Lassiter High School
Reaching Excellence and Climbing Higher
Language Arts Department
Fall Semester 2015
COURSE TITLE: Honors 9th Lit./Comp. 92A
INSTRUCTOR: Jodi Day
EMAIL: Jodi.Day@cobbk12.org - best method of contact
PHONE #: 678-494-7863
SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.lassiter.org
CLASS/TEACHER WEBSITE: www.mrsdaylassiter.weebly.com – Or you can connect
at: http://lhsblogs.typepad.com/jodi_day/
LEARNING GOAL: This year Cobb County is following Georgia Standards of
Excellence (GSE). These standards provide a consistent framework to prepare
students for success in college and/or the 21st century workplace. More information
can be found at http://www.georgiastandards.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for the accelerated college-bound
student. This student should have a serious academic attitude demonstrating a high
degree of self-discipline and self-motivation commensurate with the independent work
required. The semester will have a balance of composition, applied grammar, and
literature. We will study Demon in the Freezer, Study Smarter Not Harder, Animal Farm,
Anthem, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, short stories, nonfiction, and The Odyssey.
Development of vocabulary, speaking, listening, and research will also be included.
GRADING POLICY: Major assignments (tests, projects, compositions) = 45%
Minor assignments (quizzes, homework, class work) = 25%
Vocabulary assessment = 10%
Final Exam = 20%
TEXTS/READINGS: Our texts include the student’s summer reading, Demon in the
Freezer, Animal Farm and Study Smarter Not Harder, issued textbook Elements of
Literature, and Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Level E. We will read Ayn Rand’s Anthem
and copies of this will be provided. NOTE: Vocabulary books are $15 and need to be
purchased as soon as possible. We begin work on the first unit this Friday, August 7th.
If financial difficulty prevents you from purchasing one, please email me. We will read
The Omnivore’s Dilemma beginning September 28th. Ideally each student should buy a
copy; more information will be forthcoming.
VIDEOS: We will watch some or all of Gattaca, City of Ember, The Most Dangerous
Game, The Odyssey, Forks Over Knives, and Food, INC. and occasionally other
curriculum-related movies or movie clips. Your signature on this syllabus indicates
permission for your student to view these movies and clips. All movies and clips will be
classroom appropriate.
MATERIALS NEEDED:3-ring binder, loose paper, blue or black pens, #2 pencils, Postit notes, dividers, and highlighters. Students will also need a flash-drive for document
storage. Failure to bring required materials will be noted and monitored by the teacher.
TARDY POLICY: To avoid being counted tardy, students must be seated and ready for
class when the bell rings. If you are late for class, you must check in with the Late
Arrival System (LAS). See your student handbook for specifics about the disciplinary
action for tardies.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP WORK:
A student who attends class and actively participates is most likely to be successful.
However, if you are absent, please check the website for make-up work. See your
student handbook (agenda) for specifics on Lassiter’s make-up work policy.
LATE WORK: Minor assignments are not accepted late and will result in a zero.
Major assignments are 20% per day, for up to 3 days.
EXTRA HELP: I am available most days before school by appointment to give you extra
help. Please try to schedule appointments at least one day in advance.
MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS:
 All work should be completed with care and reflect grade level insight. Illegible
work and papers without the proper identification will receive a zero.
 Student name, date, teacher name, and hour should appear in the upper lefthand corner of all assignments per MLA style.
 All final draft essays should follow the standard MLA manuscript format for
written composition.
 Major writing assignments should be typed. For your convenience, the writing
center (Room 333) and the media center computers are available before and
after school for word processing.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Cheating is considered a serious matter. The parents of a student who has been
involved in cheating will be notified and the student will receive a grade of zero for the
test or evaluation period, and a grade of U in conduct. For this course, cheating is
defined as, but is not limited to, the following acts:
 Copying anyone’s answers to questions, exercises, study guides, class work or
homework assignments
 Taking any information verbatim from any source, including the Internet, without
giving proper credit to the author, or rearranging the order of words and/or changing
some words as written by the author and claiming the work as his or her own, i.e.,
plagiarism.
 Looking onto another student’s paper during a test or quiz.
 Having available any study notes or other test aids during a test or quiz without the
teacher's permission.
 Collaborating on assignments when independent work is expected.
LASSITER HIGH SCHOOL
LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT
SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TEACHER:
Jodi Day
PLEASE CHECK IN THE BOXES TO THE LEFT INDICATING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE
FOLLOWING:
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I have read and understand the academic integrity policy.
I have reviewed the class syllabus and understand the grading policy.
I give permission for my child to view G, PG or PG13 movies if they are related to the
curriculum of the class. Also I give permission for appropriate film clips.
I give permission for my child to read the listed texts.
I am willing to be contacted by email.
I have access to the internet and will access the parent component of the Synergy grade
book system. I understand that teachers will make every effort to post grades within 2
weeks of accepting the assignment, but that posting of grades for larger papers and
projects may extend beyond the 2 week timeframe.
I am aware that make-up work can be found on the blog: http://lhsblogs.typepad.com/jodi_day/
Student Name: ________________________________
(Please print.)
Parent Name: _________________________________
(Please print)
Class Period: _________
_____________________________________
(Student's Signature)
_____________________________________
(Parent's Signature)
____________________________________
(Student's E-mail—optional but encouraged)
___________________________________
(Parent's E-mail—optional but encouraged)
RETURN THIS FORM WITH BOTH SIGNATURES BY Friday, August 7, 2015.
Please feel free to contact the instructor if you have any additional questions or
concerns.
I love teaching this course, and look forward to working with your child! We are going to
have a great semester!
Sincerely,
Jodi Day