th
9
Grade English
Classroom Expectations & Procedures
Course Description
This course will encourage students to develop a
positive attitude toward literature, writing, and
language study. It will focus on teaching grammar
skills, higher-order thinking, and improve writing
through the writing process. Students will also
expand their vocabulary, develop their reading
skills, and express detailed thoughts through daily
classroom and homework assignments.
Methods
Students will learn by teacher lecture,
classroom discussion, writing exercises,
brainstorming activities, group work, peer
editing, note taking, readings and written
reflections, journals, daily grammar and
vocabulary activities, and essay assignments.
CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS
• Expectations apply to all students
in all settings
• Expectations describe the general
way students will behave
CLASSROOM RULES
• Rules are more specific and
measurable
• Rules clarify (explain in detail)
classroom expectations
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to come to class
prepared to learn every day. They are
expected to put forth no less than their best
effort at all times. Students should respect
their teacher and fellow classmates as well as
class time. Students should come to class
with a willingness to share their ideas and
keep an open mind to what is expressed by
fellow classmates.
Course Objectives
 The learner will (TLW) effectively utilize higher-order
thinking
 TLW expand their vocabulary and grammatical skills
 TLW be able to identify, as well as create within their own
writing, the essential elements of writing
 TLW be able to utilize writing tools effectively
 TLW be able to write a cohesive multi-paragraph essay (while
utilizing the writing process)
 TLW improve their reading skills
Class Rules
School code of conduct will be upheld.
 Come to class with supplies (ID, book, pen, pencil, assignments).
 Be respectful of others’ comments, opinions, and ideas.
 Be respectful of the teacher, the teacher’s work area, and classroom
time.
 The teacher dismisses the class at the end of the hour and all
students are to remain seated until dismissal.
 Backpacks, large purses, beverages, candy, food, iPods, and cd
players are not permitted.
 Be an active classroom participant by asking questions, sharing
ideas, and providing insightful input when appropriate.
Textbooks
 Prentice Hall Literature Text – Gold Level
 Perfection Learning –Writing with Power
 Independent nonfiction reading selected by
the teacher (in order to participate in
weekly SSR)
Reading Materials
Unit 9.1 Short story readings = “The Most Dangerous
Game,” “The Gift of the Magi,” “Scarlet Ibis,” and “The
Necklace”
Unit 9.2 - Contemporary Novels –Mississippi Trial 1955
and/or To Kill a Mockingbird
Silent Sustained Reading
 During the semester students will participate in weeklysustained silent reading in the classroom. Students will
be required to work on a variety of writing assignments
related to the reading material given. The main focus of
this activity is for students to build close and critical
reading.
 The reading materials will be mostly nonfiction.
Grading Procedures
All card marking grades will be assigned a weighted value:
 Homework & Classwork
25%
 Assessments
75%
Course grade will be comprised of the following weighted
values:
 1st Card Marking = 40%
 2nd Card Marking = 40%
 Midterm = 20%
Materials Needed
 Class Folder- (all class assignments and class notes will
be kept in this folder for future reference)
 Pencil/Pen-everyday!
 1 Spiral Notebook (100-150 sheets of lined paper)
 1 Composition Notebook
Students will always be told ahead of time when to bring
their textbooks.
Homework/Classwork
 Homework will be assigned for
this course on an as needed basis.
 Students are expected to complete
and turn in all work as instructed.
 Late homework will be accepted
one day after it is due and for
each late work assignment, 10%
of the grade will be deducted.
Absences/Skips/Tardies
District attendance policies will be
enforced.
Regular class attendance is a student’s
obligation. WMHS attendance policy can
be found on the school webpage.
Make-up Work
 It is the student’s responsibility to request and make up
all missed assignments due to an excused absence.
 To make up a missing assignment or discuss points
earned on an individual assignment, the student should
approach the teacher individually and in a timely
manner.
 All make-up work is due no later than the beginning of
the next class period (unless otherwise instructed). Extra
handouts are located in the Absent? bin located in the
front of the classroom.
Retake an Assessment?
If you do poorly on assessment or are not happy with the grade you got, you
may be eligible for a retake. Here is how you may be able to retake an
assessment:

Schedule an appointment with me to discuss why you got the grade on
the assessment.

Schedule an appointment with me to seek some tutoring time.

Sign-up for after-school tutoring. (Documentation must be presented
that you attended and received aid in the subject matter.)

Receive additional assignments to help you succeed in the retake.
(Assignments must show you have mastered the skill/strategy.)
You must complete 2 out of the 4 suggested ways to be eligible for a retake.
See Me for further discussion!
Electronic Devices
 Our classroom is a Yellow Zone.
 This means that the use of cell phones, Ipads, Ipods, and
other electronic devices within the classroom will be solely at
my discretion.
Passes
 Student passes will be given on an emergency
basis only.
 A pass cannot be used during the first 10
minutes of class, the last 10 minutes of
class, or during instruction.
 Wait until it is work time, fill out the pass,
and then approach the teacher for a signature
on the pass.
 Students who abuse the attendance policy
(chronically tardy, absent) will be restricted
from leaving the classroom for any reason.
Food & Beverages
 No food of any kind is allowed in my classroom. This
includes GUM!!!
 The only beverage that is allowed is bottled water that
must have a cap!
Communication
 Schedule before or after school meetings in advance by calling
(extension 13325) or email syatoma@wcskids.net. I strongly
encourage parents to become acquainted with PowerSchool in
order to follow their student’s performance through Parent
Portal.
 All lesson plans can be found on my website:
http://syatoma.weebly.com
 Lesson plans are updated weekly and are subject to change
due to class discussions and length of assignments. I
encourage students and parents to check it regularly for lesson
plans and links that contain important classroom resources
and extra copies of handouts.