Course Description:
This year, grade 9 English Literature class and grade 9 Writing class will be combined into a double-block. This means that our class will meet every day of the week! Hooray! Due to Powerschool limitations, we will have two separate grade books for this course: all assignments will be entered equally in both grade books. (One grade book is called "English" and the other is called "Writing." The summative assessment will only go into the "English" grade book.
In this class, students will continue to develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills necessary for building a strong academic foundation for all classes and future pursuits where a comprehensive understanding of the English language is essential. English 9 students will experience an in-depth look at the themes being presented in the literature read. Students will engage in critical thinking, problem solving, and the daily application of higher-level thinking skills. The major objectives of this writing workshop are to develop confidence and skills in the basic elements of writing, grammar, research, thinking, speaking, listening, and analyzing. The writing process will be incorporated within instruction and assessment of all writing assignments.
In this class, students will continue to develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills necessary for building a strong academic foundation for all classes and future pursuits where a comprehensive understanding of the English language is essential. English 9 students will experience an in-depth look at the themes being presented in the literature read. Students will engage in critical thinking, problem solving, and the daily application of higher-level thinking skills. The major objectives of this writing workshop are to develop confidence and skills in the basic elements of writing, grammar, research, thinking, speaking, listening, and analyzing. The writing process will be incorporated within instruction and assessment of all writing assignments.
Details:
Course Title: English 9
Length: 1 year
Meeting Frequency: 80 minutes, 5 days a week
Location: H408
Taught by: Ms. Samantha Georgi ([email protected])
Workload: Medium to Heavy (this is a core class!)
Length: 1 year
Meeting Frequency: 80 minutes, 5 days a week
Location: H408
Taught by: Ms. Samantha Georgi ([email protected])
Workload: Medium to Heavy (this is a core class!)
Substitute Teacher!
Mrs. Elshoff just had a baby and wont be back until quarter 2. Therefore, this website only covers the material for unit 1 of the course. When Mrs. E gets back, she will have different class organizational tools, policies, and procedures - and it will be a brand new unit so the transition should be easy for you. To learn about Ms. Georgi *your temporary teacher* click here.
Resources and Texts:
- The Odyssey - Homer & Gareth Hinds
- Books will be supplemented with short stories, videos, nonfiction articles, and poetry.
Full Course Overview:
- Unit 1/Quarter 1 - The Search for Self - The Odyssey
- Unit 2/Quarter 2 - The Impact of Culture and Perspective - Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
- Unit 3/Quarter 3 - Tragedy and Identity - Romeo & Juliet
- Unit 4/Quarter 4 - Society & Taboos - Gulp! Adventures on the Alimentary Canal
Unit 1 Standards:
- Citation: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (R.L.1a).
- Summary: Provide an objective summary of the text. (R.L. 2b).
- Word Meanings: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings. (R.L.4a)
- Tone: Analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone). (R.L.4b)
- Multimedia Comparisons: Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden’s “Musée des Beaux Arts” and Breughel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus). (R.L.7a)
- MLA Formatting: Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabian’s Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type. (L.F.3a)
- Mechanics: Demonstrate command of punctuation, capitalization, spelling. (L.F.2)
- Structure Analysis: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g. parallel plot and manipulate time (e.g. pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, surprise. (R.L.5a)
- Writing Process: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. (W. 5)
- Writing Practice: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, audiences. (W. 10)
- Narrative Writing Structure: Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. c. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole. d. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. (W.3a)
Grading:
Grades are based on the assessment of standards and DRAGONS as they have been prescribed for this specific course. In this course, grades will be weighted as follows:
The following school-wide benchmark qualifiers are used, in addition to their corresponding letter grades, to summarize the assessment of benchmark performance in each course:
The following grades will be assigned to spot-check assignments. These are assignments that are checked for completion, timeliness, and thoroughness, but not always for content.
Class Policies & Procedures:
Leaving the Classroom (Restroom, Water):
MacBooks & Tech:
Late & Missing Work:
Assessment Retakes:
Rewrites & Revision:
Submitting Assignments:
Testing Environment:
Plagiarism:
Behavior:
- Do not EVER leave the classroom without asking me. If you do this, you will be marked "tardy" for the class period. However, if it is an "emergency" (e.g. "I'm about to throw up!"), please run straight to the restroom and explain the situation to me later.
- There are no bathroom passes in this class: just ask me if you need to go, and I'll dismiss you.
- If you ask to go to the restroom during a lecture or direct instruction, I have the right to refuse your request. Please only go to the restroom during free work time.
MacBooks & Tech:
- Close your macbook lids when the bell rings. If you are still actively using an open computer after the bell rings, you will be marked "tardy" for the class period.
- Stay on class-related websites unless you have free time. If you receive multiple warnings about off-task computer use within a given class period or on a frequent basis, you will be written up for a tech violation in powerschool and your advisor will be contacted.
- OK: You have free time and you decide to check Facebook.
- BAD: Ms. G is giving a lecture and you decide to check Facebook.
- OK: You have finished your work from class, so you decide to work on homework from another class during free work time.
- BAD: You have free work time and you decide to play computer games.
- When I say "lids down," all laptops should be closed promptly.
- Music may be listened to during free work time (use headphones). Headphones may only be used during free work time.
- No, you can't EVER borrow my charger. Constant student use of my charger causes damage, so please remember to bring yours or borrow one from a classmate.
- iMacs: Do not use the classroom desktop iMacs without permission. These computers are for students working on the yearbook, but if your laptop dies and you don't have a charger, you may be able to use the iMacs if you ask.
- Extension cords: please use the extension cords located in each outlet of the room for macbook charging. Do not EVER move the chargers without asking first. Do not EVER take them out of my classroom.
- Cell phones: The first time your cell phone accidentally goes off or makes a sound in class, the entire class must yell "shame" at you. Turn it off immediately. If this happens a second time, I will take your phone and give it to Mr. Wilkins. The first time I see you using your cell phone during class, you must give it me and I will take it to Mr. Wilkins.
Late & Missing Work:
- By school-wide policy, the highest grade you can receive on a late assignment is a "C". In order to make this policy more fair for all students, students who receive lower than a "C" as their initial grade will also receive a grade deduction of one full letter grade on late assignments. (The school policy as it currently stands only punishes those who do better than a "C" for submitting late work). This means that if your essay is "C" quality and you turn it in late, you get a "D" on the assignment.
- You cannot submit an assignment more than one week late. If you submit an assignment more than one week after the due date, your NG grade will remain. Exceptions: if you believe you have a valid reason for submitting late work more that one week after the due date, you can meet with me to discuss your situation, and with the approval of your advisor an extension may be granted.
- Missing assignments will receive a grade of "NG" (0%) in the grade book until they are turned in. (This will almost always turn your overall grade into an "F"). If you see a grade marked "NG" with a label that says "missing" in powerschool, you know you have a missing assignment. I will not notify you when you have missing assignments - it is your responsibility to keep track of your missing work.
Assessment Retakes:
- By school-wide policy, quiz and test retakes are available for students who get a "C-" grade or lower. When you retake an assessment, the highest grade you can receive is a "C".
- Assessment retakes take place at scheduled times during academic support. If you can't come to a scheduled retake time, please meet with me to discuss the possibility of alternative retake times or a corrective assignment.
- When a retake is not available, a corrective assignment will be offered instead. (This is an assignment where you correct and reflect on your wrong answers).
Rewrites & Revision:
- Minor assignments can not be completed a second time or revised. I'll let you know which assignments are eligible for revision.
- Large assignments (e.g. essays) are like assessments, and can be revised for a higher grade. You can revise an essay/paper if you receive a "C-" grade or lower. The highest grade you can receive on your revision is a "C".
Submitting Assignments:
- Assignments are not always submitted the same way. Individual assignment pages on this website will describe how you should submit each assignment. There are three main ways you will submit assignments: sharing a google document with me, directly emailing me, or uploading your assignment on Turnitin.com.
- The titles of your google documents should include the assignment name and your name. If you submit an assignment via email, the subject of the email should include the assignment name and your name.
- Do NOT submit assignments and questions in the same email. When you submit an assignment, I file the emails into a folder until I grade them. So, if you put questions in your emails along with your assignments, I will not see them.
- Submission mistakes: The first time you submit an assignment incorrectly (for example, you do not properly share your google document, you upload the wrong file type, you submit to the wrong location, etc.) you will receive a free pass. However, after your first mistake, you will receive a letter grade (10%) deduction on your assignment. (The reason for this is because students have used intentional incorrect submissions as a method to get more time to work on their assignments).
Testing Environment:
- During quizzes and tests, the testing environment must be silent and orderly. Failure to follow one of the testing rules below will result in an immediate 1 letter grade deduction on the test/quiz:
- No speaking (or making noises that could be interpreted as code)
- No sharing/passing items to other students
- No materials on the desk except for pen/pencil
- No cell phones ANYWHERE
- No staring at other's students desks/papers
- No leaving the classroom
- Cheating will result in an "F" on the assessment, and the incident will be reported to school administrators.
Plagiarism:
- If you plagiarize, you will receive an "F" on the assignment, and you cannot revise or resubmit a new assignment. Please note that copy/paste of any text without proper citation is plagiarism. Changing words but using someone else's central ideas without proper citation is plagiarism. Submitting work that you already did for another class is also plagiarism.
Behavior:
- Lack of respect towards other people is not tolerated. Extreme behavioral disruptions, inappropriate words or actions, bullying, etc. will result in your immediate dismissal from class and a log entry in Powerschool.
- Minor behavioral problems will be documented and will contribute to the lowering of your DRAGONS grade. When minor behavioral problems become too frequent, it will result in a log entry in Powerschool and an email to your advisor. The following are examples of minor behavioral problems that I make an effort to document: talking at inappropriate times, sleeping in class, inappropriate tech use, leaving your assigned seat at inappropriate times, speaking Korean, off-task behavior, rowdy behavior, rude behavior, etc.
- Academic Support "Detention": lack of focus in class (frequent sleeping or disrespect) may result in you being asked to attend mandatory academic support. You may need to complete an additional assignment during this time. If you do not show up to mandatory academic support, this will be reported to Mr. Wilkins and you'll have to attend real detention.