9/10 Innovation STEM CORE: English Syllabus
Instructor: Marika Neto
Email: mneto@wusd.org
Assignment Submission Email: marikaneto@gmail.com
Classroom: C105
On-Campus: A-Days Blocks 1-3.
Office Hours: A-Day Block 4 or by appointment
Telephone: 837-7767 ext 2124
Course Description
READ
THINK
DISCOVER
As part of the Innovation STEM Core, our English class will have a unique focus on science, math and engineering. As
we explore this year's pre-selected literature, we will be highlighting themes that overlap with STEM. Contemporary
supplemental texts will also be used to enhance our discussions on ethical issues regarding technological advancements as
well as exploring the ideas of creating and problem solving.
The objective of this class is to have students develop their ability to read, think and discover new ways to approach
science and literature, as well as, have the foundational tools to research, write and discuss their discoveries in an
academic forum. To be successful in this course, I ask that you arrive, each day, with an open mind and a willingness to
learn. Our classroom is a community of learners, where respect for each other and thoughtful interaction will take place
on a daily basis. We will continue to learn to listen to the thoughts of others and to share your own ideas as you refine
your skills as readers, writers and communicators.
This course is designed to provide 9th and 10th graders with the skills needed to be successful high school students of
English. We will be following the requirements of the Common Core Standards for the 9th and 10th grade. The Common
Core Standards can be found at this website: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy
Throughout the year we will work to learn, develop and practice the following skills:
● Reading Literature
● Reading Informational Texts
● Writing
○ Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and
relevant and sufficient evidence.
○ Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information
clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
○ Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, wellchosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
○ Write Researched responses to build and present knowledge.
● Speaking and Listening: Collaborative discussions, multi-media presentations, class discussions, and group
debates.
● Language: Vocabulary developments, grammar conventions, understand figurative language, word relationships
and nuances within word usage.
● Online Communication
Required Texts
● Grading Period 1: The Odyssey by Homer
● Grading Period 2: a series of non-fictions articles and a focus on media literacy
● Grading Period 3: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
● Grading Period 4: Night by Elie Wiesel
● Grading Period 5: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
● Grading Period 6: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
● Self-selected books, magazines to read during daily silent reading.
Required Materials
● Blue, Black and Colored pens
● Post-its,
● Lose Leaf Binder Paper
● Highlighters
● One spiral bound, college-ruled notebook to act as English-Only Notebook. 120 pages or more is ideal – used for
daily journals, grammar/writing lessons, notes etc. and checked once per grading period.
Rules and Norms
 Respect yourself, respect others and respect your environment.
 Think and be an active learner.
 Be on time. For my class, this means you are seated by the time the bell stops ringing. If you are more than 5
minutes late, you must bring a late slip from the attendance office to be admitted to class.
 Do not pack up or leave until I excuse you.
 No personal electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, pads) in class unless I give you express permission. Turn them
off. If I see or hear them, I will confiscate. If you give up your device immediately when violation occurs, I will
return it to you at end of class. If you don’t fess up or don’t hand over your phone respectfully, the entire class
will stay late AND you will have to retrieve your phone from the office at the end of the day.
 No food, soda, juice or disposable water bottles in class. If you chose to bring water, please use a non-disposable
water bottle.
 If you need to use the bathroom during class, you may use one of two bathroom passes I provide you with each
semester. You must bring the pass to me before you go. Please choose an appropriate interval to do this.
Class Website: netosclassroom@weebly.com
Our class website has a list of agendas, homework assignments, handouts, links, Core Calendar and general
resources for our class. The website will be updated daily and is a great place to check in if you need to know
what is happening in class. Please bookmark it on your computer and check it daily.
Absence and Late Work Policy:
You have one day for each day you were absent to turn in the work for full credit. Check the website for missed
assignments and daily agendas. No late work is accepted. Any work assigned to be turned in online must be
submitted by 9pm the night before class.
Exception: You will receive one crisis card for my class during the semester. This is meant to be used when
unforeseen circumstances prevented you from finishing an assignment on time. Crisis cards must be turned in
with the late assignment by the next core day for major assignments and the last day of the grading period for
regular ones. Please speak to me WELL IN ADVANCE of a deadline if something is going on in your life that
requires a true extension or special accommodations.
Grades:
Grades are given at the end of each grading period based on the number of points a student has earned out of the
total number of points possible. Semester grades are cumulative; each grading period is a continuation of the next
and is not weighted more highly than another. Grades are posted online at JupiterGrades.com. If you already have
a Jupitergrades account, my grade book for this year should be visible within the first couple of weeks, but please
provide your email so I can make sure I have current addresses on file. If you are new to Jupitergrades, please email me and I will send you an invitation to create an account. Please e-mail me if you have any questions or
difficulties.
Scale:
100-97% - A+
96-93% - A
92-90% - A-
89-87% - B+
86-83% - B
82-80% - B-
Grade Breakdown:
Participation – 25%
Test/Project/Essay – 25%
79-77% - C+
76-73% - C
72-70% - C-
Notebook/Classwork –20%
Homework/Quizzes – 20%
Looking forward to a fantastic year!
Mrs. Neto
69-67% - D+
66-63% - D
62-60% - D-
Course Finals – 10%
59% or lower - F
Return for 10 points of credit
Student: I have read the English syllabus and understand what is required of me in this class.
Student Name(printed): :_________________________________________
Student Signature:__________________________________date ______________
Student Gmail Account: _________________________________________________
Parent(s): I have read this syllabus and understand what is expected of my son/daughter during the year in this class
Parent/Guardian Name (printed): :_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________________date____________
Parent Email Address________________________________________________
Parent Cell Phone: __________________________________________________
Comments or Questions:
Thank you and I look forward to a fantastic year.
Sincerely,
Marika Neto
Innovation STEM English Teacher
phone: 707.837.7767 ext 2124
email: mneto@wusd.org