.
VIII. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
CONSEQUENCES:
1. verbal warning & LOSE POINTS from daily tally (in 5 point increments)
2. conference after class
3. phone call home
4. referral to principal & behavior contract
*Consequences for misuse of your personal technology
1. warning (and loss of points)
2. teacher confiscation
3. technology for parent pick-up in office
**Consequences for misuse of Cypress technology
1. First offense - loss of technology for the day & technology behavior contract
2. Second Offense - Loss of technology at Cypress permanently
How can parents know what is going on in class?
Parents and students can check homework assignments, up-coming tests, and project due dates on my website & check their grades on Illuminate (which will be updated by Friday of each week, at the least).
All missed work can be made up by accessing the website and handing in missed journal entries, readings, and assignments. Parents are also welcome to call or email the teacher anytime.
Please email me to acknowledge that you have been fully informed of classroom policies, procedures, and expectations, and you agree to follow these to the best of your ability.
Thank you & looking forward to the year ahead!! [email protected]
Student Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________
English 1 is a college preparatory course designed to increase student proficiency in language arts skills. Students will develop an appreciation of literature through in-depth study of a variety of literary works, styles, genres, points of view, and literary devices successfully employed by many distinguished authors to communicate their important insights to the world. Students will respond to these studies through homework, discussion, analysis, creative works, individual and group projects, reports, and presentations. In addition, English 1 will emphasize the discovery and use of vocabulary as found in the assigned texts to increase comprehension and broaden student ability to communicate expressively. The greater goal is to help each student develop the close reading, analytical writing, critical thinking, and complex speaking skills vital to a successful and happy life in the modern world.
II. TEXTBOOKS (potential)
- Holt Literature & Language Arts
- The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
- The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
- Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of Greek Mythology by Bernard Eveslin
- Julius Caesar by Shakespeare
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
- The Pearl by John Steinbeck
**Various short historical and biographical video clips and excerpts from films & television programs will be used to provide context and information related to units of study.
III. MATERIALS REQUIRED
-- A composition notebook (provided)
-- 3 Ring binder with plenty of paper
-- Pencils, erasers, and pens
-- The current text in use
-- Self-determination and goals
IV. GOALS
1. Students will learn, identify and apply literary terms essential to understanding the literature they are reading.
2. Students will study, learn, use and be tested on new vocabulary words encountered in the literature study.
3. Students will practice and improve their writing skills by utilizing a variety of writing strategies and writing types (from short answer to multi-paragraph essays), including pre-writing, peer editing and evaluation, writing portfolios, and in class journal activities.
4. Students will utilize speaking and listening skills to participate in the following activities: class discussions, small group discussion, oral reading and oral presentations.
5. Students will improve upon and demonstrate research, study and computer skills by utilizing library and computer lab resources for a variety of assignments.
6. Students will demonstrate responsibility and accountability by being a supportive, productive member of the classroom community.
7. Students will develop the following skills:
Writing Goals
1. Students will increase their English writing proficiency at the sentence, paragraph, and short essay level.
2. Investigate, research a topic and use the writing process to develop a brief report, including citations of sources used.
3. Create descriptive writing using imagery, simile, and metaphor.
4. Write narrative and autobiographical compositions for a variety of purposes.
5. Self- monitor and self-correct grammatical structures and conventions of writing.
6. Respond to open-ended prompts using a variety of vocabulary, sentence types and writing strategies (dialogue, suspense, humor)
Reading Goals
1. Students will increase their understanding of and build skills in interpreting a variety of literary genres.
2. Derive meaning from text by applying knowledge of word parts.
3. Recognize and understand idioms, analogies, and metaphors.
4. Read independently and demonstrate comprehension through responses to literal and inferential questions.
5. Analyze the interaction between literary characters.
6. Use dictionaries and reference works to verify knowledge and interpret new vocabulary.
7. Recognize and explain the use of similes, metaphors, and other poetic devices.
8. Describe how various literary elements contribute to mood or tone of a piece.
Listening Goals
1. Take appropriate notes during a lecture.
2. Demonstrate understanding of simple figurative language and idiomatic expressions.
3. Interpret inferred meaning as expressed by intonation, rhythm and stress.
4. Demonstrate understanding of idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms, speech registers and differing dialects.
5. Demonstrate understanding of academic discussions using few visual aides.
Speaking Goals
1. Use standard English speech that is comprehensible with consistent grammar, although some errors may be evident.
2. Use simple figurative, idiomatic expressions to communicate ideas.
3. Initiate conversations stating viewpoints and opinions, with evidence to support their ideas
4. Prepare and deliver organized presentations.
5. Be understood when speaking using standard grammatical forms.
6. Participate in academic discussions with few visuals.
V. UNITS OF STUDY
- Symbolism & Representation & Figurative Language
- Short Stories: Plot, Setting, Character, & Theme
- Dead Poets Society & Mental Health & Poetry
- Autobiography & Narrative
- The Alchemist & Following your Dreams
- Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of Greek Mythology & Cultural Context, Comparing people across time
- Julius Caesar & Power structures, Ambition, and Democratic Pursuits
- Research Report & Credible Sources
- This I Believe & Public Speaking
- The Lord of the Flies & the Society vs. Individual, Good vs. Evil
VI. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT & GRADING POLICIES
1. Daily Exit Tickets - 30 points, including a 5 point daily quiz:
Timeliness, Prepared with homework and materials, participation, written activity (30% of grade)
2. Homework - 20 points per night: 1 page writing, worksheet and/or reading assignment (20 % of grade)
3. Projects/Essays - 100 points each (30% of grade)
4. Independent Book Report - due each quarter - 350 points each (10% of grade)
5. Final Exam per Semester - 10% of Semester Grade
VII. CLASS PROCEDURES
You are expected to attend this class every day. Each class period will consist of a bell assignment, direct instruction, class discussion & reading, writing responses, and independent work time. If you are absent, you must make up the time and/or the class work missed. You have the number of days that you were absent to make-up the work that you missed without penalty. CHECK THE INTERNET for missed class assignments & links.
Be on time to class. If you are late, you will not receive a stamp for the bell assignment. This will result in a loss of points for the journal grade, which is a large part of your written grade. At the start of each class, we will go over the vocabulary word of the day. By using the word during class discussions or on written assignments, you can receive extra credit points. You may also earn “BOOM” points by impressing me with your wit, wisdom, or being a virtuous classmate.
Breaks: You will receive 6 bathroom passes per semester. At the end of the semester, unused passes are worth for 5 extra credit points each OR 50 points for all six unused passes. DON'T LOSE THEM!!
*If you are found wandering campus without permission, you will automatically lose a minimum of 5 points.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER ONE WEEK!!
- You will get 4 LATE PASSES for each semester - by attaching the late pass to the assignment (within a week), you may turn in these 4 assignments for full credit
- After you use these 4 passes, all subsequent late work will be counted no more than 1/2 credit
Work Quality (READ CAREFULLY!).
- All written work must have a heading: title in the middle; name, date and class # in the upper right hand corner; neatly written or typed (12 pt font, double-spaced) (includes journal & homework)
- All FINAL ESSAYS must be typed in a simple 12-point font, double spaced, with a heading in the upper right hand corner (or MLA format)
- All FINAL DRAFT essays must be turned in with an edited rough draft attached to the back of the final draft (regardless of whether or not essay is edited in class, by teacher, family member, or peer) - Attach peer edit sheet between drafts
- For information and how to’s for MLA formatting visit the following link: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
- All work MUST be resubmitted if it does not meet the standard - for the Assignment (60%/D- pass), UNTIL the student has met the requirements for the skill expectations
- All work CAN be resubmitted for a higher grade: Use the comments to improve content, grammar & resubmit the new draft with the original (edited) draft stapled underneath
Extra Credit. Students may earn extra credit by:
- BOOM POINTS - added to their daily tally when showing wit, wisdom, insight, and empathy for others
- Submitting Book Reports Early (minimum 1 week before deadline)
- Additional Independent Book Reports (submit by the end of each quarter)
- Additional Pieces in their Independent Book Reports (submit by the end of each quarter)
- Persuasive Essay
- Research Report
- Comparing Themes Across texts
- Comparing Books by the same author
- Comparing different perspectives on the same piece of news
- Collection of poetry
- Creative Writing Piece
- Autobiographical Account
- Video/Multimedia Adventure
- ANY Creative Idea run by me first
Cell phones. Cell phones should be kept OFF and AWAY unless they have been approved by a teacher for class use. Appropriate uses: music during silent writing time IF the playlist is not changed; looking up words on dictionary; online research; taking notes; homework recording/photo of whiteboard...
*If you are seen using your phone inappropriately, you will automatically lose a minimum of 5 points.
**If you show me consistent effort and progress throughout the class, participate in oral class discussions, contribute to group projects, and complete all of the assignments thoroughly and timely, you will earn an A. You will lose points for missing assignments, refusal to participate, incomplete, sloppy, or lazy work. Additionally, you will lose points for tardiness, excessive absences, or behavior that disrupts the learning environment. On the other hand, if you show steady improvements, I will weight your grade in a more favorable direction.
VIII. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
- Arrive on time and begin working immediately
- Bring all necessary materials (including homework) every day.
- LISTEN to the person addressing the class
- FOLLOW procedures and routines
- RESPECT each other
- USE POSITIVE LANGUAGE to express thoughts
- HELP maintain a clean classroom & safe environment
- CELL PHONES are OFF and AWAY unless they have been approved by a teacher for class use
CONSEQUENCES:
1. verbal warning & LOSE POINTS from daily tally (in 5 point increments)
2. conference after class
3. phone call home
4. referral to principal & behavior contract
*Consequences for misuse of your personal technology
1. warning (and loss of points)
2. teacher confiscation
3. technology for parent pick-up in office
**Consequences for misuse of Cypress technology
1. First offense - loss of technology for the day & technology behavior contract
2. Second Offense - Loss of technology at Cypress permanently
How can parents know what is going on in class?
Parents and students can check homework assignments, up-coming tests, and project due dates on my website & check their grades on Illuminate (which will be updated by Friday of each week, at the least).
All missed work can be made up by accessing the website and handing in missed journal entries, readings, and assignments. Parents are also welcome to call or email the teacher anytime.
Please email me to acknowledge that you have been fully informed of classroom policies, procedures, and expectations, and you agree to follow these to the best of your ability.
Thank you & looking forward to the year ahead!! [email protected]
Student Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________