Academic English 9
Inst
Instructor: Mrs. Marron
Room#: E-520
Phone: 412-486-6000, Ext. 1036
Email: marron@ht-sd.org
Class Website: mrsmarronenglish9.wikispaces.com
Course Description:
Academic English 9 is a full-year course that challenges the student to expand, refine and explore the
areas of literature, grammar, writing, speaking and listening. Through units devoted to the active
reading of poetry, short stories, novels, nonfiction and drama, the student thinks and participates in
discussions about himself/herself and the society in which he/she lives. Students will learn the basic
components of research and begin a sequential vocabulary program that emphasizes the development
and refinement of traditional English skills. All 9th grade academic students are required to complete an
acceptable MLA based research project before moving on to their 10th grade English requirement. In
addition, appropriate technology will be integrated into the curriculum of this course. The students are
expected and encouraged to develop their skills each and every day with the emphasis upon mastery
and success.
Literary Selections:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The Odyssey by Homer
Textbook: Elements of Literature: Third Course
Writing:
Writing and effective communication will be focused on throughout each unit. Students will be
encouraged to express critical thinking skills through a variety of written mediums. Writing will be
developed through media including online wiki-discussions, journal keeping, and video construction.
Students will also refine formal writing skills by completing persuasive, expository, analytical, creative,
and research writing projects.
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary instruction will include projects that engage students in order to understand the purpose
and appropriate use of words. We will also develop a discipline specific working vocabulary through the
literature we read.
Keys to Success:
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Arrive to class on time and prepared.
Ask questions when you don’t understand. You are not alone.
Do not procrastinate. Keep up with the reading, studying, and writing.
Turn in work on time. Late homework will result in a penalty.
Be respectful to your peers and your teacher.
Participate often. Your ideas can help the whole class learn.
Makeup work is YOUR responsibility to obtain.
Late work is YOUR responsibility to turn in.
Materials and Resources:
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3-ring binder
o This is an absolute MUST
o I recommend at least a 2” binder
o The work we do in this class is cumulative – it is necessary that you are always able to
refer back to terms, vocabulary, and concepts throughout the year
o There will be binder checks periodically to make sure you have all necessary materials
Books – Throughout the year, we will read novels, poems, stories, and plays. You are always
responsible for bringing the appropriate text to class with you. Do not count on borrowing a
book or sharing one with another student. Your textbook must be covered at all times.
Pencil—Never step into class without a writing utensil!
Post-it notes and highlighters—We will use these to keep track of thoughts while reading. You
will be told which days to bring these to class.
Notebook or Binder paper- We will be writing and journaling on most days. This work will be
kept in your notebook or on binder paper housed in your journal.
The MLA Formatting and Style Guide for help with citation or documentation can be found at
the following websites:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/
*If you have any trouble acquiring any of the materials listed above, please see me as soon as possible.
Your binder should be organized with the following tabs and work should be kept current
throughout the year.
BINDER TAB LABELS
Binder
Tab
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Topic
Syllabus and Course Documents
Short Stories
Nonfiction
Poetry
MLA Research Project
Romeo and Juliet
Of Mice and Men
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Vocabulary
Writing and Grammar
Extra Help:
I am available at times during the day for extra help. Please see me to schedule an appointment. I am
available during periods 2, 6, and 7 during the school day and I am also available before school from
7:15-7:30 a.m. and after school from 2:20-3:15 p.m. Earlier and later times can be arranged with prior
notice. Additionally, you can email me questions at your convenience.
Classroom Policies:
It is assumed that students and parents have read and understand all building policies as described in
the student handbook. Policies and procedures below refer to or are in addition to those in the
handbook and specific for this particular class.
Assessment:
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Hampton Grading: Hampton High School grades can be viewed on Infinite Campus.
Category
Accuracy
Description
All assignments, both formative and summative, that
are assessed for quality and accuracy. Assignments
assess reading skills, writing and communication
skills, reading quizzes, and vocabulary.
Includes student participation, engagement, and
professional completion of homework and classwork.
Effort
Weight
95%
5%
 Weighted Grades: Grades will be weighted as follows:
95%: A. All assignments assessed for quality and accuracy will
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Parent Internet Viewer:
Labels MAY appear along with student grades. Please see below for designation.
Label
T
M
L
I
Ch
Meaning
Turned In
Missing
Late
Incomplete
Cheated
Impact on Grade
This does not affect the grade; it is for information only.
A 0 (zero) will be used in the grade calculation.
This does not affect the grade; it is for information only.
This does not affect the grade.
A 0 (zero) will be used in the grade calculation.
X
Dr
Exempt
Dropped
This will be excluded from the grade calculation.
The grade will be excluded from the calculation.
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Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% and lower
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Homework & Classwork: Half credit for late assignments
Homework and classwork are the exercises used for students to maintain active engagement
with the coursework daily. You can only sometimes earn credit for homework assignments
because most of the homework is reading or formative work; however, if you do not do the
homework/reading, you will not be prepared to participate in the class discussions and
activities, which could affect your ability to earn all possible points in the class.
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Make-up and Late Work:
All major assignments (papers/projects) that are late will lose 10% everyday they are late.
However, I reserve the right to not accept a late paper/project if you cannot provide evidence
that you have started the paper before it was due (i.e. have a rough draft!).
I will provide large assignment schedules in advance (check the calendar on the wiki regularly),
so if you are absent, I expect you to come in with all of the work completed the first day you
return. You should bring all materials you might need home with you every day! If you miss a
pre-announced test, be prepared to take it the day you return!
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Hall Pass/Restroom Use: Please refer to page 19 of the HHS Student Handbook for the policies
pertaining to this matter.
Remember: Use the sheet at the front of the room to sign out and in. Restroom passes are
intended for visits to the restroom only.
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Electronic Devices: Please refer to pages 14 and 15 of the HHS Student Handbook for the district
policies on this matter.
Remember: Electronic devices should not be visible or in use without permission. You must ask
before taking out or using a personal device. Your device will be confiscated if you do not
adhere to the policies.
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Internet Usage: Please refer to page 8 of the HHS Student Handbook, and the Acceptable Use
Policy for the district policies on computer use.
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Passwords- Throughout the year you will be managing multiple online accounts. It is your
responsibility to maintain and remember all log in information. Forgetting your password is not
an acceptable excuse for late or missed assignments.
Academic Integrity:
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Honor Code: Please refer to page 33 of the HHS Student Handbook for expected conduct.
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Cheating and Plagiarism: Please refer to page 7 of the HHS Student Handbook for the district
policies.
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Turn-It-In: Every writing assignment must be turned in to turnitin.com or it will not be graded.
A student will earn a “Z” (zero points) for the assignment until it is posted. After the nine-weeks
are up, a student can no longer post the assignment for credit.
Class Period
Class ID#
Class Password
Period 1 English 9
10479480
English
Period 4 English 9
10479484
English
Period 5 English 9
10479488
English
Communication:
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I encourage both parents and students to communicate any questions, concerns, or needs as
they arise. E-mail is the best way to communicate. I promise to do my best to reply in a timely
fashion.
Weekly Calendar: Is updated at the beginning of the school week with classwork and homework
assignments. This can be found on my website at marronenglish.wikispaces.com
Homework Text Message Alerts: Sign up for optional text message or e-mail homework
reminders by following the directions on the attached page.
Class
Homework Reminder
Academic English
10
Wikispace with
Calendar
*all wikispaces are
open and require NO
log-in*
Mrsmarronenglish9.
wikispaces.com
Mrsmarronenglish10
.wikispaces.com
English
Communications 10
Marroncomm10.wiki
spaces.com
marroneng@mail.remind.com
Academic English 9
Some Classroom Tools
Send a blank email to:
mrsmarron@mail.remind.com
marron10@mail.remind.com
 Late bin is available for
students to turn in all work for
partial credit
 A bin has extra copies of ALL
handouts for the year for
students to get copies of
anything they may have lost.
 Students will be permitted to
keep their large English binder
in the classroom.
 If they choose to do this, they
must have a designated
homework folder to take
home assignments.