English 9

Mrs. Todd
toddj@clps.k12.mi.us
Description
English 9 will encourage students to strengthen their personal connections with the world through internalized
means of literature and externalized means of writing, while simultaneously expanding their grammar and
vocabulary skills.
Objectives
Students will identify and utilize various themes to connect the literature from class to their own lives and
analyze through their writing.
Students will improve their grammatical knowledge.
Students will add to their vocabulary knowledge.
Students will read and analyze texts from a variety of genres including: short story, non-fiction, poetry, drama,
and science fiction and fantasy.
Students will read and analyze texts by authors of various backgrounds.
Students will develop and compose their own ideas using textual evidence effectively through writing.
Course Methods
Journals
Homework
Group work
Peer Review
Papers
Tests
Presentations
Expectations
Be Respectful
Treat everyone with proper consideration, regardless of whether he/she is in the classroom at the time. Use
respectful language, in writing as well as in discussions. Show respect for your environment by keeping the
classrooms clean and neat.
Be Responsible
Arrive at class on time and with all necessary materials. Complete assignments on time, ask questions when
necessary, and stay aware of deadlines. Be prepared for the start of class each day. Do what is right, regardless
of what everyone else in class is doing.
Be Appropriate
Conduct yourself as a mature, well-mannered young adult. Think before speaking and make sure all
contributions to the class dialogue should be meaningful and pertinent. Take care of personal business when the
time is appropriate. Use your privileges wisely.
Be Involved
Participate to the fullest extent that you can. Stay awake. Take part in discussions. Ask questions. Answer
questions. Stay on task. Take notes. Keep your head up. Do your homework. Use class time efficiently. Listen.
Watch. Participate.
Be Honest

Do your own work. Do not cheat, and do not plagiarize. Do not attempt to sneak around the rules. Avoid
inventing excuses to cover up for your mistakes. Accept consequences for your mistakes, and learn from them.
Resources and Materials
Textbook
Notebook
Pen/pencil
Grades
Always remember: I do not GIVE grades; you EARN them.
In-Class Work
Journal
Homework
Papers
Tests

15%
15%
15%
40%
15%

Grading Scale:
A+
100% - 98%
A
97% - 93%
A92% - 90%
B+
89% - 87%
B
86% - 83%
B82% - 80%
C+
79% - 77%
C
76% - 73%
C72% - 70%
D+
69% - 67%
D
66% - 63%
D62% - 60%
F
Below 60%
Late Policy: Subtract 10 % off initial grade earned per day late. Once assignment is 3 or more days late,
subtract 30 % off initial grade earned.
See example below:
Grade Earned
100 %
100 %
100 %

# Of Days Late
1
2
3 or more

Late Grade
90 %
80 %
70 %

Classroom Cell Phone Policy:

Each student will be assigned a number that corresponds with a cell phone pocket located in the front of the
classroom. Before class begins, students are to place their cell phones in their numbered pocket. Phones are to
remain in their pockets in the front of the room where both teacher and students can see them until class ends or
until the teacher grants students permission to retrieve their cell phones. If students decide to bring their cell
phones to class, they are responsible for their own cell phones, which includes abiding by the classroom cell
phone policy. The teacher and school are not responsible for any damaged or missing cell phones.