Sarah Widdop
English 9
2011-2012 Class Syllabus
Camas High School
http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/swiddop/
Contact Info:
Sarah Widdop
Email: sarah.widdop@camas.wednet.edu (best way to reach me)
Voicemail: 833-5750 ext 37116
Conference Time: 2:25-2:55. Students receiving a D or F in English 9 are required to attend conference periods until their grades improve.
Course Goals:
-To further develop skills in the processes of reading and writing through literary study, discussion
and various methods of writing.
-To foster an appreciation and value for quality written and verbal communication.
-To understand that literary study, verbal communication and writing allows one to develop as an
individual.
Required Materials:
-Pocket folder (back in the seventies they were called Pee Chees)
-Pen/pencil- yes, you will need something (of your own) to write with EVERY DAY!
-Paper
-CHS format and documentation guide- this will be handed out at the start of the year- DO NOT LOSE IT!
Suggested Materials:
-working email address
- USB/Zip drive (basically, something to save documents on so they can be transported between home and school)
My expectations of you:
Your job at this point in your life is to graduate from high school. Think of this class as part of your job (minus the fact that I can’t fire you if
you don’t fulfill your duties). As with a job, you are expected to:
-Come to class. If you don’t you won’t learn and improve your skills.
-Respect: yourself, your peers, your surroundings and your instructor.
-Act in a professional manner. School is your job and by now you’ve been doing this job for awhile, so I expect you to know how to act.
-Challenge yourself. You will find that you have a lot more ability than you may think.
-Absolutely no electronic devices are to be out, seen or used during school hours. NO EXCEPTIONS. I see it, I take it. Life did exist before cell
phones, I-Pods and PSP’s.
-Plagiarism is not tolerated at CHS. This includes copying homework, “borrowing” a paper from an internet site or cheating on a test. The
same goes for “borrowing” a paper from a classmate, whether it be an essay or homework assignment. We’re looking for original thought,
here at CHS. Plagiarism can result in loss of course credit and a zero on an assignment. See additional comments in the CHS student
handbook concerning plagiarism.
Attendance:
Attendance is extremely important in this class, as with any class. If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to communicate with me
about work you need to make up. I always post weekly assignments on the board and provide extra copies of handouts in a box at the
front of the room. Don’t forget that at Camas High School, excessive unexcused absences will result in loss of course credit (see CHS
handbook). You will be considered tardy if you are not in the classroom and on your way to your desk when the bell rings. I will call home
after the first tardy, the second tardy will result in an after school detention and the third will receive a disciplinary referral.
Daily Routine:
At the start of each class period, check the daily agenda on the board (also posted on the blog). I expect you to do this on your own each
day. The daily agenda will notify you of materials needed for the day as well as any homework you may have. I will also post a weekly
agenda on the whiteboard. This is a great place to look for assignments if you have been absent.
Late Work:
Late work is not automatically accepted. If you have been absent, you have the same number of days to make up the work as you were
absent. If the assignment was assigned at least two weeks prior your absence date and you are absent the day the assignment is due, you
are expected to hand the assignment in the day you return to school (see Student Handbook). If you anticipate not being able to complete
an assignment on time, come and talk to me BEFORE the assignment is due. Late work (when an absence has not occurred) handed in
without prior communication with me, will not receive a grade higher than a C. Late work can only be handed in up to ONE WEEK after the
original assignment due date. Assignments will not be accepted after one week past the original due date.
Extra Credit:
I do not give many extra credit assignments. Students can receive extra credit o selected reading assignments and analysis paragraphs.
Extra credit is not to replace assignments students have failed to complete.
Grades:
I update grades weekly. Grades can be checked via the CHS Skyward Portal. Skyward has a great new option where parents can request that
grades be automatically sent to their email either weekly or monthly. Skyward and through emails to me are the best way to keep updated
on a student’s progress in class.
Grading scale:
A 100-93%
A- 92-90%
B+89-87%
B 86-83%
B- 82-80%
C+ 79-77%
C 76-73%
C- 72-70%
D+ 69-67%
D 66-63%
D-62-60%
F 59% and below
Course Texts and Assessments:
September:
Intro to writing: Essay review, methods, style and conventions
Grammar: Parts of speech
October-November:
TEXT: Animal Farm by George Orwell
GOAL: To understand the power of language, function of allegory, satire and fable. To analyze rhetorical techniques in media and
propaganda. To develop skills in writing a literary analysis.
MAJOR ASSESSMENT: Literary Analysis Essay-Putting the Pigs on Trial
Propaganda-Influence on Society- The Anti-Ad
Visual Project- Brown Bag
December-January:
TEXT: Anthem by Ayn Rand
GOAL: To build on the contextual and reading process skills from previous years. To build on critical thinking and language/vocabulary skills.
MAJOR ASSESSMENT: Narrative Essay: Making My Own Way Essay- Who Am I? A Word that Defines Me
February-March:
TEXT: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
GOAL: To broaden vocabulary skills. To develop skills in speaking and listening skills through student led discussions. To understand the
power of language and the positive and negative influences of language.
MAJOR ASSESSMENT: Theme Essay- Theme development in To Kill a Mockingbird
Narrative Essay- Reflective Moments
Visual Project- Visualizing Maycomb
April-May:
TEXT: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
GOAL: To apply reading strategies to challenging content/syntax. To appreciate the communicated form of drama.
MAJOR ASSESSMENT: Visual Project- Romeo and Juliet Production Company
Literary Analysis Essay- The Tragic Plot Line
June:
TEXT: 12 Angry Men
GOAL: To interpret a story as told in the form of a play. To understand character’s through dialogue rather than narrative descriptions. To
build on reading comprehension through close assessment of facts within a text.
MAJOR ASSESSMENTS: Character Analysis Essay: The Influence of One’s Cultural/Social Background
Literary Analysis: You Be the Jury
***Some assignments may be individualized or adjusted. If you, or your parent has concerns about subject matter in any text, please
contact me prior to the beginning of a unit. I encourage parents to familiarize themselves with the materials presented in class.
PLEASE EMAIL OR RETURN THIS DOCUMENT TO MS. WIDDOP NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 9.
STUDENT NAME: ______________________ STUDENT EMAIL: ___________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME: _______________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN EMAIL (OR BEST WAY TO BE REACHED): _____________________________