Manasquan High School English I Mentor Miss West Room 110 Miss West English Department Manasquan High School 732 528 8820 x1672 email: mwest@manasquanboe.org The ninth grade Mentor Enrichment Program is designed to be a rigorous and challenging approach to the English I and World History courses. The two classes will work in conjunction and collaborate on projects, oral presentations, and a research paper. The English I course will develop the following literary skills: Analytical and critical reading/thinking Writing in descriptive, narrative, expository, and creative genres Enhance and expand vocabulary Oral presentation, discussion, and debate Higher-order thinking Each class will begin with a journal entry provided by the teacher or students or a “Do-Now” activity. Each student will receive a journal separate from his or her notebook. This journal will remain in the classroom at all times. Journals will be graded at the end of each marking period and count for 50 points into the total points for the marking period. Every student must bring his or her textbook/supplemental reading, notebook, writing utensil, homework assignment, and any other necessary materials to every class, everyday. You will not be allowed to go get these items from your locker once class has begun. Being unprepared for class will have a negative affect on your class participation grade. Freshman Mentor Curriculum: English UNIT 1: FINDING OUR SENSE OF HUMANITY THROUGH THE STRUGGLES OF OTHERS Objective: By examining the struggles of individuals in society, students will be able to develop a sense of morality and establish a positive value system. A. Summer reading: The Translator by Daoud Hari-a cross-curricular discussion/project with World History Africa unit B. Short Stories: 1. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell 2. War by Jack London 3. Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut 4. The Kugelmass Episode by Woody Allen 5. The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant 6. Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin 7. The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry C. Research Paper: Cross-curricular MLA essay-historical concepts and short story themes D. Novels: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck UNIT 2: FIGHTING FOR THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY Objective: Students will apply individual values to literary characters, ideas, and social concerns. A. Poetry: Selections B. Drama: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare C. Epic: The Odyssey by Homer D. Project: Cross-curricular project and oral presentations-Western European history and The Odyssey Methods of Evaluation-students will be graded on a points system. The number of points earned throughout the marking period will be divided by the number of points offered. Unit tests Reading quizzes Vocabulary quizzes Projects Essays MLA Research Paper Oral Presentations Class Participation Homework Quizzes and short writing assignments will be graded on a points system. Tests, Major Projects and Presentations, Essays, and the Research Paper will also be graded on a points system. Homework: No late homework will be accepted. o All homework assignments must be totally complete in order to receive credit. o Homework will also be graded on a points system. Each homework assignment will be worth one point. The number of assignments completed satisfactorily will be divided by the number of assignments given to arrive at the homework average. o A homework average will be recorded in Genesis twice a marking period. Homework and participation will not exceed 15% of the marking period grade. Make-up work must be the responsibility of the student. If a student is absent, he or she must make the effort to find out what he or she missed by seeing the teacher on the day of his or her return to school. (You may also email me while you are absent to find out what you are missing.) Each student will have one day per absence to make up the work missed. Missed tests or quizzes must be made up in a timely fashion. If a student has more than one out-standing test or quiz that has not been made up in a timely fashion, the first test or quiz will receive the grade of a o zero. Students who miss a test or quiz must be prepared to take the test upon his or her return to school. Any assignments that were due during the student’s absence must be handed in upon his or her return to school. Any assignments not completed, major tests not taken or essays not completed will receive a zero. Late assignments will be reduced ten points for each day late. Class Participation: This is a necessary and integral part of class. Students are expected to be attentively involved, actively listening, and verbally contributing. Class participation will be graded each marking period. Coming prepared to class counts toward your participation grade. *Who knows: you may even earn back a missed homework assignment or two at the end of the marking period if you take my advice! The class participation grade will also be recorded in Genesis twice a marking period. Extra Help: Students will be able to receive extra help at 2:30 in room 110 on Tuesdays. However, arrangements can be made for other times. Attendance Policy: Please become familiar with the school’s attendance policy which can be found in the Manasquan High School Student Handbook. Academic Honesty Policy: If a student is caught cheating (giving or receiving help at an inappropriate time) on a test, quiz, assignment, homework assignment, or plagiarizing any work, the student will receive a grade of a zero for that assignment. Additionally, the cheating incident will be kept on file via a “green slip.” The student will not receive demerits, but this could hinder him or her from being selected for any group or organization which examines character. Classroom Rules and Procedures: Please come totally prepared for class when you arrive. You may not return to your locker after the bell has rung to get forgotten items. Upon entering the classroom, please retrieve your journal from the designated storage area before sitting down in your assigned seat, unless otherwise instructed. Begin working on the journal topic or “Do Now” activity when the bell rings to start class. Homework will be checked at the beginning of class; therefore, please have it readily available while working on the journal topic or “Do Now”. When you have worked on your journal for about five minutes or so, you may return it to the designated storage area and return to your assigned seat. Please do not throw the journals to the storage area, and return to your seat in a timely manner. Trips to the bathroom or water fountain will be limited during class and are at the discretion of the teacher. Please ask to use the pass to leave the room. Please raise your hand to speak or answer a question, and please do not talk while someone else is talking. Be respectful of your classmates, your classroom and your teacher. You are expected to write the homework assignment down so as not to forget it. The bell does not dismiss the class; your teacher does. Please do not line up at the door at the end of class. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. I look forward to a great school year. Student signature________________________________________________________ Date______________ Parent signature_________________________________________________________ Date______________ Parents or guardians: Please complete this form. I will keep it on file to make staying informed of your student’s progress easier. Thank you! Student name ___________________________________________________________ Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name(s)_________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which is the best way to contact you? Home phone ? _________________________________________ Cell phone ? ___________________________________________ E-mail address ? _______________________________________ Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. I look forward to a great school year!