9th Grade English

2016 - 2017 Syllabus

Class Materials:

Contact Ms. Stewart:

1 www.msastewart.weebly.com
2 adellea@bostonpublicschools.org
3 Office Hours Tuesdays 2:30 3:30 pm

1 Binder

Pens & Pencils

Binder will be organized

in this order:
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Grammar
4. Vocabulary
5. Reference Section

Composition
Notebooks

Classroom Expectations

Grades

Students Will Become Thoughtful Leaders

Academically
Honest

Follow instructions the first

time
Sit up and be prepared to
work
Participate in class
discussions

Do your own work and take

pride in it
Ask for help if needed
Do not plagiarize

Thoughtful Leadership embodies the expectations above by encouraging

students to Lead By Example. While we will explore literature this
year, we will also explore the idea of Thoughtful Leadership which is
respectful, empathetic, curious, brave, hard-working, ethical,
persistent, and engaged.

We will study how others have taken on Thoughtful Leadership

throughout the year as well as how we see ourselves as leaders.

Consequences will be given when a student earns one.

Consequences will include verbal and written warnings. If the behavior
continues, you may earn a detention or other disciplinary action.

25

25

10

10

Participation

Engaged

30

Homework

Arrive on time, with materials

Put away electronics or other
distractions
Careful with classroom
technology

Classwork

Use appropriate, positive

language
Think of others before you act
Expect the best of each other

Projects & Papers

Responsible

Tests & Quizzes

Respectful

Grades are based on a

combination of classwork,
participation, homework, tests,
quizzes, and projects.
Grades will be available on
Aspen. Please check Aspen
regularly, and feel free to ask
me any questions that you
might have about a particular
grade. This can be done before
or after class or via e-mail.

Content & Curriculum

As students move into high school, the content and curriculum becomes more
rigorous. Students will be exploring new topics at much deeper levels than
before. Teachers have chosen material with the purpose of expanding student
understanding of history, the world, and their place within it. As part of this
exploration, students may encounter sensitive topics and language that will be
discussed with appropriate seriousness in the class. Please be aware that this
content may be covered in class and that students are expected to behave
respectfully regarding this material both in and outside of the classroom.

Texts Covered in
this Course
The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-time Indian by Sherman
Alexie
Selections of Persepolis by
Marjane Satrapi
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Plagiarism

What It Is & How to Avoid It:

To plagiarize is defined as taking ideas and writings of another and pass them
off as one's own. Students caught plagiarizing will be given a ZERO for the
assignment.

Plagiarism includes...
1. turning in someone else's paper as your own
2. copying a friend's paper 5 minutes before class (or having another teacher

catch you copying in his/her class)

3. failing to cite a source
4. copying an author's exact words and passing them off as your own

Late Work

Twelfth Night by William

Shakespeare

I always accept late work. However, you may receive a

penalty for not turning assignments in on time.

Short Stories by Langston Hughes,

Kate Chopin, Judith Ortiz Cofer,
Julia Alvarez, Amy Tan, Kurt
Vonnegut, Roald Dahl, and others.

If you anticipate a problem meeting a deadline, be sure to

discuss that with me at least 24 hours before the deadline.

Poems by Robert Frost, Dylan

Thomas, Maya Angelou, Raina
Espaillat, Robert Burns, Kwame
Alexander, and others.
I believe in diversity in literature
and hope that this exploration
will help you understand our
world and yourselves.
Throughout this study we will
gain valuable reading and writing
skills using fiction, non-fiction,
short stories, poetry, and
graphic novels.

Absentee Policy
YES! WE DID SOMETHING IMPORTANT WHILE YOU WERE ABSENT
It is your responsibility to check the What Did I Miss bin on the day
you return to class to find out what you missed.
Check in with classmates to fill in the blanks and then speak with me.
You have one day for each day you missed to turn in your work.

Technology in Our Classroom

Students will use Chromebooks, specifically Google
Documents, Google Classroom, and Weebly, on a regular basis.
Technology is meant for academic use only. It is a privilege to
have access to this technology. If students cannot use these
materials respectfully, they can lose this privilege.

Course Syllabus Agreement

Due Tuesday, September 13, 2016
I, _______________________________________________________, have read and fully understand the class
(Please print parent/guardian name)

requirements and expectations given in this syllabus. I have discussed this with my student and I
support these policies.

____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

Date

I, ________________________________________________________, have read and fully understand the class

(Please print student name)

requirements and expectations given in this syllabus. . I am prepared to follow these rules and
policies.

____________________________________________________
Student Signature

Parent & Guardian Survey

Date

(Please, continue your answers on the back if needed.)

Caregiver Names: ______________________________________________________________________________

Preferred Name: __________________________________ Relationship to Student: _____________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Preferred Method of Contact (please mark all that apply):
____ Email My email address is: _______________________________________________________________
____ A Phone Call You can best reach me at: _________________________________________________
____ Texting this number is okay
____ Texting this number is preferred
____ A Note Home with Student
Best Time to Reach You: _____________________________________________________________
Languages Spoken At Home: ________________________________________________________
What are your goals for your child this year? _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are some of your childs interests? _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is his or her strengths? _____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anything else I should know? (Allergies? Habits? Questions?) _____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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