English 9 Course Description

Course Description
English 9 is a survey of world literature. Students will explore a variety of texts drawn from the traditional canon and the established canon of Young Adult Literature. Through the careful reading of novels, short stories, and poems, students will learn the many ways in which authors use language to inspire, explore, implore, and capture their readers. Reading and interpreting texts of various genres will be frequent activities. Writing is the MAIN tool for discovery, communication, analysis, and assessment in this course. Daily classroom performance is crucial to student success in this course. Vocabulary and grammar study will also provide students with the necessary skills for success in the Upper School.

II. Courses Outline
Vocabulary
• two week cycle: study one unit in week 1; test in week 2
• vocabulary studies from literature read throughout course
• cumulative testing
Grammar
• curriculum will be guided by needs as determined in students writing
• mini-lessons
• quizzes on individual concepts
Writing
• daily writing in Writer’s Notebook (topics from literature, creative topics, and free writing).
• frequent analytical in –class essays
• longer, more in-depth analytical, expository and creative essays/papers
• emphasis on writing workshops and revision as a process
Literature
• Judith Guest, Ordinary People
• John Knowles, A Separate Peace
• Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
• Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
• William Golding, Lord of the Flies
• William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet and/or Othello
• Poetry selections
• One Independent Reading Project

III. Essential Questions
Writing:
• How do you structure a piece of clear and persuasive writing?
• What is revision?
• What is editing?
• How do you expand and support your ideas in writing to move beyond a superficial analysis of literature?
Literature:
• What are the elements of fiction, poetry, drama? How are these elements developed in a literary work in order to achieve the author’s purpose?
• What is the relationship between history and literature?

IV. Assessment Methods:
• Essays of various lengths and types
• Creative writing
• Tests
• Projects
• Class participation
• Quizzes
• Vocabulary
• Class discussion

Grading:
Vocabulary Tests 10%
Literature Tests/Major Projects 20%
In-class Essays 20%
Out of class essays 15%
Homework, class work and participation 20%
Oral Presentations 5%
Quizzes 10%

V. Materials:
1. Black and white Composition book: this will be used as your Writer’s Notebook. This composition book MUST be brought to class DAILY and must be used for my class ONLY.
2. 3 Ring Binder with 3 dividers and loose-leaf paper. Dividers must be labeled: Vocabulary/Grammar, Literature, and Writing.
3. All novels, as determined by the teacher.

VI. Student Responsibilities/Course Policies
1. All guidelines in the student handbook WILL be enforced. (We will thoroughly discuss issues such as plagiarism, receiving on-line help, and using the lap tops during class.) Failure to comply will result in a ZERO on the individual assignment and/or an Honor Council Violation.
2. COMPLETE and turn in ALL assignments. Assignments are collected at the BEGINNING of the period. Students will NOT be allowed to go to their lockers or the computer lab to retrieve their assignments once class has started. Late work will lose a letter grade the first day it is late and 50% for the second day it is late. Work can not be turned in for any credit after the second day.
3. Respect each other’s right to a pleasant and comfortable learning environment.
4. Come to class PREPARED and ON TIME. Students who are not prepared or on time will be subjected to a penalty—either a grade deduction or as otherwise determined by the teacher.
5. Make up any missed work due to EXCUSED absences immediately. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ANY MISSED ASSIGNMENTS AND NOTES.
Make-up work, due to an EXCUSED absence, MUST be turned in the on the second day of the students return. *Assignments that have been assigned PRIOR to a student’s absence MUST be turned in on the day of return. Missed tests/quizzes must be made up the next day. All tests are to be made up at the teacher’s convenience.
6. Seek help from the teacher outside of class when needed. (I will be happy to help you outside of class; however, it is your responsibility to come to me for help before your grade is in jeopardy.)