SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CHATHAMS
TEACHER: Mr. Agelis
CONTENT AREA(S): English Literature
COURSE/GRADE LEVEL(S): English 9
Course Overview
With a broad array of literature comes various elements of literature to consider. This course
offers many critical lenses through which students will contemplate essential questions regarding
the universal human struggle with individualism and identity and examine how these questions
apply to their own lives. In conjunction with the essential questions, this course also provides a
review of the elements of fiction, including pertinent literary terms; vocabulary development, a
review of author’s purpose, overarching themes and tone in both fiction and non-fiction.
Texts
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Allegory of the Cave by Plato
Lilies of the Field by William E. Barrett
Night by Elie Wiesel
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Krik Krak! by Edwidge Danticat
The Odyssey by Homer
*Supplemental texts will be provided when necessary to further understand the text.
** The order of books is subject to change.
Breakdown of Grades
In class, you will be graded on a point system. Each exam, essay, quiz or homework assignment
will be worth a certain number of points. The amount of points an assignment is worth is based
off of the importance of the assignment. For example, a test could be worth up to 100 points
where as a reading check quiz may only be worth 5-10 points. Additionally, your participation
will be part of your grade. Participation will be worth roughly 100 points for the marking period.
**Total point amount is subject to change.
Supplies:
 One single subject notebook is all that will be needed for this class. In this notebook is
where all your work will be kept. This is the same notebook you will use for your journal
as well. I do not care what type or brand of notebook you purchase as long as it is a single
stand-alone notebook.
*An additional notebook may need to be purchased later in the year.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CHATHAMS
Introduction:
This course will provide you the opportunity to explore various styles of text and novels
pertaining to various themes and styles of writing.
Among the titles are: Allegory of the Cave, Lilies of the Field, Night, Persepolis, Romeo and
Juliet, Interpreter of Maladies, Krik Krak! and The Odyssey. You will be expected to recognize
how the lives of individual authors are reflected in their literature, analyze the use of various
literary elements including plot development, characterization, theme, structure, and point of
view, and how literature affects your understanding of the world in which you live.
Writing:
Using expository writing, you will respond to literature that we have read, discussed and
analyzed. In addition to expository writing, you will be asked to compose creative writings in
conjunction with the appropriate texts assigned. Finally, you will keep your own personal journal
throughout the year in a separate single subject notebook specifically for this class.
**Notes about writing
You will be required to construct drafts for all writings. Your peers in the course, as well as I,
will comment on your drafts, providing suggestions for improvement. Your colleagues’ remarks
should give you a clear idea of how much revision a given piece needs. I will be as prompt as
possible in returning drafts. I take the act of grading very seriously and am willing to reevaluate a
piece of writing if you feel that I may have overlooked something in it. I believe it is my
responsibility to tell you honestly, and constructively, the strong points of your papers, and the
weak ones, if there are any. I encourage you to meet with me to discuss your writing during free
periods. With that said, students will be allowed to revise their papers after the first draft for a
better grade.
Oral Presentations:
I believe that it is important to be able to speak comfortably in front of your peers and other
audiences; therefore, you will give presentations throughout the year. The idea is not to scare
you, but to improve your oratory and presenting skills, along with alleviating your fears of public
speaking.
Homework and Major Assignments (Essays and Projects):
Homework assignments are to be handed in the class the day they are due. You will be able to
hand them later in the day for half credit, or one day late for half credit. After that, there will be
no credit given for a late assignment.
Major assignments must be handed in the day they are due. Every day they are late, a 10%
deduction per day will be subtracted from your final grade.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CHATHAMS
Journals and Personal Reading:
Throughout the entire year, you will maintain your own personal journal. This will count as part
of your grade. In addition to your own journal, you will be given in class time to read a book of
your own choosing. This time is meant to be for you, and it is not to be wasted.
Expectations:
I expect you to be responsible. That means be respectful, be prepared, be on time, and be ready
to participate. I expect a lot from you, so expect a lot from yourself. It is your duty to hand in
missing assignments or catch up when you are absent.
Literature is all about analysis and interpretation. I want to hear your thoughts about what we are
studying. I want you to think critically about the author’s work by giving it your attention that it
is needed to fully understand these great works. I don’t want to be the only one speaking in class.
I expect and want to hear your voices as well.
Classroom Conduct:
Students are expected to come to class on time with necessary materials. Don’t come to class
unprepared. Put your phones away before class. I don’t want to have to see them out. If I want
you to use them, you will be instructed to do so. You do not want cell phone infractions to
negatively affect your participation grade.
Absences and Attendance:
An unexcused absence is not an excuse from the missed assignments or notes. It is your
responsibility to make up the work and find out what you missed. The assignments will be
posted online, so there really is no excuse for not completing it. Of course, if you are something
is unclear to you, I am glad to help you. I am here to help you, but you must help yourself first.
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https://www.schoology.com/home This is primarily where assignments will be posted. Students will be required to create an
account in order to download assignments, and post assignments.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:
I understand it can be tempting to want to simply copy and paste a resource from the internet to
your paper to hand in. However, if caught, the consequences will be enforced. CHS staff and
faculty do not take academic cheating and plagiarism lightly and the student(s) will face the
consequences in accordance with school policies.
Failure to comply will result in a “0” (failed grade) on the essay, test, quiz, or homework
assignment.
Communication:
Finally, I respond to e-mails, however, do not expect an answer after 8:00pm on weekdays and
rarely on weekends. Also, when writing e-mail, understand that this is not a text to your friend.
Please be clear with your question or concern and remember to write your name at the end.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CHATHAMS
Dear Parents/ Guardians:
Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year. I am excited to be working with your student along with
you to meet his or her academic needs. Through out the year I aim to challenge the student’s
intellectually and to foster a greater appreciation for the various texts that we will be reading. If
there are ever any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via email at nagelis@chathamnj.org.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Agelis
Student name (printed):______________________________
Student signature:__________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature:__________________________________________________