9th Grade English I/English I Honors



9th Grade English I/English I Honors

Course Syllabus 2011-2012

Mrs. Gillian Brown

gbrown@

Room D205

Somerset Academy Mission Statement

Somerset Academy promotes a culture that maximizes student achievements and fosters the development of responsible, self directed life-long learners in a safe and enriching environment.

Course Description

This class is structured around the curriculum of Somerset Academy Central Miramar, the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, and SpringBoard, the College Board’s Pre-AP program. This class is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required for success in college-level work. It will prepare a student to successfully communicate through formal writing and presentation utilizing effective grammar and vocabulary skills.

During the school year, the course will cover reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. As ninth grade marks many important transitions in a student’s life, the theme for this year is “Coming of Age.” Students will learn what it means to “come of age” and also understand how their experiences and the things they are exposed to shape who they are. Throughout the school year, many our readings, activities, and writings will help the student explore this theme.

Course Objectives

With hard work and determination, by the end of the year students will be able to:

✓ Effectively recognize and communicate literary elements

✓ Distinguish between formal and informal writing and speaking

✓ Read and write within the guidelines of the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, as well as the SpringBoard standards

✓ Increase FCAT scores

✓ Expand vocabulary

✓ Illustrate the ability to deconstruct sentences grammatically

Course of Study

Students will be assigned a SpringBoard Level 4 textbook that will be kept in the classroom. Students will be reading and reflecting on literature selections from our SpringBoard textbook, as well as additional novels, complimenting the themes studied in the 9th grade English I course.

Students are required to purchase novels listed below that will be covered throughout the year. Please note that books can be also obtained from the public library. If you do not have a library card, now is that time to get one as you will also be required to do independent reading.

• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (summer reading required purchase)

• Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare (required purchase)

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (optional purchase, but students will be required to have access to this novel)

Required Supply List

A box of blue/black/red pens (no other colors allowed- red pens will only be used for corrections)

A box of #2 pencils 1 pack of highlighters (different colors, smear free recommended)

1 Flash Drive 1 Pocket Webster’s College Dictionary (or comparable)

1 Pocket Thesaurus 1” 3-Ring Binder with inside pockets

5 Dividers with tabs 2 Composition Notebooks/Journal

1 Ream of Copy Paper 3x5 Lined Index Cards

Whiteout Correction Tape Lined paper (college ruled)

Sheet Protectors

WISH LIST

The following items will be used throughout the school year to maintain a productive, healthy classroom environment. Please bring items with receipt(s) if you wish to receive volunteer hours.

Printer paper (white as well as all other colors accepted)

Dry Erase markers and cleaner (for white board)

Pens and Pencils

Hand Sanitizer

Tissues/Paper Towels

Clorox Cleaning Wipes

Lysol

College Ruled Paper

Easel/Chart Paper

Markers, Color Pencils, Crayons

Glue Sticks

Scissors

Index Cards (Lined and Plain)

Folders

Labels

Invisible Tape

Books (Grade level novels)

Construction Paper

Binder Clips (all sizes)

Computer and Internet Access

As the instructor, I will utilize many forms of technology and will require students to have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word (or comparable word processing program) and PowerPoint. Major assignments will need to be typed; therefore, students must have access to a computer, the Internet, and to a printer outside the classroom.

Grades

You will be responsible for keeping track of your grade. Grades will stem from home learning assignments, class assignments, tests, projects, quizzes, notebook checks, participation, and group work. Home learning assignments will be given each day, with the exception of Friday unless related to a project. Home learning assignments will be due the following class period unless otherwise specified.

Please note that a “Z” on Pinnacle indicates that the assignment is missing. A “Z” is weighted the same as a zero. Parents and students are encouraged to keep track of their progress in this class via Pinnacle online.

Grading Policy:

Tests/Essays/Projects 40%

Classwork 25%

Home Learning 10%

Quizzes 20%

Participation 5%

Classroom Rules and Expectations

I expect all students to come to class on time (seated when the tardy bell rings) and be prepared to learn with a good attitude throughout the class period. Additionally, I expect all students to practice organization, self control, self-motivation, and determination and be able to apply the following principles in and outside of the classroom.

1. Treat your peers and authority with respect

2. Be honest and fair

3. Obey all school rules (You are required to read the Student Code of Conduct.)

4. Always be prepared for class

5. Turn off all electronic devices during school hours (Items will be confiscated if seen/heard.)

6. Raise your hand to ask questions and/or contribute to a discussion.

Infractions and Procedures

If you choose to break a classroom or school rule, the following disciplinary action will be taken:

1st Offense: Verbal warning

2nd Offense: Second verbal warning followed by written documentation and parent contact

3rd Offense or 3 Unexcused Tardies: Lunch detention and parent phone call and/or meeting

4th/5th Offense, 6 Unexcused Tardies or Chewing Gum: After school detention and parent phone call and/or meeting

6th Offense or 7 Unexcused Tardies: Saturday detention and parent phone call and/or meeting

Make-up Work Due to Absences

Students are expected to ask for make up work from the days missed. Students are responsible for seeing the teacher to make arrangements to make up tests, quizzes, and class work. I will not remind students to ask for work; they must inform me of the days missed and get the missing assignments. Makeup work must be returned within 24 hours of returning to school or 24 hours per every day absent. Homework assignments due on a day of absence are due at the beginning of the class period of return.

Please note that if the required assignment is not turned in when the teacher requests, the assignment grade will be reduced 10%. Assignments turned in 48 hours after it is due will be penalized 20%. Assignments not turned in after this time will result in a “0.”

Restroom/Passes

Each student has the opportunity to use three (3) passes each quarter. Please save the breaks for emergencies. Health issues will be an exception. Students may only have restroom passes issued in their student planner. The 10-10 rule will be enforced along with teacher discretion. No student is allowed to use the restroom during the first 10 minutes of class and during the last 10 minutes of class. Students should try not to use the restroom during class discussion.

Assignment Requirements

Required Paper Heading:

Upper right-hand corner of paper

Last Name, First

Date:

Period:

Name of Assignment

** Please Note: Papers with no name will be discarded into the recycling bin on a daily basis. Students will have a “Z” in Pinnacle for the assignment. **

• All assignments must have the proper heading.

• All work must be submitted in blue/black ink, no assignments will be written in pencils unless otherwise instructed.

• All out of class writing assignments must be typed using the following format:

- Size 12pt

- Double Spaced, 1” Margin

- Arial or Times New Roman

- Black Ink on Clean White Paper

• Research papers will be written using the MLA format. [Hint: Citation Maker located under “Tools” link on the left at (Recipe 4 Success) is a great resource for this.]

• NEATNESS COUNTS! If an assignment is turned in sloppy and not clearly written, you will be required to re-do the assignment. (You always have the option to type all your assignments when it is not mandatory)

A Few Words About Misrepresentation

Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated or accepted in any way shape or form. Plagiarism, dishonesty, and misrepresentation are not acceptable. Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or writing as your own. It is also not using proper documentation or citation when using another person’s writing such as, when doing an essay. Misrepresentation will cause you loss of credit for an assignment. Repeated plagiarism will be referred to administration.

9th Grade English I/English I Honors

Course Syllabus 2011-2012

Mrs. Gillian Brown

Student/Parent Acknowledgment Form

This form must be returned and you will receive a grade for returning this form signed. This form must be completed, signed by both the student and the parent/guardian, and returned no later than Thursday, August 25, 2011.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the requirements of the course as outlined in this syllabus and Somerset Academy Central Miramar’s curriculum guide as well as the disciplinary and classroom expectations.

Class Period ________

__________________________ ______________________________ __________________

Print Student Name Student’s Signature Date

______________________________ ________________________________ ___________________

Print Parent’s/Guardian’s Name Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature Date

PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT INFORMATION

Please print legibly

Parent/Guardian Name(s) _____________________________________________________________

Home Phone _____________________________________

Work Phone ______________________________________

Cell Phone ________________________________________

E-mail(s) ____________________________________________________________________________

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