1 LITERATURE/WRITING: We will be focusing primarily on literature and writing. The following is a list of strategically designed unit plans that we will venture through to help you meet the goals and standards set before you:
UNIT 1: Journey of Discovery: Nonfiction Part I: Elements of Nonfiction Part II: 5 Nonfiction readings Part III: Test and Expository Essay
UNIT 2: Research Paper Part I: Choosing topic and sources Part II: Note taking Part III: Outlines Part IV: Editing Part V: Producing a Final Draft
UNIT 3: Novel: A Separate Peace Part I: Background and novel components Part II: Reading and Discussion Part III: Test
UNIT 4: Criminal Minds: Fiction Part I: What makes a Detective story Part II: 4 fiction readings plus a video Part III: Test and Narrative Detective story
UNIT 5: Declaration of Independence: Persuasive Speeches and Articles Part I: Elements of Persuasive Writing Part II: 4 Persuasive readings Part III: Persuasive Essay and Speech
UNIT 6: The Odyssey Part I: Greek Gods and Goddess, Epic Poetry Part II: Reading of both parts with discussion Part III: Tests over each section
GRAMMAR: The bell-ringers (done during the first 5 minutes of class) will review grammar techniques and a short quiz will be taken through the week to check for understanding.
VOCABULARY: Freshman work through the level 9 Wordly Wise. A lesson is assigned on Monday, you have a full week to complete the assigned sections. On Friday, you will tear out the assigned sections and turn it in. Vocabulary quizzes are given on Friday, the quizzes are broken into 4 parts: synonym, antonym, complete the statement, and standardized test prep. Vocabulary is not assigned on 4 day weeks, however, you may be required to complete lesson reviews. TESTS: Because it is difficult to keep up with which class is testing when, my class will have what I call Testing Mondays, which means that (unless something drastic occurs) all of the tests will be on a 9th Grade English Literature OVERVIEW Mrs. Williams 2014-2015 2 Monday. There are times that this will not happen but I will never give a unit test on a friday due to the shortened class period. This, of course, does not extend to final exams. Students will be given a study guide that will be completed for extra credit on the test several days before the actual test. Study guides need to be completed in whole to gain the extra credit.
HOMEWORK: Whether completing blog questions, discussion questions, vocabulary, or reading, you will have some sort of homework every night. All writing assignments are completed in class unless assigned differently.
WRITING: All writing assignments will be written in MLA format. We follow Owl Purdue MLA, please use the website https://owl.english.purdue.edu as a reference. All writing will need to be uploaded to turnitin.com
LATE WORK AND SUCCESS FRIDAY: All late work is graded at a highest score of 70%. I call in any student that is missing any kind of work, it does not matter if you have an A or a F, you will need to show up in Success Friday. If you do not turn in the missing work by 3pm of that Success Friday, the assignment will turn into a zero. All late work needs to be labeled LATE at the top of the page
TARDINESS AND ABSENCES: If you are not in my classroom when the bell rings, you are counted Tardy unless you come in with a pass. If you are gone, you need to check the calendar under the clock in the room, figure out what you missed and then look in the appropriate folder under the day of the week. You have two days to complete the work. All absent work needs to be labeled ABS at the top of the page.
GRADING SCALE: Grades will be calculated by a point value system. The grading scale will be based upon the percentages of (30%) Tests, (30%) Writing, (25%) Assignments, (10%) Quizzes, (5%) Participation. The grading period will end at the conclusion of every quarter. Then, at the end of the semester the two quarters will be added together with the final exam score. The semester score will be based upon the percentages of (40%) 1st Quarter (40%) 2nd Quarter and (20%) Final Exam.
Actual grading scale: 100-90 A 89-80 B 79-70 C 69-60 D 59-0 F