FOLSOM CORDOVA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
VISTA DEL LAGO HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE EXPECTATIONS 2015/2016
COURSE: Honors English 9
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Honors English 9 is a combination of the first year, required course for high school
curriculum relating to the development of oral and written communication skills and a more advanced level of
study designed to prepare students who intend to take Advanced Placement courses in later grades. Reading,
writing, listening, and speaking skills are emphasized through the critical interpretation of literature.
Students will read and analyze literary works, gain and refine a more complicated voice in their essay writing,
and develop the speaking and listening skills needed in discussion. While enrolling in Honors English 9 does
not guarantee admission to AP classes, the more rigorous training in analytical reading and writing will
prepare students for a more advanced level of curriculum.
Honors English courses follow the same standard and curriculum plan as regular English courses. The rate,
depth, and complexity of material differ; honors students will read more novels and literary works, write more
essays, and analyze with greater sophistication. A Board-approved literature list constitutes the basis of
student instruction in literature. Approved by the FCUSD Board of Education in February 2002, the list sets
forth all literature from which teachers will draw their literary curriculum.
CLASSROOM RULES/CONSEQUENCES: Any behavior that interferes with the teacher teaching or all
students learning is unacceptable. If after a warning, the behavior does not change, the consequences will be
immediate and include any of the following: a private conference, a phone call home, detention, or suspension
from class. Frequent unacceptable behavior will have more severe consequences: conferences with parents or
school suspensions.
HOMEWORK: A portion of the academic grade will be based upon homework assignments. Although
assignments will be made regularly, they may vary in quantity and complexity based on subject matter and
ability level. Large project assignments, including essays, are due on the day they are due, even if the
student will not be in class. Students who are absent should email an electronic copy to the teacher by
the time the class session is to be held, and then bring a paper copy when he/she returns from
absence.
TESTS: Students will receive at least two days notice prior to major tests. The semester exams, which will
include information from any part of that semester, may also be both objective and essay. Quizzes may be
given at any time and without advance notice. Make-ups will be taken the day the student returns to class.
If this is not possible, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange alternate scheduling on that return day.
ESSAYS: There are four formal essays, and many informal essays, throughout the term. The formal essays
must be turned in on the due date. If students want to revise these formal essays for a better score, they may
do so after conferencing with the teacher so that the student understands what improvements need to be
made. Students may revise a minimum of two major essays per term provided they complete all prewriting
and formative activities for the essay. Feedback (both peer and teacher) will be provided to students
throughout the writing process prior to the final draft due date.
GROUP PROJECTS: When participating in a group project, students will be graded individually and we will
be evaluated based on their own work within the group. No group grade or average score will be used to
determine an individual student’s grade on a group project. In the event that a student wishes to raise a
grade on a project score, a retake assignment (essay) will be provided .
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Grades will be weighted according to the following:
 Formative Assessments (Assessments FOR Learning – quizzes, reading checks, study guides,
etc) – 30%
 Summative Assessments (Assessments OF Learning – tests, essay final drafts, etc) – 70%. The
semester grade will be based on a running total of the first and second quarter points and the final
exam points. The following scale will be used for letter grades:
A+ = >100%
B+ = 88 - 89%
C+ = 78 – 79%
D+ = 68 - 69%
F
= <60%
A = 93 – 99%
B = 83 – 87%
C = 73 – 77%
D = 63 – 67%
A- = 90 – 92%
B- = 80 – 82%
C- = 70 – 72%
D- = 60%
Please refer to the school wide Academic Dishonesty Policy. This includes when you copy from any
source as well as allowing anyone to copy from you. A referral to the Vice-Principal is automatic.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES: Regular attendance is critical for success in this or any endeavor. Just as with
any absence, it is the responsibility of the student to ask about this and any missed materials and work. If
the student is absent for more than two days, a call to the school requesting homework should be made to
keep the student up to date. Students who have 1-3 “lates” will be handled individually according to the teacher
discretion. Any “late” that exceeds the 1-3 allowance should be dealt with according to the following procedures
that are outlined in detail in the school planner that include: detention, parent contact, class suspension,
administrator conference, school suspension. (After School Detention on Wednesdays 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm and/or
Saturday School May be assigned) In order to avoid being late, students must be in their assigned seats when
the bell rings.
CITIZENSHIP: The citizenship grade is measured by your ability and willingness to follow the policies of this
class. As an English Department, we value courtesy, cooperation, and respect. The policies reflect this and
the standards conducive to an orderly, productive classroom environment. Therefore, the following will be
used to determine your citizenship grade: attendance and class contribution, following directions, obeying
rules, and attitude toward me, fellow classmates, and substitutes.
MAKE-UP: All tests and minor assignments are due upon returning from an absence. (Long term
assignments are due on their due date—see “ESSAY” section.) The only exceptions will be those assignments
GIVEN during the absence. These will be due two days after your return unless designed to be completed
over several days. It is the responsibility of the student to inquire about any and all missed work and to
make the necessary arrangements for its completion. If tests/quizzes/assignments are not made up
within a week of return (or an arrangement by the student with the teacher), the student will receive a “0” on
that test/quiz.
EXTRA CREDIT: No extra credit will be accepted.
MATERIALS: The recommended materials list includes a blue or black pen, sharpened pencil with eraser,
highlighter, binder with loose-leaf paper and 5 dividers, textbook, if assigned (MUST BE COVERED!),
post-it notes, and free-reading book every day. Final drafts of writing assignments and reports must be
word-processed. Students are expected to have daily an orderly 3-ring binder in which they keep their notes,
handouts, assignments, and other course materials. Please see teacher ASAP if you are unable to attain these
materials.
TEXTS:
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
A Long Way Gone
Ishmael Baeh
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
*The above breakdown of reading may be changed during the year. We may not fall in exactly at quarters and at times works may carry
over into a new semester. It is not required, but I do highly recommend purchasing novels when you can. By owning the novel you can
highlight, annotate, complete marginalia and refer back to the novel throughout the year as well as your high school career.
Teacher Web Page/Power School: The English department and individual teachers post grades and other
information on Individual Teacher Web Pages/Power School.
TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS RESPONSIBILITY: Students are financially responsible for any and all books and
materials provided to them. This includes damage as well as loss and will be billed accordingly.
CONFERENCES: Students will receive help in class whenever possible. Students may also meet with me
during Advisory or after school. Please check with me ahead of time to ensure my availability. Because
students in high school should be accepting more responsibility, it is important that they are the first to
approach the teacher with any issue. If, after a meeting with the teacher, the issue still remains, parent
involvement/conferencing is appropriate. The best way to reach teachers is through district email.
A PERSONAL NOTE: I hope you will enjoy your time with me as much as I will enjoy my time with you. I am a life-long learner who
looks forward to learning from you as you learn from me. I believe you get exactly what you give. If you always give your best effort, you
will get the best the world has to offer. Likewise, if you only ever do the least with which you think you can get by, you will get the least
the world has to offer. Let us all commit to getting the best we can out of our time together by always giving our best effort. Please do not
hesitate to ask me for help – that is why I am here. I welcome the chance to work with you. Together, we can make this an excellent year
for all of us!
Contact Information:
Ms. Rae (crae@fcusd.org)
ACCOUNTABILITY
By signing your names below, you are indicating that you have read and understood the
preceding class guidelines and that you will assume the responsibilities and accountability
of being a student, or the parent/guardian of a student, in the English class.
Print Student’s Name ___________________________________________________________
Student Signature_______________________________________________Date____________
Please answer the following questions:
 Do you have computer access at home?
YES/NO
 Do you have Internet access at home?
YES/NO
 If you answered NO to either of the above questions, where would you go
to use a computer or the Internet?
_______________________________________________________________________
 Will you need me to provide you with any of the supplies mentioned in the
course outline?
YES/NO
 If YES, which supplies will you need help with? List them here:
Parent/Guardian please sign below verifying the information above:
Print Parent’s/Guardian’s Name_________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________________________ Date ___________
Parent/Guardian Information:
Name
Daytime phone (
)
Evening phone (
)
Email Address
Additional Comments: