English I (112)

Mrs. Harris

Room 203

Email:  mharris@rdhs.org

 

Course Content:  This course will further develop skills in the areas of reading, writing, and critical thinking.  The literary genres that will be covered include short stories, novels, drama, mythology, poetry and nonfiction.  Throughout the course of the year we will focus on sentence structure, paragraph construction, essay test writing, the three paragraph essay with a progression into the five paragraph essay, and an introduction to research writing.  In addition, you will learn the proper way to integrate MLA guidelines into your writing so that all of your work is in the proper format.  (*Note:  this is a format that you will be required to use throughout your four years at RDHS and quite possibly in whichever institutions of higher learning you may choose to attend.)  You will complete many assignments at home on your own computer, but you will also be expected to produce grammatically correct hand-written assignments (in-class essays).     

Theme:  Throughout the course of the year, our theme will be “Reverence for Life”.  What does it mean?  What are our responsibilities as human beings on this earth?  How does our awareness of others affect the world in which we live?  How can we apply a “reverence for life” to the choices we make each and every day?  How do these choices affect our role in the community of Regina Dominican as well as in the global community? What (if anything) does a “reverence for life” have to do with culture and society?  I ask that you think about these questions as we approach each of our literary units this year.

Required Texts:

Prentice Hall Literature Grade Nine (provided by RDHS)

Inside the Walls of Troy

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl

A Christmas Carol

Ellen Foster

The Bedford Handbook

 

Required Materials:

Pens

One spiral notebook for English ONLY

Folder or binder

 

Expectations:

I expect you to be prepared for class each day and to put forth your best effort.  In return, I pledge to put forth my best effort.  In addition, I expect you to maintain an attitude of respect for your peers, yourself, and myself at all times.

 

 

 

 

Classroom Policies and Procedures

 

Beginning of Class:  I expect you to be in your seat and to have your materials out on your desk WHEN THE BELLS RINGS.  You should not be talking to friends in the hall or working on an assignment for another class, as it is imperative that we make the most of our time together.  When the bell rings at the end of class, please make sure that your desk is back in the proper row and that your chair is pushed in before you leave.

 

Homework:  As stated above, I expect you to come prepared for class each day; this includes having completed homework PRIOR to the beginning of class.  Some assignments will be collected while others will be checked for completion and discussed as a group.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed, either from myself or from a classmate.  I am always available via email, and I strongly suggest checking in with me if you are sick, particularly if you are going to miss more than one class.  If you are sick, you will have  one day for each day you were absent to make up any assignments or tests.  Late homework that is not due to absence will be marked down a number of points for each day it is late.

 

Plagiarism: Cheating or plagiarism on an assignment will result in a “0” on that assignment for all involved.  The work may not be made up, and the dean of students will be notified.  Moderators of honor societies will also be notified, and a report will be placed in your school file.

 

Standards for Written Work:  All work should be neat and legible with your name, my name, the class (English 112), and the date in the upper left-hand corner.  If  I ask that an assignment be typed, you will lose points if you turn it in hand-written.  The computers in the CRC and library are available for your use both before and after school.

 

Class Participation: A large portion of your grade will be based on class participation.  The following things will help you earn full credit:  be on time, have all of your materials and texts with you, participate in discussion, and turn your homework in on time.  If you do not REGULARLY participate in class discussions, your grade will suffer.  This includes not only contributing to discussions but also being an active listener when others are sharing their thoughts and ideas.

 

Class Rules:  In addition to the school rules, I ask that you

 

1.       Be respectful (of everyone)

2.      Be prepared

3.      Be polite

4.      Be on time

 

*If at any point throughout the year you feel that you need extra help or guidance, please feel free to email me or see me before/after school.  I am at school by 7:30 every morning and am in the building until at least 3:30 every day after school and would be more than happy to meet with you.  I am looking forward to a fun and productive year with you!