English 9 Course Overview/Syllabus for 2011-2012
South Forsyth High School
9th Grade Literature and Composition
Textbook/Resources: Elements of Literature published by Holt 2010. We will have a set of these
textbooks available in the classroom. If you need one to take home to finish or review some work,
please feel free to check one out overnight. The text is also available on-line.
Possible novels or other works (subject to change):
Heroes, Gods, and Monsters, Bernard Evslin
Alas, Babylon, Pat Frank
Night, Elie Wiesel
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
The Chosen, Chaim Potok
Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
A Separate Peace, John Knowles
Excerpts from the Odyssey and/or The Iliad
Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
Myth and Folklore
With the emergence of technology as a tool for learning, South Forsyth High School will be
utilizing various resources to assist with instruction, including ANGEL, online textbooks, and
interactive websites. In addition to these web based instructional tools, this course will also have
a classroom set of textbooks. Should you feel that your child would benefit from having a
textbook at home in addition to the classroom textbook, please contact your child’s teacher.
Course Description:
This course content will focus upon a wide range of genres in literature with an emphasis on literary analysis.
The integrated study of composition will include basic research skills and expository and persuasive writing
with an emphasis on technical writing. Sentence structure and grammar usage will be included throughout
the writing process and integrated with speaking, listening and vocabulary skills. Extensive reading, public
speaking and presentations skills are also included in this course. A state mandated End of Course Test is
required and counts 20% of the student’s overall course grade.
Standards: Course Standards can be found at
www.georgiastandards.org. I will be referring
to standards in class on a daily basis and posting them in class.
Grading Calculations:
Course Average = 40% (1ST Sem. Course Work) + 40% (2ND Sem. Course Work) + 20% EOCT or Final
Exam
1ST & 2ND Semester Course Work = 75% Summative + 25% Formative
Concept of formative assessment:
Grading Policy:
http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=8&n=9
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
Failing = Below 70
Formative Grades (25%)
These will take many different forms, including but not limited to vocabulary assignments, book
checks, response journals, homework assignments, quizzes, reading logs, reading quizzes, and
class participation.
Summative Grades (75%)
These projects may include traditional tests, essays, portfolios, presentations, or other similar
assignments. Further details will be given as these projects approach.
Final Exam (End of Course Test – 20% once taken, see above note)
Policies and Procedures
Availability for Extra Help: Students are encouraged to seek extra help as soon as it is needed.
Extra help can be arranged before or after school on most days. Please speak to me before or
after class to schedule an appointment.
Makeup/Late Work: All missed work and assessments are the responsibility of the student when
they are absent from school. A student who is absent on the day before a scheduled assessment
will be responsible for completing the assignment on the scheduled day and time. Students who
have been absent more than two consecutive days (including the assessment day) will be given five
(5) school days to make up the assessment and/or other assignments. This does not include
major projects, research papers, etc., where the deadline has been posted in advance. The teacher
has the discretion to grant a longer period of time to make up work if there are extenuating
circumstances.
Technological difficulties are not considered a legitimate excuse for late work. Computers are
available for student use weekdays 7:30am to 4:00pm in the media center. Students are also
welcome to send work through ANGEL if they are experiencing printer problems or turn the
assignment in on a disk or CD.
Plagiarism: Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form. This includes but is not
restricted to: copying class work or homework; plagiarism; looking on another student’s paper;
using signs/sign language/signals to communicate answers; using notes of any kind on a test or
quiz, using electronic devices during class and excessive editing by someone other than the
student. Students will be given a zero for the assignment cheated upon; parents will be notified;
ISS or other punishment will be given. See Student Handbook.
Required Assignments: In addition to the textbooks/resources listed above, the following are the
titles of some major units planned for this year in no particular order: Shakespearian Drama,
Research and Writing (Research Paper), Mythology and the Epic, the Novel, the Memoir ( Night),
Short Stories, and Poetry. Throughout the above units, the teacher will facilitate the strengthening
and acquiring of skills relating to literary analysis, vocabulary acquisition, and communication
through clear writing and speaking.
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly! Announced and unannounced quizzes will be
given frequently. The school website is a resource the students are expected to use any time they
are not in class and need to find out what work needs to be made up.
**Although I typically post homework assignments on a weekly basis, I often end up editing the list
several times a week as new assignments are added.
Here is how to navigate to find out about homework and class assignments:
1. Go to
www.forsyth.k12.ga.us
2. Go to Select a School
3. Click on South Forsyth
4. Select Angel
5. Enter your school user name and password
6. Select 9th grade English and navigate through the site
Exam Exemption: a student may exempt the final exam at the end of the year if he or she has a
90 average or above in the class. This does not include the mandatory EOCT test.
Philosophy: I am here because I love teaching. I am looking forward to learning with you and from
you this year. I also believe that every student has the right to learn. In keeping with the “right to
learn” philosophy, these are the classroom rules:
1. Be respectful.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. Come to class prepared and ready to learn.
4. Bring all supplies to class every day.
5. No I-pods or headphones in class.
6. No use of cell phone.
No food, candy, or drinks. (You may have bottled water; however, you may not leave class to refill
the bottle.)
Supply List: Please have the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Paper, pencils, and pens.
Index cards.
Highlighter.
3 folders or a three ring binder.
Please sign, date, cut off and return to Ms. Mitchell.
I have received Ms. Mitchell's 9th grade Literature and Composition syllabus. I understand and
agree to the requirements therein.
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Parent Signature
Student Signature
Date Signed