Honors English 9 Syllabus
Mrs. Bosch
sbosch@patterson.k12.ca.us
Honors English 9 is designed to challenge the minds of its students while exposing them to various genres of literature. Students develop strong writing and critical thinking skills and study specific literary elements. Materials, classroom policies, grading scale and other information is outlined below.
MATERIALS:
Mc Dougal Littel Literature Book
Core
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury
Of Mice and Men Steinbeck
Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare
Mythology Hamilton
Old Man and the Sea Hemingway
Extended
Brave New World (Honors) Huxley
Siddhartha (Honors) Hesse
The Scarlet Letter (Honors) Hawthorne
Good Earth (Honors) Buck
1. Hardcover binder with sections for:
Syllabus
Literary Devices
Writing
Class Notes
Graphic Organizers
Homework
2. Loose-leaf paper
3. Blue/black pens, pencils, highlighter
4. Composition Book
*Your participation grade will include your ability to bring the above items when needed.
HOMEWORK:
Homework is assigned when necessary; there are months that you will have homework every evening.
Assignment schedules will be handed out at the beginning of each week. They can also be accessed via my website (see address above).
Point values are given for each assignment (for example, five or ten points). If you do not do the homework, you will get a “0” out of the total point value. Failing to do your homework can seriously impact your grade.
Long term assignments that are turned in late will be penalized 5 points for each day late. This includes missing my class on a day you are otherwise in school. See me before the due dates if you are having problems.
For lengthy excused absences, work should be made up in the amount of time missed. If you miss my class for any reason, you should do the following:
Follow the assignment schedule for that night’s homework. If you are absent the day it is passed out, check the internet. “But I was absent!” is not an acceptable excuse for late homework.
Check your class’s blog and website. It will be updated daily by the week’s classroom manager.
If you missed a test or quiz, it must be made up within three days of returning to school unless you make prior arrangements with me.
When you return to school, check your file for any handouts you may have missed.
READ, READ, READ what is assigned to you. I expect a high standard of critical involvement with the text and participation during discussion, neither of which can be done if the reading has not been completed. Unannounced quizzes will be given if necessary.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Patterson High School strives for a student community that abides by the virtue of honesty.
Plagiarism (passing someone else’s work off as your own), lying, cheating and forgery are therefore not acceptable.
All papers must be turned in as a hard copy and submitted electronically to
TurnItIn.com. This must be accomplished by 3 PM the day a paper is due. The website helps encourage the avoidance of plagiarism by evaluating the originality of each student's paper. TurnItIn's software provides an originality report to the teacher, who then views the report and makes the final determination as to whether or not plagiarism has occurred. This means you must email me your paper or give it to me on a CD or thumbdrive.
IF YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY A PAPER IS DUE, THE PAPER MUST STILL BE SUBMITTED TO
TurnItIn.com NO LATER THAN 3 PM ON THE DUE DATE. THE PAPER WILL OTHERWISE BE CONSIDERED LATE AND SUBJECT TO LATE PENALTIES.
Please see the school handbook for information regarding the consequences of academic dishonesty.
CLASSROOM JOBS:
There are several student positions in my classroom. These positions rotate from week to week so that everyone has the chance to get involved. They are:
Classroom manager: Checks the “graded” file for your class at the beginning of each period and passes them out. Also performs other duties such as materials management (markers, crayons, etc.) and handout organization.
Weekly scribe: Updates the class bulletin board every day. This can be done from school or at home, but entries must be posted by 4 PM. Entries should include topics covered in class, handouts received, writing prompts and assigned homework.
Weekly alternate: Fulfills the duties of either of the above positions should that student be absent.
Positions are selected alphabetically following the class roster. If you know you will be particularly busy during your scheduled week, please see me. I am flexible.
TECHNOLOGY:
Technology is a large part of this course. During the first week, we will be visiting the computer lab to set up accounts on the blog. Blog is a protected online forum for discussion, meaning only those individuals who are invited to view the board may do so. The boards are password protected and cannot be viewed by anyone outside of our group.
Every student must contribute to a particular topic on the discussion board at least once a week. You will be given a grade for your participation; updating the weekly scribe board is in addition to your weekly post.
GRADING:
Your grade will be calculated according to the following percentages
Major tests…………30%
Compositions………30%
Quizzes…………….15%
Homework…………15%
Participation……….10%
Major tests are not only written – they can include oral presentations, group presentations (with individual grades assigned), graphic depictions, etc. I will let you know how an assignment will be factored into your grade.
It is VERY DIFFICULT to fail my class if you do all of your homework. In the same vein, if you do not do your homework, you will have a very hard time passing.
All of my grades are posted on snapgrades.net. You and your parents will receive a log in code and can access your grade at any given time.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:
Do your best at all times.
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Disruptive behavior is not in any way acceptable.
Three tardies per quarter equal one detention.
Pass usage is restricted to three times per quarter. You will be required to fill out the pass log upon leaving and returning to class.
You are responsible for your own actions and their subsequent consequences.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
See me as soon as possible if you have any questions, do not understand an assignment, or are having trouble with a part of the course. I am more than happy to help you in any way I can. I welcome communication with parents and students. I know that all of you will exceed my expectations for the coming school year and I look forward to working with you. Welcome to high school – we’re going to have a great time.
