Ms. Wilson

stephanie.wilson@sduhsd.net

English 9 CP

Course Description:

English 9 is a one-term course with a focus on various genres of literature with a central theme of “The Individual and Society.” Students will be reading and studying novels, expository texts, short stories, autobiographies, drama, and poetry. Students will be challenged and given the opportunity to grow in their practical language skills through meaningful class discussions, journal prompts, essay writing, creative projects, oral presentations, and theater arts. Students will continue to use and practice grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary skills. With an understanding of the fundamentals of literary analysis, students will be able to construct a multi-paragraph essay as well as experiment with other essay forms and modes. The writing focus is designed to prepare students for the SAT, CAHSEE, and college level writing requirements. Students will develop critical thinking skills based on teacher modeling and will apply them to assignments independently and in cooperative, learning groups.

Suggested Materials: #2 pencils, black and blue pens, a highlighter, a composition notebook for journaling, college-ruled paper for note-taking, a 1 inch binder with dividers for the organization of English 9 materials.

Textbook: McDougal Littell’s The Language of Literature (short stories and poems)

Novels and Plays: Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Golding’s The Lord of the Flies, Homer’s The Odyssey (abridged; located in The Language of Literature textbook).

Class Rules

1) Be on time

2) Be respectful

3) Be prepared

Attendance and Tardies: School policies on attendance will be enforced. Students that have 3 or more tardies will be given a referral to the Assistant Principal’s Office.

Consequences for Misbehavior:

1.) Student-teacher meeting and phone call home

2.) Parent-teacher conference

3.) Referral and phone call home

Cell phones and other Electronic devices:

• Teacher approval must be given for the use of a cell phone or other electronic device per class period.

Late and Absent Work: No late work will be accepted unless pre-arranged and according to school policies (generally one day per day of absence after returning).

Food and Drinks:

• No food in the classroom
• Drinks must have a sealable lid
• No gum

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is a form of cheating and will not be tolerated. Work completed (homework, classwork, assessments) that is academically dishonest will be given an automatic zero and the student will be given a referral. Please refer to the SDUHSD guidelines on plagiarism.

• Plagiarism= Any intentional representation of another's ideas, words, or work as one's own. Plagiarism includes the misuse of published material, electronic material, and/or the work of other students. The original writer who intentionally shares his/her paper for another to copy, without the permission of the teacher, is also engaged in plagiarism.
• In this course, referencing Spark Notes, Cliffs Notes, Monarch Notes, or any written or online source that provides text summaries and literary analysis is considered cheating and will result in a zero for the particular assignment and a referral to the school’s administration.

Teacher Availability

I am available most days after school. Please schedule a time to meet with me.

Components of the Class:

Silent Sustained Reading (10%): Starting at the bell, students will independently read a book selected by the teacher for 15 minutes. Students will be responsible for participating actively in Silent Sustained Reading. The book(s) read during Silent Sustained Reading must be read during class-time. Students will complete a creative book project each quarter on a silent reading book.

Homework/Quizzes (15%): Homework will involve reading (e.g. novel, plays, short stories, poems, outside research). Students should expect regular scheduled quizzes.

Classwork/Related Tests (20%): Classwork (e.g. grammar, vocabulary, writing activities) & Related Tests

Projects (20%): Creative Projects of a variety of modes (e.g. visual, performance, and creative writing)

Essays (35%): In-class and take home essays, in addition to process-related work (outline, draft, peer review)

Grades: 89.5% and up = A, 79.5 – 89.4% = B, 69.5 – 79.4% = C, 59.5-69.4% = D, Below 59.5% = F

Signatures needed by both student & parent and/or guardian on the following page:

Students & Parents and/or Guardians

Occasionally, we will watch films to supplement our readings and enhance our understanding. None of these films are rated ‘R’. We will not watch all of these films, but we will watch some. Parents and/or Guardians, your signature below indicates your approval of these film choices. If you have any questions or concerns about a particular film, please indicate these in your comment section.

Films: Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Golding’s The Lord of the Flies, and Homer’s The Odyssey.

Please sign below to acknowledge you’ve received, read, and support the class movie list and syllabus.

**This syllabus is subject to changes made by the teacher and in the event of changes a new syllabus will be provided for review.**

Student Comments:

Student Name, PRINTED:___________________________

Student Signature:_______________________________ Date: ____________

Parent and/or Guardian Comments:

Parent and/or guardian Name, PRINTED: _______________________

Relationship to Student:______________________

Parent and/or guardian Signature: __________________________ Date: _____________

Parent and/or Guardian Contact Information:

Parent and/or Guardian email:_______________________________

Home and/or cell #: __________________________