Manasquan High School
English I Mentor
Miss West
Room 110
Miss West
English Department
Manasquan High School
732 528 8820 x1672
email: mwest@manasquanboe.org
The ninth grade Mentor Enrichment Program is designed to be a rigorous and challenging
approach to the English I and World History courses. The two classes will work in
conjunction and collaborate on projects, oral presentations, and a research paper.
The English I course will develop the following literary skills:
 Analytical and critical reading/thinking
 Writing in descriptive, narrative, expository, and creative genres
 Enhance and expand vocabulary
 Oral presentation, discussion, and debate
 Higher-order thinking
Each class will begin with a journal entry provided by the teacher or students or a “Do-Now”
activity. Each student will receive a journal separate from his or her notebook. This journal
will remain in the classroom at all times. Journals will be graded at the end of each marking
period and count for 50 points into the total points for the marking period.
Every student must bring his or her textbook/supplemental reading, notebook, writing
utensil, homework assignment, and any other necessary materials to every class, everyday.
You will not be allowed to go get these items from your locker once class has begun. Being
unprepared for class will have a negative affect on your class participation grade.
Freshman Mentor Curriculum: English
UNIT 1: FINDING OUR SENSE OF HUMANITY THROUGH THE STRUGGLES OF OTHERS
Objective: By examining the struggles of individuals in society, students will be able
to develop a sense of morality and establish a positive value system.
A. Summer reading: The Translator by Daoud Hari-a cross-curricular
discussion/project with World History Africa unit
B. Short Stories:
1. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
2. War by Jack London
3. Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
4. The Kugelmass Episode by Woody Allen
5. The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
6. Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin
7. The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry
C.
Research Paper: Cross-curricular MLA essay-historical concepts and short story
themes
D. Novels: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
UNIT 2: FIGHTING FOR THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY
Objective: Students will apply individual values to literary characters, ideas, and
social concerns.
A. Poetry: Selections
B. Drama: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
C. Epic: The Odyssey by Homer
D. Project: Cross-curricular project and oral presentations-Western European history
and The Odyssey
Methods of Evaluation-students will be graded on a points system. The number of
points earned throughout the marking period will be divided by the number of points
offered.
Unit tests
Reading quizzes
Vocabulary quizzes



Projects
Essays
MLA Research Paper
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
Homework
Quizzes and short writing assignments will be graded on a points system.
Tests, Major Projects and Presentations, Essays, and the Research Paper will also be
graded on a points system.
Homework: No late homework will be accepted.
o All homework assignments must be totally complete in order to receive
credit.
o Homework will also be graded on a points system. Each homework
assignment will be worth one point. The number of assignments
completed satisfactorily will be divided by the number of assignments
given to arrive at the homework average.
o A homework average will be recorded in Genesis twice a marking
period.
Homework and participation will not exceed 15% of the marking period
grade.
Make-up work must be the responsibility of the student. If a student is absent, he
or she must make the effort to find out what he or she missed by seeing the teacher
on the day of his or her return to school. (You may also email me while you are
absent to find out what you are missing.) Each student will have one day per
absence to make up the work missed. Missed tests or quizzes must be made up in a
timely fashion. If a student has more than one out-standing test or quiz that has not
been made up in a timely fashion, the first test or quiz will receive the grade of a
o



zero. Students who miss a test or quiz must be prepared to take the test upon his or
her return to school. Any assignments that were due during the student’s absence
must be handed in upon his or her return to school. Any assignments not
completed, major tests not taken or essays not completed will receive a zero.
Late assignments will be reduced ten points for each day late.
Class Participation: This is a necessary and integral part of class. Students are
expected to be attentively involved, actively listening, and verbally contributing.
Class participation will be graded each marking period. Coming prepared to class
counts toward your participation grade. *Who knows: you may even earn back a
missed homework assignment or two at the end of the marking period if you take
my advice! The class participation grade will also be recorded in Genesis
twice a marking period.
Extra Help: Students will be able to receive extra help at 2:30 in room 110 on Tuesdays.
However, arrangements can be made for other times.
Attendance Policy: Please become familiar with the school’s attendance policy which can
be found in the Manasquan High School Student Handbook.
Academic Honesty Policy: If a student is caught cheating (giving or receiving help
at an inappropriate time) on a test, quiz, assignment, homework assignment, or
plagiarizing any work, the student will receive a grade of a zero for that assignment.
Additionally, the cheating incident will be kept on file via a “green slip.” The student
will not receive demerits, but this could hinder him or her from being selected for
any group or organization which examines character.
Classroom Rules and Procedures:







Please come totally prepared for class when you arrive. You may not return to your
locker after the bell has rung to get forgotten items.
Upon entering the classroom, please retrieve your journal from the designated
storage area before sitting down in your assigned seat, unless otherwise instructed.
Begin working on the journal topic or “Do Now” activity when the bell rings to start
class.
Homework will be checked at the beginning of class; therefore, please have it readily
available while working on the journal topic or “Do Now”.
When you have worked on your journal for about five minutes or so, you may return
it to the designated storage area and return to your assigned seat. Please do not
throw the journals to the storage area, and return to your seat in a timely manner.
Trips to the bathroom or water fountain will be limited during class and are at the
discretion of the teacher. Please ask to use the pass to leave the room.
Please raise your hand to speak or answer a question, and please do not talk while
someone else is talking.



Be respectful of your classmates, your classroom and your teacher.
You are expected to write the homework assignment down so as not to forget it.
The bell does not dismiss the class; your teacher does. Please do not line up at the
door at the end of class.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
I look forward to a great school year.
Student signature________________________________________________________
Date______________
Parent signature_________________________________________________________
Date______________
Parents or guardians:
Please complete this form. I will keep it on file to make staying informed of
your student’s progress easier. Thank you!
Student name ___________________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name(s)_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Which is the best way to contact you?

Home phone ? _________________________________________

Cell phone ? ___________________________________________

E-mail address ? _______________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. I look forward to a great
school year!