<p> Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School</p><p>Course Syllabus Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet</p><p>Upon reviewing the course syllabus for Honors English 9 with your child, please sign on the space below to signify that you have read and understand the requirements for this course. Please have your child sign and return this sheet with your signature and contact information. The syllabus should be kept by you and your child for future reference. Thank you.</p><p>Parent/Guardian Contact</p><p>Parent/Guardian Name (PRINTED): ______</p><p>Contact Phone #: ______Alternate phone #: ______</p><p>Contact Email: ______</p><p>Check all that apply: I prefer to be contacted via _____ phone _____alternate # ____email. </p><p>By signing below, I affirm that I have read and understand the above guidelines and procedures for Mrs. Galo’s class.</p><p>______Student’s Signature Date</p><p>By signing below, I affirm that I have read and understand the above guidelines and procedures for Mrs. Galo’s class with my son/daughter.</p><p>______Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature Date</p><p>Note: This signature sheet is your student’s first homework assignment and will be “graded.” It is due on the third day of school.</p><p>1 Honors English 9 2016-17</p><p>Instructor: Ms. Michelle Galo Extension: E-mail: [email protected]</p><p>Course Description HONORS ENGLISH 9 Students can expect this challenging course to be fast-paced and to require them to use higher-level thinking skills including the ability to compare/contrast, argue, evaluate, infer, analyze, interpret, apply, synthesize, explain, justify, summarize, revise, write, and test. Due to the extensive nature of the course students will be expected to work diligently and independently on coursework. Students should also be prepared to read more than one piece of literature simultaneously and be able to work collaboratively in a student discussion driven atmosphere. Honors students should view the English classroom as a community of ideas where students listen and respond to one another and not just the instructor. By the end of the course students will feel comfortable both writing and talking about literature. The purpose of Honors English 9 is to prepare students for the Keystone Exams, AP courses and ultimately college success. Students taking this course MUST be committed to the rigor of the course. The course is comprised of units in the following areas: Writing, Grammar, Nonfiction, Fiction, Speaking/Listening, Drama, and Poetry. Student progress is evaluated through quizzes, essays, tests, daily homework assignments, research papers (MLA Style), assigned projects, and class participation. </p><p>Required Materials Textbook (Your book must be covered.) Three ring binder (Recommended) Notebook paper Pencil(s) My Year With Novels</p><p>Topics of Instruction While working to achieve the standards, the students will explore English through the following units. I. Reviewing Grammar A. Sentence types and structure B. Commas and other punctuation C. Verbals D. Active vs. passive voice E. Parallel structure F. Phrases/Clauses G. Review of parts of speech and usage as needed II. Reading Literature A. Reading comprehension B. Literary devices and techniques C. Fiction and Nonfiction including short stories, novels, essays, poetry, drama to be covered in thematic units: 1. Journeys (incl. various short stories, The Odyssey, and selected poems) 2. Tragedy (incl. Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Shakespeare’s sonnets) 3. Challenging Social/Political Attitudes and Traditions (incl. Night, The Book Thief, and selected works from Voices of the Holocaust) 4. Coming of Age/Identity (incl. Of Mice and Men and related short stories/nonfiction. If time permits Great Expectations and works from the Harlem Renaissance anthology will also be included.</p><p>2 III. Building Vocabulary There will be daily work with vocabulary. This will include : A. Latin and Greek derivatives and root meaning/history B. synonyms/antonyms C. using new words in sentences D. context clues V. My Year With A. This is an independent year long project B. Students are required to choose an author and read 4 pieces of literature from that author C. Literary Analysis assignments will be given for each novel VI. Mastering writing A. Structure 1. Thesis/Focus 2. Organization 3. Content 4. Style 5. Conventions 6. Proofreading, editing, revising B. Informative essay C. Persuasive/ Argumentative essay (research paper) D. Literary analysis E. Narrative writing</p><p>Course Assessments 1. Grades are computed based on the number of points earned by an individual student compared to the number of points possible. 2. Homework assignments are graded for accuracy, not completion. 3. Tests, quizzes, and writing assignments are worth a varying number of points based on the amount of work required. 4. All assignments must be completed on time. No late work will be accepted.</p><p>Homework Expectations Homework will be given to strengthen concepts taught in class and must be completed on assigned dates. It is the student’s responsibility to make up work missed due to absence and to obtain work from teacher upon returning. In addition to written assignments Honors 9 students will be expected to read nightly. These readings include texts for class and “My Year With.”</p><p>Rules and Expectations for Classroom Behavior 1. Please review the student handbook for school-wide behavior and academic standards. I will enforce all school policies including those dealing with make-up tests and assignments. 2. Please be in my classroom and in your assigned seat working on the day’s “Bell Ringer” activities when the bell rings. 3. Bring all necessary materials to class (Examples: pencil, homework, binders, textbook). I do not permit students to go to their lockers during class for materials forgotten. 4. Students should ask to use the bathroom at the beginning or end of class and trips will be limited. Students must have a hall pass to leave the room. 5. Give respect—get respect. Treat each other and all school property with courtesy and respect.</p><p>3</p>