Honors 9^th Grade Literature and Composition Syllabus

2020-2021

Spring Semester

Instructor:  Marsha Dryden     Room:  109           Email Address:  marsha.dryden@henry.K12.ga.us

Seize the Day Philosophy: This school year, I will ask you to challenge yourself, and I will push you to take personal responsibility for your education while being inspired to think creatively and critically. In school, like in life, we should strive to become life-long learners to fulfill our dreams and reach our fullest potential. So every day, you should come into class with the attitude that you are working to fulfill your dreams and improve your life both now and in the future. So, seize the day, and seize the opportunity to the best you can be. If you have that attitude, you will do well in this class.

Course Description:  This course focuses on critical thinking, literature analysis and critique, reading comprehension, research skills, and written expression through different genres. Lessons will be centered on the major literary genres, namely nonfiction, drama, folktales, fiction, and poetry. As we read, Associates will learn vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and writing styles specific to each genre and will practice those skills through projects and assignments each day. Upon completion of the course, Associates will have the language skills they need in order to move forward into the worlds of higher education and the workplace as competent, confident communicators.

Important Assessments: Associates taking 9^th Grade Literature and Composition will take, at a minimum, the following assessments:

            MAP (once at the beginning of the semester and once at the end of the semester)

            Units 1 through 4 Pre-Assessments and Post-Assessments

            Vocabulary Units 1 through 8

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100       B=80-89          C=74-79          D=70-73          F=Below 70

Grading Policy:

 Classroom Rules and Routine (virtual):

1. USE YOUR COUNTY ISSUED COMPUTER FOR ALL ACTIVITIES
2. CHECK GOOGLE CLASSROOM DAILY FOR WORK ASSIGNMENTS
3. Report to class meet on time.
4. Have all materials ready (Computer, 3 ring binder, paper, pens, pencils, texts).
5. Be respectful, responsible, and reasonable in making your own decisions for your own behavior.
6. Missed work is your responsibility.
7. Participate in classroom activities and assignments.
8. Cell phones are to be put away immediately upon entering class meet.

Classroom Rules and Routine (in person):

1. USE YOUR COUNTY ISSUED COMPUTER FOR ALL ACTIVITIES
2. CHECK GOOGLE CLASSROOM DAILY FOR WORK ASSIGNMENTS
3. Report to class meet on time.
4. Have all materials ready (Computer, 3 ring binder, paper, pens, pencils, texts).
5. Be respectful, responsible, and reasonable in making your own decisions for your own behavior.
6. Missed work is your responsibility.
7. Participate in classroom activities and assignments.
8. Cell phones are to be put away immediately upon entering class.

Tardy Policy (virtual): Associates must ready for class (with supplies) and in Google Meet at the designated start time. If you are late for class, your attendance record will be marked “tardy.”  We will adhere to the guidelines in the Associate Handbook when disciplining tardiness.

Tardy Policy (in person): Associates must ready for class at the designated start time. If you are late for class, you must report to the attendance office.  We will adhere to the guidelines in the Associate Handbook when disciplining tardiness.

Absences/ Make-up Work:  Being present and participating in class everyday usually leads to academic success. If you must miss a day, it is your responsibility to ensure all missed work is completed. All work will be posted in Google Classroom under “Classwork.” 

Normal Work Week:

Bellwork (first 10 minutes of class)

January 11 through March 19:  M.U.G. activities (mechanics, usage, grammar)

March 22 through May 25: Reading Comprehension activities

            Synchronous (whole group)

            Asynchronous (individual)

            Wrap-It-Up (last 5 minutes of class)

Supply List:

• Google account (join Google Classroom)
• 3-ring binder (1inch) / on-line journal
• Dividers for binder/journal (created and ready to use)
• Pencils, highlighters, blue, black, and red pens, paper

Academic Honesty: Cheating/ Plagiarism is considered a serious matter. The parents of an Associate who has been involved in cheating or plagiarizing will be notified and the Associate will receive a zero for the assignment.  For this course, cheating is defined as, but not limited to the following:

• Copying anyone’s answers to assigned work.
• Taking any information verbatim for any source, including the internet, without giving proper credit to the author.
• Looking onto another Associate’s paper during a test or quiz or getting help from others without the teacher’s permission.
• Having available any study notes or other test aides during a test without the teacher’s permission (including cell phones or other devices that have internet access).
• Collaborating on assignments when independent work is expected.

Academy for Advanced Studies                                                                              English Department

Teacher:  Marsha Dryden

By signing below you indicate your agreement to the following:

• I have read and I understand the academic integrity policy.
• I have reviewed the class syllabus and understand the grading policy.
• I understand that my child must check Google Classroom daily for assignments.
• I give permission for my child to view G, PG, or PG-13 movies if they are related to the curriculum of the class.
• I will review with my child his/her parallel reading choices
• I am willing to be contacted by email and I verify that the email listed for me below is a working email address.
• I understand that I may contact Ms. Dryden by email at any time and that she will attempt to respond within 24 hours of receiving my message. I further understand I may call the school to speak with Ms. Dryden.
• I have access to the internet and will access Infinite Campus to check my child’s progress. I understand that teachers will make every effort to post grades weekly, but that posting grades for larger papers and projects may take extended time beyond the two-week frame.
• I understand that my Associate will be expected to use the county-provided computer every day in class. Therefore it must be available and charged, and individual cell phones are no longer needed and will be stored during class.
• OUR DAY-TO-DAY COMMUNICATION WILL HAPPEN IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

Associate Name_____________________________ ( please print)           Class Period________

Associate Signature_______________________________________ Date __________________

Associate Email ____________________________________________________

Parent(s) Name   ________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature     _______________________________________  Date __________________

Parent’s phone number(s)__________________________________________________________

Parent’s Email(s)  ________________________________________________________________

                              ________________________________________________________________

Return this form with all signatures by January 15, 2021

Please feel free to contact the instructor if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Thank you for the privilege of working with you and your child; I look forward to this year!