9th Grade Literature Syllabus

Ninth Grade Literature
Mrs. Zavitz
Portable 34
2007-2008

Course Overview: In 2004 the Georgia Department of Education adopted new Georgia Performance Standards for grades 9-12. Consistent with state curriculum, the Fulton County Schools English language arts curriculum implementation aligns with state standards. The content standards for this course are clustered by strands: Reading and Literature, Reading Across the Curriculum, Conventions, Writing, and Listening/Speaking/Viewing.

Course Standards
Course Standards and benchmarks may be viewed at http://www.georgiastandards.org/

Texts: Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes Gold Level, Prentice Hall (replacement cost: $70. 00)
Writing and Grammar Gold Level, Prentice Hall (replacement cost $60.00)
Reader’s Handbook, Great Source Publishers (replacement cost $25.00)
Supplementary novels (replacement cost: $15.00)

Grading:
In accordance with Fulton County Schools, grades will be assigned as:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
0-69 F

Your grade will be composed of the following assignments:
Tests 30%
Major Projects, Writing Assignments 35%
Quizzes, Daily Grades, Homework 20%
Final/EOCT 15%

Notebook Requirements: I require that every student use a three-ring binder for English class.

Absences and Make-up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to complete all assignments. If a student has an excused absence, it is his/her responsibility to check the website: http://teachers.yourhomework.com/zavitz. It is also the student’s responsibility to schedule time with the teacher to make-up tests, quizzes, etc. Students have one day to make-up work for every day they have an excused absence. Please refer to the Student Handbook for the complete attendance policy.

Late Work: Homework and daily assignments are due at the beginning of class and will not be accepted late. Major writing compositions and projects will be accepted late; however, late penalties of 10 points per day will apply. If a student is in school at any point during the day when an assignment is due, that student must hand in the assignment or receive a late penalty. No assignment will be accepted after 3 days.

Help and Conferences: I am available before school for extra help. If you feel you need extra help, please schedule an appointment with me at the end of class. Do not hesitate to ask for help! Parents can reach me at Zavitz@fultonschools.org to schedule conferences.

Class Guidelines:
§ Be respectful.
§ Abide by all CHS rules.
§ Be prepared.
§ Be punctual.
§ Use your Agenda.
§ Have a positive attitude!
*Detentions will be given for failure to abide by class guidelines and school policies.



Assignment Guidelines:
§ Final drafts of all essays must be typed.
§ All assignments must be completed using Standard American English.

Recovery Policy: Provision for Improving Grades
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.

Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.

CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70%. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.

CHS English Department Plagiarism Statement: Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own.
Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
1. Using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation;
2. Using the work of another (e.g. copying another student’s homework, composition, or project);
3. Using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.
Plagiarism on any project or paper at CHS will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation. Unless directly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.

Video Viewing Guidelines: Within the curriculum there poses the opportunity to incorporate different forms of technology into the classroom. One of these forms of technology is the showing of clips or related movies in their entirety. Any video rated PG or above will have prior approval by the principal; however, it is still necessary to gain the approval of a parent or guardian. Possible film offerings may include, but are not limited to:

The Joy Luck Club. Hollywood Pictures, 1996
Fahrenheit 451. MCA Home Video, 1985
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Veldt. AIMS Media, 1982
Romeo and Juliet. 1968. Franco Zeffirelli, dir.
Romeo+Juliet. 1996. Baz Luhrmann, dir.
O, Brother Where Art Thou? 2000. Joel Coen, dir.

If you would prefer that your student not watch any of the above selections, please indicate so on the bottom of the syllabus. Your signature on this form indicates consent for viewing the above selection and others approved by the principal. All of the above selections are vital parts of the curriculum and include appropriate learning activities to accompany them. If you would like to view these selections in advance or receive copies of the handouts, please contact me. In the event that additional videos are added to the curriculum, parents will be notified via a permission slip sent home with the student.

Parent Connect: I encourage all parents to sign up for Parent Connect, a website in which you can view your child’s grades, attendance, discipline, etc. Sign up is available online at http://chattahoocheepc.fultonschools.org/.