Syllabus

English / 9R

2009-2010

Mrs. Schombs

Email: gschombs@k12mcsd.net

Web page: http://teacherweb.com/NY/MonticelloHighSchool/MrsSchombs/

Course Overview:

• The purpose of this course is to learn to read and write more effectively.
• We will be examining the differences and similarities of short stories, novels, dramas, poetry, and essays.
• This year, writing is of the essence. We will be starting with the writing tricks and then learning to identify and use them.
• Quarterly Projects will be ongoing.

Required Materials:

• A 1", 3 ring binder with loose-leaf paper, divided into three sections.

(Literature, Literary Terms, Notes)

• One marbled composition book or a single subject spiral notebook.
• Pens: black or blue (no exotic colors, please) and pencils.

Classroom Policy:

"I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Voltaire

• Class will begin on time.

• Classroom participation is mandatory. Your participation, both in large and small groups, is of the utmost importance to your Effort and Participation Grade, which is worth 20% of your grade.
• In order to grasp the issues in this course, you need to be both an active participant and listener and be willing to offer your opinion, as well as Respect the Opinion of Others. Respect in class is extremely important ! You must respect your classmates, yourself, and your instructor.
• You may not go to the HUB without a pass ! You may not leave the HUB without a pass -there is no exception to this rule. Do not attempt to go in-between bells.
• You may not leave the class without permission, except in the case of an emergency.

Code of Conduct:

"You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit." Demosthenes

Every student in my classroom deserves to learn in a happy and safe environment.  

I will encourage students to follow the following rules that will promote a respectful climate beneficial to learning.  

+         I will be Respectful and Responsible at all times.

+         I will do nothing to prevent the teacher from teaching and anyone, myself included, from participating in educational endeavors.

+         I will respect all others and myself.  

Attendance Policy:

+         If you are absent (music lessons and trips included) it is your responsibility to make up all missed work

+         If you are absent from a test, you must come to me and arrange to take it at another time.  For each day you are absent, you will have an extra day to reschedule your missed test or paper due date.

Extra Help:

I am available to provide extra assistance.  Please see me and we will arrange a convenient time for tutoring / help.

Grading Policy:

+         I don't give grades you earn them.

+         Grades are earned as follows:

         Quizzes / Essays /Tests / Projects are graded on a point system which varies for each assignment.                 

         Homework  is scored at 100 points

         Class Participation varies: if we are reading in class, you will receive daily points; if we are sharing our class

         writing you are expected to participate to earn the points needed for each presentation and / or project.

Late Work:

Late work is accepted BUT 10 points are lost for each class that an assignment is late.  Assignments handed in more than four (4) classes late will receive a grade no higher than 50.

Tests:

• Tests may consist of:
1. Multiple choice questions
2. Short answer responses
3. Essays
4. Art work
5. N.Y.S. Regents writing tasks
6. Presentations

Readings:

Primary Texts:

The Odyssey, Homer -excerpts

The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare

The Pearl, John Steinbeck

*We will also be reading a variety of short stories, poems, novel excerpts, essays, and letters.

I may add to or omit any of the above literature during the course of the year.

Essays / Papers:

"What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure." Samuel Johnson

Great writers don't get it right the first time they revise! You will be writing at least two drafts of every paper. Revising doesn't just mean making grammatical or spelling corrections; it may require you to do some substantial rewriting. Every time you turn in a paper, you must have all of your drafts and all feedback, either peer or my own, attached in order to receive full credit.

• All formal papers should be typed. All papers should be double spaced, numbers in the upper right corner, in 12pt font, Times New Roman, in black only.
• If you use any outside research sources, they must be cited according to the MLA format (we'll review this in class and you can get top-rate help from our librarian). Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism and will result in a zero grade.