Steamboat Springs Middle School

Steamboat Springs High School, English 9 2012-2013 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th Hours

Contact Information:

Kari Faulk Telephone/Voice Mail: 871.3657 Email: [email protected] Web Site: kfaulk.pbworks.com Open Hours: 4th & 8th

Course Description:

The ability to communicate clearly -- to read, write, speak, and listen -- forms the core of human culture. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills are essential tools for learning, for success in the workplace, for enriching and expanding our lives, and for responsible citizenship. Language skills are particularly critical in the area of education. Through language abilities, students understand the academic content areas. Success in learning is grounded in students acquiring solid knowledge and skills in reading, writing and communicating. The Colorado Academic Standards set high expectations in these areas for all students. To that end, students will read the following texts, in addition to a variety of short stories, dramas, essays, poems, and non-fiction prose. Titles followed by an * will be read by the entire class; other titles may be either 9+ or choice books.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding* To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee* The Help by Kathryn Stockett The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolpho Anaya How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury* Brave New World, Aldous Huxley Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare*

Course Essential Questions:

 What can you learn about yourself and the world through your own reading and writing processes?  How can we learn from the connections (to self, to text, to the world) we make with texts?  What can we learn by the decisions made by characters in stories?  What is the relationship between the writing process and the thought process?

Materials The following materials are necessary for this class:  Student Planner  A single “English 9” 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper and dividers that will hold all assignments, notes, and handouts. **Some students like to use a large binder for all of their “Red Day” courses and another binder for their “White Day” courses. Please use an organizational system that makes sense to you!** o 4-5 dividers (we’ll talk about labeling and organizing in class). . 7-8 dividers could be used, depending on your personal organizational style  A one-subject notebook to be used as a class journal (spiral or composition).  Pens or pencils  Highlighters and post-it notes for reading activities (These are available in the classroom, but if you have your own, great!)

School Policies All school policies will be strictly enforced, particularly those related to the Honor Code, the attendance policies, and use of cell phones and other electronic devices. Please see the Student Planner for details regarding all of these.

Assessment Policy and Philosophy Students will be assessed on a proficiency scale that represents both their conceptual understanding and academic responsibility in English 9. Evaluation of this will be broken down into the following components:

Conceptual Understanding (90%) Academic Responsibility (10%)

This includes but is not limited to This includes but is not limited to class demonstration of ideas and concepts via participation, homework assignments, projects, seminars, writing assignments, readings and questions to prepare for journals, tests, quizzes, research assignments upcoming classes, practice assignments, and performances. group conversations, classroom citizenship and review tasks. Designated in gradebook as: 4=Advanced Twice a quarter a 4 point Academic 3=Proficient Responsibility grade will be converted 2=Partially Proficient from the Academic Responsibility Log. 1=Needs More Evidence Please see information regarding this Log M=Missing below.

**Please note that because our grades are electronic it is very important that students keep all returned work as that work serves as the back-up if something should happen and we should lose grades electronically.**

Achievement Levels: Assignments will be given with specific rubrics so that students can see how each of the following applies to individual assignments. Generally, the designation in the grade book will represent the following.

4 Advanced: student shows sophisticated understanding and is able to explain, apply, interpret, and have perspective, empathy and self-knowledge

3 Proficient: student has a basic understanding and is able to apply information/skills/attitudes to known situations

2 Partially Proficient: student is able to articulate and apply some information and skills

1 Needs More Evidence: student competence is not yet known or is inadequate and cannot be assessed

Academic Responsibility Log : This will keep track of in-class assignments, behaviors, and small homework assignments that students complete throughout the semester. These grades will be designated as follows: a. M=Missing: Student has not completed or shown this work to Ms. Faulk. b. R= Revise: Student has shown or turned in to Ms. Faulk, but it was not completed or was not completed accurately. The student needs to revise the assignment and turn it in again in order to gain credit. The grade will become an “M” if this is not done by the next grading period. c. S=Satisfactory: Student has completed the work in an accurate and complete manner.

Late Work: Late work will be accepted for full credit at the teacher’s discretion during each of the posted grading periods (Four times per semester: Mid-Quarter 1, Quarter 1, Mid-quarter 2, Semester 1, etc.).  Factors that will be considered in Ms. Faulk’s decision could include, but may be limited to, o the students general attitude and willingness to participate in class, o the frequency of late work, o the responsibility the student has shown in communicating with the teacher, o the timeliness of completing the late work and o the time in the semester in which the assignment takes place.

Please recognize that most of the homework assigned for this class is designed to help prepare for an upcoming in-class activity and completing the work in a timely manner will make the activity more relevant and interesting for the student and the class as a whole.

All parents and students are encouraged to access their grade information through the SSHS Portal (Infinite Campus).

Assignment Revision opportunities:  Assignments can be revised for additional credit if the student feels that they did not demonstrate his/her full understanding on the original assignment.  Ms. Faulk reserves the right to end this opportunity for any student at any time if they feel that it is being abused by this student.

Students are always encouraged to meet with Ms. Faulk , contact and communicate with her through phone or email, and take advantage of work revision opportunities in order to demonstrate their highest level of understanding.

Please sign stating that you have read and understand the class policies and expectations for English 9.

Printed Name: ______

Signature of Student: ______

Parent Signature: ______

Teacher Signature: ______

Please review and return this SIGNED syllabus to Ms. Faulk by:

Red Day (1st and 2nd Hour): Tuesday, September4th

White Day (5th and 6th): Wednesday, September 5th

THIS WILL BE YOUR FIRST GRADE IN THE ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILTY LOG!