Syllabus (Spring)

 

Pebblebrook High School 2.0: Project-based; Problem Solved!

  

Department:  English                                                                                                        Spring Semester 2015

 

COURSE TITLE: 9^th Grade Literature and Composition                       INSTRUCTOR: Velrastine Shaw

EMAIL: Velrastine.Shaw@cobbk12.org                                                                       PHONE: 770-819-2521 ext. 906

CLASSROOM BLOG

SCHOOL WEBSITE:  http://www.cobbk12.org/Pebblebrook/

 

 

PHS SCHOOL VISION: Empowering Students to Become Productive Members of a Global Community

PHS SCHOOL MISSION: Modeling and Developing Intellectual, Physical and Emotional Behaviors that Lead to Success for All

KEY ACTIONS:

·         Increase the Graduation Rate

·         Increase rigor and student engagement (Project-based learning environment)

·         Increase community and parental involvement

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will compile studies from a variety of genres of literature, including the novel, poetry, drama, short stories, fiction, non-fiction, and epics. Students will be exposed to the rules of grammar, vocabulary, writing, and research.  This is a honors level course and will be more rigorous than an on-level class.

 

KEY STANDARDS: Students will address a myriad of standards throughout the semester.  A list of these standards can be found on the Georgia Department of Education website: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core/Common%20Core%20Frameworks/CCGPS_ELA_9-10_Standards.pdf

 

GRADING POLICY:      Reading …………………………………………..20%

                                    Speaking/Listening ………………………………15%

                                    Writing ……………………………..…………….25%

                                    Language…………………………………………15%

                                    *EOC/Milestone…………………………………..0%

                                    Final Exam………………………………………..20%

                                      Common Assessment……………………………...5%

 

*Statement about EOC/Milestone Exam:

This semester, students in selected courses will take an EOC/Milestone  assessment.  Student growth is a component of the Teacher Keys Effectiveness model which is used to evaluate teachers in the state of Georgia.  This test will be given at the end of the semester to measure the student’s individual growth.  As the exam will not be calculated into the student’s overall average, it will be evident on the student’s final transcript. 

 

GRADING SCALE:

A - 100-90%

B - 89-80%

C - 79-74%

D – 70-73%

F - 69-Below

 

SYNERGY ACCESS TO GRADES:  

 

It is strongly encouraged that you keep your Synergy login information in a safe place and that you have access to the information when needed.  Parents should contact the Main Office (770.819.2521) or Mr. John Chandler at ext. 099 in order to obtain their synergy password and access information.

 

Please note that when you are viewing grades in Synergy that a blank grade column for your child has no effect on their grade.  If the space is blank, then your student may not have turned in that assignment due to absence or the teacher may not have entered grades for that assignment at that time.  An “X” means that the student is exempt from an assignment at the discretion of the teacher.

 

 

 

TEXTBOOK/SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES:

 

Central Texts: Prentice Hall Literature, Language and Literacy Grade Nine. 

 

 Required/Supplemental/Parallel Texts for the Course:

 

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (the “No Fear Shakespeare” version is recommended but not required)

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene

 

Possible Films:

Romeo + Juliet, The Fault in Our Stars, and various short films and clips.

 

*Note: You may purchase an electronic copy of the above-mentioned texts but you will need a print copy of the parallel reading novel.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

This is an Honors-level class and with that comes the expectation that honors-level work will be completed.  During our time together you will be writing several different pieces working toward creating a portfolio of your writing to share with an authentic audience. 

•  Literary analysis writing

•  Researched writing

•  Expository writing

•  Technical writing

•  Persuasive writing

•  Narrative writing

•  Creative writing

 

INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOKS:

You will be creating and keeping up with an interactive notebook this semester, which is essentially a personalized textbook and interactive journal that allows you to store and process all class information in one place (a spiral notebook which you will be required to purchase). You will be required to supply your spiral notebook and some supplies, and the notebooks will be created, maintained, and stored in the classroom. Notebook checks will be frequent and may be announced or unannounced. They will account for a major portion of your grade in the writing and language categories.  This is required for all Ninth Grade students in all content courses.  

 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. 3 ring binder for the Interactive Notebook component.
2. College-ruled Notebook paper for assignments to be turned in outside of the Interactive Notebook
3. 5 dividers
4. Pens and pencils
5. Colored pencils, markers, highlighters, or crayons (suggested)
6. Glue stick or tape (suggested)
7. Index cards (suggested)
8. Flash-drive (suggested)

 

DONATION REQUEST: 

Kleenex

Hand sanitizer

Band-Aids

Printer Paper

Markers

Colored Pencils

Construction Paper

Notebook Paper

Pens/Pencils

 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

My expectations for all students are as follows:

-  Be respectful of everyone and everything in the classroom.

-  Be present, be prepared, and be positive.

It is my expectation that this class is a place of business and learning. You are required to treat your teacher(s), peers, and materials with respect at all times. You are required to comply with school rules at all times. You are required to follow directions at all times and correct your behavior immediately if there is an issue. Consequences for failure to comply with these expectations may include a warning, student/teacher conference, detention, parent contact, and referral to administration.

 

FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION:

 

Students with no more than one excused absence may qualify to exempt one of their final exams.  Students with a course average of 80 or higher may exempt one final exam of their choice.  Students with a course average of 79 or below may request that ten percentage points be added to the final exam grade.  Towards the end of the semester, students who qualify may submit an Exam Exemption Form to the classroom teacher of their choice.  Teachers must verify that the student qualifies for the exemption.

 

PARTICIPATION:

 

Class participation is an important component of the Honors curriculum. Much can be learned from the exchange of ideas that occurs during class discussions. Frequent absences SERIOUSLY jeopardize your success in this class. The participation grade will be based on the degree of student involvement in the learning activities, including attention to and participation in written and oral exercises, class discussion, preparation for class, and homework.  To reiterate:  If you do not participate in formal class discussions, you will not receive a passing grade for that activity.

 

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE POLICY:

 

A student who is present and actively participates is most likely to be successful; however, if a student is absent, he/she has the number of days absent plus one day to make up assigned work.  If the student does not make up the work, a zero will be given for the missed work.  All a student has to do is ASK, and I will be happy to designate a time for make-up work when my assistance is needed.

 

If a student has an unexcused absence, all work will be assigned a zero in Synergy unless the absence becomes excused.

 

Remember that IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PICK UP AND TO MAKE UP ANY MISSED WORK! There will be a designated spot and system to pick up make-up work, which students will be aware of. Please check the blog to view more details about the day’s work. 

 

Any student who misses class for OSS or ISS must turn in his/her work the day he/she returns to class.  Students in OSS must have their work picked up in the main office.

 

This year Pebblebrook is offering attendance incentives, including the ability to opt out of one final exam.  Please keep this in mind, as well as the fact that students who attend class do better overall!

 

LATE WORK POLICY:

 

Late work may not be eligible to earn full credit. All major assignments/projects will be penalized 10% each day late. 

 

TARDY POLICY:  

To avoid being counted tardy, students must be seated and ready for class when the bell rings.  School policy states that students may receive Saturday School, In-School Suspension, and Out-of-School Suspension for repeated tardies. 

 

EXTRA HELP: 

              

Morning Session: Any morning from 7:30-8:15                                                          

Afternoon Session: Tuesday 3:30-5:00

I can also accommodate your schedule but please let me know 1 week ahead of when you intend on coming for tutoring.

 

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

As per the school’s policy, cell phones are not to be used during class time unless directed by the teacher for instructional purposes. Students will receive a discipline referral after one warning to put away any electronic device (unless the device is being used for instruction). Students are allowed to bring certain technologies to class (iPad, laptop, Kindle, etc.), but it should NOT interfere with the teaching or other’s learning.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

 

Cheating is considered a serious matter.  Any student who is involved in cheating/plagiarism will receive a grade of zero on the material, an unsatisfactory in conduct, and his/her parents will be notified.

 

For this course, cheating is defined as, but is not limited to, the following acts:

 

• Copying anyone's answers to questions, exercises, study guides, class work or homework assignments
• Taking any information verbatim from any source, including the Internet, without giving proper credit to the author, or rearranging the order of words and/or changing some words as written by the author and claiming the work as his or her own, i.e., plagiarism.
• Looking onto another student's paper during a test or quiz.
• Having available any study notes or other test aids during a test or quiz without the teacher's permission.
• Collaborating on assignments when independent work is expected.

 

CLASSROOM BLOG:

 

Throughout the year, students are expected to use the classroom blog daily. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the blog and come prepared to the next class. All handouts and assignments will be posted daily to the blog.

                                         

FINAL THOUGHTS: This is going to be a great semester and I look forward to working with each one of you!  Please contact me with any concerns, questions or comments!