Course Name

Room Number
Teacher
Contact Information

MYP English 9
E206
Mr. Lipps
james.lipps@mpls.k12.mn.us

9th Grade Academy-Team Cedar Mission Statement

The 9th-grade Academy serves to foster student involvement, healthy relationships, and
good citizenship, so that all SWHS 9th graders have a successful year and are well
prepared to excel throughout high school and beyond.
Course Description/Purpose
Students will practice communicating effectively through writing, reading and critical thinking.
They will be given the opportunity to further develop their own voices and discern the difference
between creative and academic expression. In addition, students will explore concepts related
to literature from many cultures and traditions, including fiction and nonfiction in a variety of
genres, purposes and styles. They will interpret, analyze, discuss and evaluate a variety of
texts, authors and genres including the works of Shakespeare, Greek poets, Sherman Alexie,
Sue Monk Kidd and Chinua Achebe. Individual and group learning activities include the Hero
Journey project, dramatic performances of Romeo and Juliet and Socratic Seminars.
Learning Objectives

Improved critical thinking skills

Improved analytical writing skills

Improved skills in speaking and listening

Improved organizational and collaboration skills

Improved close-reading reading skills

Improved vocabulary and grammar skills

Bring these materials

to class every day:

Required Textbooks

A notebook (preferably a 5-Star Notebook)

specifically for English
Writing utensils
Your copy of the book were reading
Your Independent Reading book

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by

Sherman Alexie
Maus Vol. 1: My Father Bleeds History by Art
Spiegelman
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith
Hamilton

Technology Use

Use of electronic devices is strictly prohibited during

class time. Exceptions are made only by the teacher for
specific situations (Ex. during Silent-Reading Fridays). .
First Offense: Warning to stow equipment
Second Offense: Confiscated for class period
Third Offense: Confiscated and sent to Office. Parent or
Guardian must retrieve
*See Southwest Student Handbook

Classroom Procedures/Policies

Be on time. If tardy consistently, lunch conference will be scheduled.

Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings and remain working until the bell at the end
of the period (ABSOLUTELY no packing or lining up at the door BEFORE the bell!).

If absent, it is your responsibility to contact the teacher and to make up all missed work.

Respect the classroom environment: Students are not allowed to eat or drink in the
classroom. Work stations must be cleaned daily.

Be prepared- bring class materials (notebooks, books, pen/pencil).

Complete homework and turn in work on time. Students with excused absences can make
up all work within a week. Late daily work will not be accepted.

Show respect to people and to yourself.

Listen actively and follow directions.

Assignments/Assessments: Several types of assessments will be used in class including but

not limited to vocabulary quizzes, creative writing pieces, literary and character analysis essays,
multi-media projects, journaling, oral presentations and Socratic Seminars.
Grading:
Grades will be based on the Minnesota Academic Standards for English Language Arts AND IBMYP Assessment Criteria. The Minnesota standards and MYP objectives will be translated into
weekly/daily Learning Targets that will help measure the quality of student work. Standards
being tested will fall into the four major categories for Minnesota ELA Standards:
Reading (Literature and Information Text) Standards
o Key Ideas and Details
o Craft and Structure
o Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
o Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Writing Standards
o Text Types and Purposes
o Writing Process
o Research to Build and Present Knowledge
o Range of Writing
Speaking, Viewing, Listening and Media Literacy
o Comprehension and Collaboration
o Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
o Media Literacy
Language Standards
o Conventions of Standard English
o Knowledge of Language
o Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
IB-MYP Criteria:
Criterion A: Analysis
How well does the student
analyze the content, context, language, structure, technique and style of text(s) and the
relationship among texts
analyze the effects of the creators choice on an audience
justify opinions and ideas, using examples, explanations, and terminology
evaluate similarities and differences by connecting features across and within genres
Criterion B: Organization
How well does the student
employ organizational structures that serve the context and intention
organize opinions and ideas in a sustained, coherent and logical manner
use referencing and formatting tools to create a presentation style suitable to the context
and intention
Criterion C: Producing Text
How well does the student
produce texts that demonstrate insight, imagination and sensitivity while exploring and
reflecting critically on new perspectives and ideas arising from personal engagement
with the creative process
3

make stylistic choices in terms of linguistic, literary and visual devices, demonstrating
awareness of impact on an audience
select relevant details and examples to develop ideas
Criterion D: Using Language
How well does the student
use appropriate and varied vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
write and speak in a register and style that serve the context and intention
use correct grammar, syntax and punctuation
spell, write, and pronounce with accuracy
use appropriate non-verbal communication techniques

The above criteria will be used to report grades earned. For each assignment, you will
receive a score 1-8.

GRADE SCALE
A Majority 8s, no grades under 6. No missing work.
A- Majority 7s, no grades under 5.
B Majority 6s, no grades under 4. No missing summative assessment
B- Majority 5s, no grades under 3. No missing summative assessment
C Majority 4s, no grades under 2.
C- Majority 3s, no grades under 2.
D Majority 2s.
F Majority 1s or Incompletes
MYP/ IB Grade Descriptors
Grade
1-2

Descriptors

Minimal achievement in terms of the objectives.

Very limited achievement against all the objectives. Unable to apply them fully in
normal situations, even with support.

Limited achievement against most of the objectives, or clear difficulties in some

areas. Only able to apply them fully in normal situations with support.

A good general understanding of the required knowledge and skills. Occasional

evidence of the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills,

and the ability to apply them in a variety of situations. Occasionally demonstrates
originality and insight.

A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills. The
student generally demonstrates originality and insight.

A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills. The
student consistently demonstrates originality and insight and always produces
work of high quality.

5|Page
Your summative assessments will be worth more towards your grade as they display the
results of your unit-long learning. About 25% of the scores will be formative scores
(homework, quizzes, warm-ups) and about 75% of the scores will be summative scores
(projects, papers & presentations).
PLEASE IGNORE PERCENTAGES in gradebook! For example, a score of 4 is NOT 50% or
an F; it is a C!! Just look at your number scores and find the mode. That will show your grade.
Student Code of Conduct

Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism/Consequences

All students are expected to adhere to the Southwest

High School and Minneapolis District Citywide Discipline
Policy, designed to promote a safe and respectful
learning environment. For more information about your
rights and responsibilities consult your Southwest
Student/Parent Handbook
It is expected that members of this class will observe
strict policies of academic honesty and will be respectful
of each other. Any instances in which cheating, including
plagiarism and unauthorized use of copyrighted
materials, computer accounts, or someone elses work is
determined, the matter will be investigated. If plagiarism
is verified, student will receive a zero for the
assignment and will be referred to their Assistant
Principal.

Student Signature: ________________________________________________________

Parent Signature: ____________________________________________________
Questions/Comments about this syllabus: