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English I Syllabus
Mrs. Schiemer
Contact Information:
My email address is: rschiemer@iss.k12.nc.us
Feel free to email me anytime, but please allow a 24-hour window for a reply.
I am available during SMART lunch Monday and Wednesday, for make-up time, make-up assignments, and
tutoring help.
REQUIRED Materials List: Students are expected to have the following with them every day unless
specifically told otherwise.
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Black/Blue ink pen or pencil for writing and quizzes.
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Blue ink pen for editing and grading quizzes.
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School g-mail account (Comes with laptop)
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Fully charged laptop, this is incredibly important as we use the laptops everyday
Academics:
9th Grade English is arranged by genre (category or type). We will become proficient in textual analysis and
compositional skills in the following units:
Unit 1 – Nonfiction & Nonfiction Narratives & Composition
(This unit includes an independent novel project as well as a research based project)
Unit 2 – Fictional Narratives (Short stories and novels with a dystopian themed focus; this unit also includes
an independent novel project)
Unit 3 – Poetry (Including Epics)
Unit 4 – Drama (William Shakespeare)
Unit 5 – Daily Writing (Presented when the bell rings daily. This unit includes grammar, current events, and
writing on a variety of topics)
Unit 6- Stems vocabulary English I Honors students will have 50 stems every two weeks
English I Academic will have 25 stems every two weeks
English I Honors students are expected to read at least four books outside of class of their choosing
and complete the associated assignments, not including any novels we read as a class.
English I Academic students are expected to read at least three books of their choosing throughout the
semester, not including any novels we read as a class.
Late Work: Work is expected to be turned in on time. If it is not turned in on time the assignment will be
10% off for every day it is late; this can and will go all the way until the student receives a zero.
Make Up Work (when you are absent):
If you are working on an assignment that was given before your absence, and was due during your absence,
you are expected to turn in the same day you return to school. However, if it is available to be electronically
turned in it is expected to be turned in the day it is due. Most assignments are available to be turned in
electronically; therefore being absent is usually not an excuse. (Extenuating circumstances to be determined
upon email notification)
If you were not in school when the assignment was given, you may turn it in later. For homework you have
two days upon your return to make it up, projects are due on date given (case by case basis).
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If you miss a quiz or test that was pre-scheduled, you are expected to be prepared make up the quiz or test the
day you return during SMART lunch unless something else has been worked out with Ms. Pate. You can and
are expected to use before school (if scheduled with me) and SMART time to make-up work. I will not pull
students out of instruction to make up prior instruction. If the quiz or test is not made up in a timely manner
the student will receive a zero.
If you are in class when the assignment was given, and in class the day it is due, you are not given any
additional time for the assignment because of absences between those two dates.
Remediation and Tutoring: If a student requires extra tutoring or help, I am available during SMART
time, my SMART schedule will be posted in the classroom as well as my school website. I will also be
available by appointment only for before school help if necessary. Please e-mail me to set this type of
tutoring up.
It is also here: SMART lunch Monday-Wednesday open
Procedures:
 Every day, when students come into class, there will be an assignment on Google classroom or the
board (Wreck-it Wednesdays). They are expected to begin, and be working on that work when the
bell rings marking the beginning of class. I cannot allow students to hang outside the doorway as
long as possible, and then try to slip into the classroom while the bell is still ringing. If they are not
in their seats and working, it will be counted as a tardy.
 Students should never be doing “nothing.” If a student has completed their assigned work, or at a
stage where they can not move forward with their work, unless they are getting my attention for help,
they should be reading or studying their stems. Students will have independent novel projects and
stems work throughout the semester. Unacceptable material would be any material that violates
school policies (i.e. pornographic or inappropriate subject matter), comic books, and most magazines
that predominately contain pictures. If a student is unsure about their reading materials, they should
ask.
 Students have access to a large number of materials in class, my classroom is their classroom,
therefore they are expected to return materials to the area in which they borrowed it from and to treat
the materials appropriately.
Classroom Expectations:
 Students must take responsibility for their own learning. This means that each individual is
responsible for asking about work he or she missed, scheduling make-up times for misses quizzes
and tests, doing his or her homework, and so forth. Also it will be their job to check the “Absent
work” box anytime they are absent.
 All school rules concerning texting or calling on cell phones, eating or drinking in class, dress code,
or going to the restroom with a pass are strictly enforced. I collect cell phones that I see or hear in
class and follow school policy.
 Everyone is expected to treat one another and the learning environment with respect. Bullying
language and actions are not tolerated in the classroom and will be immediately addressed in an ASD
or office referral.
Tardy Policy: I strictly enforce the school tardy policy found online in the student handbook. Once the bell
has rung students should be in their seats.
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Restroom Breaks:
The school provides students with time to get from one class to another as well as time to use the restroom.
Instruction time is not normally the time set aside for restroom breaks. This is especially true at the
beginning of the day and around SMART lunch time because students have additional time for restroom
breaks at those times.
Unless there is a medical emergency, students are not normally given a pass to the restroom while direct
instruction is going on. They may be allowed once they have started working on their class
assignment/project. I also only allow one student at a time out for restroom. This is to avoid congregating
outside the classroom. My best advice is for students to take care of personal needs like that before they
come into the classroom.
Specific Dos and Don’ts of the classroom:
Do bring all materials to class.
Don’t be late.
Do raise your hand, ask questions, and respond to the classroom discussion.
Don’t sleep.
Do wear your clothing according to all school board dress code requirements. (The classroom is usually cold
so bring a jacket)
Don’t have your pants below your butt or have your hat or hood on your head.
Do stay in your assigned seat.
Don’t wander around the classroom; especially do not touch items on my desk.
Do take all restroom and water fountain breaks between classes.
Don’t bring food or drinks into the classroom. If a student has a medical condition that requires them to have
food or drinks, this medical condition must be documented with the school nurse.
Do learn to live independently of others.
Don’t use cell phones or other technology in class without specific and immediate prior approval.
Things to consider and focus on everyday…
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
Thank you for reading and giving this syllabus your time.
Many thanks,
Mrs. Schiemer
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