9th Grade Literature and Composition
FALL 2007
Mr. Brian Holmes Mr. Tom Pilkey
Room: P41
E-mail: holmesbm@fultonschools.org
Texts: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: Gold Level, Prentice Hall
(replacement cost $70)
Prentice Writing and Grammar ($60)
Reader’s Handbook (replacement cost $25)
Supplementary Novels ($10/ paperback title; $15/ hardback title)
Supplies: It is extremely important the student has these supplies and is prepared for class. The student should bring the first three materials to class EVERY DAY. The index cards will be used for vocabulary homework and may be kept at home.
· One three ring notebook with dividers
· “Loose leaf” paper
· Blue or black pens
Course Description
In 2004 the Georgia Department of Education adopted new Georgia Performance Standards for grades 9-12. Consistent with state curriculum, the Fulton County Schools English language arts curriculum implementation aligns with state standards. The content standards for this course are clustered by strands: Reading and Literature, Reading Across the Curriculum, Conventions, Writing, and Listening/Speaking/Viewing.
Ninth Grade Literature and Composition will continue to build on the reading and language curriculum established in middle school. Throughout this year-long course, students will have opportunities to develop and expand their knowledge of literature and language and demonstrate their mastery level of new learning through performance tasks and assessments.
All reading selections and writing assignments are designed to address the student learning described in the course description. For a more detailed description of the new Georgia Performance Standards for English Language Arts, you may access www.georgiastandards.org or www.fultonschools.org/fcgps/
Discipline Plan
Classroom Rules
1. Be on time.
2. Bring all books and materials to class.
3. Sit in your assigned seat daily.
4. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
5. Demonstrate respect for your teacher and fellow students through your attitude, actions, and words.
►Classroom discipline is very important. Punishments will be issued appropriately for disciplinary problems.
Procedures and Routines
Procedures are a part of life. We follow procedures when boarding an airplane, driving a car, or going to a movie. The reason we have procedures in life is so that people can function in an acceptable and organized manner.
Beginning of class
When the bell rings, you should be in your seat. Every day, a daily grammar warm-up or journal question will be posted on the board in the same location. You will get out your notebooks, and write the warm-up in the appropriate section of your notebook.
Formatting, Heading, and Turning in Your Papers
All papers should be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font and double-spaced. Do not add an extra space in between paragraphs. If you do not have access to a computer at home, I will need a written note from a parent or guardian.
You should head your paper in the upper right-hand corner, single-spaced like this:
Name Jane Smith
Due Date 9/1/06
Assignment Research Paper
Period 3rd Period
Papers should be ready to turn in at the beginning of class. Papers turned in after that time, whether it is at the end of the day or at the end of class, will be considered late and points will be deducted (see Late Work below). If you are having trouble printing your paper (either at home or at school), you are responsible for emailing it to me.
Keeping Your Notebook
You should bring your notebook with you to class every day. I will be doing random notebook checks to see that you have a notebook, just for English, with you in class. Failure to bring your notebook will mean that you will be unable to participate or complete work in class. I suggest that you divide your notebook into these five sections: Grammar Warm-Ups, Journals, Vocabulary, Classwork/Homework, and Handouts.
Leaving the Classroom
In order to leave the classroom, you must have your agenda. You will be allowed to leave the room 5 times per semester, so choose those instances carefully. If you choose to leave, complete all parts of the line in your agenda except for where I must initial. Please do not ask to leave the classroom during the first or last 10 minutes of class, while I am talking, or in the last 10 minutes of class.
Working in Groups
Oftentimes you will be collaborating with other students. Your groups will be assigned and you will receive further instructions on how and where to move into those groups. When working in groups, you should stay with your group and not interfere with other groups.
When Announcements Are Made
It is extremely important that when announcements are made, you are immediately silent.
Absences and Make-up Work
Students are responsible for making up any work missed during an excused absence. The student is responsible for retrieving any handouts that were given out on the days they were absent – these can be found in a file box (labeled with their grade level) in the classroom. When a student is absent, that student will have the number of days absent to make-up work, other than major projects. Therefore, if a student is absent for one day, he or she has only one day to complete make-up work or arrange for a make-up test. Failure to complete an assignment within this time frame will result in a zero for the assignment. If a student is absent on a test day, the test will be administered in class on the next day he or she is present. If a student is absent prior to an announced test or presentation, but returns on the day of the assessment, the student will be expected to participate. Cases of extended absence will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Late Work
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. No late homework will be accepted. Major compositions/projects are the only assignments that will be accepted late, and these assignments will receive a ten point penalty per day for up to three days. After the third day the student will receive a zero for that assignment.
Other Classroom Policies
Grooming
Personal grooming is not appropriate in the classroom.
Ipods/Cell phones/Electronics
Ipods, cell phones, and other electronics are not allowed in the classroom.
Attendance
Parents are encouraged to view the new state law, House Bill 1190, regarding student attendance on page 8 of the student handbook. It may also be of interest to the student to notice regulations mentioned under TAADRA just adjacent to the House Bill. Because of the significant correlation between student attendance and student achievement, we all want to work together to prioritize attendance.
Tardies
In accordance with the Tardy to Class policy, as stated in the CHS handbook, the student will be verbally reprimanded for the first two tardies. If the student is tardy a third time, he or she will receive public detention, and the parent will be contacted.
Grading Scale
The grading scale for the class is as follows:
A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 F = Below 70
Tests/Papers 40%
Quizzes 20%
HW/Classwork 15%
Final Exam 15%
Participation 10%
Extra Help
Extra help will be available by appointment at a mutually convenient time. The teacher will not assign “extra credit” assignments on an individual basis.
Communication
I believe that communication is vital to education and my policy is to continually work to keep parents aware of classroom activity. For all of your questions and concerns, I can be reached most easily by email: holmesbm@fultonschools.org . Parent conferences may be scheduled in advance to take place at a mutually convenient time.
Chattahoochee High School Policies
Recovery Policy:
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all word required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.
Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. All recovery work is directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.
CHS English Department Plagiarism Statement:
Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own.
Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
1. Using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation;
2. Using the work of another (e.g. copying another student’s homework, composition, or project);
3. Using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.
Plagiarism on any project or paper at CHS will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation. Unless directly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.
Computer Network Policy:
Unauthorized intrusion of computer networks is a major disciplinary infraction. Students are prohibited from:
1. unauthorized/unsupervised use of the computer network;
2. shelling-out to network directories;
3. adding software packages of any kind to the network;
4. causing damage to the network environment
Internet Access Guidelines:
Access to the Internet is available at CHS. It will be used only as a part of research in the academic area. We believe the Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to the community. Our goal in providing this service to you is to help promote educational excellence.
We at Chattahoochee H.S. firmly believe that the access to valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material inconsistent with the educational goals of Fulton County Board of Education. Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you have. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources.
Statements and/or information provided by the Internet's World Wide Web do not necessarily reflect those views held by CHS. Any information you gather from various World Wide Web sites while you are using the Internet is your sole responsibility. This is also true for any damages incurred. This includes loss of data, nondeliveries, or service interruptions caused by the Internet or by your own error(s) or omission(s). Chattahoochee High School, Fulton County Board of Education accept no responsibility for accuracy and/or quality of information obtained through the use of its Internet services.
Additionally, vandalism will result in immediate cancellation of privileges, disciplinary action and may result in school suspension and/or criminal charges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet provider. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Moreover, you do not have permission to create "homepages," directories, or establish additional network addresses here at Chattahoochee High School.
A note about what constitutes “excessive editing”:
Students learn to write well by writing well. Struggling independently through the writing process produces growth (as well as a certain amount of agony), and eventually the student’s own voice. When well meaning parents, siblings, tutors, or others contribute their own ideas, words, phrases, revisions, etc. to students’ writing, student writers miss the opportunity to achieve literary self reliance.
So, what is helping, but is NOT excessive editing? The answer is: questioning and cueing. For example—“Is this word strong enough? Interesting enough? Specific enough?” “Can you think of another word that means the same thing?” “Does this sentence seem awkward?” “What exactly do you mean here?” “I don’t understand what you are trying to say; can you say it more clearly?” “This sentence is interesting.” “That is a forceful verb; can you find one as forceful for that other sentence?” These kinds of questions and statements are powerful helpers, yet allow the students to think and write independently. Please help students to achieve their own voices and to develop their writing skills by allowing them to write and revise independently.
9th Grade Literature and Composition
Syllabus Signature Sheet
I am your child’s English teacher this year, and I ask for your support in helping your child succeed in class. Please take a few minutes to review the course syllabus, taking special care to note my email address and the supplies that your student will need this semester. Feel free to contact me with any questions, and then please sign below indicating that you have seen the course syllabus. Student should return this signed form by Friday, August 17.
Student:
I have been provided with a copy of the syllabus for the course and teacher designated above. I understand that the guidelines/rules governing the grading policy, conduct, late work, and make-up work, etc. will be enforced accordingly.
Period: _________
Student Name: _______________________________ (please print clearly)
Student Signature: _________________________________
Parent:
I have seen and read through the information contained in the syllabus for the course and teacher designated above. In addition, I understand that my son/ daughter is responsible for following the guidelines as stated in the syllabus and for having the listed materials.
Parent name: _____________________________ (please print clearly)
Parent signature: ________________________________
Parent e-mail: ________________________________ (please print clearly)
Due to limited access to a telephone during the day, the best way for me to keep in contact with you is by e-mail.
Parent Phone numbers: _________________________ (Home)
_________________________ (Work)
We may watch scenes from the following movies this year. Please initial if you agree that your child may view these films.
Initials
One Survivor Remembers, Unrated. Academy award winning documentary. _____
Romeo + Juliet (1996), Rated PG-13 for scenes of contemporary violence _____
and some sensuality.
Romeo and Juliet (1968), Rated PG _____
The Odyssey (1997), Rated PG-13 for violent sequences and _____some sensuality.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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