COURSE ORIENTATION FOR SDC
ENGLISH 9
FALL SEMESTER 2007
INTRODUCTION
This outline has been designed
to explain course content, requirements, and discipline policies. As a teacher I have high expectations and
consider a student’s effort to be
very important. Passing eight semesters of English is a graduation requirement,
therefore, failure to satisfactorily complete this course may affect your son
or daughter’s graduation status. If you should ever have any questions
regarding your son/daughter’s progress please call me. I can be reached at 252-6110 ext. 473. (Best time to call is between 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
Ms. Barbara Barnes Room G-3
1.
COURSE
CONTENT
This
course will address the following State of
WORD ANALYSIS
3.1.6 Use
sentence and word context to find the meaning of unknown words.
4.1.6 Distinguish and interpret words with multiple
meanings.
2.1.8 Use knowledge of individual words in unknown
compound words to predict their meaning.
READING
COMPREHENSION
3.2.1 Use titles, tables of contents, chapter
headings, glossaries and indexes to locate information in text.
4.2.1 Identify structural patterns found in
informational text (e.g., compare and contrast, cause and effect, sequential
or chronological order, proposition and support)
to strengthen comprehension.
4.2.3 Make and confirm predictions about text
by using prior knowledge and ideas presented in the text itself, including illustrations,
titles, topic sentences, important words, and foreshadowing clues.
3.2.2 Ask questions and support answers by connecting
prior knowledge with literal information found in, and inferred from, the text.
3.2.3 Demonstrate
comprehension by identifying answers in the text.
3.2.4 Recall
major points in the text and make and modify predictions and forthcoming
information.
3.2.7 Follow simple multiple-step written
instructions (e.g., how to assemble a product or play a board game).
WRITING STRATEGIES
3.1.1 Create a single paragraph:
a. Develop a topic sentence b. Include
simple supporting facts and details.
3.1.3 Understand the structure and organization of various reference
materials (e.g. dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, encyclopedia).
4.15 Quote or paraphrase information sources, citing them
appropriately.
LITERARY RESPONSE
4.3.2 Identify
the main events of the plot, their causes, and the influence of each event of future actions.
3.3.3 Determine
what characters are like by what they say or do and by how the author or
illustrator portrays them.
4.3.3 Use
knowledge of the situation and setting and of a character’s traits and
motivations to determine the causes of
the character’s actions.
3.3.4 Determine
the underlying theme or author’s message in fiction and nonfiction text.
5.3.4 Understand
the theme refers to the meaning or moral or a selection and recognize themes
(whether implied or
stated directly) in sample words.
WRITING CONVENTIONS
3.1.5 Punctuate dates, city and state, and titles of books correctly.
3.1.6 Use commas in dates, locations, and addresses and for items in a
series.
3.1.7 Capitalize
geographical names, holiday, historical periods, and special events correctly.
4.1.4 Use parentheses, commas in direct quotations, and apostrophes in
the possessive case of nouns and in
contractions.
4.1.5 Use
underlining, quotation marks, or italics to identify title of documents.
4.1.6 Capitalize names of magazines, newspapers, works of art, musical
compositions, organizations, and the first word in quotations when appropriate.
Beginning
with the class of 2006, public high school students will be expected to pass
the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) in order to receive a high school
diploma. The language arts portion of
this exam covers vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Because this test is very difficult,
especially for learning disabled students, this course was specifically
developed to provide standards-based instruction in the skills and knowledge
required to pass the CAHSEE.
Acquiring
the necessary skills to pass the CAHSEE will require determination, good
behavior and work habits. In an effort
to reward students, two motivational programs were created:
1) Participation points – Daily, students have an
opportunity to participate in review activities and earn points. These points are used to buy pens/pencils,
snacks, sodas, or homework passes.
2) Vacation Day – Every other Friday, students who have
completed all their assignments will earn a “vacation day.” This is work-free day and eligible students
may choose to watch a PG-13 rated movie or play a board game. All other students will be expected to
complete extra credit assignments.
** Note: If you do not wish you son or daughter to
watch a PG-13 movie,
please notify me.
2. REQUIRED SUPPLIES: 1)
Pen or pencil
2)
3-Ring Notebook
3)
Lined Paper
3. GRADING SYSTEM
A =
100% to 88% Grades are posted on a biweekly basis.
B = 87% to 78% It is the student’s responsibility to
C = 77%
to 68% make-up
any missed assignments.
D = 67%
to 58%
F
= Fail
4. HOMEWORK POLICY
The purpose of homework is to review and reinforce
information that has been covered in
class and is considered an important part of this course. Homework is
assigned at least two times per
week. Also, any work that is not
completed in class becomes homework. All
homework assignments are due the next day.
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
5. ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY
Attendance
is critical and is directly related to a student’s success.
REMINDER:
PLEASE NOTE:
It is our goal as a school
community that our students value and demonstrate the life skills of
punctuality and responsibility in their daily schedule. Therefore, classroom doors are closed when
the bell rings and students are only
admitted after they have reported to the attendance
window and received a pass.
6. MAKE-UP POLICY
In accordance with District policy, students will be
allowed to complete assignments missed from an excused absence. For example, if a student is sick one (1)
day, they will be given one (1) additional day to complete any missing work. If a student is suspended from this class or school, the student is still
responsible to complete all missed assignments.
In addition, it is always the
student’s responsibility to request missing work.
7. BEHAVIOR
My goal is to provide each student an opportunity for personal and
academic growth. I have three basic
rules:
#1 - Come to class prepared to
work.
Consequence: If a student comes to class without a pen or
pencil
they
may purchase one using their participation points. It is not acceptable to borrow
from a classmate.
#2 - Do not interfere with your classmates’ opportunity to learn.
Consequence:
¨The inappropriate behavior
will be identified and student’s name is written on the
board.
¨ Student earns 2 more (√)s = lunch detention.
¨ Failure to show for
detention = (2) lunch detentions through the Assistant
Principal’s (A/P)
office.
¨ Non-attendance = Sat.
school.
¨ Non attendance of the
#3 - Refrain from using vulgar language
Consequence: See above
If a student is severely
disruptive (vulgar gestures, violent, or defiant) the student can expect to
be sent to the Assistant Principal's office immediately.
Your
signature below confirms that you have read and understood the information
presented in this course orientation.
Should you have any concerns regarding the requirements of this course,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Student name SDC English 9/Barnes
Parent signature Daytime Phone #
Your
signature below confirms that you have read and understood the information
presented in this course orientation.
Should you have any concerns regarding the requirements of this course,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Student name SDC English 9/Barnes
Parent signature Daytime Phone #
Your
signature below confirms that you have read and understood the information
presented in this course orientation.
Should you have any concerns regarding the requirements of this course,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Student name SDC
English 9/Barnes
Parent signature Daytime Phone #
Your
signature below confirms that you have read and understood the information
presented in this course orientation.
Should you have any concerns regarding the requirements of this course,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Student name SDC English 9/Barnes
Parent signature Daytime Phone #