Ninth Grade English COURSE DESCRIPTION Course Description: This course aligns with the California State Standards for 9 th grade English. It will be a fast-paced and challenging class that will emphasize many different approaches to learning. Students will be expected to uphold rigorous standards in writing, reading and speaking. This class will emphasize critical thinking skills and encourage creative reading and speaking. Skills that will be the focus of the course include writing, vocabulary study, listening skills, reference/library use and literary analysis. Students will also be expected to communicate their ideas through oral, visual and written texts, in both formal and informal modes of presentation. MATERIALS NEEDED A 3- ring binder (1inch-1.5 inch) WITH pockets + Dividers (5) You must have a separate binder for this class! Sections in the binder: Information/Homework Current work Grammar/Writing Literary analysis/ Reading Vocabulary College ruled paper Pens, highlighters, and pencils Occasional markers, poster board, construction paper, etc. Access to email and a computer for word processing, research, etc. English College dictionary TEXTS Students will be expected to do intensive reading in and outside the classroom. The reading materials will include, but not limited to the following texts.. Holt Anthology The House on Mango Street Of Mice and Men Various short stories and poems The Odyssey Romeo and Juliet HOMEWORK Students will have homework three or more nights a week. Homework is expected to be completed on time and is due at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated. Long-term projects and assignments will NOT be accepted late for any reason. If students are sick or out of town, they must send in the work with a parent, sibling, friend, etc. No homework will be accepted if it is ripped or crumpled. 10% of the grade will be taken off untidy papers. Papers should be placed in the 3-ring binder, not just crammed into the backpack! WRITING Students will write extensively in this class. By this point in their education, students will be expected to use correct grammar, syntax, and spelling at all times. All papers must be typed,
double-spaced and in size twelve font following the Manuscript Form format. A cover page is not necessary. Major papers must be turned in online to TURNITIN.COM. GRADING POLICY All grading is done through a computer program. The grading is done in the weighted categories: Writing, major projects, test, and quizzes 50% Homework - 25% Group work/class participation 10% Final exams 15% Students and parents are encouraged to view the studentsʼ grades on the district internet grade viewer on a regular basis (once a week). LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY FOR THE CURRENT GRADING PERIOD. Please note the dates for the end of the grading periods this year: PR 1: 09/23/11 PR 2: 10/28/11 SM 1: 12/16/11 PR 4: 02/10/12 PR 5: 04/06/12 SM 2: 05/31/12 Each assignment will be given a certain number of points. A grade will depend on the number of points (percentage) that a student will get for the assignment. A+ - 100-97% A - 96-93% A- - 92-90% B+ - 89-87% B - 86-83% B- - 82-80% C+ - 79-77% C - 76-73% C- - 72-70% D+ - 69-67% D - 66-63% D- - 62-60% F - 59% and lower To pass the class a student should get at least a D- (60% of the grade). Make-up/Late Work: Late papers including homework will be accepted for the current grading period. Late papers will get 25% reduction of points. This will not apply to the students absent from the class due to illness or other excused absences. Such students should turn in their papers and take the missed tests and quizzes within three days upon return to the class. It is the studentsʼ responsibility to request the missed assignments from the teacher. For this purpose the
students should make a lunch or after school appointment with the teacher. NO MISSED WORK WILL BE DISCUSSED OR DISTRIBUTED DURING THE PASSING TIME OR DURING THE CLASS TIME. CLASSROOM RULES 1. Be respectful of the teacher, other students, and guest speakers. 2. Be on time (in your seat when the bell rings). Start Do It Now assignments right after the bell. 3. Come prepared to class (paper, pen, books, etc). Lunch detention will be given for any missing items. 4. Place all necessary materials on your desk at the beginning of class and place all other materials under your desk 5. Raise your hand to be acknowledged to speak. Do not blurt out your answers or comments. 6. Stay alert and in your seat. 7. No food, drink or candy in the classroom after the bell rings for the class. All food items and bottles should be placed into the backpack after the beginning of the class. Failure to do so will bring you a lunch detention. 8. No cursing or near cursing allowed. Use formal register of speech in the classroom. 9. If you lose handouts given in class, it is your responsibility to copy new ones. 10. Long-term papers and assignments are due on the date assigned NO EXCEPTIONS! 11. Wear appropriate clothing to class. 12. No chewing gum policy will be strictly enforced. Students chewing gum in class will be given a detention during lunch for the clean-up duty. 13. If you are given an OCS or other type of suspension, you will not be allowed to make up for the missed classwork. 14. Any violations of the academic honesty policy will be dealt with according to school guidelines. Therefore, be careful! Do not copy work from your friends, the Internet, etc. and do not allow anyone to copy your work. My definition of cheating includes: Copying someone elseʼs homework Using the vocabulary cards, vocabulary exercises, and other prep materials during the test Looking at or taking answers from another personʼs paper Giving or allowing others to take answers from your paper Obtaining or distributing tests or quizzes (or sharing test questions) with other students including those in another class. Plagiarism 15. All homework is due at the BEGINNING of class UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED 16. Work not turned in at the beginning of class OR completed during class time will be counted late and will lose 25% of the grade. 17. Active class participation is a must. 18. Do not leave your seat while the teacher, other students, or guests are speaking. 19. Problems printing papers because of running out of ink, etc. is NOT an excuse for a late paper. Plan your work and do not do it at the last moment. 20. Put your full name, the date, the period and the title of the assignment on all your papers. No-name papers will not be corrected until the student is identified. 21. Keep your class binder organized to avoid wasting time in class and at home. Place the papers in the appropriate section.
Academic Honesty As a student in my class, you are expected to submit work that is a true reflection of your best efforts and capabilities (not the work of someone else). Cheating and plagiarism are not permitted and are subject to disciplinary action. Cheating includes: stealing class materials, allowing others to use your own work, or using othersʼ work on homework, tests or quizzes. Plagiarism includes: presenting an idea or product as oneʼs own that has been derived from an existing source - including the Internet. You will be expected to document all professional sources in order to avoid plagiarism. Students who cheat or plagiarize will be disciplined by the teacher and the AP of discipline. Assignments that have been plagiarized or copied will receive no credit and cannot be made up. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you this year. If you have any questions, you may reach me at school at 535-6310, ext 356. You can also email me at nadyapeck@gmail.com or nadya_peck@sjusd.org. Please fill out and return this page by Friday, August 19, 2011. This Green Sheet should be kept in the studentʼs English binder (information section) throughout the school year.
FOR THE STUDENT: I have read and understood the requirements of Freshmen English for the 2011-2012 school year. I will give this class my best effort, and in my attendance, behavior, and participation. I will conduct myself as a responsible learner. Print Student Name Student Signature Date FOR THE PARENT/GUARDIAN: I have read and understood the purpose and requirements of Freshmen English for the 2011-2012 school year. I will do my best to communicate with and support my student and the teacher through the challenges of this course. Print Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Signature Date Day Phone Number Evening Phone Number Email Address Is there anything else I should know about your student?