English9/English I, HONORS Level SYLLABUS 2015-16 Mrs. Cathy Cavanah

English9/English I, HONORS level SYLLABUS – 2015-16 Mrs. Cathy Cavanah ROOM 109, Todd County Central High School SCHOOL PHONE: (270) 265-2506 EMAIL: [email protected] PLANNING PERIOD: 3rd pd. 9:46-10:36 am M-Th; 9:06-9:36am ERF Mrs. Cavanah’s WEBSITE for daily lessons, handouts, etc.: http://tcchs.todd.kyschools.us/staff_directory/english/cathy_cavanah TEXT REMINDERS: Students & parents, please subscribe by texting the code message @ccavanah to the phone number 270-228-4695.

COURSEWORK/UNITS: Required novel(s) provided. Literature & grammar books provided in class only, but may be checked out. Vocabulary Quizzes: Literary terms, poetic devices/figures of speech, persuasive techniques, drama terms, etc. Short Stories: “Passages/Choices” thematic unit Poetry: miscellaneous readings; Epic Poetry: The Odyssey by Homer, if time allows Drama: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Class novel study: To Kill a Mockingbird Independent book studies & essays: The Pearl, A Separate Peace, Night (books provided) Non-fiction: MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech; Persuasive advertising; and other selections Grammar: Parts of speech; parts of a sentence; fragments & run-ons; capitalization; punctuation; usage Writing: 3.8 Paragraph & 3.5 Essay forms; Free-writings (Personal/reflective; Characterizations; Persuasive/Argumentative; Journaling) MATERIALS REQUIRED DAILY 1) *3-Ring BINDER (or labeled section in large binder) …OR… a separate English FOLDER with brads/clips for paper & pockets NO spiral notebooks! NO bound notebooks! No “pockets-only” folders! (3-ring binders are easiest to open and organize!) *Students are expected to keep their class binder/folder ORGANIZED all year with ALL English notes, handouts, old quizzes/tests, etc., to study for a comprehensive test in December and a comprehensive end-of-year exam in May. Unannounced notebook grades will be given. 2) Bring your own No. 2 PENCILS ! …. AND … 3) Bring your own LOOSELEAF PAPER ! DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES: Verbal warning, conference, up to 3 morning/afternoon detentions, office referrals CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS 1) BE ON TIME to class and with turning in work. 2) BE PREPARED with all materials, ready for class – including daily notebook, paper, pencil. 3) BE SEATED by tardy bell & STAY SEATED until the dismissal bell. Don’t ask to switch seats. Don’t ask to leave the room, unless it’s an occasional emergency. 4) BE ATTENTIVE AND ENGAGED IN LEARNING with head up off desk at all times, on-task, quiet during instruction & work time. PARTICIPATE by raising your hand. 5) BE RESPECTFUL to teachers, subs, classmates, school staff, guests, and others at ALL times – without touching others or their belongings. 6) BE “APPROPRIATE” with language, conversation, behavior, clothing, etc. And this is NOT a time for grooming! NO SPRAYING of perfumes, colognes, and other body sprays or scents in the classroom! Your teacher and others are highly sensitive to many sprays/smells and will likely get a headache or worse. Ignoring this request can result in a disciplinary write-up. 7) BE OBEDIENT to ALL school and class rules – including NO candy, food, drink, cell phone, earbuds, electronic device, etc. GRADE POLICIES: 1) Four mid-term progress reports AND four 9-week “report cards” are sent home. Parents & students can see grades in Infinite Campus at any time. Therefore, Mrs. Cavanah typically does NOT contact parents about poor grades. Please check on your own, frequently. Infinite Student/Parent Portal: https://central.infinitecampus.kyschools.us/campus/todd.jsp Log-In: (student 10-digit state ID#) Password = (student’s first and last initials + 6-digit birthdate ... such as rc010997) 2) GRADE CATEGORIES AND ASSESSMENTS are based on required standards for English 9 -- to include reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and literacy community membership (active participation). 3) A “CUMULATIVE POINTS” SYSTEM is used (Points Earned, divided by Total Possible Points). Large assessments count more. 4) MAKE-UP WORK FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES must be completed in the space of time equal to the time missed. (For example, if you had an excused absence for two days, you have two school days to complete the work missed.) If you previously knew about an assignment, test, or anything due the day you were absent or return, then it is still due the day you return. It is your responsibility to check Mrs. Cavanah’s website for lessons missed and daily assignments given or collected while you were gone, to ask for handouts, and to borrow/copy class notes for the day(s) you missed.

5) UNEXCUSED ABSENCES & SUSPENSIONS will result in a score of “O” for any assessments missed or work assigned and due during the suspension/unexcused absence, as explained in the Student Handbook. (Exceptions include the EOC and long-term assignments.)

Remember, students have 3 days to turn in parent notes (up to 5) and doctor’s excuses to the attendance clerk -- or it becomes unexcused. (And this includes notes/excuses required when a student checks out during the school day!) Mrs. Cavanah goes by whatever the attendance clerk posts in Infinite Campus.) 6) ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE at the beginning of class on the due date. LATE WORK will NOT be accepted, unless Mrs. Cavanah is aware of an extreme and/or unavoidable circumstance. 7) PLAGIARISM and OTHER FORMS OF CHEATING can/will result in a 0% (or very low score) on the assignment/assessment, a parent contact, and/or detention – depending on situation. Office referral given for repeat offender. 8) QUIZ/TEST RETAKES to RAISE SCORES: Students MAY be allowed to retake quizzes/tests to raise their score up to one letter grade. Arranged retakes MUST be after school (or at ERF “FRIDAY SCHOOL”) on the student’s own time. 9) EXTRA CREDIT: Approved extra credit is allowed each nine weeks to raise average up to one letter grade. Read and pass a test over a book. Make a “Quote Journal” of up to 20 inspirational literary quotes and what they mean to you. Write your own poem or story. Attend & write a report about a play (seen outside of school) and/or participate in a play. Do an artistic project over something we’ve read in class. (See Mrs. Cavanah for extra-credit approval, directions, and/or a list of possible extra-credit books, etc.!)

(Keep this top portion as the first page in your English binder/folder. Cut & return the signature portion below to Mrs. Cavanah ASAP.) *********************************************************************************************************************** ____ I have read Mrs. Cavanah’s syllabus and policies for Eng I/Eng 9, and I understand what is expected to succeed in this class. ______Student signature Date List extracurricular school activities (sports, band, etc.) ______; ______Parent/guardian signature Parent Email (please print) Work Phone Home Phone Cell