English 9 – Honors
Ms. Korsen
ASTROs Team
DHS - 2015-2016
Contact Information:
Nicole.Korsen@lcps.org
Welcome to Freshman Honors English. The goal of this class is the development of your
literacy – to grow as a reader, a writer, and as a member of the literary community. We will
work to achieve this goal by exploring the ways that writers (including you!) record
experience, choose language, invent character, construct point of view, and most importantly,
create meaning.
To succeed in this course, you must take an active role in your learning. This means that
you must come to class prepared, with all readings and assignments completed on time,
and participate positively in class to the best of your ability in all classroom discussions.
Through the following 4 core strands of the LCPS English high school curriculum, we will
engage in meaningful learning activities to advance your literary skills to enable you to better
observe, analyze, reflect, and communicate about the world around you.
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WRITING/RESEARCH:
We will write daily for a variety of audiences and purposes. We will concentrate on the 5paragraph essay structure including effective thesis statements, transitions, introductions and
conclusions as well as the critical skill of analysis (evidence and commentary). We will use
peer edits as a primary tool for revisions as we work through the writing PROCESS to
develop all types of essays including:
 Analytical
 Persuasive
 Research-based
 Reflective
 Creative
Appropriate and effective research skills (using technology) will be stressed, as well as MLA
format and the ramifications of plagiarism.
READING:
We will read daily and will include a variety of texts in many genres including narratives,
nonfiction, poetry, drama and mythology. For each unit, we will focus on the author’s use of
literary devices (theme, foreshadowing, etc.) and will utilize strategies (KEYNOTES) to
encourage deeper reading, therefore enabling a more intense study and examination of the
works.
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Short Story Collection
Speak
To Kill a Mockingbird
Of Mice and Men
Romeo and Juliet
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
COMMUNICATION/MEDIA:
Students will plan, present, and critique oral presentations. They will regularly participate in
various cooperative learning environments including partner work, base groups, and Socratic
Seminars (graded group discussions). They will consider media messages as we examine
bias, public opinion trends, the relationship between intent and factual content and its overall
effect on its audience through the different delivery vehicles.
GRAMMAR/VOCABULARY:
A core base of SAT-prep vocabulary words will be mastered along with various vocabulary
lists taken directly from the novels we will study. Emphasis will be breaking words down to
their roots as well as connotative and denotative meanings. Grammatically, we will review
the 8 part of speech, master subject/verb agreement, examine sentence structure and clauses,
ensure proper punctuation, and differentiate between active/passive voice. We will apply our
grammar and vocabulary knowledge in the context of our writing.
Teacher Communication: My DHS Web site will
direct you to Phoenix, where assignments and
calendars will be kept or to our class blogging site.
You may e-mail me at any time and face-to face
conferences can be scheduled during Titan Time or
before or after school hours.
Nine-Week Lesson Plans will be posted each
quarter on the DHS Web Site!
Classroom Expectations
Dominion takes behavior very seriously. Basic expectations such as entering/exiting the
classroom, hand raising, rest room breaks, turning in work, etc. will be reviewed during
the first few days of school. Behavior that fails to meet these expectations results in a
CLINIC (on the student’s time) so that the student can be “retaught” the behavior.
CLINICS continue until the behavior is mastered, which sometimes involves escalating
the issue to the Administrative Team.
Grading
Grading will be done by the point system with weights given for each Strand of the
English Curriculum. Points and specific assignments may vary from teacher to teacher,
but the weighted percentages will be the same.
Homework
Homework is required in order for you to be able to be able to fully participate in class.
Homework will be used in class; therefore it will be graded as a classwork assignment.
Late work
Homework: Not Accepted unless special circumstance. Reduced credit MIGHT be given
for HW turned in one or two blocks late – at teacher’s discretion.
Essays/Projects: Accepted late for reduced credit – 10% off for each DAY late.
Absentee Policy
 Titan Time should be used to make up tests/quizzes missed for absences. See me
for your missed work, which will be collected by your seatmate.
Textbooks
Textbooks will NOT be handed out. On the nights when you need to take them home,
you will sign one out that night and check it back in when done.
SSR
DHS has an expectation that all students engage in Sustained Silent Reading on
Wednesdays and Thursdays during Clubhouse this year. In our English classroom, we
will track and rate our readings. Students will present a Book Talk every quarter based on
their SSR book and I hold a quarterly raffle for (food) prizes.
HONORS PORTFOLIO
In order to receive the .5 GPA bump that comes with an Honors class,
students will be expected to complete a year-long project consisting of a study
of a “Big Question” that is universal in nature and can be applied to the
themes being studied through the class readings. This project will be due
during the 3rd quarter and will be worked on throughout the year.
English 9H - SUPPLY LIST
 1 – flash drive
 1 – 2” three-ring binder
 1 – 100- page college-ruled, packet of reinforced notebook paper
 1 – college-ruled spiral, 3-hole punched notebook
 1 – sturdy 3-hole punched folders
 5 – tabbed dividers
 1 – packs of 4x6 index cards
 3 – packs of square 3x3 Post-it notes (for annotations and compliments)
 Pens and pencils
 1 set - colored highlighters
 Optional: individual hole puncher, stapler, tissues, Lysol wipes,
donations to Reading Corner (books or comfy rugs/chairs)
BOOKS!!!!
English 9 Major Works and Battle of the Books
PLEASE RETURN by Sept. 4
Student Name
_____________________________________
Block
_______
MAJOR WORKS------------------------------------------------------------------------This year, we will ANNOTATE (take notes in or on) everything we read. It is best for you
to have your own copy of the major novels. To facilitate this, the English 9 teachers will
be placing a bulk order from Books-a-Million. If you would like a copy, please COMMIT
to purchasing one. We will alert you when the books are available for purchase and
pick-up.
*Note that DHS does have classroom copies of all of these novels.
PLEASE RESERVE A COPY OF THE BOOK(S) BELOW:
To Kill a Mockingbird
$6.50
_______
Of Mice and Men
$8.00
_______
Speak
$8.00
_______
*prices may change slightly
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS--------------------------------------------------------------------I am interested in participating in Battle of the Books. Meetings start monthly in
September and then more frequently prior to the Spring tournament. The minimum
requirement is to read 3 books out of the 10.
Contact me with more information:
My name:______________________________________
My e-mail:______________________________________