The Specifics of English ICourse Description:

In this one-year course, ninth-grade students will discover literature through the genres. Students will study works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Students will discuss themes relevant to Greek mythology, modern American society, and British theatre. At the end of this course, students will be familiar with the expectations of MLA writing, a broad vocabulary focusing on Greek and Latin roots, the organizational structure for writing a paragraph, and the rules for basic grammar, punctuation, and public speaking appropriate to the ninth-grade level.

Course Readings:Short Stories

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe

Drama Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Poetry Sonnets by William Shakespeare “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas

Literary Nonfiction Assorted memoirs “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King,

Jr.

Novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Mrs. Donlan’s English IThe Details The Materials Grading Scale

HBR Email: adonlan@hbr429.or

g

Google Drive:adonlan@hbr429.or

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Available: M/F AM, T/TH until 7:45am

and every day after school until 3:45

More time available upon request.

- binder with 5 tabs – exclusively for

English-loose-leaf paper

-pens/pencils-highlighter

-Post-It notes- Google Drive

account

Electronics are not allowed unless invited

in by Mrs. Donlan.

100-90% = A89-80% = B79-70% = C69-60% = D

Less than 60% is a failure

Grades are updated weekly. Check Syward for

your current grade.

This is a great class and you will love the time you spend here if you choose to be a part of the experience! The entire course revolves around, surprise, reading, writing and furthering the reading and writing skills you have already acquired. We will be doing many things in this class—writing responses and essays, listening to music, playing games, laughing—and you should always be on the lookout for the deeper meaning…I like to sneak it in when you’re not looking!

Every morning when I wake up I read the following quote, so if you want to understand me, try understanding this:

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your

whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will

accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Basics:

Absent/Makeup Work Policy: When you miss class, you have the same number of days plus one to complete missed work. It is your responsibility to ask about missed work and notes. It is your responsibility to makeup the test within the unit or it will result in an INC (zero). Absences related to sports (early dismissals) are excused, but are handled differently. Student athletes are responsible for that day’s work and must see me prior to the absence for the necessary information.

Homework Policy: An assignment is considered late if it is not turned in at the beginning of class. Late work is not acceptable as the English Department has a due date/deadline policy. Be prepared to complete practice responses and readings that will be assessed each day. By the end of the semester, these points will constitute the majority of the grade, so earn them while you can! Work submitted after the deadline will result in an INC.

Passes: Mrs. Donlan can issue a laptop pass for work related exclusively to our course. Please ask for a pass before or after school or during passing periods. Students may utilize passes to use the restroom, as needed. Please be considerate of the learning opportunities and use individual work time for an opportunity to use the restroom.

Active Participation: Class discussion is favored, but to make that happen you need to be prepared and willing to contribute. I believe in treating my students respectfully and as an equal. This means that I value what you have to say and how you view the material we use in class. My word is not “golden” when we are interpreting and you should know that.

Basic Expectations: Don’t lie to your classmates, yourself, or me. I respect

honesty and the guts it takes to be honest on every occasion. Also, copying, cheating, and plagiarism are serious offenses and will result in academic consequences. Please see your student handbook for more information.

You can trust me. My word is good. If I make a deal, I will commit to it. If I make a bargain, I will stick by it. If I have to set up consequences, I will follow through with them. My expectation is that I can trust you.

I believe that it is rude to talk when others (this includes me) are speaking. Don’t test me on this. Respect for everyone in this room is crucial to our learning environment.

We are in this together and I will always come to you first with any questions, concerns, decisions, or consequences. Basically, what this means is that if I am going to call your parents, you will know about it and sometimes be there with me to make the call.

Show up prepared, on time, every single day. Perform to your highest ability at all times and see me with any questions, concerns, or information that can help you succeed in this course.

Be enthusiastic! We will be doing different activities each day in English I to keep you engaged, energized, and learning – but it is ultimately up to you what to take away from our time together.