9th Grade World Literature Syllabus Innovation Academy Charter School 2009-2010
Instructor Ms. Richardson erichardson@innovationcharter.org Extra-help: Tuesdays 3:00-4:00 or by appointment
Course Overview What is “the truth”? Does the truth matter? What role does point of view play in creating truths? This course will explore literature from around the world. Our readings will frequently compliment students’ study of world history, offering students a chance to contextualize the authors and texts. Students will respond to literature through written and oral expression. They will learn to consider form, purpose, voice, and audience in their writing and oral presentations. We will focus on both creative and analytical writing.
Assessment Students’ work will help us to assess their learning in a variety of areas, or strands.
a) Oral Expression: Students will express their ideas orally, in formal and informal discussions, debates, and presentations. They will pose questions and listen to the ideas of others.
b) Composition: Students will write with a clear focus and coherent organization. They will write for different audiences and purposes. Students will pay attention to the style, tone, level of detail, and diction (word choice) in their writing. Students will also express their ideas through a variety of media, possibly including: film, radio, multimedia productions, drawing, and painting.
c) Analysis: Students will read texts in a variety of genres. They will identify and analyze facts, ideas, and themes. Students will deepen their understanding of literature by understanding the contemporary or historical context in which it was written.
d) Work Habits: Students will be self-directed learners. They will turn assignments in on time, and will put effort, energy, and time into their work. Students will participate in class and take risks. They will incorporate feedback from peers and teachers, pushing themselves to revise and improve their work.
Assignments will be weighted depending on the amount of class and homework time spent on them. Grades in each strand will be based on the following:
Late and Missing Work If you do not turn in an assignment on time you will have until the end of the unit to turn in any late work. Late work will not be accepted after the unit is over. Work turned in consistently late will result in a lower Work Habits grade. Please see me in advance if you know you will be missing class for an extended period of time.
If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to see me about the work that you missed. If you are absent the day that an assignment is due, you are responsible for turning it in the day that they return. If you are absent for a day, you have three days to complete work that was assigned when you were absent. If you are absent for more than one day, please talk with me so we can create reasonable deadlines.
Academic Integrity Academic honesty and integrity are essential to our school and classroom culture. All students are expected to complete and hand in their own work. Cheating and plagiarism (presenting another person’s ideas or words as your own) will not be tolerated. Consequences include receiving a zero for the assignment and/or a failing grade for the course. Please see the Student Handbook for more information.
Honors Credit Students who take English for honors will be required to do the following:
Additionally, you must complete an independent project. You are free to design a project of your choosing—this is an opportunity for you to pursue a passion that may not otherwise be addressed in the curriculum—but your final project must demonstrate considerable work in the composition and analysis strands. After you develop an idea for your project, you will submit a proposal that explains your project and how it will demonstrate work in those strands, and what benchmarks you have set for yourself.
If you would prefer not to come up with a project on your own, there is the option of participating in either the school newspaper, The Innovator, or helping to create a school literary magazine. In order for either of these projects to count for honors, you will need to complete additional work in the composition and analysis strands. For example, if you are on The Innovator staff you might choose to read a book on the ethics of journalism; you might read a journalist’s memoir of his experiences reporting on a war; or you might decide to read The New York Times three days a week and incorporate what you learn about style into your own writing.
Overview of Topics & Major Assignments Please note that dates are an estimate. Time spent on each project and unit is subject to change
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9th Grade English Syllabus |