Welcome to Mrs. Smith's English 9!

 English isn't boring! Think of cartoons, e-mailing, jokes, tongue twisters, word puzzles, and riddles. They all use English. However, to have fun with language we need to know a few things:  grammar, parts of speech, punctuation, and  spelling. Then those skills can be applied to the good stuff: poems, novels about human nature, barbarism and civilization, scary stories, and plays about love and hate! These are things that we will read about this year. I look forward to working with all of you.

Supplies: Something NEW-ALL students must have a 3 ring binder for Projects...for my class: Pencils, lined paper in a binder or spiral notebook, POCKET FOLDER, text, agenda

THIS YEAR OUR THEME IS Order vs. Chaos!  

Syllabus/Objectives for this course:

1.   The student will read and comprehend a variety of texts:

-decode and develop vocabulary through context clues, inference, connotation, denotation, word origin, draw conclusions, use synthesis, analogies and reference materials.

-read fluently oral readings and presentations.

2. The student will write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes and contents.

-use writing as a tool for various papers such as letters, journals, reports and speeches.

-use writing to generate ideas, drafting, revising, and editing to produce a written text.

-use 6 traits of writing to model effective writing (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, fluency, and conventions).

-use a variety of writing models for different purposes and audiences.

3. The student will apply reading and writing skills to demonstrate learning.

-use ethical and effective research practices.

4. The learner will complete state and local assessments.

-Complete unit assessments

-Complete quarterly assessments

-Complete Maps Reading assessments

-Complete State Assessment

Texts:Prentice Hall English Literature

 Readings from newspapers and magazines

Lord of the Flies, Romeo and Juliette, Frankenstein

1.   Please be on time. When the bell rings, you are to be in your seat, ready to work.  The door will be locked, and if you are late, you must go to the office for an admit to class. Page 16 of your agenda tells you about the detentions and suspensions for tardies.  STAY SEATED UNTIL THE BELL RINGS. Getting out of your seat without permission will result in a detention.

2.   Check the grey board or overhead every day for your bell work. You are to start as soon as the bell rings and work quietly until I call on you. This is part of your grade.

3. Please come prepared with paper, pens, pencils, books, agenda, pocket folder,  3 ring  notebook and homework. We have only 5 minutes passing time, so plan ahead which books you will need!

4. Please do not bring cell-phones, head- phones, palm pilots, ipods, or any other electronic devices to class. You may NOT take phone calls during class. Parents may call the office if they need to speak to you. 913-422-5121. You MAY NOT call anyone during class.

5. Assignments are due on the day that I assign them! I will count off 10% per day for 5 days, and then it is a 0. You can earn an F very quckly if you don't turn your work in! If you have an excused absence, you have two days per day off to complete work.  If you have a problem, see me before or after school, or during project time. 

 6. If you need to use the bathroom,  you MUST have your agenda or the hall pass, and sign out to leave the room.  No more than five passes allowed per quarter; use them carefully!

7. Come to school every day! Attendance makes a difference-plus, I miss you when you are absent! However, if you have been absent with an excused absence, it is your responsibility to come for missing assignments. Please do so!  A few missed assignments can turn an A into an F!  I am here by 7:15a.m., and I will gladly stay late any day except Friday, or you can see me during Projects Time. You have two days for every day absent-BUT if you get in a bind with this come talk to me and I can make out a plan for you. There is no excuse for missed assignments.  Write MAKE-UP WORK on your makeup work-it helps my bookkeeping. I won't take work that is several weeks due, so don't ask! Be timely in your makeup work!

 8. No food in the classroom, and bottled water only.

9. Be polite and respectful to everyone. Good manners count! Remember to use school appropriate language.

 I have read the rules and understand them. I agree tothese simple classroom rules.

Thanks!   Mrs.   Smith