Honors English 9 Course SyllabusMr. Mirano 2019-2020

Welcome to UHS. I love teaching freshmen, and I am so excited to have each and every student in my class. I love teaching English because we get to know each other so well through the literature we read and the writing that we will complete. Our freshmen curriculum is rigorous, but there is plenty of room for creativity and fun. There will be times when we have reading and homework every night, and then there will be times when our work remains primarily in-class. When things get tough, please know that I am on your side and I want you to succeed. I know that UHS is quite an adjustment for freshmen, and I want to help make that adjustment a good one. Please talk to me any time you need more help, more time, or more instruction. You are all here for a reason and if you let UHS serve you, the benefits will be astounding.

Now, on to the details: freshman English emphasizes language fluency and surveys literary themes and genres from the history of western civilization. Skills taught include critical reading, analytical writing, expository writing, argumentative writing, personal narrative, imagined narrative, research, grammar, vocabulary development, sentence structure, public speaking, discussions, and preparation for a variety of academic challenges, including standardized tests required for graduation.

Major UnitsSemester 1:

I. Nonfiction—Into the Wild (1996) by Job Krakauer a. Personal Narrative b. Introduction to Rhetoric c. Synthesis

II. Poetry a. Poetry Out Loud (National Recitation Competition) b. Write and analyze poetry

III. Novel Study—Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding OR Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) by Stephen Chbosky & Drama—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare a. Literary Analysis b. Exposition c. Synthesis

IV. Writing Final—Free Response Literary Analysis

Semester 2:V. Mythology—The Odyssey by Homer

a. Archetypes and the Hero’s Journey b. What does it mean to be a hero? c. O Brother Where art Thou? (2000) Directed by The Coen Brothers

VI. Persuasion a. Research Argument

VII. Genre Study—Science Fiction a. 1984 (1948) by George Orwell, Ray Bradbury, and more. b. Fiction Writing—write your own science fiction story

VIII. Writing Final—Free Response Argument

Requirements for Written WorkAll major writing assignments and rough drafts must be typed, unless we begin and complete the assignment in-class. I will not grade handwritten work unless it is an in-class essay or quiz.

Your grade will reflect your mastery over the skills we learn. I have the deepest confidence as your teacher that you can master anything we encounter.

All written assignments (apart from in class writing) both rough drafts and final drafts are to be completed in type, no larger than 12pt. Font, and with your name, my name (Mr. Mirano), the class name (Honors English 9), and date in the upper right hand corner of the first page. MLA format.It is essential that all writing be saved on a hard drive or Google docs and a flash drive throughout the year.

EVALUATIONYour quarterly (9 week) grades will consist of the following:

Projects and Quizzes Best Writings Discussions Other Assessments Writing Final

Your semester (18 week) evaluation will be computed by combining your grades from the first and second quarter of the term with your final exam grade.

Final semester letter grades will be assigned according to the

A 90-100 %B 80-89%C 70-79%D 60-69%F 0-59%

Grading Scale

Classroom Rules Be prepared to

learn. Be respectful at

all times. Be on time. Be on task.

**Cell phones must be turned off and in your backpack at all times. (unless if you are given permission from Mr. Mirano)

Major infractions such as fighting, leaving class without being dismissed,

ConsequencesPositive

Better Grades Personal Pride An effective

learning environment.

Positive call home

Negative Conference with

Mr. Mirano Negative call

home. Referral Detention

“I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime.”

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

MATERIALSStudents are to have in their possession each day the following materials.

Folder Notebook (used only for English class) Blue/black pen or pencil Highlighter Grading Pen Necessary books

Classroom Procedures1.) As soon as you enter class, begin the bellwork. If you are not working on bellwork by the time the final bell rings, you will be marked tardy. 2.) If you are tardy, please make sure you have a pass and that you bring it to me or place it on my desk. 3.) Student participation is essential for an effective learning environment; however, it is important to remember to raise your hand and wait to be called on if you’d like to talk. 4.) When I ask, “Focus up here please,” you are to do the following:

STOP what you are doing LOOK at me so that I know I have your attention LISTEN to what I am saying

5.) If you need to use the restroom, please wait for an appropriate time to ask my permission. I will give you the bathroom pass, and you must have this with you (or a pass) anytime you leave the class. 6.) You are to keep a class notebook. This class notebook should be with you each day in class. I will grade them throughout the year. The class notebook needs to be a composition notebook ONLY for this class. If your notebook is NOT in order when I grade it, you will receive ZERO points for your notebook that day. This is mandatory and will be worth a large amount of points at the end of each semester. 7.) All textbooks are kept in the classroom unless you have checked them out through me. If you fail to bring the book back, you will lose class participation points that day. The student is also financially responsible if the book does not get returned. This also includes any supplementary books assigned that the student must bring to class everyday. **NOTE: you will be given a textbook to keep at home, so chances are you will not need to checkout a textbook. 8.) Only sharpen your pencil at appropriate times. 9.) Turn in all assignments on time. 10.) The bell does not dismiss the class; I do. Stay quite and seated until I dismiss you.

Academic HonestyThis course is conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. No breach of academic ethics is acceptable, and this includes plagiarism. What is plagiarism? Basically taking anybody’s work, be that from a website, a book or even a fellow student, and calling it your own. That includes not just the writing, but the research, original ideas and notes. In the public world, borrowing either words or concepts is plagiarism. Just rephrasing an idea in your own words does not elude the crime; citing all sources & influences will be necessary to avoid it.

Cheating is unfair to other students who work hard to produce their own work but more importantly, it is truly a disservice to your blossoming brainy masses. It is up to you to maintain the utmost degree of integrity in the classroom; if you do not, the following consequences await:Cheating of any kind will yield 0% on the assignment AND a referral to an administrator for a meeting with your parents.

Contacting meThe quickest way for you and/or your parents to communicate with me is via email: julian.mirano@tusd1.orgI will respond to messages as promptly as possible and I invite parents to keep in contact with me, but unannounced classroom visits are against UHS school policy and also a disruption to the progress that time. If we need a scheduled meeting, that can be arranged through email.

Classroom as Safe SpaceThe instructor and all students will actively work to provide every member of this class a

sense of comfort. Therefore, this classroom will be a safe space for all gender-, race-, sexuality-, and ability-based identities. I and/or Ms. Cislak will conference with any student who disrupts this space by antagonizing another student and/or the instructor.

Please sign your name indicating you agree to the policies described above. Keep the syllabus in your folder for future reference. Detach the portion below from the syllabus.

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___________________________________ _________________________Student’s printed name and date Student Signature

___________________________________ _________________________Parent/Guardian’s printed name and date Parent/Guardian’s Signature