For more info on the class, assignments, etc., please go to www.taravangeons.com
Student Supplies Required:
For this class, please bring to school every day: Pens, in black or blue, Glue sticks, 1 inch binder, Daybook Journal (Composition Book)
Course Overview Introduction: The 9th grade English course will focus on a survey study of literature, the development of writing, research, reading and speaking skills, and the strengthening of vocabulary. Students will read various written works will complete a number of writing tasks designed to expand their knowledge about themes related to our semester study of literature.
Assignments- Each assignment has a point value based on the standards achieved. You are required to save all assignments for the entire semester. If you fall behind on assignments, please make an appointment to see me for extra help. Please don’t wait until the end of the term to get extra help! Your success in this class is directly related to your attendance and class participation. Appropriate classroom conduct is expected. Late assignments will not be accepted. Printer problems, computer issues, etc will not be used as excuses.
Plagiarism Any work I determine to be plagiarized will receive an automatic 0%. Plagiarized means written and electronic work copied from text or from another student’s work without giving proper credit to the writer. This regulation is non-negotiable. If you have a question regarding what is and is not plagiarism, please speak to me ahead of time.
Homework Reading: You are required to read all the novels/plays listed above outside of class unless indicated otherwise.
Writing: You will research and write several essay papers based on our reading. Several journal entries, free writing activities, and writing assignments will be integrated into daily lessons. (You will receive specific instructions on each of these papers.) MLA REQUIRED FOR ALL PAPERS.
In addition to the required term papers, you will explore a variety of writing approaches in class such as:
• Responding to literature
• Persuasive Essay/debate
• Book reviews/play review/art reviews
• Reflective essays
• Creative Stories/Epic Narratives
Classroom Activities & Testing:
You will improve your language skills through a variety of daily assignments (vocabulary, grammar, spelling, writing, reading, analysis, & reflection). You will be tested periodically. At the end of each term, you will have a final exam which is the North Carolina’s End of Course Test for English I.
Class Procedures- Mrs. Van Geons’s Guidelines
Five Guidelines For Success:
Respect – Treat others the way you want to be treated
a. Respect for personal differences
b. Respect for property
Responsibility – you are responsible for your own behavior
a. Recognize personal space
b. Use words wisely
c. I over E especially in C
Participation – come prepared to learn and share your ideas. Bring all materials necessary to aid in learning
Awareness – listen to others and follow directions
Follow all school rules and regulations.
Students who are positive, contributing members in this class will receive:
1. Verbal praise
2. Written praise
3. Positive parent contact – notes and phone calls home
4. Leadership roles, special honors and privileges
5. Class rewards
6. A positive classroom environment
If your behavior prevents our class from functioning, the following order of consequences will apply:
1. A verbal warning
2. A five -minute conversation with me after class/school.
3. Detention with parent notification
4. A conference with your parents/ Meeting with administration
“Events, circumstances, etc. have their origin in ourselves. They spring from seeds which we have sown.” - Henry David Thoreau
Homework Policy
Homework is an important part of our curriculum. The objective of homework is to strengthen skills and reinforce knowledge learned in our classroom. Because Language Arts includes Grammar, Spelling & Vocabulary, Reading & Literature and Composition, the amount of homework and time students spend on assignments will vary. Expect Grammar, Spelling and Vocabulary homework to revolve around reinforcing workbook and practice exercises. Reading & Literature and Writing assignments are for the most part longer -term projects that might be either analytical or creative. These longer- term assignments may span weekend days, but many times you will only have Language Arts homework Monday through Thursday.
All homework will be posted in our classroom and on my webpage that can be accessed through www.taravangeons.com
In all Language Arts subject areas homework assignments are worth 20% of student’s grade. Regardless of the subject, completed homework will receive full credit. Any incomplete work receives an automatic F.
Papers and projects are due no later than the end of the day on the day that they are due. Unless a student is absent for illness, in which case the assignment is due upon return, a paper handed in at any other time is a late paper. No late assignments will be accepted. When an assignment is due, it is due. Again, if absence is due to an emergency or illness, student’s work will be due the day he or she returns.
Rigorous relearning and review will qualify a student to redo an assessment. Redoing an assessment is a privilege. Students must re-do assessments within one week of their return otherwise the original grade stands. The higher of the two grades will be recorded. Occasionally, assessments cannot be redone, but instead students may correct their mistakes and receive half credit for each item they correct. Students must re-do assessments on their own time, not during direct teaching time in our class. In order to redo any test, major project, major writing or quiz, students must first submit the original work signed by a parent and request a retest or redo opportunity.
All essays should be typed, double-spaced in 12-point type New Times Roman font, with standard margins. You may use pencil or pen when completing homework or daily assignments that are not being turned in (grammar, vocabulary, spelling) or in-class work.
Neatness counts! Messy homework or compositions will not be accepted. They will be returned to you for revision or recopying and will be treated as late papers.
Papers with no name are considered zeros. Students must have their first and last name on all papers handed in.
While we focus on academics, we will also try to evolve into confident and compassionate individuals. If students or parents have any questions regarding our homework policy or any of our assignments please e-mail me at Tara_VanGeons@yahoo.com
Procedures
Beginning Class
1. Entering Class: You are expected to be at your desk with all the required materials when the bell rings. If you are not, you will be marked late. If you are late, you must enter our room quietly with a pass, go directly to the sign-in notebook and record your, name, date, time, number of minutes late and the reason for your tardiness. Tape the pass onto the form, and sign your name. If you are late two times I will make a phone call home, and you will be assigned detention. Other tardies will be sent to administration. You must check the blackboard for the daily assignment. You are expected to start on the assignment immediately. If there is no assignment, you must sit quietly or read while you wait for further instructions.
2. Announcements: No matter what is going on in class, it must be quiet for any announcements made over the public address system. Even if the announcements do not pertain directly to you, please be quiet.
3. Fire Drills or Emergencies: If there is a fire drill or any other emergency, you are expected to comply with the school regulations. You will walk quickly and quietly out the nearest exit, stay together as a class and wait for further instructions.
4. Absences: If you know in advance that you will be absent, talk to me about any assignments you might miss. As long as you had an excused absence you are able to make up the work you missed while you were out for full credit. You have 3 days to make up the work, after that it is recorded as a zero. Absences are your responsibility. I will not remind you of the work you need to make up. You need to see me before, after class or school, or during a quiet assignment time. Do not disrupt the whole class for what you missed personally. Previously announced tests, projects and compositions are due the day you return to school if you are absent on the day they were assigned to be due.
Class & Work Requirements
1. Daily necessities:
Bring all materials to class each day and be ready to work. (You will not be allowed to return to your lockers for forgotten supplies.) Coming to class unprepared will result in a point (zero) for the day. At the end of the marking period points will be totaled and deducted from your final grade.
Textbooks must be covered and kept in the condition that they were received in. Your daybook must be with you at all times since we will be writing every day, we will be taking notes and adding work regularly.
2. Following Directions
It is of the utmost importance for you to get the information you need to be able to do well and complete this course. You will need to PAY ATTENTION. I will only say things twice.
3. Paper Headings:
All papers must have the following heading:
Name
Course and Block #
Mrs. Van Geons
Date
4. Signal For Getting My Attention & Moving Around The Class:
When you need my attention to ask a question you must raise your hand. If you need to get a tissue or throw something away, you do not have to ask, but you should not do this while I am lecturing. Please do not ask to use the bathroom or to go to your locker. These tasks should be accomplished before or after class
5. Talking During Seatwork:
When you are working independently, I see no reason why you can’t speak quietly with one another. This is a privilege though, and will be taken away if you abuse it. Also, please realize that if your talking is hindering someone else’s work, you will need to be quiet. However, when we are working on our daily writing, you may not talk so as not to disrupt your classmates.
6. Activities To Do When You Finish Your Work:
Bring a book to class. Or, when you have completed any required assignment, there will be practice activities available for you to work on. I highly recommend these activities, as they will reinforce your language arts skills. You may also work in your daybook.
7. Movement In and Out of Work Groups:
We will be working together on many projects this year. During these times, you will need to be considerate and respectful of each other and of class rules. Each member of the group is responsible for bringing their own materials and level of participation. If there are problems, group work will be severely limited.
8. If You Need Help:
I am usually available before school, during lunch and after school for extra help. If at any other time you feel the need to speak with me, I will be happy to schedule an appointment with you.
9. Dismissal:
You must wait to be dismissed at the end of each class.
Our Classroom
1. Keep It Clean: We will be spending a lot of time in our classroom. Therefore, it is necessary that we regard it with care. Starting with your locker and desk, then working outward, you will be responsible for keeping our class neat and clean. Also, if you use any of our community materials you will be expected to put them away properly. You will be asked to stay after class/school to help clean up if this is not taken seriously.
2. Taking Home Class Materials: You will be allowed to borrow books from the class library. There will be a sign-out sheet posted and a two-week limit on all books borrowed. If you lose or destroy a book, you will be asked to replace it.
3. Audio-Visual and Computer Equipment: Always ask permission to use any AV equipment in our room. Our policy is, you break it - you buy it. Whether we use the school lap- tops or the computers in Mrs. Van Geons’s room, please do not ask if you can “surf the net”. The answer will always be NO!
4. My Desk: My desk is strictly off limits unless I directly give you permission. Feel free to use any of the materials found at the Student Information & Supply Station.
5. Substitutes & Other Visitors: If I am out for the day, you are still expected to follow our class rules and procedures. You are responsible for any and all assignments. You should treat any substitute/visitor to our class with respect and afford them the same treatment you would like to receive if you were a “stranger in a strange land”.
6. Mrs. Van Geons’s Web Page: I will be updating our class web page weekly. You will be able to keep up with assignments, test schedules and reading selections.
www.taravangeons.com
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