Syllabus

Duncan Polytechnical High School

Mrs. James

English 9


dania.james@duncanpoly.org dania.james@fresnounified.org

If you don’t try, you can’t pass- Mrs. James

Class Description

The major purpose of this course is to prepare students for the literacy demands of college and the world of work. Students in this course develop advanced proficiencies in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. The cornerstone of the course presents a process for helping students read, comprehend, and respond to non-fiction and literary texts. This course will also provide instruction in research methods and documentation conventions. Course texts include contemporary essays, newspaper and magazine articles, editorials, reports, biographies, memos, assorted public documents, and other non-fiction texts. Written assessments and holistic scoring guides conclude each unit.

Mastery Grading Policy

This course and the grading policy are designed to promote the idea of mastery. The ultimate goal for ALL students is for them to learn; therefore, students will be given the opportunity to master 14 learning targets. Because students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency and all graded assignments include rubrics with areas of focus for particular assignments, students will have multiple opportunities to master each learning target.

Grading Scale:

Learning Targets

In order for students to pass this class they will need to show proficiency in each learning target. The following are the learning targets that each student needs to meet:

Make Up Policy

A student will need to get an approval from the teacher in order to make-up any missed assessment.

Dress Code

All students are required to follow the Duncan Polytechnical High School dress code. Repeated infractions could result in administrative disciplinary action.

Classroom Expectations

Students are expected to have completed any assigned reading or homework. Students need to respect themselves, other students, and their teacher. If a student is not behaving, the teacher will have a conference with that student. If the inappropriate behavior persists the parent will be contacted by phone and or asked to visit the school for a parent and teacher conference. If the poor behavior still continues, an administrator will be brought in.

Academic Honesty

To learn we must be original and honest. When using any words or ideas that are not your own, you must cite your sources. Otherwise it is PLAGIARISM.

Important Reminders:

  1. Attendance is of most importance; therefore, be present, on time and ready

    1. I take attendance everyday so be ready to say “Present”

  2. Put yourself in an environment where you feel that you will be most successful

  3. Turn off any other distractions

  4. Remove any clutter (unnecessary things) from your workspace

  5. Success can only be achieved if you try!


NOTE: Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

TEACHER reserves the right to add, subtract, or otherwise adapt this syllabus as necessary for the class