Ninth Grade Literature & Composition A



9th Grade Literature and Composition ~ Kell High School

Course Expectations and Syllabus 2015-16

Coach Marcusky (Room 2204)

chris.marcusky@

marcusky.

Course Description: 9th Literature and Composition is a skills-based course culminating in an End of Course Test (EOC Test) that focuses on the following:

• Argumentative, expository, narrative writing

• Elements of research

• Literary analysis

• Informational text analysis

• Academic and domain-specific vocabulary development

• Class discussion to facilitate higher-level thinking skills.

Thematic Units: These will be based on the Common Core Standards which include (but are not limited to) short stories, poetry, drama, informational texts, epics, vocabulary, research, essay writing, and novels.

Anchor Texts: Divergent, Romeo and Juliet, Odyssey, A Raisin in the Sun, Twelve Angry Men, Prentice Hall 9th Grade Textbook, Peach Award Books for enrichment, Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Level D (Common Core Enriched Edition), Supplemental readings (TBD)

o Students are required to purchase the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Level D. The price of the book is $10. Please pay with a check or exact change. All money is due by Friday, August 15th. Any student who does not pay during this time will not receive a book and will not be able to complete their assignments. Any student who is unable to purchase the book may use my in class copies before school, after school, during LASSO, and during LEAP tutoring. Please see me if you have additional questions.

o The 9th grade literature textbook and the school media center contain most of the above mentioned works; however, you may wish to purchase your own copy of the selections we use in class.

Supplementary Resources:

Peach Award Reading Lists:

USA Test Prep: Kell / Newton77

Students will create and communicate via , and assignments will be uploaded to Google Drive.

Online Textbook: (Login TBD)

Common Core Standards for 9th Grade English: assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf

This class will use a Common Core Standards-Based Gradebook.

Grading Policy:

Formative: Reading, Writing, Speaking, & Listening

(Classwork, Homework) 10%

Formative: Quizzes 10%

Summative: Reading 30%

Summative: Writing 30%

Final Exam (Fall) /EOC (Spring) 20%

Late Work:  If a student is present the day a summative essay/project/assignment is due, they may turn it in one day late for a MAXIMUM of 70%. After that, the essay/project/assignment will NOT be accepted for credit. In order to optimize feedback and learning, formative assignments will NOT be accepted late. 

Absences & Make-Up Work Policy: Students will be allowed one day for each day of excused absence plus one additional day to make up work missed during excused absences. For example, if a student is absent for two days, (s)he will be allowed three days to make up work that was missed with an EXCUSED ABSENCE. Work missed during unexcused absences will be accepted per the late work penalty. You must check my blog for missed work.

Supply List

❖ 3 Ring Binder with Dividers

❖ College ruled notebook paper

❖ Blue or black pens, pencils, highlighters (pink, yellow, blue)

❖ Donations:

o Last Name A-G: Kleenex

o Last Name H-R: Hand Sanitizer

o Last Name S-Z: Cleaning Wipes (Generic Brands are perfectly fine!)

o

Policies, Procedures, and Behavior:

Daily Expectations: Be Here and Be Prepared! Attendance and preparedness will determine your success. Always have your supplies, including parallel reading novel and vocabulary book with you! Make sure to have your notebook, paper, and pencil with you daily. Please be seated when the bell rings and ready to go to work.

Electronic Devices: Absolutely NO electronic devices permitted in class per school policy unless the device is being used for academic purposes (see the sign on the board). We will determine what constitutes as an academic purpose. Failure to abide by this policy will result in an administrative referral.

Food and Drinks: Only water is permitted in class, unless noted by medical notes.

Detention Policy: If a student fails to follow our classroom policies, procedures, and behavior guidelines (unless more severe), (s)he will be given a warning. If his/her behavior persists, (s)he will be given teacher detention which the student must serve before or after school within one week of the offense. Failure to serve detention will result in an administrative referral.

Computer Usage: We will use the writing lab multiple times during the semester. Students may be assigned seats in the lab. When in the lab, students are to work only on the class assignment at hand. Abuse of internet privileges will result in a loss of all computer privileges school-wide for 10 days.

Hall Passes: The first and last 10 minutes of class are considered “dead time” – no hall passes will be given. Students MUST have their agendas to use as a pass in order to leave the classroom. Students have no more than 5 minutes for a bathroom break, office pass, water fountain break, etc. Failing to return to class within 5 minutes will be considered skipping. No passes will be allowed during instructional time unless there is an absolute emergency. You have 6 passes to use for each semester. Use these wisely. If you do not have a pass, you do not get to leave the classroom.

Cheating/Plagiarism: “Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.” -- Sophocles

Cheating will result in a zero for your assignment. Plagiarism is stealing someone else’s work and passing it off as your own or intentionally citing sources improperly. This falls under that category of cheating and will also result in a zero for the assignment. A “U” in conduct will be given to students who engage in these behaviors, and students will be referred to administration.

***All Kell student handbook policies apply to ALL Kell courses***

Coach Marcusky’s Class Policies & Procedures

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the policies and procedures for 9th Grade Literature and Composition. I also understand that my student will be using a variety of technology which require parental awareness and consent. By signing below, I give my student permission to use these sites.

I have read, understand, and agree to meet the expectations set by Coach Marcusky

Class Period: __________________ Homeroom Grade Level: _____________________

Printed Student Name: ______________________________________________________________

Student's Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ________________

Student Email address: ______________________________________________________________

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Grade Conferences: No discussion of grades will be permitted during instruction time. Please make an appointment to discuss grades before or after school.

Parent's/Guardian’s Printed Name:_______________________________________________________

Parent's/Guardian’s Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _______________

Day time Phone:

Evening Phone:

Parent's/Guardian’s E-mail Address: (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY to avoid bounced emails.)

__________________________________________________________________________

The newly adopted textbook comes with a variety of instructional resources that are available on the World Wide Web and can greatly enhance a student’s instructional experience.

Will the student be able to access the Internet from home? YES NO

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