ELA 9 Course Syllabus

2018-2019
Mr . Cam l
mcampbell@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Chaparral High School

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces basic literary genres: short story, novel, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and the
terminology necessary for discussing each type. The course also emphasizes essay development
through thesis, support, elaboration, and conclusion. Editing and revision skills are emphasized. Writing
assignments are linked to the academic standards to encourage personal writing and literary analysis.
Oral speaking, listening and vocabulary skills are developed throughout the course. In addition to
classroom reading, there is an outside reading requirement.

ENGLISH 9 OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
❏ Cite strong/thorough evidence to support analysis of text
❏ Determine theme/main idea of text; analyze its development; provide objective summary
❏ Analyze how complex characters develop, interact, and develop the plot
❏ Determine meaning of words/phrases in a text (figurative/connotative/diction/tone)
❏ Analyze how author’s choices on structure/order of events/manipulation of time creates effects
(mystery/tension/surprise)
❏ Analyze particular POV/cultural experience in literature from outside the US (world literature)
❏ Analyze representation of a subject/key scene in two artistic mediums
❏ Analyze how author draws/transforms source material in specific work
❏ Read/comprehend a text in 9-10 text complexity
❏ Analyze how author unfolds an analysis/series of ideas/events
❏ Analyze how author’s ideas/claim are developed/refined (text features)
❏ Determine author’s POV/purpose
❏ Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums
❏ Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text
❏ Analyze U.S. docs of historical/literary significance (how they address themes/concepts)
❏ Write arguments to support claims w/clear reasons and relevant evidence
❏ Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic/convey ideas
❏ Write narrative to develop real/imagined experiences/events using effective technique, relevant
descriptive details, and well-structured events sequence
❏ Produce clear and coherent writing (development, organization, and style appropriate to tasks, purpose,
and audience)
❏ Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, to address specific
purpose and audience
❏ Use technology to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing to link and display
information dynamically
❏ Conduct short/sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
❏ Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print/digital sources
❏ Draw evidence from literary/informational literature to support analysis, reflection, and research
❏ Write routinely over extended time frames/shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purpose, and
audiences

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 ELA 9 Course Syllabus
2018-2019
Mr . Cam l
mcampbell@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Chaparral High School
❏ Initiate and participate in a range of collaborative discussions
❏ Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media/formats
❏ Evaluate speaker’s POV, reasoning, and use evidence, rhetoric, identifying fallacious reasoning or
exaggerated distorted evidence
❏ Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, logically
❏ Make strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasons, and
evidence and to add interest
❏ Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrate command of formal English

CLASS EXPECTATIONS
❏ Be Prompt
Arrive on time, enter the classroom quietly, turn in assignments, and immediately go to your
assigned seat. Bathroom use is for emergency purposes only. Make sure you go before the
tardy bell rings.

❏ Be Prepared
Bring all required materials and assignments daily. Bring your composition book every day
and keep up with all assignments. Maintain your composition book organized and neat with
an updated table of contents.

❏ Be Productive
Maximize your learning time from bell to bell by staying on task, following directions, and
remaining seated. Electronic devices are only allowed during lessons as instructed by your
teacher. Engage in your learning!

❏ Be Polite
Show RESPECT to everyone and everything. Use appropriate and positive language at all
times. Give encouragement and kindness to everyone. Maintain our classroom clean and
organized. Food, sugary/colored beverages, and gum are NOT allowed.

❏ Be Positive
Be open to ideas different from your own. Refrain from making negative comments or show
body language that may cause discouragement. Be patient and open to mistakes. Mistakes
help us learn and grow.
***ALWAYS FOLLOW ALL SCHOOL RULES AND POLICIES***

CONSEQUENCES
Not following classroom expectations may lead to the following consequences in any given order or
combination:
Verbal Warning
Detention
Parent Contact
Office Referral
Administrative Consequence

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 ELA 9 Course Syllabus
2018-2019
Mr . Cam l
mcampbell@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Chaparral High School

PLAGIARISM POLICY
Plagiarism of any kind will result in an automatic zero, referral, a conference with your parent/guardian,
and or an administrative consequence.

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENT
A portfolio will be left in my classroom and serve as part of your final in June. You will add your writing
assignments and other assessments. Rewrites may be required as part of your portfolio requirement.

ATTENDANCE and LATE WORK

Every moment of class time is precious. It is your responsibility to find out what you’ve missed by going
to my website and/or Google Classroom and staying on course with the lessons and assignments. You
have as many days absent to make up any work as long as these are “excused”. Work assigned prior to
an absence is due the day you return to class. Late assignments will be accepted at my discretion. If you
ever have any questions or concerns, the best way to contact me is via email. You can also make an
appointment if you need help on assignments or clarifications of any kind.

HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework assigned in this class will be an opportunity for you to practice a particular standard in order
to gain proficiency in that standard. You are expected to arrive to class having completed any assigned
homework. Failure to complete homework will be reflected in your work habits/citizenship grade and
will likely result in a consequence such as parent/guardian contact or mandatory intervention.

ESSAY and TECHNOLOGY POLICY

All essays will be submitted to Turnitin.com on the given due date or your essay will not be scored. You
need to turn in both a digital copy to Turnitin.com and a hand-written copy to the turn-in tray. You will be
using class assigned Chromebooks all year. Make sure to check the number and its condition first. You
are only to use your assigned number and report any damages you see prior to working on it. If you
cause any damages to the Chromebook you are responsible for the costs. Chromebooks are only to be
used for school-related purposes. If you use it for any other purpose, you will earn a “0” for that
assignment along with a consequence as listed as listed in the “Consequences” section of this syllabus.
Other personal electronic devices are to be put away and turned off to avoid any distractions. Failure to
do so may result in a consequence as listed in the “Consequences” section of this syllabus.

OUTSIDE READING REQUIREMENT

You are required to read at least 250 pages independently per semester outside of the class curriculum.
For first semester you must select a fiction book and non-fiction second semester. There are many
genres you can choose from. Your book must be appropriate for your grade level, have appropriate
content, and be approved by your parent/guardian and by me, your teacher. You can checkout a book
at our school library, public library, or purchase one at a bookstore. Email me if you need help finding a
book. There is a project you must complete and it will be worth 10% of your final semester grade. You
are expected to read this on your time, during CAT 30, or in class when required to.

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 ELA 9 Course Syllabus
2018-2019
Mr . Cam l
mcampbell@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Chaparral High School

GUEST TEACHER AGREEMENT

Occasionally I will be unable to be in the classroom and you will have a guest teacher. It is expected and
required that you show any guest the same level of respect that you would show me or any other staff
member. You will also be expected to use your time wisely and work on the assignments given for the
day. Not completing or turning in work when required will result in a “0” and cannot be made up for any
kind of credit.

MATERIALS NEEDED
❏ 1 composition book
❏ notebook paper (not from a spiral notebook)
❏ #2 pencils
❏ highlighters in multiple colors (yellow, orange, blue, green)
❏ multiple glue sticks
❏ sticky notes
❏ index cards

GRADING POLICY
Your academic grade will be based upon your ability to successfully demonstrate proficiency in each of
the Common Core State Standards required by the state of California. Your citizenship and work habits
grade will be based on your conduct as a student in my classroom and how consistently you complete
your assignments. There is no extra credit. However, you are encouraged to ask for more opportunities
for your standard proficiency to be assessed after you have attempted all required assignments. Your
grade is based on your level of mastery of the Common Core State Standards as indicated below and
on my evaluation as your teacher according to your overall performance in my class.

Grading Categories (CCSS Strands) Percentage of Total Grade

❏ Reading Literature/Informative 10%
❏ Writing 10%
❏ Speaking and Listening 10%
❏ Language (grammar and vocabulary) 10%
❏ Common Formative Assessments 40%
❏ Notebook and Practice 10%
❏ Outside Reading 5%
❏ District Benchmarks and Final Exams 5%

4-Point Scoring Percentage Letter Grade and %

❏ 4 = Advanced 100-85% A = 100-90%
❏ 3 = Proficient 84-75% B = 89-80%
❏ 2 = Developing 74-65% C = 79-70%
❏ 1 = Novice 64-50% F = 69-0%
❏ 0 = No Evidence 0%

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 ELA 9 Course Syllabus
2018-2019
Mr . Cam l
mcampbell@tvusd.k12.ca.us
Chaparral High School

COURSE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT

Student and Parent/Guardian:

Please sign and date below acknowledging that you have read the course syllabus for English 9 and
that you understand and agree with all expectations, policies, and procedures. A copy of this syllabus
can also be found in my website: https://ca02208611.schoolwires.net/Domain/5467

STUDENT

________________________________________________________________________________
Name (Please Print) Signature Date

PARENT / GUARDIAN

________________________________________________________________________________
Name (Please Print) Signature Date