Kamehameha Secondary School
English Department
Course Summary for English Nine
Ms. Teruya
Email: [email protected]
Keoua 101; x77348
SCHOOL YEAR: 2013-2014
Overview
Welcome to the 9th grade and to your first high school English class! English 9
serves as an introduction to higher level English with a focus on Pacific and World
Literature. Using the theme of “the Voyage” to guide us, we will focus heavily on the
connection between literature and identity. By exploring a variety of literature
selections, students will improve their reading skills and comprehension, increase
vocabulary, review capitalization and punctuation, and learn the fundamentals of
literary analysis. Reading selections will include fiction, non-fiction articles, poetry,
and drama. Students will also employ their creative, analytical, and research skills in
various compositions, with special emphasis on the essay of classification and the
essay of illustration. This syllabus contains further information about some of the
texts we will be reading, classroom norms or expectations, grading policies, and late
work policies.
COURSE GOALS
Reading
You will:
- read a variety of literary selections by men and women writers from different cultures and
different time periods.
- note recurring universal themes in assigned literary selections, especially the idea of “the
Journey” or “the Voyage”
- employ pre-reading techniques to enhance your interest in and personal association with
the subject matter.
- learn reading skills appropriate for locating specific information and critical evaluation.
- recognize and explain the significance of figurative language.
- expand your vocabulary through extensive reading and assigned word study which
stresses synonyms, antonyms, word analogies, and usage.
Writing
You will:
- use the Writing Process (pre-writing, composing, revising) with special emphasis on
experimenting with various pre-writing techniques (brainstorming, idea clustering, free
writing, etc.) before starting a focused piece of writing.
- produce three-part essays which introduce a thesis, offer well-developed support for that
thesis, and conclude in an appropriate manner.
- learn and apply the components of the essay of classification and the essay of illustration.
- utilize sound writing skills on study questions and tests, such as wording the first
sentence of answers so the reader knows the question asked.
- review and apply the rules of capitalization and punctuation in all writings.
Research Skills
You will:
- use the computer/bibliographies to locate appropriate materials on an assigned and/or
voluntary basis.
- when necessary or required, gather information on note cards and document its source
using proper bibliographic format.
Course Texts
We will be reading several kinds of texts from around the world, across the nation,
to right here in Hawai’i, some of which include:
Written in the Sky by Matthew Kaopio
House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Ko’olau the Leper by Herman Melville & The True Story of Kaluaiko’olau
told by Pi’ilani Kaluaiko’olau, translated by Frances N. Frazier
The Odyssey by Homer
The Wind Gourd of La’amaomao by Moses K. Nakuina
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
Class sets of most of these texts will be provided. However, as students will be
expected to annotate these texts (with post-its), they may want to purchase their
own copies so they can write directly on the text. Estimated cost of the entire set of
texts is around $50.00.
Course Materials Cont.
Along with the above books, you will need to purchase the following materials and bring them to
class every day:
•
•
•
Either a 1 ½ inch Binder with college ruled folder paper OR 9x11 lined spiral notebook
with at least 100 sheets FOR THIS CLASS ONLY
Small Post-its
At least one highlighter, one pen (blue or black ink), and one pencil
Also suggested are:
• A large eraser
• Additional folder paper
• Colored pencils or small markers
• A small flash drive
General Expectations
Room Policies:
•
Above all else, hō’ihi, respect. Respect your classmates and their ideas, me as your kumu,
our time together, and the materials in our classroom. We will discuss what that means
and looks like further in class.
•
Cell phones are to be TURNED OFF or SILENCED (not vibrate, silenced) and stowed
away before you enter the room. Cell phones that ring in class or are taken out during
class will result in a warning for a 1st infraction and confiscation for any further
infractions.
•
MP3 & iPods should also be turned off and earphones should be OUT of your ears (and
around your ears does not count as out) when you enter the classroom.
•
Food & Drink IS ALLOWED! We all get hungry and thirsty so if you need to eat or
drink, you are free to do so. However, if your snacking becomes a distraction or leaves
behind trails that either ants or I have to clean up, you will risk losing the privilege for
your entire class. Use it responsibly.
•
Though I understand that emergencies happen, our classroom time is very valuable and
routine bathroom breaks during class cut into that time. You will receive two bathroom
passes at the beginning of the year so please use them wisely.
Email:
Students must check their school email accounts on a regular (at least daily) basis as
reminders, announcements, and class follow-ups may all arrive via email. Email is also the easiest
way to contact me, though students are reminded to respect the privacy of their teacher and fellow
students by not forwarding chain letters and “spam” unless the individual receiving the email has
granted permission. When sending any time-sensitive information via email, please make
sure you cc yourself or save a copy of the email, in case it does not reach me for some
reason.
Assignments & Late Policy:
Writing assignments must be typed in 12-point standard font (Times New Roman,
Cambria, Calibri) and double-spaced on white paper. Handwritten work must be legible.
Submitted work that is not properly labeled nor formatted will not be graded until resubmitted
properly.
Complete your work BY the given due dates at the BEGINNING of the class period.
However, because I understand that life happens, students will receive two late passes at the
beginning of the semester and can earn more based on class participation and study help
attendance. Late work without a late pass will not be accepted.
Absences:
The responsibility of submitting late work due to absences falls upon you. Any missed
work (including tests, quizzes, and projects) due on the day you missed is due the day you return.
For work assigned on the day(s) of your absence, you will have one day for each day out to
make up the work (two days out = two days to submit work). A signed Re-Admit Slip is
mandatory to submit work upon your return.
Temporarily checking yourself into Hale Ola does not excuse you if a test or assignment
is due and you are expected to make it up/turn it in during lunch, a free period, or study help, by
the end of that day.
For scheduled absences (such as for field trips), any assignments or tests are to be
completed prior to the absence (unless determined otherwise between student and teacher).
Plagiarism:
Using the ideas and/or work of another while calling it your own is considered
plagiarism, a serious offense. Any evidence of a student committing plagiarism will be forwarded
to the Unit Office and said student will be subject to discipline according to the Student/Parent
Handbook and the discretion of the Unit Vice Principal.
Grading Policies
Components of Grades:
1st Qtr (40%) + 2nd Qtr (40%) + Sem. Final (20%) = Semester Grade
Grades are determined by a point system, with the number of points earned out of the
total possible number of points producing a percentage and a grade based on the scale below. All
decimals .5 and above will be rounded UP to the nearest whole percentage point (87.5% = 88%,
87.4% = 87%).
Assignments will mainly focus on speaking and listening skills (such as discussions) and
reading and writing skills (such as essays or reading quizzes), though a portion of your grade will
also be determined by your work habits and class participation. Because much of your grade will
be based on “Mastery” assignments (whether you have mastered the content and skills covered)
you are encouraged to revise and resubmit any previously graded mastery assignment. Essays will
require an additional conference before you are allowed to revise and test or quiz retakes will
involve either a new version or annotated test corrections.
The Grading Scale:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93% - 100%
90% - 92%
87% - 89%
83% - 86%
80% - 82%
77% - 79%
73% - 76%
70% - 72%
67% - 69%
63% - 66%
60% - 62%
0% - 59%
As a point of clarification, a B means that you have met expectations and shown your
proficiency of the material at hand while an A is reserved for those who go above and beyond the
stated expectations or put in additional time and effort to show a complete and in depth mastery.
If you are receiving a D+ or below, please come see me during for extra study help
before, during, or after school, preferably by setting up an appointment with me in advance.
You or your parents can email me at any time at [email protected] concerning any of
these policies, questions on assignments or your grades, or to set up an appointment time.
Please fill in the appropriate information below to acknowledge that you have reviewed and
understand this course summary and to provide best contact information.
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