English 9
2012-13

Syllabus
English 9 – Introduction to Literature
2011-2012
Mrs. Nielsen
Phone – 385-6664
Voice Mail: 379-4500 ext. 6664
jnielsen@ptsd50.org

General Course Information:

• Grade level offered: freshman
• Credits – (1/2 per semester)

Brief Course Description:
We will be reading and analyzing literature and film from the point of view of the writer as well as the reader/audience to determine how the literature affects its readers and in what ways. We will try to determine the qualities of great literature and film. In addition, students will be asked to complete a series of practical writing assignments designed to improve their ability to express themselves in different writing forms. They will keep a reader’s journal as well to document personal response to the literature. Vocabulary study will be consistent and always related to the selections we will be reading.
Course Outcomes:

• To give students the knowledge and skills they need to move into the upper high school grades with ease especially in regard to writing skills. 
• To promote students’ imaginative abilities in reaction to literature.
• To help students find and explain, through discussion and writing, what is of value in literature and be able to relate to the literature in a personal way.
• To study vocabulary in the context of the literature to help students advance in vocabulary skills to cope with unfamiliar language.

Methods of Instruction:
Discussion is the primary way in which students come to understand a particular work of fiction or poetry.  Discussion is both large group and small group. Students will receive feedback on written assignments from peers as well as the teacher.  Cooperative learning groups are also used in this class for various purposes.  Some projects are individual as well. Weekly or biweekly vocabulary/spelling tests will be given.

Assessment:
Assessment is done primarily through daily assignments, essays and class participation.  Some quizzes are given, such as weekly vocabulary quizzes. An exam will be given at the end of the school year.  Student journals/reading logs will be evaluated in teacher/student conferences several times each semester

Class Expectations:
            Students will be expected to be in their seats and prepared to learn when class starts.  This means having the necessary materials including paper, journal, pen or pencil and the day’s homework assignment, when applicable.  Students will be given the same respect they show to others in the class including the teacher.  Students who choose to behave in detracting, disruptive ways will be disciplined using the school discipline policy and parents will be contacted immediately.
            I am here to teach and you are here to learn, and I will see to it that the appropriate environment is maintained in the classroom.

Attendance:
Consistent attendance is extremely important in English 9 because much of the class grade is based upon participation is class discussions and activities. The students’ grades may be affected pursuant to the guidelines outlined in the PTHS attendance policy. (See below.)

Necessary Equipment: Students need to come to class prepared to learn, with a positive attitude, writing implements and a small notebook. This notebook will be used as a journal in class on a regular basis and students will leave it with me periodically for grading. A healthy supply of college ruled notebook paper will be needed for assignments completed in and out of class.

Assignments, Deadlines and Consequences: Meeting deadlines is an important part of students’ study skills development.  Assignments need to be turned in on the date due to receive full credit.  Any assignment turned in after the due date will earn, at best, 60 % credit.After two weeks, late assignments will not be accepted.
            Exceptions will be given if there is a family or personal emergency.  Students need to bring a note from their parents excusing the late assignment or call me and leave a message on my voice mail. 
            If a student is absent due to illness or a school related activity, the student is responsible for finding out what he or she missed by calling the homework hotline, emailing me or asking a peer.  Students have one day to make up missed work for every day absent.

Test/Quiz Make-up Policy: Students are responsible for making up tests and quizzes that they have missed, and they must do so within two weeks of the date it is given. After that the student will not be able to make it up and will receive a zero for that missed assessment.

Reading Material:
Prentice Hall World Literature, (Gold Level) selected stories, plays and poems, including:

• Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare
• The Odyssey, Homer
• To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee
• One independent non-fiction book at student’s reading level.

Grading:
A standard A-F grading scale will be used calculated using a point value system. Six trait rubrics will be used for scoring essays. All essays can be revised for improved credit. All class assignments, quizzes, tests and projects will count toward the final grade.  Class participation in discussions and activities will also be a part of the grade.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Semester One:  (18 weeks)
Introductory Unit: (2 weeks)

• Review active reading strategies
• Introduce vocabulary study
• Review writing skills
• Paragraph unity
• Claim/support/explanation
• Answering the “so what?” question
• Grammar, punctuation, capitalization and other mechanics
• Establish writer’s notebook and reader response journals
• Using best writing skills:  Personal Narrative
• Six-Trait Writing Assessment

Short Stories:  (3 weeks)

• Selected short stories from the text
• Reading comprehension
• Literary terms analysis
• Vocabulary/Spelling
• Creative Writing:  Writing a short story

Non-Fiction Reading/Grammar (6 weeks)

• Free choice non-fiction novel/ oral book-report
• In depth grammar instruction including:
• Review all parts of speech
• Common usage errors
• Improving sentence fluency and word choice
• Supporting an argument

Poetry (2 weeks)

• Various poems/authors from the text
• Poetry analysis for comprehension
• Poetry reading for enjoyment
• Creative writing: personal poetry notebook

To Kill a Mockingbird (5 weeks)

• Background:  Rural South in the 1950’s
• Exploring character motivation
• Importance of setting in literature
• Compare/contrast essay: The novel and the film.

Semester 2:  (18 weeks)

Drama:  Romeo and Juliet (8 weeks)

• Reading strategies for drama
• Renaissance/Shakespeare background
• Research propject with presentation
• Oral reading of Shakespeare’s language
• Theme: Choices and consequences
• Films:  Romeo and Juliet, and West Side Story
• Final Essay:  C/C two versions above

• Background: Ancient Greece and The Illiad
• Research Project: Effective research strategies
• Greek gods and godesses
• Theme: The hero in literature
• Reading/Listening: Reading will be in class with discussion.

Semester Final: The Odyssey