Mrs.

Baumgardner

Harrison High School

2016-2017

ENGLISH 12/12A
A Person who wont read has
no advantage over one who cant.
Mark Twain

Course Description
Welcome to English 9. Our goal for the year is to
learn to read and think as writers, to look at text
through a writers eye. We will be reading and
writing narratives, informational and argumentative
texts. You will have the opportunity to read
engaging, thought provoking texts and novels. By

examining these exemplary texts, you will build your

skills as a writer and be able to communicate your
ideas effectively. We will also spend time learning
your vocabulary and technology skills. Discussion,
both speaking and listening as well as working in
collaboration with others will play a large roll in class

Units of Study
Quarter 1:

Quarter 2:

Unit 1:

Unit 3:

Students will read narratives and

analyze how themes and central
ideas are shaped and refined by
specific details in a text. Students will
write arguments about literature and
nonfiction that distinguish claims
from alternate or opposing claims
with clear relationships among
claims, counterclaims, reasons, and
evidence. Finally, students will write
narratives and conduct short research
assignments about relevant topics
related to the narratives texts read in
class.

Students will read a variety of texts

to analyze and evaluate how an
author's choices concerning how to
structure specific parts of a work
contribute to the texts overall
structure and meaning. Students
will use what they have learned to
engage in a more sustained research
assignment that uses logical
structure.

Unit 2:
Students will read fiction and
nonfiction texts and be able to
explain how an author's choices
concerning sequencing of events
affect the overall impact of a text. In
addition, students will write
arguments that focus on creating a
structure that establishes clear
relationships among claims.

Unit 4:
Students will analyze a work of
literature in which they must
distinguish between what the
author directly states and what the
author actually intends to better
understand point of view. Students
will examine how style and content
contribute to the power,
persuasiveness, or beauty of a text.
Finally, students will write
informative essays on topics/texts
discussed throughout the unit to
make important connections and
distinctions.

Erin.baumgardner@evsc.k12.in.us

Quarter 3:

Quarter 4:

Unit 5:

Unit 7

Students will delineate and evaluate

the arguments and specific claims of
seminal world texts. Students will
conduct short research to build
knowledge on topics and to help
them identify false or fallacious
reasoning in order to assess
whether the evidence and reasoning
of an argument is valid.

Unit 6:
Students will evaluate the impact
that multiple interpretations of a
text have on an audience.
Additionally, students will develop
an argument in order to address a
question or solve a problem. In
order to help students develop their
argument, they will synthesize
multiple sources of information
presented in different media or
formats and analyze how rhetorical
and logical fallacies impact the
public.

benglish115.weebly.com

Students will analyze and evaluate

how works of literary or cultural
significance have used archetypes ,
and they will analyze and evaluate
foundational world documents for
their themes, purposes, and
rhetorical features. Students will then
evaluate how two or more works of
literary or cultural significance treat
similar themes, conflicts, issues, or
topics. During this evaluation
students will conduct short research
to help them develop claims about
how authors treat similar themes,
conflicts, issues, or topics.

Unit 8
Students will evaluate the
intersections and conflicts between
visual and verbal messages within
media and visual texts. Students will
also analyze the impact that
rhetorical and logical fallacies used in
media have on the public. Finally, as a
capstone project this semester,
students will utilize all of the skills
they have learned to help them
develop their final senior project.
presentation.

Room 115

Mrs. Baumgardner

Harrison High School

2016-2017

Classroom Policies, Procedures, & Grading

Entering Class: Gather any
necessary materials, quickly find
your seat, and begin working on
the bellringer on the board.

Exiting Class: In the last five

minutes of class, you will wrap up
what you are working on, return
materials to the appropriate
locations, and complete any final
work the teacher may ask. The
teacher, not the bell, dismisses you
upon completion of these tasks.

Bathroom Use: The use of the

bathroom is to be limited to
emergencies only. You must have
a pass signed by the teacher before
leaving. You will also need to turn Absences: If you are absent, it is
in your cell phone. You will receive your responsibility to make up
your cell phone back upon return.

missed assignments. You can

access missing work on Weebly
and on Google Classroom.
Late Assignments: Late
assignments will automatically be
deducted 30%. After 5 class
periods late work will no longer be
accepted. You must also submit a
completed Missing Assignment
paper for any late work.

Food & Electronic Devices: Food is

not permitted in the classroom .
The only drink allowed is water in a
clear container. Cell phones are
not to be used during class.
Computers are not be used, unless
instructed to do so. Bring your
charged computer daily to class.

YOU WILL NEED:

A 1-1/2 inch binder

Loose leaf paper

Writing utensils (pens or pencils)

Your CHARGED ThinkPad

Access to your school GMAIL

account

Vocabulary book (you will receive

this during the 2nd week of
school)
Due by August 17

Erin.baumgardner@evsc.k12.in.us

Positive/Negative Consequences
Meeting classroom expectations and behaving appropriately in
class helps to create a learning environment where you and
your classmates feel welcome, safe, and respected.
If you choose to meet the classroom expectations, you will receive a positive consequence, such as praise from the teacher,
classmates, administration, Warrior of the Month, and/or a
positive note or phone call home
If you choose not to meet the classroom expectations, you will
receive negative consequences, such as a verbal warning, a
change of seat, a student/teacher conference, a phone call
home, a referral to the office, and/or a parent/guardian
meeting.

benglish115.weebly.com

Room 115

Mrs. Baumgardner

Harrison High School

2016-2017

Remind 101
Class reminders will be sent out using Remind
101, a service that allows me to send reminders
via text message without ever exchanging
numbers. To sign up for this, simply follow the
instructions to the right.

Text one of the following to 81010:

1st block: @e2882
2nd block: @8334h
3rd block: @06engl

Take PRIDE in what you do

Preparedness

Be in the classroom when the bell rings and go to your seat as soon as the bell
rings. Be dressed for success. Have all class materials with you .

Respect

Listen to and follow directions. Follow all HHS and EVSC rules. Help create an en-

Integrity

Take responsibility for your choices and actions. Take the responsibility to learn

Determination

Be willing to do what it takes to succeed. Use time wisely and be productive.

Engagement

Work on assignments only for this course during the courses allotted
time. Participate by taking notes, asking and answering questions, joining activities and classroom discussions, and completing assignments.

Senior Projects
Remember, as discussed in the
Spring, each of you will be
responsible for completing a
senior service learning project as
a part of your English grade. All
information about this project
will be posted on Weebly, and
the assignments will be
submitted on classroom. Please
begin working on this early! You
will be responsible for keeping
track of your hours while you
work through this project.

Requirements:

at least 10 hours of service

must benefit the community in

a positive way

must be done outside of class

you may work together (but

each person must have 10
hours)

you must complete all

assignments throughout the
year