9th Grade Honors English
Mrs. Obenski
Phone Number:
610-853-5900 ex. 2203
Website:
http://www.haverford
.k12.pa.us
/192320910134539163
/site/default.asp
Room Number:
203
Email Address:
tobenski@havsd.net
Google Drive:
tobenski@haverfordsd.net
Welcome to 9th grade English at Haverford High School! I look forward to getting to know
you and to a wonderful semester full of exciting learning opportunities. I realize each
student has unique abilities and strengths and only ask that you try your very best each
day. Please feel free to contact me whenever you have questions to ask or thoughts you
would like to share.
Course of Study:
The 9th grade English course serves to facilitate essential skills in not only language arts
(reading, writing, speaking and listening), but in management, evaluation, critical thinking,
questioning, and reflection that you will employ cross-curricularly and practically.
You will read various written works such as William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, John
Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Sophocles’ Antigone, and a selection of short stories and
poetry. You will be encouraged to engage in the literature by analyzing characters,
themes, and author’s effectiveness and by using the literature as a resource to answer
some essential questions. Through a combination of the literature we read in class and a
word-a-day activity, we will also build vocabulary throughout the semester. This will help
strengthen your reading, writing, and speaking skills.
Literature/Units:
Choice Summer Reading
Short Stories
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Research Project
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Antigone by Sophocles
Selected articles and poems
Major Class Projects:
You will complete a number of writing and reading projects as well as some alternative
assessment projects. Some of these projects will be:
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Research Project: This project will include a paper and creative presentation. It will
teach you to write a thesis driven paper, correctly use MLA citation style, use the
library, and discriminate between general and scholarly sources.
Independent Reading Project: You will complete at least one project based on a
book of your choice (this project may take the form of reading logs depending on
what we decide over the course of the semester).
Various projects to demonstrate your knowledge on a particular unit of literature.
Required Supplies:
-Something to write with – a pencil or pen
(blue or black ink)
-Your class binder (see binder section
for specific guidelines)
-Class novel, SSR Book, and any other
accompanying materials
-Your student planner
-A package of post-it notes
-A highlighter
-Loose leaf paper
9th Grade English
Your Binder:
You need to keep a 1-2” binder specifically for English class. Please use binder tabs to
create separate sections of the binder. Make sure to also keep a little bit of loose leaf
paper in each section. Throughout the semester, you may remove sections to make room
for new ones, but please do not get rid of them –store them in your locker or in a safe
place at home. You will need to revisit all of your work for your final at the end of the
semester. Please also note that your binder may be graded periodically for its neatness
and thoroughness.
Your binder should include the following sections:
 Literature/Units –As we finish with one unit, you may replace that section with the
new work, and store the old section elsewhere.
o Summer Reading
o Short Stories
o The Fault in Our Stars
o Research Project
o Romeo and Juliet
o Antigone
 WOTD (Word of the Day)/Vocabulary
 Daily Edit/Grammar
 SSR/IRP –Each class will begin with ten minutes of Silent Sustained Reading (SSR). In
this section, you will keep your reading logs as well as any of your Independent
Reading Project materials.
 Writing
 Graded Work (optional section)
General Expectations:
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The students and the teacher will adhere to all policies and rules as established by
Haverford High School and detailed in the handbook.
o The students and the teacher will be respectful of the classroom environment
and considerate of others and their personal property.
The students and the teacher will come to class prepared with binders, pens, books,
SSR books, and assignments.
The students and the teacher will be on time and ready to begin the lesson at the
bell each day. The bell indicates the beginning of class, so the teacher really should
not have to remind you of that.
Technology Policy:
While we will use a variety of technology and web-based applications in this course,
students are NOT permitted to use their cell phones or personal electronic devices in class
unless specifically directed to do so by the teacher. That means, you should not you’re
your cell phone out on your desk unless you have a reason and permission. This includes
down time such as after quizzes and tests. Violators of these rules will be automatically
referred to their grade-level principal for discipline and will be written up.
9th Grade English
Homework, Assignment, and Attendance Policies:
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Students should expect daily reading and/or review homework. Written homework
will be assigned several times a week. Quality counts just as much as completeness.
Student assessments will include quizzes (announced and sometimes
unannounced), cumulative tests, projects, and writing assignments. Some
assignments will be calculated into 80% of your final grade while others will be
calculated into 20% of your final grade. I will be sure to let you know which
assignments are which.
All work is expected to be completed on time. Late assignments will not merit full
credit, unless due to excused absence. Each day an assignment is late, it will be
penalized by 10%, and a student will receive no credit any day after ten days. If
homework is “spot checked,” there is no opportunity to make it up unless you are
absent.
It is the student’s responsibility to complete all work and tests missed due to
absence. Test and quiz makeups should be completed ASAP, at a time and place
mutually agreed upon by the student and teacher. You may obtain this work at the
beginning of the class period by checking the class secretary binder and hand it in
two days after the absence (i.e. if you are absent on Monday, the work is due
Wednesday), otherwise, it is considered late. The binder will include an agenda for
the missed class/classes and there is a bin that will include any handouts and/or
graded work that was passed out. Remember, you must have an excused absence
slip or work will not be graded. However, should you be absent on the date a longterm assignment is due, the assignment is due the day you return to school. You are
responsible for any notes you may have missed.
Written assignments are expected to be typed using MLA format.
Copying, cheating, and/or plagiarizing will result in zero credit and disciplinary
action. Plagiarizing is defined as using someone’s research, ideas, or words
(whether they are the words of a scholar or another student) without
acknowledging the author of the idea. If you looked it up, you must give credit to
the author through parenthetical citations and a works cited page.
You are expected to keep all graded work in your binder. It is your responsibility to
keep binders updated.
Outside of Class Assistance:
If you wish to speak to me concerning grades, missed work, or difficulties with the class
work, you may set up a time to meet with me. This will usually be before the first bell or
after school hours.
I have read and understand the class expectations and policies for Mrs. Obenski’s English class. If I
have any questions or concerns, I know that I can contact Mrs. Obenski at either 610.853.5900 ex.
2203 or at tobenski@havsd.net.
Print Student’s Name:____________________________________________
Student’s Signature: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________________ Date: ________________________
Comments or Special Concerns: _________________________________________________________________