School District of Holmen Language Arts 9 Welcome to Language Arts 9- Semester 1! Course Syllabus Instructor Ms. Miller Phone 608-526-3372 (Extension 6215) Classroom: 215 E-mail milmel@holmen.k12.wi.us Turnitin.com Class ID: 8452915 Remind: Text @ea013 to 608-399-2036 Turnitin.com Class Password: Vikings Website msmillerslanguageartsclassroom.weebly.com Welcome! I am glad you are here. Please keep and read through this syllabus for information about this course, my expectations, and classroom procedures. It is going to be a great semester! Your parent/guardian must sign the last page of this syllabus and return it to me by:. Course Description Language Arts 9 is a required course. It focuses on listening, reading, writing and speaking. This course includes elements of research and study skills as well as the development of reading and writing skills. Various paragraph forms and literary genres, short stories, novels, and a Shakespearean play are integrated into the course. State Standards http://dpi.wi.gov/standards/elaintro.html Course Objectives: By the end of this course students will be able to Utilize the traits of a good writer Formulate MEL-Con paragraphs and Five-paragraph essays Construct papers using various methods of development including the compare/contrast essays and an research based essay meant to argue a point Identify and discuss various literary elements and poetic devices in plays, novels, short stories, fiction and nonfiction Comprehend reading materials as shown through informal and formal assessments Identify parts of speech, phrases, correct common mechanical and grammatical errors; apply to writing Understand and apply proper MLA format Understand Shakespeare s contemporary relevance Access and use the LMTC online data base Decipher the reliability of online and print sources Write responsibly including an introduction to citation of quotations, paraphrases and summaries Assessments: Quizzes, tests, essays, paragraphs, group work, and projects to assess progression in comprehension and skills. Term 1: Final Exam 20% of grade Term 2: Final Paper 20% of grade Term 3: Final Paper 50% of grade Term 4: Final Project fits into overall term grade You cannot pass Language 9 if you do not complete the following required assessments: Short Story Test, Literature Circle Paper, Research/Persuasive Paper, Romeo and Juliet Test & Skit Grading Scale: A+ (100-98%) B+ (91 89%) C+ (82-80%) D+ (73-71%) A (97-95%) B (88-86%) C (79-76%) D (70-68%) A- (94-92%) B- (85-83%) C- (75-74%) D- (67-65%) Resources: MacDougal Littell: Literature, Language Network, Tree Girl, Never Fall Down, An Ordinary Man, additional short readings to be distributed in class You may access your textbook online and the audio materials that accompany it at classzone.com. You will have to register for an account and provide the activation code for our Language 9 Literature textbook. ACTIVATION CODE: 2450467-230 Page 1
School District of Holmen Language Arts 9 Course Calendar: Calendar subject to changes due to school conflicts, class progress, etc. A brief outline follows: Term One & Term Two Short Stories Term Three & Term Four Literary Elements & Story Mapping Research & Writing Skills MEL-Con Paragraphs connected to Note carding readings Thesis writing Independent Reading Elements of Persuasion and Essay Choice Novel Structure Mini-Novel Assessments MLA citations and works cited page Non-Fiction Quotes, paraphrases, and summaries Thesis/Essay Structure Outlining Tone/Author s Purpose Writing Responsibly/Anti-plagiarism Writing Writing MEL-Con Paragraphs Continued work on developing MEL- 5 Paragraph essay on Literature Circle Con paragraphs Texts Argumentative Research Essay Narrative Writing Narrative Writing Literature Circles Leveled Texts Literature Relationships Theme Roles in Literature Circles Romeo and Juliet Discussions Skills Poetry Literary Analysis Paper Short stories Grammar & Usage (all year) Nonfiction selections Common Writing Errors & Rules Relevancy of Shakespeare Phrases Independent Reading Punctuation (commas, colons, etc.) Choice Novel Mini-Novel Assessments Materials: Please bring the following materials every day: A writing utensil (You may choose a pencil or pen, whichever you prefer.) 1 notebook 1 folder A reading book of choice (bring every Tuesday and Friday) Your textbook (bring daily unless Ms. Miller specifically tells you do not need to bring it.) I also recommend that you acquire a jump drive to make saving and printing papers easier. Ms. Miller s Teaching Schedule: (term 1) 1: Write it Right 2: Language 10 3: hour: Prep 4A: Language Arts 9 4B: Language Arts 9 I m glad you are in my class this year. I feel truly honored to be your teacher and I hope that when this class is over, you will believe that this class has been an important contribution to your education. Thank you in advance for working with me and your classmates. ~Ms. Miller Page 2
Homework policy: In college and the adult world, everyone is expected to complete work on time. In order to prepare you for this reality, the English Department created the policy that all homework turned in after the beginning of class will only receive ½ credit! Paper copies of all assignments are due at the beginning of class. 1 If you have to ask to go back to your locker or the library for an assignment (or any other essential materials), you will be marked tardy. I will accept late work until the end of the term. The following large assignments must be completed in order to pass the course: Short story test, Literature Circle essay, Romeo and Juliet play assessment, and argumentative research project. Absences and Make-up Work: 1) In order to practice being efficient, responsible people, all work and tests for excused absences must be made up immediately upon return to class. That means: you must make arrangements with me on your first day back for any missing work or quizzes! Failure to do this may result in zeros on missing quizzes or tests or assignments. 2) If a student is absent on the day that an assignment is due, the assignment is due at the beginning of the student s first day of return to school. If a student is absent on the day of a test, the test will be made up after school on the student s first day back to class or before school the next day. If you miss a unit review day, you are still responsible for the material that was presented throughout the unit and will take the test on the day it is given. 3) You are responsible for finding out what you missed. Please check with me before/after class, before/after school, or during class work time for assignments missed, but please do not ask me during class instruction or activities because this disrupts the learning time of others. Extra materials from previous classes will be kept on the shelves in the classroom. 4) All students who will be absent from my class due to field trips, vacations, contests, games/matches, appointments, etc. must see me in advance to obtain and complete, prior to leaving, all work which will be missed. Preparation ahead of time will help us keep the class moving smoothly and allow you to enjoy your activities without worrying about make up work. 1 While I expect all of you to complete your homework in a timely manner, I am also human. Sometimes life happens. If a medical or family emergency prevents you from completing your work, please come see me, and we can work something out. *A computer issue does not constitute an emergency. Page 3
Classroom Policies: 1) Be Respectful of your classmates, your teacher, our classroom, and our time together. Positive attitudes are important to our success! 2) Positive behavior is a must in my class. Students are expected to behave in the classroom in such a manner that allows us to effectively learn together. For any inappropriate behavior, (such as excessive talking, distracting behavior, etc.), a warning will be given. Beyond the warning, students will risk having to stay after class, a phone call home, or removal from class temporarily as well as permanent removal should the problem persist. 3) Part of being respectful of our time together is to be prepared for class. You must be in the classroom when the bell rings and immediately take your seat, and you must remain seated until I dismiss you. Lining up at the door prior to dismissal will not be permitted because this behavior disrespects our class time. Also, please make sure you have all your materials before coming to class, so we can make the most of our time together. ** If you must run to your locker for materials or assignments, you must take a tardy. If you are not in the classroom when the bell rings, you will receive a tardy. 4) Restroom Privileges. Please take advantage of opportunities between classes and during lunch to use the rest room. If you must use the restroom or get a drink of water during work time, please write out a pass in your agenda, ask me, and acquire my signature. I may ask you to wait for a more appropriate time if we are about to start a new activity. 5) All school rules will be followed. (HHS student handbook policies enforced) Please do not bring caps/hats, cell-phones, pagers, headphones, I-pods, MP-3 s or any other electronic devices to class. If I see you using these items without permission, l keep them until the end of class. If I need to confiscate items from you on a regular basis, I will turn your items in to the office. Backpacks & jackets will also not be allowed in the classroom; it is school policy that these items remain in your locker throughout the day. 6) Cell Phones: I highly advise that you NOT bring them. If you choose to bring your cellphone to class, you must place it in the cell phone in the bin provided. I am not responsible for phones that are brought to class and placed in the bin instead of being left in your locker. If I see it out, I will require you to put it in the bin. If I see it out and on for any reason without expressed permission from me, I will turn the phone in to the office to be picked up at your parent/guardians convenience. 7) Food and Beverages. Good nutrition and hydration is important to learning. I encourage you to bring beverages and snacks to class. However, it is important that we work together to make sure that all spills and wrappers are properly and immediately. Any class that fails to maintain a clean, safe environment risks losing food privileges. 8) Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Copying homework or worksheet answers from a friend without discussing the material and putting it in your own words is cheating. I will report cheating to the administration, and it will be handled according to school guidelines. I will also contact your guardians. 9) Please come to me with any questions or concerns that you may have about this class. Page 4
Ms. Miller s Classroom and Course Expectations Scavenger Hunt: Language 9 Use the course syllabus, Guidelines and Class Expectations sheet, Writing Expectations sheet, and information hanging around the classroom to help you answer the questions below. You may choose to work alone or in a group of two or three. Complete sentences are not required for this activity. 1. Find the following locations in the classroom. Put a check mark next to each location once you have found it. hand in basket location of tissues, disinfectant, and bandages location of materials from previous lessons location of extra pencils and highlighters location of bathroom and hall pass class library 2. List three activities you could work on if you finish a test or activity early: 3. If you would like to know what is coming up the course, how could you find that information? 4. All major papers and projects will be submitted to turnitin.com. To register with the site you will need the class ID number and class password. What are they? 5. If you would like to access our Language 9 textbook electronically so you do not have to take the textbook home, what website will you go to? Which access code will you need to access the book? 6. What is the class policy regarding food and beverages? 7. What is the class policy regarding cellphones? 8. If you know you in advance that you will be absent from school for any reason, what must you do? 9. If you return from school after a sudden illness, what steps must you take before class or on your first day back? 10. According to English department policy, how much will homework be worth if it is turned in late? 11. Late work will be accepted until which point? 12. Preparation is an important part of respecting the time of your classmates, your teacher, and yourself as well as an essential skill both inside and outside the classroom. What consequence is there if you come to class unprepared and have to return to your locker after class has started to retrieve homework or materials? Page 5
13. Imagine you missed the review day before a test, but you knew about the test and the material on it ahead of time. Are you still required to take the test at the regularly scheduled time? 14. Imagine you come to class on the day a major essay is due, but you realize you forgot to print out the essay before class. You immediately walk to the library, print out your essay, and return to class late. Is the paper late?*** 15. Imagine you missed school the previous Friday and therefore did not receive the notes for the last Word of the Day of that week. Are you still required to take the quiz at the regularly scheduled time?*** 16. Which of the following scenarios would be considered cheating or plagiarism? (Check all that apply).*** a. Reading a friend s work and copying down their answers b. Discussing a confusing point with a friend or guardian, and writing down your new insights in your own words c. Having a friend or guardian give you suggestions about how to improve your essay or project d. Asking a friend or guardian rewrite portions of your essay or project e. Asking Ms. Miller to help clarify a confusing concept f. Including information from websites in your writing with a citation g. Including information from websites in your writing without a citation h. Using online summaries to help clarify a confusing story or chapter after careful reading and double checking that information by rereading i. Reading online summaries instead of reading the text itself 17. In the space below, jot down any questions or concerns you have about the classroom policies. ***These questions are not explained directly in the Guidelines and Expectations. Read the Homework and Absences sections and make an inference, or educated guess, about each scenario based on the expectations listed. Page 6
Language Art Syllabus and Behavior Expectations Dear parent or guardian, At the start of a new school year, it is especially important for students, teachers, and parents to review expectations for student behavior in order to help students be successful in the classroom. Please review the syllabus and behavior expectations with your student, and sign below to indicate you and your student understand the expectations of the course. If you have any questions, please email me at milmel@holmen.k12.wi.us. I look forward to working with you and your child this year! Thank you for all that you do. Melissa Miller Language Arts Parent Signature: Parent Name (printed): Student Name (printed): Page 7