Welcome to Honors English 9

Mrs. Melinda Malaspino

Welcome to Senior English!

Mrs. Malaspino, MA/NBCT

About meExtracurriculars:

Global Perspective Studies (GPS) Coordinator

California Scholarship Federation (CSF) advisor

Education and Training:• MA, Curriculum and Instruction: CSU

SacramentoNational Board Certified Teacher , 2010 (AYA/ELA)

• Globe Education Academy alumna, 2010• Teaching for Tolerance Academy, 2015• BA, English (music minor): California Lutheran

University• Teaching credential: CSU Sacramento

Grading PoliciesGrading Scale:

Grades will be based on points earned through the entire semester.

Point value of assignments will depend on importance and complexity.

Grades will be weighted in the following areas:

•Writing and Projects 40%•Tests and Quizzes 40%

• Including Final Exam (10%)•Classwork and Homework 20%

Grading Scale• Letter grades will be based on the following scale

as set forth by the FHS Department of English:• 100% + = A + 78-79% = C +• 93-99% = A 73-77% = C• 90-92% = A- 70-72% = C-• 88-89% = B + 68-69% = D +• 83-87% = B 63-67% = D• 80-82% = B- 60-62% = D-• 59% and below =

FPlease note that CSU and UC campuses require a C

or better in courses applied towards university admission.

Common Core CurriculumEnglish 12 is designed to be an inquiry-based course,

integrating reading, writing, discussion, and critical thinking in all units.

Teachers collaborate through a Professional Learning Community • to establish learning goals for all students• to gather and examine data to inform our

instruction• and to create lessons which call on students to

explore ideas, interact with the text and develop thoughtful understanding, and which enable students to meet collective and individual learning goals.

GPS Curriculum• All students, whether or not

they are officially enrolled in the GPS program, receive integrated instruction in their core classes.

• In Senior English, students explore literary works from across cultures and countries to discover how our stories reveal truth about ourselves, the nature of mankind, and human culture.

1st Semester CurriculumEnglish 12A will focus on • Expository reading and writing skills in preparation for

college, the workplace, and beyond.• Career and College portfolio:

• Includes college application essay or alternative and a research component.

• Students will present findings to peersduring the spring semester.

• Literature and Reading: • English and World literature,

including Beowulf and Macbeth• Articles and poems relevant to a variety of topics• Independent reading of works (fiction or nonfiction) by

classic and contemporary world authors.

2nd Semester CurriculumEnglish 12B will focus on• College and Career Readiness:

Students will continue to develop reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills for college and career.

• Literature by British and world authors will be selected from the FCUSD board-approved reading list.

• Reading selections to include:• Brave New World• Hamlet• Things Fall Apart• The Kite Runner• Articles and poems related to variety of topics• Independent reading of works (fiction or nonfiction) by

world authors

Grammar and Vocabulary• Grammar and vocabulary will be taught

both directly and through the context of reading and writing assignments.

• Grammar and Usage concepts will focus on concepts assessed on college English placement tests.

• Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences will be practiced and reinforced frequently both in and out of class.

THANKS FOR COMI NG!

I can be reached at •mmalaspi@fcusd.org

•916-294-2400 ext. 415202E-Mail is the best way to reach me!