Madison High School
Course Expectations
English 9
Mrs. Cox
E-mail: coxm@madisonnjps.org
Webpage: MSH website  Teachers  Cox  English 9 – Per. 3/7
Office Location: A-1
Tutorials: Before/after school; Cafeteria (Per. 8 – B, C, D days); Eng. Tutorial – A-2 (Per. 5 – D Day)
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Course Description
English 9 is a year long course, the first in a sequence of four college-bound honors courses. English
students are challenged in every aspect of language arts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They
are required to read works of literature and informational texts, develop a higher level of thinking skills,
expand their vocabulary, improve their grammar and use of language, deliver both formal and informal
speeches, and learn to write in a variety of forms including narrative, argumentative, and explanatory,
with periodic emphasis on prewriting, organizing, and revising. The course covers a variety of genres,
including short story, poetry, drama, informational text, and the novel, from diverse cultures such as
American, South American, British, African, Indian, and Asian.
The course focuses on four universal themes: Choices, Innocence and Experience, Coming of Age and
Identity, and Stereotypes and Gender Bias. Through personal reflection, small-group, and whole-class
discussion, formal compositions, and assessments using multiple modalities, students process the content
through the lens of each unit’s theme.
Required Texts
• Textbook: The Language of Literature, Grade 9
• Homer, The Odyssey
• John Steinbeck, The Pearl
• Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis
• Jack Gantos, Hole in My Life
• William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
• Various selections of short fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and informational text
Required materials
• Binder: You must maintain a three ring binder and bring it to class with you each day. (This notebook
should be a dedicated for English only.) It should have loose-leaf paper and dividers for your notes,
handouts, completed assignments, vocabulary, etc.
• Pencils and blue or black pens
• A planner to record assignments
Classroom Expectations
• Be on time. You will need a late pass if you are late. Please sit and begin the Do Now.
• Be prepared with homework – have it on your desk in the beginning of class - and all necessary
materials in hand when the bell rings. If you do not have the homework on the day it is due, you will not
be able to participate fully in the day’s lesson. NO CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR LATE HOMEWORK.
• Participate actively in all class discussions, and take notes during lectures, discussion, and as you read.
• Show respect to all: Offer thoughtful ideas and opinions and be respectful of the ideas and opinions of
others. Please listen attentively to all ideas and opinions, even if they differ from your own.
• Submit all assignments on time, and be proactive in getting caught up when you are absent per the Late
Work & Make-up Policy.
• Do your best with your own work: Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Please
review the MHS Honor Code for information on academic integrity. Plagiarism and cheating will result
in a zero with no opportunity for resubmission, along with consequences outlined in the Student
Handbook.
• Read, read, read: Reading is key to your success in this course and to your enjoyment of it. English
class will be FUN if you read and come to class prepared to delve into the great literature that awaits you
this year.
*All school rules outlined in the Student Handbook are in effect in this class.
Expectations for use of Technology in Class:
We will have many opportunities to use technology and our personal smartphones/tablets in
class, BUT we must do so responsibly. Therefore, students are expected to adhere to the
following guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines will lead to the loss of technology
privileges in class, or the confiscation of personal devices:
 Students may use cell phones or personal laptops/tablets to work on assignments in
class, with the teacher’s permission.
 Students may not play games or watch movies unrelated to class assignments.
 Students are NEVER to charge their phones during class.
 Students may not check social media, text, or make phone calls during class.
 Students will not maltreat the technology.
 Students will place phones in specified location in the beginning of class unless
directed otherwise by teacher.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be comprised of homework, classwork, participation, quizzes, tests, writing
assignments, exams, and projects. The grades will be determined by adding up the total number of points
earned and dividing it by the total number of points available. The total points possible will reflect the
length and importance of an assignment; a pop quiz on last night's reading might be worth 10-20 points,
whereas a long-term project or essay could be worth 200. Students are responsible for keeping track of
their grades.
Typical point values:
• Homework and classwork: Point values range from 5 points to 15 or more depending on the length
and scope of the assignment. NO CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR LATE HOMEWORK.
• Quizzes: 10-30 points
• Tests: 50-100 points
• Essays: 50-100 points depending on the time allotted for the completion of the essay (timed in-class
writing will be worth less points than essays written at home over an extended period)
• Projects: 50-100 points
Late Work & Make-up Policy
MHS Language Arts Department Due Date, Late Work and Make-up Guide
(The following policy is in effect as of September 2014)
When an English teacher assigns a task, such as an essay, paper or project, the assignment must be turned
in at the beginning of the class period on the day it is due. Any essay or project that is not submitted at
the beginning of the class period on the day it is due is considered LATE. Late work may be accepted
within one day of a given due date, but the work will receive a 40% grade penalty.
Late work submitted more than one day after the due date will not be accepted for any credit and will
receive a grade of zero. The department will consider 3:00 p.m. the day following the due date as the
deadline for late work. This will hold true for weekends and breaks as well.
No essay or project due dates are adjusted for absence; due dates are given well in advance. If absent,
students should send in such work by the start time of the class period on the due date via email or with a
reliable person who will bring the assignment to the teacher before the beginning of the class period on
the day it is due. Teachers will accept work via email as “on time” provided the time stamp on the email
is prior to the beginning of the class period on the due date and the file is accessible or the text is pasted
directly into the body of the email. If a student fails to submit an essay or project via email or through a
reliable person on the day that it is due this work is considered LATE and subject to the 40% grade
penalty.
College visitation days and unofficial vacation days are never excused absences.
Suggestions for students to avoid the late penalty
• Students should take textbooks and notebooks home each night. They should also select at least two
class contacts whom they know have good attendance and homework records, and phone those contacts
the evening of the absence to check on class work and homework assignments.
• In the event of extreme or unavoidable circumstances, teachers will handle each case individually. Any
requests for due date extensions, however, must be presented to the teacher at least one day before the
due date. Teachers are under no obligation to grant extensions, but each individual English teacher will
exercise discretion in matters as they arise.
• In all cases, communication between the student and teacher is absolutely essential; parental
involvement is encouraged when reasons for a requested extension involve family or medical issues.
• If a student experiences a printer malfunction or printer access problems, the student should email the
work to the teacher before the class meets on the due date. Teachers will accept work via email as “on
time” provided the time stamp on the email is prior to the beginning of the class period on the due date
and the file is accessible or the text is pasted directly into the body of the email. Emailing work does not
excuse students from providing a print copy, however, if the assignment requires printed work.
• In the case of anticipated absences, students may elect to submit assignments in person to the teacher
prior to the absence or submit assignments electronically on the due date, bearing in mind that the time
stamp must be before the beginning of the class period on the due date and the file is accessible or the
text is pasted directly into the body of the email. However, considering the potential for technology and
internet connectivity issues, students are encouraged to submit work prior to anticipated absences.
*Reminder: NO CREDIT IS GIVEN FOR LATE HOMEWORK.
Essays
All essays should be typed (12 point font, double spaced) in MLA format. Please print all typed work
prior to class; you have access to the computers in the Media Center before and after school and during
lunch.
Class Participation
Students who participate are students that are listening and want to lend their opinions and questions to
class discussion. Every student must make a positive contribution during each class session. This makes
for a healthy trade of ideas and may have a definite impact on a borderline grade. Participation is a
requirement for this course.
Teacher Availability
I am available after school by appointment: A, B and D days: Period 2. Please feel free to contact me via
e-mail with any questions or concerns.
Words and ideas can change the world...What will your verse be?
-spoken by Professor John Keating in Dead Poet's Society