Eagle S Landing High School

Ms. Conrad Eagle’s Landing High School 9th Grade Literature and Composition E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description The purpose of this course is for the student to acquire:  Writing skills to compose well-developed, cohesive paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays by addressing sentence structure, spelling, grammar, punctuation and usage  Effective study strategies and note-taking skills  Critical thinking skills  Increased vocabulary and use of context clues to gain knowledge  Improved reading comprehension and an appreciation for a variety of literary genres  Confidence in written and oral expression  Research skills

Texts Among the textbooks we plan to utilize this year are the following: Elements of Literature (Third Course); Elements of Writing (Third Course); and a variety of novels; and nonfiction /informational text.

**Note: Literature textbooks can be accessed at home through my teacher website. Students without internet access can check out a book for home use. Failure to return books that are assigned or checked out for student use will result in a recovery fee not to exceed the purchase price of the text.

Grading Policy Course Average: 80% of Semester Grade  Tests/Essays/Projects: 55% of course average  Classwork/Homework/Quizzes: 45% of course average EOCT/Final Exam: 20% of Semester Grade

Attendance Policy Attending school regularly is necessary for comprehension of instruction and information. Classroom participation improves retention of facilitated information. Failure to attend class denies the student the opportunity to fully engage in the learning process. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1) requires all students between the ages of 6 and 16 to attend school unless they have a lawful reason to be absent. Students who during the school year have more than five days of unexcused absences from school will be considered truant.

Make-Up Work It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve make-up work from the teacher or the teacher’s website in the event of an excused absence. Homework and daily work need to be completed within 2 days of the student’s return. Tests must be made up within a week for credit. Any assignments received prior to the excused absence or during the excused absence are due immediately upon the student’s return

Late Work Students must submit assignments on time in order to keep up with coursework. Therefore, assignments that are turned in one day late will be penalized 25 points and assignments turned in two or more days late will be penalized 50 points. Assignments that are submitted late will be graded and entered after on-time work has been graded and entered.

Homework Policy • All homework shall be assigned in order to provide practice opportunities for skill attainment and mastery. • Students are expected to spend time after school reviewing course material and doing independent reading in order to attain the skills necessary for future assessments. • All assignments must be neatly done and reflect time and effort. • Occasionally, homework may be assigned that falls under another grading category such as take home tests, quizzes, and/or projects. When this is the case, students will be informed prior to submission of the assignment.

*Note: Homework assignments are assigned at the teacher’s discretion and usage of such assignments may change without prior notification. Please note that all assignments are for the benefit of the student and may not necessarily require grading but may be necessary for the completion and/or comprehension of future graded tasks. Notebooks Students are expected to have a notebook (spiral or 3 ring binder) for this class with them every day. This notebook should only contain English work. They will use the notebook for journals and bell ringer activities every day which will count as a grade as well as notes and other important information.

Suggested Materials English Notebook Paper Crayons** Post-it notes Pens and pencils Colored markers** Highlighters USB flash drive*

*During renovation at ELHS, access to computer labs is limited, so having a flash drive to save completed work on will be necessary for both students and teachers use. **Students will need access to art supplies for special projects.

Classroom Expectations  Students are expect to adhere to all rules and guidelines dictated by the Student Handbook for the Henry County School System  Be respectful and courteous to your teacher and peers.  Bring all of your English materials to class each day.  Keep your desk and the surrounding area clean.  Assume responsibility for your actions and your assignments.  No food or drinks, except clear water, will be allowed in the classroom

Classroom Participation and Behavior At the start of each class period, the class as a whole starts with 0 strikes. Each time the class as a whole fails to follow instructions, gets off task, becomes too loud, etc., the class gets 1 strike. If the class gets 3 strikes, the remainder of the class period will be conducted in silence. Students who speak and/or interrupt the silence without teacher permission will lose a classroom participation point and receive a detention which must be served before or after school within a week of its assignment. Failure to serve a detention within the time allotted will result in a behavioral referral.

Technology As our school is now a BYOT school students are welcomed to bring technology into the classroom and use it at appropriate times. These times will be designated by Ms. Conrad. If a student is found using technology without permission the student will receive a warning the first time, removal of the device for a class period the second time, removal for the day the third time, and a referral the fourth time.

Most assignments will be put on Ms. Conrad’s website found at http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/38671. Also found on this website will be links to electronic texts of literature that is being read in class as well as PowerPoints.

In order to better assist students and guardians with student performance in the course, grade reports will be distributed at the end of nine weeks and a report card will be issued at the end of each semester (eighteen weeks). Individual progress reports will be sent out approximately every 4 ½ weeks. Progress can be monitored more often with the use of the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus. Updates will be made to Ms. Conrad’s website frequently, which is the best way to keep up with what student are doing in class.

By signing below, I (student or guardian) verify that I understand the expectations and consequences for the English I course at ELHS.

Student Name: ______Student Signature: ______

Guardian Name: ______Guardian Signature: ______