English 9 Syllabus - Analy High School



English 9 Syllabus 2017-2018

Mr. Stickel

Room 210

jstickel.ahs@wschusd.k12.ca.us

Dear students and parents or guardians:

Welcome to English 9. I am excited to have you as a part of this class and to have the opportunity to teach you this year. This year we will be studying a variety of literature in order to prepare for college prep English courses in your sophomore, junior, and senior year. We will be reading works and novels such as: To Kill a Mockingbird, Night, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men and a number of short stories and nonfiction articles. We will also be working extensively to develop your academic writing skills.

Students are expected to arrive to class on time and to be prepared with homework assignments, as well as to take an active and constructive part in class activities and discussions.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

I have a common-sense approach toward behavior and classroom management in my classes. I don’t feel like I should lay out a bunch of explicit do’s and don’ts. However, to ensure that we are all on the same page, below are the general expectations for my class. In the coming weeks, we will be able to add more specific classroom guidelines to the list below.

1. Rules of courtesy and respect for persons and property will be followed at all times.

2. Students will not be allowed to disrupt the process of education within the classroom.

3. Students will come to class on time and prepared to work (materials and attitude) and will remain until dismissed.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES:

The Analy English Department provides the following resources for your students:

• Online access to our English Handbook with sample essays and formats needed to survive every year of English at Analy.

• Access to printers and computers before and after school in most classes and the library

• A four-year portfolio which provides students with a chronicled history of their writing and which individualizes instruction through a personalized log of their improvements. (These portfolios were the hallmark of our distinguished school designation!)

Students should bring the following supplies to class:

• Three ring binder with a section dedicated strictly to English 9

• Binder paper

• Pens and pencils

• Spiral bound notebook or writer’s composition book for writing in class

BOOKS:

Students will be assigned district books for the curriculum of this class. Students are expected to return the books in a comparable condition as what the book was when checked out. Non-returned books will be billed to students’ accounts.

GRADES:

Grades are calculated on a cumulative point basis for each semester based on the following percent scale: 100-90% - A; 89-80% - B; 79-65% – C; 64-50% - D. Grade criteria (i.e. scoring guides) will be clearly established for major essays and projects.

PILLAR ASSIGNMENTS:

REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF POINTS A STUDENT HAS EARNED, STUDENTS WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PASS THE CLASS IF THEY COMPLETE ALL OF THE PILLAR ASSIGNMENTS WITH A PASSING GRADE. There will be three to four major pillar assignments over the course of each semester. (Autobiographical incident essay, literary analysis essay, research papers, oral presentations, I-Search, etc). These essays and projects will be labeled as such when assigned and on my AERIES grade book. I will accept any pillar assignment late (with the exception of the I-Search in May) with the same point plenty described below. I will take the pillar assignments beyond five days late for zero points. It won’t help your grade percentage, but it will allow you to pass the class.

LATE WORK & MAKE UP POLICIES:

I expect students to turn in completed homework, essays, and projects on the day the work is due.  All unexcused late work will receive a 10% grade reduction per day until the fifth and final day. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY LATE WORK BEYOND THE FIFTH DAY DEADLINE.

Work that was due during an excused absence is due immediately upon return to class or it will be considered late.  If work is assigned during a student’s absence, the student will have one day for every missed day to complete the assignment. A planned absence requires that the student submit the work before he/she leaves. There are, on occasion, some assignments that just can not be made up regardless of the excuse. Class participation is required for the grade. For example, first drafts of essays and the peer editing process must be done in class for a grade.

Late work can only be turned in during tutorial or after school. Students are responsible for due dates and getting missed assignments.  Homework will always be listed on the homework board and the class website.  Please utilize tutorial to ask questions about work assigned during an absence.

Tests and quizzes must be made up during tutorial within one week of return from an excused absence.  Students with unexcused absences will not be allowed to make up assignments, test, or quizzes.

PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Plagiarism or academic dishonesty involves using another person’s ideas, words, and work without acknowledging the source. Copying anything (with or without permission) and handing it in as your own, neglecting to cite the sources for information or ideas, sharing homework, turning in your own work from a previous class without permission of the teacher, are all examples of plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty. Any offenses are taken very seriously. Please refer to the Student Handbook for disciplinary action. We will discuss this topic in great detail in order to avoid any confusion.

TARDY ENTRIES:

It is important that students are prepared and ready to work when class starts. Tardy entries to class will be recorded over the semester. Being tardy three times will result in a call home, five times results in a referral to administration, and six times results in the lowering of your semester grade by a third of a letter grade, (A- to a B+). Every three tardies after results in another grade drop. Nine tardies is two-thirds letter grade (A- to a B), twelve tardies is a full letter grade (A- to B-), etc.

TUTORIAL and TIGER OVERTIME:

Tutorials are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:30 to 8:05 and are an excellent time to receive additional one-on-one help, make up missed work, or discuss concerns about class or grades. Tiger OT is after school tutorial/study hall in the library on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:00.

WEB PAGE, AERIES PARENT PORTAL, & CONTACT INFORMATION:

I have a teacher web page which you can check assignments and check grades. I do all of my grade books on the AERIES Parent Portal, which students and parents can access at any time. If you have any questions or concerns the best way to reach me is through the email listed below.

Mr. Stickel homework webpage:

AERIES Parent Portal website:

Mr. Stickel email: jstickel.ahs@wscuhsd.k12.ca.us

Dear Parents and/or Guardians:

I ask that you and your child sign and date the bottom portion of the syllabus stating that you understand the expectations of English 9. I will keep the signed portion, and students may keep the expectations in their binders for future reference. There will also be a copy of this syllabus on my website.

I would like to be able to keep in touch with you over the course of the school. I invite you to contact me via email at any time over the course of the year if you have questions or concerns. I would also like you to write down your email in case the situation arises. If you need to get a hold of me, email is the easiest and quickest way to contact me.

I am looking forward to an exciting and rigorous year in English 9. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or feedback as the academic year develops.

Sincerely,

Joel Stickel

The English Department requests a $10 donation from all freshmen to absorb the costs of establishing and maintaining the four-year writing portfolios and maintaining the Chromebooks carts. We will gladly accept any amount (less or more) you are comfortable donating. Cash or checks are accepted and donation receipts will be given to students. Make checks payable to Analy High School. Thank you.

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English 9, period ____________

Please sign that you have read and understand the syllabus, and that you agree to the academic and social guidelines outlined above.

Student’s Name (Please Print):

Student’s Signature: Date:

Parent’s Signature: Date:

Parent’s Email:

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