•  English 9A Syllabus

     Blaine High School

     

    Instructor: Meckenna Woetzel

    Email : meckenna.woetzel@ahschools.us                                 

            

    Purpose: The purpose of this course is to help you expand your critical literacy, develop higher-level thinking, and enhance reading skills. We will read both fiction and nonfiction: analyzing and responding to literature, examining and dissecting nonfiction texts, and exploring essential literary terms. We will also explore different facets of media literacy and examine our own use of media. You will be challenged as a reader, writer, communicator, listener, and thinker. This course is required for graduation.

     

    Grading Scale           Grading Breakdown

    93%-100% = A          73% - 76% = C

    90% - 92% = A-         70% - 72% = C-

    87% - 89% = B+        67% - 69% = D+

    83% - 86% = B          63% - 66% = D

    80% - 82% = B-         60% - 62% = D-

    77% - 79% = C+        below 60% = F

     

    30% Reading & Responding to Literature

    30% Reading & Responding to Informational Text

    20% Inferences  

    10% Independent Reading

    10% Common Summative Assessment  

    English 9A Course Content

    Holt’s Elements of Literature Anthology, Third Course

    Choice Novel: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson  

    Additional Texts:  Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction Articles, Film/TV, Etc.

    Recommended Class Materials:

    English 9A Notebook Writing Utensils (pen and pencil)

    English 9A Folder Independent Reading Book

    Due Dates/Deadlines

    There will be due dates (when an assignment is due) and deadlines (the last day a student may submit work for credit on a given assignment). These due dates and deadlines are crucial to students meeting course expectations and to ensure learning in each area of focus for the course.

    Late, Missing, and Incomplete Work

    It is important that work be done on time and to the best of your ability. Please communicate with me should you fall behind or need additional assistance. Learn to be a self-advocate and speak with me before an assignment is due. I am much more understanding if you talk with me regarding an assignment before the day it is due. Any assignment handed in over ten class periods from the due date will receive no credit until a conversation with your teacher has been initiated.

    Academic Honesty Policy

    In this English class, all students are responsible for maintaining academic honesty in all of their work according to guidelines provided in the BHS English Department Academic Honesty Policy. Cheating and plagiarism, even if it is unintentional, comes with serious consequences. In this class you will be given the instruction and resources needed to maintain your academic honesty. If students cheat or plagiarize, a series of mandatory interventions will occur according to the policy.

    Independent Reading

    All students should bring a choice text to class on designated Independent Reading days. At the start of the trimester, students will conduct book searches and create an Independent Reading Proposal in an attempt to find a book that interests them. Independent Reading will usually take place on Fridays for 20-30 minutes. Students will be expected to complete a short reading log summarizing what they have read at the end of each class period.

    Writing Lab

    For students who are struggling or simply want extra help with their writing, the Writing Lab is available in room 157 (located in the Language Arts Resource Center) after school on designated days. English teachers will be available from 2:30-4:00 pm to assist students with any type of writing assignment, regardless of course (e.g. papers from other classes, college entrance essays, ACT help, etc.).

    Bengal Junction

    The Bengal Junction Peer Tutoring Program serves all Blaine students who may need academic support or a place to do their homework.  The tutoring portion of the program runs Monday through Thursday after school from 2:30 to 4:00 in the SSRC. Following the tutoring portion, there are fun activities for students to participate in such as bingo, crafts, and board games. The activity bus is available to students after Bengal Junction time.

    Connect to Anoka Hennepin

    Grades will be posted on A-H Connect. You can access student grades on A-H Connect through the School District home page:  www.anoka.k12.mn.us.  Our grading system, Synergy, is online and accessible. Students have access to this information through their district account on AHAPPS.

    Hot Spots/Internet Access

    There will be times when students will need to access the internet outside of class to complete course work. If you do not have reliable internet access or need access to the internet, BHS offers hot spots (mobile wifi) to students to check-out in the IMC.

    Safe Zone

    This classroom is a safe zone. Regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, you will be treated and respected as a human being. Ignorance, bigotry, and harassment will not be tolerated.

    Personal Devices

    Typically every student has a cell phone that they keep with them. While in my class that cell phone is to be tucked away in a backpack or a pocket unless the device is being utilized for an educational purpose (or during a ‘brain break’). I will be very clear about when a device is permitted.  However, if the student chooses to use the cell phone instead of working on class assignments, I will confiscate the phone and return it after class is over. If it is a repeated issue the phone will be handed over to administration and will be returned when a parent comes to the school to retrieve it. Parents should be aware of the class schedule so that you can refrain from texting your student while they are in class working.

    Preparation/Classroom Expectations: Come to class on time (the tardy policy will be enforced) and be ready to learn, if you need to use the restroom do it before you come to class, before passing time. Have all your materials with you each day including books, notebooks and proper writing utensils when you arrive to class. Keep your personal belongings under chairs or desks.  All aisles need to be kept clear of personal belongings.  NO BATHROOM passes the first five minutes of class, during reading/journal time or the last five minutes of class.

    Tardiness/Truancy

    It is very important to be in class on time as we have limited time each day. For this reason, any student not in the classroom when the bell rings will be marked tardy. Blaine High School has a strict tardy and truancy policy. It is your responsibility to know this according to the student handbook guidelines.

    Lunch Time

    Our Lunch Time on Monday, Thursday and Friday is from 12:19-12:48. The expectation is that you are back in the classroom by 12:48 or you may be marked tardy. Don’t be tardy.

    Our Lunch Time on Tuesday and Thursday is from 12:32-1:00. The expectation is that you are back in the classroom by 1:00 or you may be marked tardy. Don’t be tardy.

    Absences

    Students are responsible for any work missed the day of an absence. Please follow the steps below to assist in getting caught up in class:

    Ask a fellow classmate or consult Google Classroom for what you missed.

    Check the class crate for handouts, copy notes from a classmate, or find any missing items on Google Classroom.

    If you have done these steps and still have questions, see me.