11Th Grade American Literature/Composition

9th Literature/Composition 2015 – 2016 Syllabus

Sara Little – [email protected] – 706-629-0793 ext. 2415 Sonoraville High School 7300 Fairmount HWY Calhoun, GA 30701

Course of Study: The 9th grade English course is designed to help students become more effective readers, writers, and speakers. Students will be encouraged to work interactively with the texts to create meaning. Much of the class time will be devoted to reading and discussing texts. The goal is for the students to become more sophisticated readers who are attentive to voice, style, and language which will help them become more skilled at inferring meanings and making links between texts and their own lives. Students will explore how the physical and personal connection we make affect our belief system and transform the ways in which we perceive the world

This course work gives students the tools of analysis for interpreting and writing about literature. It focuses on identifying literary terms, analyzing the writer's techniques, interpreting themes, and being able to support claims with clear and relevant evidence. Students will be introduced to dramatic conventions, Shakespearean language and Renaissance Theater.

Throughout the semester students will review character motivation, point of view, poetic and literary devices, plot and theme as seen through a variety of genres including: short stories, nonfiction and poetry, and science fiction. Students should be able to identify the central idea of a variety of texts and juxtapose works to see similarities in theme, diction, plot, and character.

Reading: As the students read each text, they will be learning a number of new literary terms and literary analysis techniques. Three extended pieces of literature, one epic poem, one play, and one novel, will be assigned during the semester and read in class. The assignments/projects for these novels will be done in coordination with unit assignments

Semester Time Frame: The 18 week semester for this class will be broken into no less than four major units of study. Each of the units will be approximately four weeks in length. The Journey is the semester theme.

Assessment: A variety of assessments will be used during this semester including, but not limited to, quizzes, tests, writing assignments, projects, presentations, class work, etc. These will be graded on a points system with each assignment being given a points value. Benchmark assessments will be given at intervals of 6 and 12 weeks. These cumulative assessments will be used to monitor the students’ progress and retention of key concepts that have been covered as the semester progresses.

Grading Scheme:

18 Weeks 60%- Formal assessments (tests, writing assignments, projects, presentations, etc.) 20%- Benchmark exams (6 and 12 weeks) 20% - Informal assessments (quizzes, short writings, daily assignments, homework, etc.)

Semester Grade Calculation: 80% - 18 week semester average (see above) 20% - Final Exam (End-of-Course Test)

Exemption: (This is an EOC class; therefore, exemption is automatic) Exemption is a privilege earned by students who meet the following criteria: 1. 80 or higher in the class 2. 3 or fewer absences in the class 3. No PASS or OSS 4. No unclear obligations

Absences in terms of exemption:  An accumulation of 3 unexcused tardies and /or early dismissals will constitute a one day absence as it relates to exemption (not perfect attendance.)  Any student who misses 30 minutes or more will be counted absent for that block.  no difference is made between "excused or "unexcused' absences in determining exemption status. All absences, regardless of the reason, are counted.

Absences and Makeup Work (per Gordon County BOE Policy): 1. Students with an excused absence have three days to make arrangements with the teacher to make up missing work. 2. Long periods for make-up work are granted only in the event of prolonged illness or extenuating circumstances. In such cases, definite deadlines must be established. 3. Long-range assignments due in the dates of an excused absence shall be due immediately upon the student's return. In the case of a pre-arranged absence, the student must complete and turn in all work prior to the planned absence(s) unless otherwise arranged with teacher(s). 4. With the exception of benchmark exams, final exams, and projects (including essays), students may not make up any assignment which was missed due to an unexcused absence. Out-of- school suspension (OSS) is treated as an unexcused absence. 5. Tests and quizzes do not fall under the exam category: if missed due to an unexcused absence, they are an automatic zero. 6. Students who are "truant" may not make-up any assignment including exams and projects. 7. Credit recovery cannot be provided for assignments missed due to an unexcused absence. 8. For any formal assessment in which a student scores a 69 or below, a re-take is allowed within ten days of receiving the original graded work. After 10 days, no student will be allowed to revise a formal assessment. 9. No work may be made up or revised during the last two weeks of the semester. 10. You may not re-take a benchmark. 11. Additionally, there are no make-up opportunities for missing daily grades. If a student is absent on the day such work is completed in class or due as homework, then he or she is exempted from this work. Late homework will not be accepted. 12. NO Extra Credit assignments will be given. PERIOD!

Tardies: Students are expected to be in the room and ready to work before the tardy bell stops ringing. If students miss more than 30 minutes of class from checking in or out of school, they will be counted absent from that class for that day. Per SHS tardy policy, any student who is late must report to Student Services in order to receive a pass to class.

Plagiarism: Students will submit their own work or give credit to sources of information that are not original in content; they must do so using the standards established by the Modern Language Association (MLA). Students who copy the work of another, without giving credit to the source, have committed plagiarism. Work that contains plagiarism will be recorded as a zero. Depending on the type, degree, and severity of the plagiarism, the student may receive a zero for the assignments without any opportunity for revision and without opportunity for replacement of the grade with an alternate assignment. Materials required for this class: Students will need a three-pronged folder with pockets with paper and a blue or black ink pen and/or pencils. Handouts will be distributed throughout the semester, and students will be required to keep these handouts in their folders. Folders will stay in the class.

Tutoring or assistance: The English Department will have a tutoring schedule that will be discussed with the students. Students can also schedule a time to meet with us before or after school.

Classroom Expectations: 1. Be on time. 4. Be respectful 2. Be prepared. 5. Be ready to participate 3. Be responsible. 6. Follow school policies

Students should come to class each day ready to participate in daily activities and discussions.

* This syllabus is subject to change at any time.

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** Return this part of the syllabus by Friday, January 8th with your parents’ signature to earn a 100 daily grade!

Student Commitment: I have read and understand the syllabus. I understand the consequences of failing to meet expectations and how grades will be calculated. I have taken this syllabus home and had my parents/guardians read and sign it.

______(student signature) (date)

______(parent/guardian) (date) (parent/guardian) (date)

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