Syllabus for Ninth Grade English
2012-2013 School Year
Mrs. Manning
Brief description of the class
This class is intended to promote students’ communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and
listening. Students will participate in a wide variety of assignments, activities, and discussions to provide them
with opportunities to practice and strengthen these skills.
Vocabulary
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20 word lists will be studied from the text Vocabulary Workshop (Level D), with new units assigned on
Mondays and tests given one-and-a-half weeks later on Wednesday.
Assignments will be given during the one-and-a half-week time period, including but not limited to
determining words’ synonyms and antonyms, and using words correctly in sentences; additional
assignments may also be given.
Spelling tests will be given on the same day as the vocabulary tests.
Vocabulary book assignments are not accepted late, as we go over these in class.
Grammar
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Most assignments will be from Writing and Grammar, Communication in Action, Gold Level, although
other assignments may be given.
Quizzes and tests will be given to assess students’ knowledge and progress.
Literature
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Numerous selections of literature will be presented and read throughout the course of the school year.
These selections will include novels, short stories, plays, essays, narratives, and poetry. Most selections
will be from the literature anthology, Glencoe Literature Course 4.
Students will read Romeo and Juliet and The Outsiders. If time permits, we may also read Great
Expectations, The Good Earth, or Lord of the Flies.
In addition to the assigned reading, students may be required to answer both objective and subjective
questions related to the literature, learn related vocabulary, write papers/essays associated with the
literature, or complete an assigned project.
Some selections will be read in class, either quietly or aloud, while others will be required reading outside
of class.
Composition
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Various writing assignments will be given through the course of the school year to practice and polish
various types of writing and help students prepare for and succeed in various standardized tests.
Writing assignments will vary in necessary length from 5+ sentences to 4 page compositions/essays.
Writing assignments may be related to vocabulary exercises, topics in grammar, selections of literature, or
other age-appropriate topics
Most assignments will be graded with a rubric.
Compositions will be retained in the student’s permanent portfolio.
Projects
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Prepared and impromptu speeches will be given to provide the students the opportunity to speak in front of
the class.
Other projects will be given throughout the course of the year, which will relate to material being studied at
the time.
Book Logs/Reading
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In order to meet Pennsylvania Academic Standards, all students will be required to read independently and
complete book logs.
Students will be given a page requirement at the beginning of each marking period, and book logs will be
accepted at any time during the marking period prior to or on the due date. Book Logs are not accepted late.
If a student exceeds the required reading for a particular marking period, the additional pages will be used
toward the requirement the following marking period.
Book logs are entered into students’ grades at the end of each marking period; therefore, a significant
change in grade may occur if a student does not complete the requirement.
Book logs will be retained in the student’s permanent portfolio.
Grading Procedures and Frequency of Grading
Grade
Percentage of Term Grade
Frequency of Grading
Compositions/Projects
25%
*About 3 per 9 weeks
Quizzes (scheduled and surprise)
15%
*About 1 per week
Tests
25%
*About 8 per 9 weeks
Homework/Classwork
25%
*About 4 times per week
Book Logs/Reading
10%
*700 pages per term
*These frequencies are estimates and will vary throughout the course of the year.
Late/Make Up Work Policy
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As per school policy, when a student is absent, he/she will be given as many days to make up missed
assignments/notes as he/she was absent from school. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain necessary
materials and assignments.
The assignments for each class will be posted in the classroom for a minimum of one week, so that they are
easily obtainable by the student. Additionally, any handouts that the student missed will be in a tray near
the listed assignments for the student to easily obtain.
Assignments are also posted daily on the website at www.sulcosd.k12.pa.us
It is the student’s responsibility to arrange the make-up of any missed quizzes or tests during non-class
time.
Homework that is turned in late for any reason other than an excused absence will be accepted for a period
of three (3) school days for half credit. As a general rule, students are not permitted to visit their lockers to
obtain work that they have forgotten to bring to class.
Projects and major compositions that are turned in late for any reason will lose 10 percent per day late.
Failure to complete assignments in a timely manner will result in a low grade and potential loss of
privileges imposed by the office.
How I May Be Reached
I can be reached by e-mail at daycol@sulcosd.k12.pa.us or by telephone at 570-946-7001. I am always
available during quiet study and I gladly stay after school as necessary to answers questions, assist students,
and administer make up quizzes and tests.
☺Looking forward to a great year!!
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the syllabus and discipline plan for English 9 class.
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