YORK HIGH SCHOOL

Syllabus 2007 - 2008

Instructor:             Ms. Barnett                                           Telephone:            757-833-2481

Fax#                        757-898-8235                                         E-Mail:                   abarnett@ycsd.york.va.us

 

1.        Course Title:                           English 9

2.        Text(s):                                        Prentice Hall English Literature Gold
                                                        Vocabulary Mastery 3

3.        Course Description: English 9 is designed to examine various genres in literature.  You  
                                                        will read and critique fiction and non-fiction literature.  Oral and
                                                        written presentation will be submitted throughout the course to ensure
                                                        comprehension of subject matter.  Grammar will also be studied
                                                        throughout the course of reinforce understanding and proper writing
                                                        skills.

4.        Competencies:                            Upon completion of this course, you will be able to accomplish the    
                                                        following  Standards of Learning:

9.1-The student will plan, present, and critique dramatic readings of literary selections.
9.2-The student will make planned oral presentations.
9.3- The student will read and analyze a variety of literature.
9.4- The student will read and analyze a variety of informational materials (manuals, textbooks,   
        business letters, newspapers, brochures, reports, catalogs) and nonfiction materials, 
        including journals, essays, speeches, biographies, and autobiographies
.

9.5- The student will read dramatic selections.
9.6- The student will develop narrative, expository, and informational writings to inform, 
        explain, analyze, and entertain.
9.7- The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling,  
        sentence structure, and paragraphing.
9.8- The student will credit the source of both quoted and paraphrased ideas.
9.9- The student will use print, electronic databases, and online resources to access information.
THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

5.   Course Outline:
        I.      First Quarter
                A.   The Writing Process
                B.
   The Short Story

                C.   Novel: The Outsiders
                D.   Grammar/Vocabulary: Literary Terms-continuing throughout the course

        II.    Second Quarter
                A.
   Nonfiction
                B.
   Research Paper—oral presentations

                C.   Writing Project/Persuasive Technique
                D.   Language skills: vocabulary/grammar, critical thinking and writing

                                Exams: Jan. 22 - 25

        III.   Third Quarter
                A.
   Poetry
                B.
   Epic Poetry
                C.
   Language skills: vocabulary/grammar, critical thinking and writing

        IV.   Fourth Quarter
                A.
   Drama—Romeo and Juliet
               
B.
   Language skills: vocabulary/grammar, critical thinking and writing
 
               C.   Final Project
                                Exams: June 9 – 12

 

6.   Course Requirements:          Here are the supplies you will need EVERY day:
                                                Your textbook, a three ring binder with four dividers (notes, classwork,
                                           homework, and test/quizzes), loose-leaf paper, blue or black ink 
                                                pens, colored pencils ,spiral bound index cards, and a black composition book.

7.   Attendance Policy:              To comply with Virginia State Law, students are expected to attend     
                                                school everyday and be on time unless there is an illness or death in   
                                                the immediate family.  Refer to your student handbook about lateness   
                                                and attendance policies.

8.        Evaluation:
     
Homework                             10%
        Class work                             20%
        Test/essays/projects           40%
        Quizzes                                  30%

9.        Classroom Procedures and Expectations for English Class:

 

PLEASE:

1.        DO – be polite, courteous, mature, and respectful to all.

2.        DO – raise your hand and wait to be called on.

3.        DO – stay in your seat.

4.        DO – work to the bell.

5.        DO – bring your textbook, materials, and notebook everyday.

PLEASE:

1.        DON’T – sleep.

2.        DON’T – eat or drink in the classroom.

3.        DON’T – be disrespectful either in speech or action.

4.        DON’T – use profanity or rude gestures.

5.        DON’T – groom yourself in the classroom.

WHY?  This is your education – work hard for it.  Each item about either adds to or detracts from YOUR education.  The rewards, benefits, and losses go to YOU.

 

10.    Homework/Make-up work:
You are responsible for doing the assignments.  You’ll know when they are due.  If you have an excused absence, then you can make up the work.  If your absence is unexcused, you can accomplish work, but the grade cannot be counted.

 

11.     Classwork/Homework

Upper left corner, respecting the margin, should have your name, date, and period.  Work is to be legible and neatly done in ink.  Homework is individual work not group work.  Use parts of the question in your answer.  Skip a line between answers.  Use standard loose-leaf paper.  Rough Drafts: skip every other line and write on both sides of the paper.  Final Versions: Write on every line and write only on one side of the paper.  Spelling, grammar, and punctuation all count.

WHY?  This is your job.  Following directions is an important skill.

 

This is a team effort.  As the teacher, my job is to create a classroom environment where you can learn.  My goal is that you work at your highest potential at all times, earn the best grades you can, and move on to English 10 and eventually to your future as an adult.  As the student, your job is to work hard and care about yourself and your future.  I look forward to a great year.  Please come to me if you have any questions and please don’t hesitate to let me know if you don’t understand something we have done in class.

 

HAVE A GREAT YEAR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classroom Procedures and Expectations for English Class

 

1.      What to Bring to Class
 
Here are the supplies you will need each day:
*    Your textbook
*    A three-ring binder
*    ___________________ index cards
*    __________________________
*    __________________________ and
*    __________________________
If you need another book, you will know about it the __________ before and you are expected to have it, also.  You should not bring spiral notebooks.
Your agenda is crucial to your _____________________ in the class.  Please keep it in good ______________________ and don’t rip out pages.  You should get in the habit of recording your own __________________________ and ________________________. Your teacher will check your agenda and your ________________________ each week.
Your binder is also _______________________.  You are expected to keep your work in neat order according to the table of contents.  Get in the habit of ___________________ your work in when you get it. 

2.      What to Do in Class
When you enter the room, go _________________ to your ________________.  You can talk as you get ready for class.  Start reading the ____________________ for directions.  Begin the work _____________________.  The first assignment will be to copy your homework assignment into your ____________________.  Have that ready to show me when the __________ __________ to start the beginning of class.
During class, if you need to use the restroom, you are allowed to leave the room up to ____________ times during a nine week period.  To leave the room, you must follow the check out procedure:
*    Step 1: Ask for permission.
*    Step 2: Correctly fill out your ___________ on the sheet by the bookcase.
*    Step 3: Take the pass.

3.      Homework
You will have homework _______________ school night and almost always on weekends.  Your homework will take you about ____________________ minutes to complete.  It will be ____________________ at the ______________________ of class the day it is due.  Do not copy another student’s work.  That is __________________________.  You will find your homework assignment written on the __________________.  You are expected to record it in your ______________ at the ____________________________ of class.
You are expected to use ____________ or __________________ ink only.  If you turn in work written in pencil, green or unusual colors. It will __________ be accepted and you have _______________ hours to redo it.  Make it easy for me to read your work!

4.      Following the School Rules
*    In your ________________________________ you will find our school’s rules.  We follow those rules in this classroom.  For example, if you are tardy __________ times to class, those days will equal one absence.  If you are absent from class___________ times, you can fail the class.
*    Keep that _______________ out of sight and sound unless you want to take it to the office!
*    You can’t bring _____________, ______________ or other drinks to class.
*    You are allowed to chew _______________ in my class as long as it is not a disturbance.
*    You are not allowed to have ________________ unless I reward you with it.  This is a privilege and not a right.  I will take away the _____________ privilege if there is _______________________________________ or writing on the desk.

5.      The Big Picture
Here are three ways to make school really easy:
      FOCUS: I know it sounds too simple, but one of the best habits you will develop   
      this year is to ___________ on your work while you are in __________________.   
      You will learn faster and you will learn more easily if you do this.
      100%+: Do your work and then do a little ____________.  If you aim to make 
      100%+ on an assignment, then you will learn more, understand more, make higher
      grades, and show self-respect.  Don’t just do enough to get by. Aim for 100%+.
      BELIEVE: Have faith in yourself.  You can do the ______________.  You can 
      achieve your dreams with hard work and confidence.