Welcome to Honors English 9!
Mrs. Malaspino
Welcome to Honors English 9
Mrs. Melinda Malaspino
About me
Extracurriculars:
Global Perspective Studies (GPS) Coordinator
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) advisor
Education and Training:
• MA, Curriculum and Instruction: CSU
SacramentoNational Board Certified Teacher , 2010
(AYA/ELA)
• Globe Education Academy alumna, 2010
• Teaching for Tolerance Academy, 2015
• BA, English (music minor): California Lutheran
University
• Teaching credential: CSU Sacramento
Grading Policies
Grading Scale:
Grades will be based on points earned
through the entire semester.
Point value of assignments will depend
on importance and complexity.
Grades will be weighted in the following
areas:
•Writing and Projects
40%
•Tests and Quizzes
30%
•Classwork and Homework
20%
•Final Exam
10%
Grading Scale
• Letter grades will be based on the following scale as set
forth by the FHS Department of English:
•
100% + = A +
78-79% = C +
•
93-99% = A
73-77% = C
•
90-92% = A70-72% = C•
88-89% = B +
68-69% = D +
•
83-87% = B
63-67% = D
•
80-82% = B60-62% = D•
59% and below = F
• Students who earn at least a B in both semesters will
receive higher consideration for placement in Honors
English 10 next year.
• CSU and UC systems require at least a C in all academic
areas.
Summer Reading Expectations
• Summer Reading was designed to introduce
students to concepts we will be covering this year,
as well as to accelerate the curriculum
• Selections and Assessments:
• Bless Me, Ultima; Mythology; and A
Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Object Test and Comprehensive Essay
GPS Curriculum
• All students, whether or not
they are officially enrolled in the GPS
program, will receive integrated instruction
in their core classes.
• In 9th grade English, students explore
literary works from across cultures which
address the question of how journeys, both
literal and figurative, help shape individual
identity within a global society.
Common Core Curriculum
Honors English 9 is designed to be an inquiry-based
course, integrating reading, writing, discussion,
and critical thinking in all units.
Teachers collaborate through a Professional Learning
Community
to establish learning goals for all students
to gather and examine data to inform our instruction
and to create lessons which call on students to explore
ideas, interact with the text
and develop thoughtful understanding, and which
enable students to meet collective and individual
learning goals.
Literature
• 1st Semester: (in addition to the summer reading)
•
•
•
•
The Odyssey
The Alchemist (Pilot selection)
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird
• 2nd Semester:
•
•
•
•
•
Night
The Book Thief
I Am Malala (proposed pilot selection)
Fahrenheit 451
Romeo and Juliet
• Independent Reading:
• Students will be expected to read additional books following
the guidelines of their teachers, including but not limited to
global literature, biography/autobiography, classic literature,
and fantasy/science fiction selections.
Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing
• Grammar will be taught using an integrated
approach designed to familiarize students with
all levels of grammar.
• Vocabulary will follow the “Word Within the
Word” program, using Latin and Greek Roots.
• Students will write frequently for a variety of
audiences and purposes, both in and out of
class.
THANKS FOR COMING!
I can be reached at
•mmalaspi@fcusd.org
•916-294-2400 ext. 415202
E-Mail is the best way to reach me!