HONORS ENGLISH 9, 2015-2016
SHORELINE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shorewood High School
Erica Ryan
English 9 Honors covers a full year during which you will earn 1.0 credit and satisfy a graduation requirement for
English. This class is designed to improve language arts skills in writing, reading, and communication for
students with advanced abilities. English 9 Honors is intended to be more challenging than English 9 with more
difficult reading, more work, and higher grading standards.
Concepts &
Themes
Mythology &
The Odyssey
Standards
I can…
 read to comprehend and make inferences from complex text
 determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its
development throughout
 present research effectively using technology
 identify and use imagery, & figurative language
 analyze the interpretation of a subject in different mediums
 cite evidence to support inferences about a text
 analyze how author’s choices to order a text and manipulate time
create an effect
 write a narrative to develop a changing character voice through word
choice and sentence structure
 analyze the use of cinematic techniques to create meaning in film
Film & Style
 write complex sentences using parallel structure
 develop and organize a formal analysis essay by crafting an effective
thesis statement and using specific evidence to support it
 demonstrate understanding of correct conventions
 respond thoughtfully to different points of view in discussion and
justify your own view with evidence
Poetry & Voice  identify and use imagery & figurative language, such as: metaphor,
simile, personification, allusion, & hyperbole
 identify and use poetic techniques of sound, such as: rhythm, rhyme,
refrain, anaphora, alliteration, consonance, & assonance
 use precise diction with connotation, telling details, and imagery
Coming of Age  read to comprehend and make inferences from complex literary and
informational text
in Controversy
 determine a theme/central idea of a text and analyze its development
 cite evidence to support inferences and analysis of text
 write clearly and coherently with development, organization, and
style appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
 gather research and evaluate its credibility to support a claim
 present research effectively using technology
Drama through  read to comprehend and make inferences from complex text
Performance  analyze figurative and connotative language, including the use of
irony, for how it affects meaning and tone
 analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics
 compare interpretation of text by viewing varied performances
 participate effectively with partners to build on each others’ ideas
 interpret text through dramatic performance
Time
Sept-Oct
Nov-Dec
Dec-Jan
FebMarch
April-June
Major Assessments:
World Mythology Research Presentation
Why Mythology Essay
Odyssey Dramatization
Odyssey Narrative
Film Style Analysis
Theme Analysis Essay
Original Poetry Anthology
In-Class Timed Persuasive
Group Dramatic Presentation
Texts:
Springboard, College Board: Grade 9
Mythology, Edith Hamilton
The Odyssey, Homer (translation by Robert Fitzgerald)
Films of Tim Burton, inc. Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, & Big Fish
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare (prefer Folger Library edition)
Student selected texts for independent reading with approval
Additional Resources & Technology:
Charged iPad brought to class everyday, bring your charger if you need it
Binder with a section for English class, bring class handouts everyday
Organized notes- use your choice of iPad apps, binder, composition notebook, or spiral
Notebook paper
Blue or black pens
Pencils
Markers or colored pencils (optional if you don’t like to share!)
GRADES- Assignments have points that fit into the categories below.
30% Participation
You will participate in partner work, activities and discussions. Part of your participation grade is
“student points.” As an honors student, I expect you to seek and share some extra learning
experiences. You must get 10 student points each quarter. See the class website for details and
examples.
30% Homework and Quizzes
You should expect to do more than 30 minutes of homework each night for an average of four hours a
week (including the weekend). When a big project is due, you may spend more time.
40% Major Work & Tests
When a major assignment is given, you have more time to create it or study for it. Essays, projects &
tests are included, and you will often have a rubric for these assignments. Managing your time and
using the rubrics are important to your success in this category.
Grade Percentages
B+ = 88-89%
C+ = 78-79%
A = 93-100%
B = 83-87%
C = 73-77%
D = 60-69%
A- = 90-92%
B- = 80-82%
C- = 70-72%
F = below 60%
Grading Expectations
Because this is an honors class, it is harder to get an A in this class than in English 9. If you need help,
don’t wait until the grading period is over. Get help right away. I expect you to regularly check Data
Dashboard for your grade, and I update it once a week, usually on Friday or Saturday.
Late Work
To be considered on time, work must be complete when collected. You’ll get a late work pass to turn in
one late assignment each semester, and these must be turned in directly to me with the completed
pass attached to the work. After that, you will not get points for late work. You can also use a late pass
for student points. If you don’t use your late pass, and you don’t have missing work, it can be used for
extra credit in the category of participation at the end of the semester. You can’t give your late pass to
someone else.
Extra Credit
The ONLY kind of extra credit in this class is 10 points for an unused late work pass at the end of the
semester.
Student Points
As an honors student, I expect you to choose some extra task or learning for each quarter. This is not
extra credit, but rather independent learning or service that you have chosen. Each experience is worth
10 points and it can be fulfilled by a) having your own copy of a class text and taking notes in it, b) being
a class clerk for a 2-3 week period, or c) taking on a self-chosen learning experience and writing a full
page about it. The writing must not be a summary, but be a reflection, review, or comparison that
shows independent thinking on the topic. Look at “Student Points” on the website for more information
and suggestions.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS- Show respect for yourself, others, and the space.
Attendance
1. Be here! It is hard to keep up in this class if you are frequently absent, and you can’t make up
any work from an unexcused absence. According to the Shorewood attendance policy, you may
fail this class with nine absences or more in a semester.
2. When you have to be absent, you are responsible for making up work, and you have one week
to turn in work and make up quizzes. You will not get extra time for a long-term assignment if
you are absent.
Tardies
1. Don’t be late. If you are more than 10 minutes late, it will be counted as an absence. When you
are late, you cannot make up the work you missed during that time.
2. After three tardies in a semester, you will be given a detention, and I will contact your family.
3. After four tardies, you will be referred to the Dean of Students for discipline. Continuing tardies
will result in more serious discipline.
Restroom Breaks
Bathroom breaks should be rare. If you must go, ask me during a time that does not interrupt
instruction.
Dress Code Will Follow Shoreline Dist. Dress Policy #3224
Clothing should adequately cover you, and it should not be distracting.
Cell Phones And Other Electronics
1. These should be turned off and out of sight, except when used for school activities. In an
emergency, your parents should contact the main office. Use iPads for class work only; no
gaming, networking, or messaging.
2. No sounds or vibrating from cell phones or other devices during class.
3. Never photograph or film others, except for class work when you get permission.
4. You are responsible for your own electronics. The school accepts no responsibility for cell
phones or other devices that are lost, damaged, or stolen at school or while traveling to and
from school.
First Offense for inappropriate use- I will take your device and you have to pick it up from the
Dean of Students at the end of the school day.
Second Offense- I will take your device and you will be referred to the Dean of Students for
discipline.
Standards For Written Work
1. I prefer homework to be typed, but it is not mandatory. Work that you turn in must neat and
written in blue or black pen, unless I tell you pencil is acceptable. Work that isn’t in the correct
format will be returned. If you don’t use the correct format more than once, you may lose points.
2. Put a complete heading on the top right-hand corner of all work you turn in.
Name
English 9H, per. ____
Date
3. Assignments without a name or heading will be placed in the “No Name” box near the window. If
your work lacks a heading more than once, you may lose points.
4. Frequently, work will be turned in electronically to Turnitin.com or the staff server.
5. Written work should follow the format shown below:

Original Title (if it’s an essay)
or
Name of Assignment
Name
Engl 9H, per. #
Date
If typed
 Times or Times New
Roman
 Size 11 or 12 font
 double spaced
 1 inch margins
 Don’t double space if you use pen.
Academic Honesty
Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses. Plagiarism is “an act or instance of using or closely
imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the
representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author.”2 I
expect you to be honest. If you get an idea from another source or use someone else’s words, you
must cite them correctly. Unless you are given permission to work with a group or partner, you must
write your own work. If I think you have plagiarized, I will talk to you first.
First offense results in a zero for the work, contact with your family, and a note in your student record.
Second offense during your time at Shorewood may result in losing credit for the class and a
suspension. (See Policy #3302 in your student handbook.)
LUCKY THIRTEEN TIPS- If you do these things most of the time, you will be successful in this class.
1. Get to class on time and participate. It’s always better to attend than to avoid a day because you
don’t have something done. If you miss a day of class for any reason, you are responsible for
finding out what you missed and making up the work within a week. Ask for help if needed.
2. Bring materials to class regularly, including homework. Forgetting your work has the same effect as
not doing it.
3. Use a calendar or homework app and take time to organize regularly. You will probably have to
experiment to find a system that works best for you.
4. Read assignment directions and the rubric and refer to it as you work. Expect that you will have to
put more effort into your work than you did in middle school. This class is for students who enjoy
taking on greater challenges in the difficulty and quantity of their work.
5. Plan ahead to get work done on time. Force yourself to complete small steps toward big projects
instead of waiting until the last minute.
6. Look at the class website and Data Dashboard regularly.
7. Use SAS for school work. Do homework. Read. If you need help, ask for a pass to come get help.
8. Use the note-taking strategies you learn in class for your reading and class instruction (in all your
classes).
9. When you’ve finished your homework, spend some time reading something (for fun or to learn
about something you’re interested in), instead of playing more Clash of Clans or Fruit Ninja!
10. Use the Shorewood and King County library for book selection, research, and computer resources.
We have a great library system, and if you haven’t used it yet, now is the time.
11. Challenge yourself. Do not use boredom as an excuse for mediocre work. If you have an idea for
an assignment that interests you more and is different from the instructions, talk to me. If it fulfills
the skills for the assignment, I will encourage you to do it.
12. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and take risks. One mistake will not ruin your life or your
grade. Talk to me if you need help to get out of a tough place. You can email me, but don’t wait until
the last minute. We will work together to come up with solutions. I’m a human being who has
learned by making mistakes too.
13. Don’t complain about grades when it’s too late to fix them. I’m happy to help you improve your work
during the quarter, but complaining at the end of the grading period won’t help you.
CONTACT ME for any questions or concerns.
Contacting me by email will get you the quickest response.
By email:
erica.ryan@shorelineschools.org
By phone:
206-393-6877
Class Website:
http://schools.shorelineschools.org/staff/blachman/
2
"Plagiarism." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 2012. Web. 03 Sept. 2012.