Camellia Staab
English 9
[email protected]
Students (and Parents),
Welcome to 9th grade English! I’m happy to have you in my class this year. In this class we
will study novels, short stories, poetry, grammar, and vocabulary. The work will be intense at
times, but I know that you can do it. I have high expectations for your success in my class. It is
important that you understand that it is your responsibility to get your work finished on time. I
expect you to find a way to make that happen. For example, don’t come to me at the end of a
long project and say that your printer is out of ink; instead, develop a “NO EXCUSES” attitude.
During the semester, you will be expected to interact with me and your fellow classmates
using various technologies. If you do not have Internet service, there will be several projects for
which you will need to make arrangements to use the Internet perhaps through a friend, family
member, or the library. I want you to be motivated learners. Reading and language may not be
your favorite subjects, but in most jobs, one needs to write clearly and read instructions,
manuals, and other papers. It is my goal to help you become great writers and readers. You will
have opportunities to read self-selected and required materials, and you’ll be writing for different
audiences. This is YOUR education; make the best of it! Your parents and I can only give you the
tools to make that process better. Please feel free to contact me via email any time, and keep
track of your assignments through my website. You can access the website through the Lanphier
High School homepage http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/lanphier/ Click on Teacher, and
find Camellia Staab. Please use this resource.
Class Rules:
All school rules and policies apply in this class.
Be respectful to others’ property, beliefs, ideas and opinions, and right to learn. I will
respect you, so please respect me by (1) doing what I ask, (2) keeping the room neat, and (3)
being an attentive listener.
Be honest—always show me that I can trust you. Lying, cheating, and plagiarism will not be
tolerated in this classroom. Any work that is found to contain cheating and/or plagiarism
will receive an F grade that cannot be made up.
Be an active participant. This is a class that demands participation in many ways, i.e., group
projects, presentations, class discussions, etc. Bring your brain every day, and be prepared
to use it.
No swearing, obscene language, crude gestures, rude comments, teasing, bullying, or
putdowns.
Expectations:
All work handed in will be quality work. This means that papers will be typed (or neatly
handwritten in blue or black ink if I have given you that option). Presentation is very
important—assignments should be clean, legible, and free of rips, doodles, and wrinkles.
You are responsible for your own behavior, words, and actions. Please think before you
speak, act, and write.
Be prepared each day with your notebook, a reading book, pen (pencil), and loose-leaf
paper.
Start of Class:
You are responsible to be in your seat with correct supplies for the day.
Assignment will be on the board.
Begin work immediately on the "Bellwork". It is your responsibility to read the board when
you enter the classroom. BUT please do not ask me what something written on the board
means. I promise I will explain everything at the start of class.
You will have approximately 10 minutes to complete the "Bellwork" before we move
mov on. ANY
WORK unfinished is your responsibility to complete.
If you get finished before
re the time is up, you may read,, write in your reading response
journal or work on other Language Arts assignments. DO NOT be distracting when you are
finished.
Daily Materials to Bring to Class
Class:
Spiral notebook (cannot
not be shared with other classes)
2 pocket folder
older to put papers in
Plenty of loose-leaf
leaf paper (please, no paper with ripped edges, i.e., spiral bound)
A blue or black pen and/or a sharpened pencil
Highlighters (2 different colors)
Necessary books ( novel, textbook, etc.)
Grades
Students earn their grades based on the criteria of each task. Students should do their best on
every assignment, test, and paper regardless of its point value. Homework assignments,
a
free
writing, in-class
class activities, note taking, and quizzes help the students attain, assemble, and
organize the skills and information they will use for later assignments such as papers,
presentations, group projects, and final exams
exams. The grades you will receive in class are based the
following categories:
Participation
Performance
Progress
Tardies and Absences:
Tardy students disrupt their peers and inhibit their own opportunity to learn. I will mark students
tardy who are not in theirr seats working at the beginning of class
class.. Tardy students should enter
quietly and not interrupt the class. You must have a note from the office or my prior permission in
order to enter the class late.
Students who have been absent are responsible for acquiring class information and make-up
make
work.
I have a web page where I post all the weekly assignments
assignments. All handout for the week are also
posted. Extra handouts and assignments for each day will be in the folder at the front table of our
room.. Any notes missed can be copied from another student. Students who have missed a great
deal of school should set up an appointment with me to obtain further assistance. Work that was
due while a student was absent is d
due
ue when they return. Students must turn in make-up
make
work by
the beginning of the next class period following their return if they do not want it counted as late.
For full credit, students must make up missed tests within two days following their return to
school
Nothing can substitute for attendance. Be here!
Late Work Policy:
All work is due at the time that I call for it. It is your responsibility to get your long-term projects
here on time, regardless of your presence at school. Work from unexcused absences or suspension
can be made up but will not receive the full credit.
Course of Study:
All students will read and interact with a variety of text-- both fiction and non-fiction and learn to
identify specific literary elements in the works. All students will also read at least one novel
outside of class for each nine weeks grading period. Students will have vocabulary terms each
week and are encouraged to utilized the terms on a daily basis orally as well as in written work.
Students will also be writing essays both in class and as outside assignments. Plagiarism on any
assignment results in a zero for that assignment.
THE LITERATURE BOOK’S ONLINE ACCESS CODE IS LOCATED ON MY WEBSITE!
Major Works for English 9 (other works may also be added)
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Odyssey (selections)
Romeo and Juliet
Of Mice and Men
Contact Information:
Please feel free to contact me about the curriculum or any other class-related matter. I believe
in openly communicating with all students, parents, and guardians.
Email: [email protected]
Web page: http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/teachers/cstaab/?b=51
Phone: 217-525-3080
I am available in room 211 for parent and student conferencing after school by appointment. If
this time will not work for you, please contact me to arrange a separate time. I reserve the right
to change class policies should it prove necessary to meet the needs of the students. Students,
parents, and guardians will be notified of any changes. I am confident that if we work together as
a team, every student can succeed.
Mrs. Staab's Wish List:
€ Kleenex
€ GermX
After reading through this document, please complete the form on this page, date it, sign it, and return
just this page to Mrs. Staab.
Thank you,
Mrs. Camellia Staab
Acknowledgement for Mrs. Staab’s Ninth Grade English Class
Student’s name_____________________________________________ Class period_________________
Address _____________________________________________ Home phone______________________
Parents’ / Guardians’ full names:
Work/Cell phone:
_______________________________________________
________________________________
_______________________________________________
________________________________
Best times to call at work or at home: ______________________________________________________
Email addresses ____________________________________ / _________________________________
Special concerns ______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read and understand Mrs. Staab’s Disclosure Document for English 9.
Student’s signature____________________________________________ Date_____________________
Parent’s or Guardian’s signature_________________________________ Date_____________________
IN A MILLION WORDS OR LESS…PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR STUDENT
Dear parents/guardians,
I am so excited for this new school year, and the opportunity to be your child’s English teacher.
Our freshman curriculum is based on various genres such as poetry, novels, drama, the epic and
short stories. I offer a balanced cu
curriculum
rriculum where the students will write as much as they read.
Your student will also participate in literature circles and writer’s workshops in my class. My goal
for my students this year is to help them gain confidence and strategies for success in both writing
and reading. The more I know the students, the better I’ll be able to help them get just the
assistance they need this year.
In light of these facts, I would like to ask you to write a quick note and tell me about your student.
The concept behind this is simple—
—you
you know more about your child than I do! It often takes me a
month or more to really get to know my students, and some I never know as well as I’d like. The
person who knows your child best is…YOU! This year, I am going directly to the source.
sour
Rest assured, I will be reading each and every note and will use the knowledge you so generously
bestow on me to strengthen the education your child receives from me this year. However, I would
also like you to know that I value you and you
your child’s privacy
rivacy and will not share the notes
without your express permission.
Please feel free to take some time in completing your note,, but I would like to have it as soon as
possible, obviously. I will take them at any point that you can send them in. Feel free to send it in
with your student attached to this paper or email it to me at [email protected]
sps186.org
Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to do this for your student and me. I look forward to a
great year with your child.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Staab