English 1R
White Plains High School
Mrs. Rosenka
cherylrosenka@wpcsd.k12.ny.us
2013-2014
“So long as we learn, it doesn’t matter who teaches us, does it?”
- To Sir with Love, 1967
In light of these powerful words, you must understand that every person and every situation you encounter can
teach you something. It is these lessons that propel you into adulthood. While this coming of age varies greatly
among different cultures, it is important to remember that each of us shapes our unique voice through our
experiences and our exposure to those around us.
Course Description
The core curriculum of ninth-grade English is a program titled SpringBoard, a course developed to
provide a roadmap for attaining the knowledge and skills students need for success in Advanced
Placement courses and in college-level work. Level four is organized into five units centered on the
concept of coming of age. We will study challenging texts including the novel To Kill a Mockingbird,
by Harper Lee and Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. In addition, we will analyze short
stories, poetry, and media such as film, art, music, and photography. Each unit contains one to two
embedded assessments, a unit exam, and a wide-range of reading and writing activities designed to
prepare students for college and for the 21st century.
Essential Questions We Will Explore This Year
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What does it mean to “come of age”?
How do writers use language to influence their audience?
How do authors and film directors use specific techniques to achieve a desired effect?
What is poetry?
What are the essential features of drama?
What impact does the historical, cultural, geographical, and social background have on a novel
and its readers?
General Expectations
As a student, you are expected to:
 Attend class every day and be on time.
 Be prepared with all appropriate materials and assigned work.
 Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings of our classroom.
 Participate in all class activities.
Student Responsibility
Part of being a high school student means you are becoming more responsible for your own
education. This means you must advocate for yourself. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to
contact a classmate or the teacher in order to get any missed assignments. You have three days to
make up a test or quiz due to an excused absence. In addition, if you are having an academic or
personal difficulty and need to meet with your teachers, you must contact them to make an
appointment. You should own and use your planner/assignment book every day, turn in assignments
on time, and take care of your class materials. You will be given at least a week’s lead time for out-ofclass writing assignments and other major assignments, so plan accordingly.
Important: Always have an extra hard copy of your formal writing assignments. We try to be very
careful about keeping track of things, but occasionally something gets misplaced. Your own hard copy
is your insurance; we will not take responsibility for your failure to insure yourself.
Formal Writing Assignments
All formal writing assignments submitted in this class are to be typed (in twelve-point font), doublespaced, numbered, and stapled before they are handed in. You should always make copies for your
records. These specifications pertain to rough drafts as well as final drafts.
 Use the Times New Roman font and standard one-inch margins.
 Correct spelling and punctuation are expected as a minimum.
 Create a header with your last name and page number for each page.
 Late work is penalized. Five points will be deducted each day your paper is late. After five days,
a formal writing assignment will not be accepted.
Grading
Writing/Embedded Assessments
Quizzes and Tests
Classwork and Participation
Homework
30%
30%
30%
10%
Supply List
For this class, you will need the following supplies:
1. A three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper and four sections for
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Classwork
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Writing Assignments
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Academic Vocabulary/Literary Terms
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Writing Conventions
2. Blue or black pens
3. Pencils
4. Highlighters
5. Several packages of 3x3 Post-it notes
Plagiarism/Cheating
You begin the year with my complete trust. Please do not take that trust away by cheating or being
dishonest in any way. I always encourage cooperative learning, and you’re always free to get together
to brainstorm, discuss assignments, and study for exams. However, no form of plagiarism or cheating
will be tolerated. We will review and abide by the school’s plagiarism and academic honesty policies.
I am excited to be your English teacher and to help you improve and grow as readers, writers, and
thinkers. My expectations for you are high, but I will support you as you reach towards those
expectations. I value you each as an important member of this class, and I look forward to a
productive and satisfying year.
Mrs. Rosenka 
After reading and discussing the course syllabus with your parent/guardian, please complete the
student contract and return it to me by Friday, September 13.
Student Contract
English 1R
I, _____________________________________________, have read the syllabus for English 1R and understand the
course requirements and expectations. I also understand the following:
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If I am absent from school, it is my responsibility to find out what work I have missed. I have three days
from when I return to school to make up any missing tests or assignments.
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Homework will not be accepted late.
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The first time I am late to class, I will receive a warning. For every subsequent time I am late without a
pass, I will receive lunch detention.
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I am not to use my cell phone in class. If I use my phone in class, I understand that I will receive a lunch
detention.
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I will respect myself, my fellow classmates, and my teacher.
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If I plagiarize any assignment or any portion of an assignment, I will receive an automatic zero for the
assignment grade.
Student Signature ______________________________________________
Parent Signature _______________________________________________
* Parents/Guardians: Please provide your preferred method of contact below:
Home Phone Number: ____________________________________________
Cell Phone Number: ______________________________________________
Work Phone Number: ____________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________
Additional contact information and/or comments:
Attention Parents/Guardians
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If you would like to receive email notifications regarding due dates, assignments, projects,
papers, etc., please print your personal email address below.
Personal Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________