Welcome to Year 9 English class with Ms. Nina! I’m excited to teach and learn with you this year. My class is both fun and rigorous. You will be challenged! This is a good thing. Let’s go over the basics so that you understand my expectations for how to succeed.
Important Websites We will use my website to showcase your work and my Facebook page to communicate outside of class. Be sure you know and/or bookmark these sites:
Supplies To succeed in Ms. Nina’s class, you will need the following supplies:
· a 8.5”x11” notebook
· pens and/or pencils
· a thumb drive (a.k.a. flash drive, USB drive, memory stick, etc.)
· an academic planner on which to write down your homework and due dates
· a 2- or 3-ring binder to store and organize hand-outs (there will be a lot!)
· a Vocabulary Journal, a small notebook in which you will write new vocabulary
Bring these supplies with you to EVERY class. You will be graded on your preparedness (having all supplies), keeping an academic planner and organized binder, and maintaining a vocabulary journal.
Vocabulary Journal In your vocabulary journal, you will write down and define any new vocabulary you come across in your classes or reading.
For example:
· Foreshadowing: a technique used in literature where the author hints at a future story development
· Neuron: a cell that transmits nerve impulses
· -ous: a suffix that indicates the word is an adjective, e.g. famous, pompous, egregious, etc.
I expect you to define at least 10 new vocabulary words every week.
You must bring your vocabulary journals to class every day! From time to time, I will collect your vocabulary journals to ensure that you are completing this assignment. I will collect your vocabulary journals without prior notice. Each new vocabulary word is worth 2 points, with up to 20 points possible. Late journals will NOT be accepted!
Class Participation
You will be graded on class participation every day. Successful participation includes:
· following directions,
· contributing to class discussions appropriately,
· paying attention throughout class,
· respecting others and their property, and
· being positive.
You will lose points for:
· talking out of turn,
· being disruptive,
· complaining and/or being negative,
· sleeping in class, and/or
· not following directions.
You will earn up to 5 points each day.
Extra Credit
For extra credit throughout the semester, you may read a book, write a summary of that book, and present it to the class. You may choose any book you like, in any language you prefer, as long as the book is not one you have read before and is over 100 pages. Please show Ms. Nina your book of choice for approval.
Summaries must feature two parts: 1) an objective overview of the story, and 2) your opinion of the book. It must be at least one page double spaced. Be sure that your summary is well written, featuring the proper paragraph writing that we’ve been learning and practicing in class.
Presentations should be five minutes long. You may not use your written report when presenting. Instead, rehearse your presentation and speak to the class like a book reviewer. You should introduce the story, but you must not give away any spoilers! Spoilers are plot twists and story endings that ruin the story for other people. Your purpose is to present the book persuasively so that other people will want to read your book.
You may earn up to 25 points of extra credit every time.
You may do this assignment as many times as you like throughout the semester pending Ms. Nina’s approval.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing it off as your own. Copying essays (or parts of essays) from a friend or the Internet is plagiarism. Changing the words is still plagiarism.
PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
1. The first offense will get you a zero on the assignment.
2. The second offense will land you in the principal’s office. Your parents will be notified.
3. The third offense will be recorded on your official transcript.
Understand that plagiarism is a crime, and it can hinder your opportunities to be accepted by accredited colleges or universities.
Grading
Assignments & Projects 50%
· Completing and turning in assignments on time. (Late work will be penalized 50%, except for vocabulary journals, which will not be accepted late.)
· Exhibiting integrity in your work, which means doing your best and finishing assignments at home (NOT real quick before class).
Class participation 25%
· Attending class punctually and consistently; never skipping.
· Having a positive attitude.
· Contributing to the class often and productively.
· Following directions.
· Asking questions.
· Bringing all supplies to every class.
· Keeping a planner and organized binder.
Quizzes & Exams 25%
· Studying for vocabulary and grammar quizzes, as well as final exams.
· Completing all quizzes and exams to the best of your ability.
Goals
My goal is to help you succeed. Success comes from memorable learning (remembering what you learned), which I believe happens when students are interested in the subject and having fun. So let’s have fun!!
Important Websites We will use my website to showcase your work and my Facebook page to communicate outside of class. Be sure you know and/or bookmark these sites:
- Ms. Nina’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Ms.NinaHall
- Ms. Nina’s website: www.MsNinaHall.weebly.com
Supplies To succeed in Ms. Nina’s class, you will need the following supplies:
· a 8.5”x11” notebook
· pens and/or pencils
· a thumb drive (a.k.a. flash drive, USB drive, memory stick, etc.)
· an academic planner on which to write down your homework and due dates
· a 2- or 3-ring binder to store and organize hand-outs (there will be a lot!)
· a Vocabulary Journal, a small notebook in which you will write new vocabulary
Bring these supplies with you to EVERY class. You will be graded on your preparedness (having all supplies), keeping an academic planner and organized binder, and maintaining a vocabulary journal.
Vocabulary Journal In your vocabulary journal, you will write down and define any new vocabulary you come across in your classes or reading.
For example:
· Foreshadowing: a technique used in literature where the author hints at a future story development
· Neuron: a cell that transmits nerve impulses
· -ous: a suffix that indicates the word is an adjective, e.g. famous, pompous, egregious, etc.
I expect you to define at least 10 new vocabulary words every week.
You must bring your vocabulary journals to class every day! From time to time, I will collect your vocabulary journals to ensure that you are completing this assignment. I will collect your vocabulary journals without prior notice. Each new vocabulary word is worth 2 points, with up to 20 points possible. Late journals will NOT be accepted!
Class Participation
You will be graded on class participation every day. Successful participation includes:
· following directions,
· contributing to class discussions appropriately,
· paying attention throughout class,
· respecting others and their property, and
· being positive.
You will lose points for:
· talking out of turn,
· being disruptive,
· complaining and/or being negative,
· sleeping in class, and/or
· not following directions.
You will earn up to 5 points each day.
Extra Credit
For extra credit throughout the semester, you may read a book, write a summary of that book, and present it to the class. You may choose any book you like, in any language you prefer, as long as the book is not one you have read before and is over 100 pages. Please show Ms. Nina your book of choice for approval.
Summaries must feature two parts: 1) an objective overview of the story, and 2) your opinion of the book. It must be at least one page double spaced. Be sure that your summary is well written, featuring the proper paragraph writing that we’ve been learning and practicing in class.
Presentations should be five minutes long. You may not use your written report when presenting. Instead, rehearse your presentation and speak to the class like a book reviewer. You should introduce the story, but you must not give away any spoilers! Spoilers are plot twists and story endings that ruin the story for other people. Your purpose is to present the book persuasively so that other people will want to read your book.
You may earn up to 25 points of extra credit every time.
You may do this assignment as many times as you like throughout the semester pending Ms. Nina’s approval.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing it off as your own. Copying essays (or parts of essays) from a friend or the Internet is plagiarism. Changing the words is still plagiarism.
PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
1. The first offense will get you a zero on the assignment.
2. The second offense will land you in the principal’s office. Your parents will be notified.
3. The third offense will be recorded on your official transcript.
Understand that plagiarism is a crime, and it can hinder your opportunities to be accepted by accredited colleges or universities.
Grading
Assignments & Projects 50%
· Completing and turning in assignments on time. (Late work will be penalized 50%, except for vocabulary journals, which will not be accepted late.)
· Exhibiting integrity in your work, which means doing your best and finishing assignments at home (NOT real quick before class).
Class participation 25%
· Attending class punctually and consistently; never skipping.
· Having a positive attitude.
· Contributing to the class often and productively.
· Following directions.
· Asking questions.
· Bringing all supplies to every class.
· Keeping a planner and organized binder.
Quizzes & Exams 25%
· Studying for vocabulary and grammar quizzes, as well as final exams.
· Completing all quizzes and exams to the best of your ability.
Goals
My goal is to help you succeed. Success comes from memorable learning (remembering what you learned), which I believe happens when students are interested in the subject and having fun. So let’s have fun!!