Amy Warren
School Phone—(229) 686-7428
School Email—amy.warren@berrien.k12.ga.us
Personal Phone—(229) 560-5537
School Website (PowerSchool access)—http://www.berrien.k12.ga.us/
*My Fall 2020 planning time is daily during second block. You can reach me by classroom phone during this time most days.
Ninth Grade English Literature and Composition is a course aimed at developing students’ reading, writing, and thinking skills, while also introducing a variety of literary and informational texts and concepts. The Georgia Standards of Excellence provide the guiding structure of the course, with all course readings and assignments working to prepare students for success for their Ninth Grade End-of-Course Test (EOCT), and for their future academic and career needs.
The course is comprised of a variety of learning activities:
Reading Comprehension
· Students will read, interpret, and analyze informational texts, poetry, drama, and fiction and non-fiction literature.
· Studying strong writing models helps students see how a text is created and how students too can create their own texts.
· Reading improves vocabulary, and a strong vocabulary can help students confidently express themselves.
· Comprehension is key to success in all academic courses and in life.
Critical Thinking
· Comprehension is critical for everything from understanding advertisements to reading emails, to reading contracts and legal documents, to deciphering political speeches and ads.
· In a few short years, students will be adults living in a world that will not always have their back. They must be able to advocate for themselves and English will help them to become articulate in their thoughts, speech, and writing.
· Analyzing texts now, prepares students to analyze the types of texts they will be faced with in the future.
Writing and Communicating Skills
· Learning to write well is one of the most important skills we will work on this year.
· Strong writing skills give students a competitive edge in almost every area of life. From writing essays on college applications to writing emails to a job recruiter, to drafting clear memos for work, written expression is a key component of everyday life.
· In this class students will learn how to express themselves in narrative, informative, and persuasive writing.
· In this class students will also gain experience writing and communicating in a digital environment including using Google Classroom, email, and other programs.
Research Skills
· In this class students will learn how to create logical arguments and to use research to back them up.
· The ability to use the Internet to get information, to look things up in books and at the library, and to synthesize research into clear ideas can serve students well in most careers.
· It also helps students develop the skills necessary to research information relevant to their lives.
Cultural Awareness
· The readings in this class provide information about the history and advancement of American culture and about other world cultures.
· Students will read about people from similar backgrounds and about people with completely different lives.
· This fosters cultural awareness of one’s own culture and can help you develop an interest in disciplines such as history and sociology.
· Understanding cultures can also help students to understand other people and boost their social skills.
Supplies—Students are expected to bring to class daily their three-ring binders or a similar product (we will be keeping all class work organized for students to use to study and for parents to review), ink pens or pencils, and paper, and any handouts or novels students are assigned to bring. Students also will need a set of earbuds as we are a duel F2F and virtual class and some class activities will require earbuds for watching video.
Helpful Donations—Cleaning wipes, paper towels, Kleenex tissues, pencils.
Organization—Students are expected to take notes in class (especially when directed) and to keep their notes, writing assignments, and all classwork and materials organized in their three ring binders (or similar product). Students need to include their first and last name on all assignments.
Performance and Participation—A key component of this class is active participation and, in some cases, student performances, such as speeches or presentations. These activities are a part of this class both in the F2F environment and in the virtual environment.
Behavior and Class Procedures—A positive and safe classroom learning environment is important for success. All students are asked to help create a great space to learn by adhering to BHS rules and classroom rules.
Virtual Learning—Please see the Virtual Learning Expectations FAQs below.
1. Please arrive on time with prepared instructional materials and respectfully participate in classroom instructional activity.
2. Please use kind words and model positive behavior.
3. Please do not use your cell phone or any other electronic device during instruction time unless instructed to do so. Unauthorized use will result in the cell phone being taken up for the class period.
4. Please follow all BHS rules and policies.
In instances where our positive classroom culture becomes disrupted, I will administer the appropriate discipline on a case-by-case basis. Typically, discipline will be as follows:
1st offense: The student or students will receive a warning
2nd: One-on-one with instructor & Contact parent/guardian
3rd: Administrative referral *Please refer to your BHS handbook
At the beginning of class:
1. Please enter the classroom and clean your desk/work area. Then use hand sanitizer.
2. Get seated as soon as possible. BHS is asking that students not roam about the room to reduce interaction.
3. Complete “Do Now” or “Bell-ringer” activity independently or follow teacher’s instruction for introductory activity.
At the end of class:
1. Ensure that your desk and surrounding area is clean.
2. Pack up your belongings after you have been instructed to do so.
3. Please remain in your seat until you are dismissed.
Late Work:
1. In order to receive full credit, you must submit your assignments on time (the day it is due). This applies to all assignments (from a small homework to large formal essay assignment).
2. If you think you need more time to complete an assignment, please confer with me for an extension. I’m much more amenable to work with you if you come to me well BEFORE a paper, etc. is due, rather than after.
3. When students miss school and miss daily work, they are given an opportunity to make up missed work. Students may be given class time to make up work, but also may be asked to complete work at home. Missed work needs to be completed in a timely manner. The school policy is 2 days for the first day missed, with an additional day for each subsequent absence. Please let me know if there are circumstances that I should know about; I am flexible. Just so you know, you will see an M or 0 on the gradebook until the work is made up. Additionally, grading periods end each nine weeks. All work must be submitted before each 9 week grading period ends.
Attendance:
If you are absent/tardy, excused or not, it is your responsibility to determine what work you missed. I will work with you to help you get caught up. Please do not come to school sick.
Plagiarism and Cheating:
Neither plagiarism (intellectual theft of someone else’s work) nor any kind of cheating or academic dishonesty will be tolerated for this class. I will follow the school guidelines regarding any questionable offense.
Grading:
Students’ final grades are based on daily work, tests and on the end-of-course assessment (Georgia Milestones):
80% ̶ [40% - Daily Work (note-taking, vocabulary review, writing, study guides, quizzes)
[60% - Tests, Final Drafts of Writing Assignments, Projects
20% ̶ [20% 9th Grade End-of-Course Test (EOCT) *OR Alternative Final Exam
*Grading periods end each nine weeks. All work must be submitted before each 9 week grading period ends. If you ever have any questions about course progress, please contact me. *Grading Scale may change as State testing requirements change this school year.
Homework:
While most work including reading and writing assignments will be completed during class time, students will be asked to complete assignments at home and to prepare for tests at home. This includes things like finishing writing assignments and reviewing vocabulary words and literature terms and concepts to prepare for quizzes and tests. This also includes reviewing EOCT study guides at home to prepare for the EOCT. Students will be given ELT time to complete USATestPrep student assignments.
Students will be directed to our class resources Google site for additional resources related to the course work and to the 9th Grade Literature and Composition EOCT. There are links there to free online study guides for the State EOC. I am also happy to share these via email with students and parents/guardians. All students have access to online resources including USATestPrep and NewsELA. Students are encouraged to use these resources at home.
END-OF-COURSE ASSESSMENT (GEORGIA MILESTONES)
At the completion of this course, ALL students will take the Ninth Grade End-of-Course Test (EOCT) required by state law for graduation. The exam counts at 20% of is course’s final grade and consists of selected-response, constructed-response, extended constructed-response, and extended writing-response items. In class each week students will practice questions that are similar in content and format to the questions they will see on the EOCT exam. Students should also review the online study guide resources available below (and linked on our class resources website):
Student study guide with terms: https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Milestones-End-of-Course-Assessment-Guides.aspx
Sample writing tasks and scoring rubrics: https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Documents/Milestones/Item_Samplers/EOC_Ninth_Grade_Literature_Item_and_Scoring_Sampler.pdf
Sample writing tasks and scoring rubrics: https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/EOCT-Guides.aspx
To review the complete EOC guide, search Ninth Grade Literature and Composition at the Georgia Department of Education site at http://www.gadoe.org/ or link directly to http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/EOCT-Guides.aspx. To review the state-adopted content standards go to www.georgiastandards.org.
As a part of the course, there may be opportunities to review YouTube videos, documentaries, and traditional film that could contain mature content. Film reviews could include Hollywood feature films such as:
Romeo and Juliet
Simon Birch
*Please complete the online Syllabus and Parent and Student Agreement Form in Google Classroom
DUE August 18th.
Hi Class:
Below are a few FAQs about virtual learning. These FAQs are for students who are already virtual and for the F2F students in the event that the class or school moves to a virtual environment.
I have designed a learning environment using Google Classroom tools for all students in order to prepare for a seamless transition from traditional to online instruction. This will allow us to practice and become comfortable navigating an online classroom. I encourage all students to become familiar with Google Meet as we all may be using it in the future.
Mrs. Warren
How do I login to my class?
Each of you have been invited to join our Google Classroom. Please accept the invitation or use the Google Classroom Code: jdhhwsk
Check the announcements each day—especially if our whole class goes virtual.
To join the class live, click on the "Meet Link" located in the header of each of the Google Classroom. You will need to join the class live at the start of each class.
What if I do not login for class?
You will be marked "ABSENT"
If you have trouble logging in, text or call me. I can help you troubleshoot your connection. If you are a virtual student and have a friend in class, we could maybe use phones to help you get video to the class (Facetime) if internet is out at your home.
Please note: if logging in becomes a regular problem, we will have to meet with parents/guardians to remedy the problem.
What if I login after the Tardy Bell (see schedule)?
You will be marked "TARDY" if it becomes a problem.
Again, I am flexible. Let’s try to be on time. I know the first few days will be a learning curve for you all and for me.
Where do I find materials and resources needed for class?
Class Website
Google Classroom
Code: jdhhwsk
You will be able to toggle between two of my screens for presentation materials:
White Board (Webcam)
Smart Board (Presentation)
Do I need a printer at home?
You do not need a printer.
How and Where do I submit my work?
Google Classroom.
For both in-class (F2F) and virtual students, we will submit work via Google Classroom. The way we submit work will be different for different assignments. For example, some assignments are discussion posts where we use the Discussion (Question) tool. There are other assignments where we will use the Assignment submission tool to submit a variety of documents from Google docs to photos. We will take time in class to practice these tools.
Be sure to read assignment directions carefully and ask questions if you are unsure. Some assignments will ask you to reply to a classmate.
How will I participate in class in real time?
Virtual students will log into the class at the start of each class and join the class Google Meet. Our class lessons and activities vary depending on what we are working on. Basically though, a class would include an introduction of material and a lesson, followed by small group or independent work. I will be available throughout the class for virtual students to ask questions via Google Meet. Once independent work is assigned, you will continue to be logged in and I will visit my screen periodically to see if there are any questions.
As I am presenting the lesson, you will have access to multiple screens including the Smart Board and the White Board.
Google Meet offers a chat option, so you could also send some short questions on the side and I will address them. You can also unmute your audio if you need to ask a question. I will be sure to check on virtual students during class.
I will post all materials to Google Classroom and to our class website so that Virtual Students have access just as the F2F Students.
What if I need a break during class?
There will be scheduled restroom breaks for both F2F and Virtual students.
Do I need to show my video (my face) or turn on my audio during meetings?
You do not need to show yourself on video. You can if you want to. Your friends here would like to see you. I will at times be showing the Google meeting on the smart board, so know that you might be seen by your classmates. If the whole class goes virtual, it would be nice for you to share video, but not mandatory. If you are not comfortable showing video, consider making an image like a Bitmoji or just using a profile photo to help us “see” you.
During class, please put you audio on mute because background noises can interfere with class.
During a class meeting, be sure to follow all BHS rules include dress code and behavior rules. Discipline follows the same steps for virtual students as F2F students:
In instances where our positive classroom culture becomes disrupted, I will administer the appropriate discipline on a case-by-case basis. Typically, discipline will be as follows:
1st offense: The student or students will receive a warning
2nd: One-on-one with instructor & contact parent/guardian
3rd: Administrative referral *Please refer to your BHS handbook