9th Lit Syllabus
9th Lit Syllabus
Instructor: Meacy Brown
Room: 164
Email: meacybrown@floydboe.net
TEXTS
Mirrors & Windows Textbook
Mirrors & Windows Writing and Grammar book
Novel studies TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students will develop, improve and apply reading, writing, listening and critical thinking skills. This course will offer a study of grammar/usage, composition, literary genres, vocabulary, and communication skills. Units will include various modes of writing and reading both short and extended texts. Literature appreciation, composition, grammar study, language usage and mechanics, vocabulary development, speaking and listening skills, and test taking skills are all important aspects of this course.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Students should come to class willing to contribute to a positive learning environment. Students will be expected to come to class prepared with all required materials. Students will be evaluated by various methods including traditional assignments and tests, warm-up activities, group activities, projects and oral presentations, as well as many other activities. Students are expected to take an active role in the classroom with discussion and activities.
UNITS OF STUDY
Reading: Literary and Informational
Writing: Argumentative, Informative, and Narrative
Language: Vocabulary, Grammar, etc.
GRADING POLICY FOR THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AT P. H.S.
Performance Assessments (tests, projects)
45.83%
Daily Assessments (bellwork, daily writing)
20.83%
EOC-certain courses only
16.67%
Comprehensive Final Exam (non-EOC course)
16.67%
TOTAL
100%
*Late assignments will not earn higher than an 89%*
Exam Exemptions: PHS and Floyd County Schools determine exam exemptions and will issue information as that becomes necessary.
Student Requirements
Each unit of study will include a variety of reading, writing, vocabulary, and oral/group presentation or project components. Students will be expected to work alone as well as with classmates. Students will participate in numerous writing contests throughout the year--some are required and some are optional. There will also be numerous technological components to assignments throughout the semester. If Internet/technology is not available at home, the Library/Media Center is available before and after school.
EXPECTATIONS
I have high expectations for you, and I sincerely hope that you will choose to meet them.
STUDENTS WILL:
Be seated when the bell rings, immediately begin starter activity, and remain seated at the end of class.
Bring all required materials, including homework assignments, to class every day.
Use professional and appropriate language, volume, and tone at all times.
Exhibit respect for yourself, for your classmates, and for me.
Attempt more than the minimum requirement for all assignments
JOURNALS
Journals are a required assignment that will take place almost daily in this course. Journals are your first writing assignment of the block; they are designed to get you writing and reflecting on the lesson. Journals are meant to be thoughtful and creative forms of writing, which means the focus is on your ideas, not typical writing rules. Periodically, each student will submit their journal entries for class credit.
TECHNOLOGY
To eliminate constant distractions during instructional time, students are expected to keep cell phones put away unless given permission to use them. Phones will be collected immediately if used without permission. Students will be permitted to use personal devices occasionally during instruction. In this event, students are expected to focus on work and avoid off-task activities (such as texting, snapchat, etc). There will be no circumstances in my classroom in which students are allowed to have “free time” on their phones. Failure to follow these rules will result in confiscation of the device and loss of privilege in future activities. Signing this syllabus indicates that you have read and understand the cell phone policy.
DISCIPLINE
We will adhere to the policies of Pepperell High School found in the student handbook; therefore, please read the handbook.
RESTROOM/HALL PASSES
Students are expected to utilize the minutes between classes to use the restroom. Students will be given no more than one pass per class period, and these are only for emergencies. However, students should not be in the habit of requesting a restroom/hall pass every single day. Again, passes are only for emergencies. Passes will not be granted during direct instruction, tests, or quizzes. Please note that asking permission does not always guarantee approval.
MAKE-UP WORK, SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, PROGRESS REPORTS
Please see the PHS student handbook for policies on make-up work. It is the student’s responsibility to contact and communicate with me about missed work and complete it in a timely manner. When I am absent, students will follow all policies and procedures as if I were here. Absolutely no disrespect or misbehavior for a substitute teacher will be tolerated. Immediate parent contact and/or referrals will be enforced.
CHEATING & PLAGIARISM
Cheating is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Cheating (including plagiarism) on any assignment, whether sharing or receiving information, will result in a zero, a call to a parent/guardian, a label of “cheated” on the assignment in Power School, and a discipline write up at the teacher’s discretion. Cheating and plagiarism include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
Copying or paraphrasing another person’s work
Copying someone’s work with or without their knowledge
Copying information from the internet
Copying information from someone who has taken the class previously or with another teacher
Allowing someone access to your own work, no matter your intentions (NEVER share you Google log-in with any student for any reason; even if you share your log-in for a “friendly” reason, that friend could use your log-in to steal your work, and you will still be held accountable for providing someone with access to your work!)
Completing assignments with another person (unless specifically told to)
Obtaining test information from other students
Paraphrasing work from another source without giving credit
Taking unauthorized materials or technologies into an examination
Accessed unauthorized websites or tools during an online examination, quiz, or assignment
Sharing your work with a friend so they can “see how to do the assignment” (If your friend is struggling, encourage them to seek help from a teacher. Never share your work with another student, because if they copy your work, you will both be held accountable!)
Again, any form of cheating, including sharing your own information AND receiving/accessing/using information that does not belong to you is considered cheating and will be treated accordingly.
I look forward to a wonderful year! I am here for you.
Please sign the syllabus acknowledgment form to indicate that you have read and understand all classroom policies & procedures. All students must present a signed syllabus acknowledgement form by August 12, 2022.
Students, please keep the syllabus in your notebook to use as a reference.
Parent Signature: __________________________________________
Student Signature: _________________________________________