9th Grade English 2009-2010

August 20, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians:
I would like to welcome you and your child to high school, and to 9th Grade English at OCSI! I am excited about having your children in my class this year!

The students do have some work ahead as they adjust to the increase in academic responsibility and freedom that the change from middle to high school brings. I am committed to high expectations and standards for your child’s behavior and academic performance, as we work together to prepare your child for a successful high school career, and later, a transition to college and career.

Please continue to help me encourage your child to spend at least thirty minutes a night reading. Research has shown that this activity correlates to strengthened test scores, including on standardized tests that are considered in college admittance and scholarships.

A current leader in educational practice, Harry Wong, states, “The more the school and the family are joined as partners in educating young people, the greater the child’s chances for success.” I agree, and ask your support towards this effort. In order to help me learn more about your child and how to work with him or her in class, please take some time to look over the syllabus and the policies and procedure sheets, and to fill out and sign the information sheet.

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern. I am always glad to schedule a conference, answer an e-mail, or return a phone call.

Your partner in education,
Ms. Allen Rowe
allen.rowe@ocsi.org
ALRowe1742@yahoo.com

Ninth Grade English Class Syllabus

Class Name: Freshman Literature
Hour: Periods 2 and 3
Teacher Name: Ms. Allen Rowe
Room Number: #328
E-mail Address: allen.rowe@ocsi.org or ALRowe1742@yahoo.com
The best time for parents to call me is: 958-3000, from 8-3. Please set up an appointment with the school to speak to me.

Course description: As stated on the OCSI Course Catalog, “Freshman Literature is designed to improve students’ reading and writing skills. Students write for various purposes, including a research paper, and they work on using resources to improve their writing. Students also read a variety of literature from around the world.”

Class Activities: Class activities are designed to develop the students’ communication skills through reading, writing, and speaking. These activities include but are not limited to: reading in class (independently and in groups), writing to examine and explain their thoughts, especially on the subject of literature, working actively both individually and with others, and demonstrating their understanding through tests and projects.

You will need the following materials for this class:
-- A4-sized binder with A4 Loose leaf paper for all assignments, except for journal.
-- B5 or A4 Notebook for journal: must be consistently used. (Obviously, if and when the notebook is full, you’ll buy a new one, but don’t change notebooks every week.)
-- Pens/pencils.
-- IR book, or another novel as assigned by the teacher.
-- Assigned workbook of Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics: McDougal Littell, 2001.
-- Assigned textbook copy of Language of Literature: McDougal Littell, 2001.
-- Assigned textbook copy of Language Network: McDougal Littell, 2003.

Your grade will be based on the following:
Your grade will be determined based on the total number of points earned, from points available, in a given category.
--40% Tests (including written tests, projects, quizzes, others as announced to students)
--40% Papers (including research papers, essays, others as announced to students)
--20% Assignments (including class participation, homework, class activities, others as announced to students)

GENERAL TIMELINE FOR NINTH GRADE:
Please note: The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.

Summer Reading J-Term Reading
Animal Farm The Education of Little Tree

First Quarter Second Quarter
Poetry Unit Research Papers
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle The Odyssey

Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
Romeo and Juliet To Kill a Mockingbird
Comparison Papers (Mini-Research) Short Story Unit
The Outsiders

The following English categories will be incorporated in to the other units each quarter: journaling, independent reading (IR), vocabulary, grammar, essays, and public speaking.