Freshman English Instructor: Hannah Sullivan

BA in Mass Communications, MA in Teaching Conference Hours: 7:55-9:20

Email: hannah.sullivan@viloniaschools.org

Welcome to Freshman English (9th Grade). This class is designed to help students to prepare for college, careers, and

whatever else the future may hold. This class will help you explore and analyze literature from the past and present

and the influences literature has on today’s society. Students will focus on reading comprehension, exploring genres,

research and reasoning skills, and grammar and writing. Student will apply previous and new understanding of literary

terms to identify elements of text, make and support claims, and develop understanding in and out of the classroom.

Required Materials:

● 2-3 Inch Binder with 5 dividers

o Bellwork

o Notes

o Homework

o Returned Work

o Research

● Loose Leaf Paper

● Pen/Pencil

● Highlighters

● Notecards

*Note: It is extremely crucial you have/memorize your online access needs (Computer, email, AR, etc.) for this class.

We will be using chromebooks to complete classwork on a weekly basis. I will not have access to these codes for you.

You must either memorize them or save them for further reference. If you do not complete an assignment because

you forgot you password, you will be given a zero for the assignment. Please see me before you get into this

situation.

Grading Scale Grading Categories

A – 89.5-100: Extraordinary Class Work - 10%

B – 79.5-89.4: Above Average Homework - 10%

C – 69.5-79.4: Average Research (Special Projects) - 10%

D – 59.5-69.4: Below Average Essays/Quizzes - 40%

F- 0-59: Failing Tests - 30%

Semester at a Glance

Unit 1 Short Stories

Unit 2-3 Poetry/Epic/Mythology

Unit 4 Drama

Unit 5 Novel

Timeline: 3 Weeks Timeline: 3 Weeks Timeline: 4 Weeks Timeline: 6 Weeks

Focus Text(s):

- The Most Dangerous Gam e by Richard Connell - The Necklac e by Guy de Maupassant - Lamb to the Slaughte r by Roald Doahl

Focus Text(s):

- The Odyssey by Homer Shakespearean Sonnets Ballads by Numerous Authors

Focus Text(s):

- Romeo and Julie t by William Shakespeare

Focus Text(s):

- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Focus Writing: Argumentative

Focus Writing: Analytical Expository

Focus Writing: Argumentative

Focus Writing: Analytical Expository

1 Argumentative Essay 1 Analytical Expository Essay 1 Argumentative Essay 1 Analytical Expository Essay

Routine Writing Routine Writing Routine Writing Routine Writing

Notes, summaries, process journals, and short responses across all genres

Notes, summaries, process journals, and short responses across all genres

Notes, summaries, process journals, and short responses across all genres

Notes, summaries, process journals, and short responses across all genres

Language/Speaking and Listening

Language/Speaking and Listening

Language/Speaking and Listening

Language/Speaking and Listening

-Study and apply grammar -Use and understand both

general academic and domain specific vocabulary

-Engage in collaborative discussions

-Present findings -Evaluate a speaker’s claims, rhetoric, and

strategy - Incorporate multimedia

components

-Study and apply grammar -Use and understand both general academic and domain specific vocabulary -Engage in collaborative discussions -Present findings -Evaluate a speaker’s claims, rhetoric, and strategy - Incorporate multimedia components

-Study and apply grammar -Use and understand both general academic and domain specific vocabulary -Engage in collaborative discussions -Present findings -Evaluate a speaker’s claims, rhetoric, and strategy - Incorporate multimedia components

-Study and apply grammar -Use and understand both general academic and domain specific vocabulary -Engage in collaborative discussions -Present findings -Evaluate a speaker’s claims, rhetoric, and strategy - Incorporate multimedia components

Unit 6: Research Unit 6: Research Unit 6: Research Unit 6: Research

MLA Formatting Annotated Bibliography

MLA Formatting Works Cited Thesis Statements

MLA Formatting Organizational Structure Rough Draft Peer Reviewing

MLA Formatting In-Text Citations Final Drafts Proofing

Unit Descriptions

Unit 1: Narratives: Students will be working on reading a variety of stories to discuss and analyze structure, plot,

characterization, and conflict. Students will build their own writing techniques to write personal narratives and utilize

their knowledge of grammar usage, mechanics, and style to complete their own story.

Unit 2: Poetry: Students will get to combine information from previous units in this plan of study. Student will write,

research, and compile some of their pieces from different genres. Students will work to create a portfolio of poetry

using knowledge of structure, poetic devices, and narrative conventions. Students will also be able to work

collaboratively to edit, fine tune, and present their works and findings.

Unit 3: Epic and Mythology: Students will study figurative language and the conventions of an epic. They will also look

at allusions, the role, and change of language and symbolism as it is used in the epic, particularly The Odyssey.

Unit 4: Drama – Students will focus on reading Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to visualize conventions of drama,

stage directions, and social influence. Students will participate in discussions, acting, writing and research to

determine the author’s decisions and impact.

Unit 5: Novel: Students will read To Kill a Mockingbird and related material. This book is rich in discussion materials

and will give the opportunity to discuss narrative writing, symbolism, and moral dilemma. This unit will give students

a strong background for annotating texts and making connections.

Unit 6: Research: Students will conduct research to complete a persuasive paper. Students will also bridge the

connection between persuasive writing and argumentative writing for classroom discussions. The main focus will be

on formatting, following MLA writing style, relevant sources, and presentation of information.

Policy on Makeup Work:

Unless prior arrangements are made, students have as many days as they miss to make up work. For example, if you

missed one day, you have one day to make up all missed assignments. If you missed one week, you have one week to

make up assignments. Students are solely responsible for making up assignments. I will not handle make-up work

during class. Students who missed class will need to conference with me before/after class or during my conference

period to get their missed assignments. After the makeup time has expired, the assignment will be considered late.

See the policy on late work below for information on how late assignments will be handled.

Policy on Late Work:

Students should turn in all assignments on time. However, if a student must turn in an assignment late, it will be

deducted by 10% for each day it is late. After two days, the student will be assigned to ICU until the assignment is

completed and submitted. The teacher will determine what grade will be earned after the assignment has been

submitted.

Policy on Academic Honesty:

All students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the school’s policy on Academic Honesty. Plagiarism and

cheating are extremely serious offenses and are not tolerated in my classroom. Students who admit to having

committed such offenses, or who are found guilty of them by the instructor will receive no credit for the assignment.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is an attempt to claim as our own, ideas or writings that originate with others. It is a serious

offense against the academic community. Plagiarism is not lessened by paraphrase or even by an extensive rewriting

of another's work. Whenever ideas or words are borrowed, the student must give credit by citing the source. All

credentialed sources of information must be documented in order to give proper credit to the author. In addition to

traditional sources of information (e.g., books, journals, magazine and news articles), this includes information

accessed electronically through the Internet or other sources.

Cheating: All work performed by a student to satisfy course requirements must be the student's original work.

Students should not borrow or copy answers from one another on any assignments, quizzes, or tests given

throughout the course. When cheating is found to have occurred, the student will forfeit all credit for the assignment.

Instructor’s Policy: Academic integrity standards and consequences apply to all dimensions of student behavior,

including but not limited to assignment submissions, attendance records, and statements or representations about

your own or another’s performance.

If at any time you submit work that was prepared by another student or other person (even if only in part) as your

own, or if you in any way solicit or copy information from another student during an exam, or if you use external

reference material during an exam without prior instructor permission, or if you plagiarize or fail to provide sufficient

citation of the original author, the instructor will: (1) assign an "F" as your final grade for the assignment, and (2)

notify an administrator so that a formal disciplinary procedure will be instituted, as described in detail in the student

handbook.

Communications Guidelines and Email Protocol

Should you require clarification or have any course related questions, you are free to e-mail me at the address listed

above. I check my e-mail frequently and will respond as soon as I can, usually the same day. Always include subject

line of all e-mails. I am responsible for other courses, as well as yours, and have many students to support. To save

time and frustration, please always clearly indicate who you are by name, as email addresses do not always match

with a student's name.

**Students and parents may sign up to receive reminders and information about this course through Remind 101.

Information on how to sign up for this will be given to students on the first day of class.

Classroom Rules and Procedures

1. Entering the room: Enter quietly and politely; remove your hat if you’re wearing one; go to your assigned seat and begin on bell work.

Once you are in the classroom, you are here to stay. Do not enter the room and leave the room several times between classes.

2. Taking out/putting away/caring for supplies: Always bring needed supplies to class. Keep your desk area neat and tidy. If you make a

mess, clean it up. Do not start putting away supplies until instructed to do so.

3. Behavior: Rude/Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. This includes verbal and nonverbal actions. If you cannot behave

appropriately, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

4. Bullying: Bullying will not be tolerated in this classroom. This include verbal and physical infractions.

5. Participating in discussion/group lessons: Listen carefully for new information; raise your hand to speak; do not speak when someone

else is speaking. Always be attentive and polite during class presentations.

6. Obtaining help with assignments: If you require help on a particular assignment, please raise your hand. I will assist you. Do not

interrupt when another student is receiving assistance.

7. Turning in finished work/homework: Make sure your name is on your paper; place your paper upside down in the tray labeled with

your class period. Always turn your work into the appropriate tray. If homework requires a written assignment to be turned in, turn in

your assignment when you enter the classroom.

8. Visitors: If we have visitors in the classroom, always be polite and respectful.

9. Food or Drink: Food and drinks will be allowed in class, under the condition that no mess is left behind. If you leave a mess, your food

and drink privileges will be taken away.

10. Leaving the Classroom: Always leave the classroom in an orderly fashion. Do not leave behind a mess. Take all of your belongings with

you when you leave.

Classroom Cell Phone Policy: You will use your cell phone in class as a learning tool ONLY. The teacher will inform you when you are

allowed to use your phone. If your cellular device is not being used for learning, it should be put away in your bag or your pocket. Cell

Phones should not be out on the desk unless instructed to do so. If you are not using your cell phone appropriately, your phone will be

taken.

Syllabus Acknowledgment Pre-AP English 09/English 09

Students should return this form to Mrs. Sullivan for a 10-point grade. This form is due on Friday, January 13, 2016.

SCHOOL: Vilonia Freshman Academy CLASS: Pre-AP English 09/ English 09 INSTRUCTOR: H. Sullivan YEAR: Spring 2016 Read the following statement: I have received a copy of the course syllabus for this class. I have read it and understand the course content, class procedures, and what is expected of me/my student to earn credit for ninth grade English. PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME (Print): _________________________ PARENT / GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: _________________________ STUDENT NAME (Print): _________________________ STUDENT SIGNATURE: _________________________ DATE: _________________________ Parent Contact Information: Please check your preferred form of communication.

Phone: ________________________ ̪

Email: ________________________ ̪ Is there anything special I can do to ensure the success of your student? (e.g. a seat close to the board, computer assistance, library research, etc.) ____________________________________________________________________________________________

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