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Mrs. McConnellHonors English 9Syllabus2021-2022Instructor Information:Teachers:Mrs. Elaine McConnellRoom:Belle Vernon Area High School, Room nonarea.net/site/default.aspx?DomainID 464Required Text:Elements of Literature: Third CourseSadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level DLost HorizonAnimal FarmThe OdysseyRomeo and JulietAdditional Resources:MLA HandbookTeacher-generated handouts, worksheets, and Bell Ringer PromptsVarious videos which parallel instruction724-808-2500; ext. 2116elaine.mcconnell@bvasd.netCourse Description:Through an integrated language, world literature, and composition approach, advanced students will define and identifyelements of literature, express and explain responses to literature, interpret and analyze fiction and nonfiction text,improve reading proficiency and vocabulary, and gain exposure to notable authors. Students will complete in-class,timed writings and focus on the five-paragraph essay relevant to the literature selections. Research skills will beincorporated into this class. Students will be encouraged through class discussions to express opinions about theassigned literary selections. Grammar and mechanics will be reinforced through editing drills and the student’s writing.Vocabulary will be reinforced through weekly exercises from a vocabulary text.
Course Objectives:By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:1. Define and identify the elements of the short story2. Evaluate a short story’s effectiveness through analysis of its elements3. Read critically and with proficiency and be able to answer higher level questions4. Organize and write a cohesive five paragraph essay5. Examine the use of setting and relevance to our novels6. Identify figures of speech without and within texts7. Use the Modern Language Association (MLA) format for all papers and essays8. Express and explain interpretations and responses to our novels, orally and in writing9. Practice critical thinking and writing skills10. Identify and define dramatic and poetic techniques11. Use research skills to develop a thesis and a presentation12. Identify and correctly use grade-level grammar13. Identify important themes and use them in writing14. Identify meaningful quotes and use them in writing15. Use allusions in writing effectively16. Read passages and be able to answer questions proficiently afterwards.17. Identify and correct mechanical errors in writing18. Write with a sharp, direct focus, well-developed content and controlled organization19. Revise writing to improve style and meaning20. Listen attentively to and contribute to discussions21. Participate in small and large group discussions22. Use media for learning purposesClass Policies and Expectations:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Class will commence at the sound of the bell. Every student shall be prepared (with pencil, textbook, andbinder/folder) and in their seat when the bell rings.No student will be permitted to go to his/her locker during class. Hall passes will only be issued foremergencies; the student must create an e-hall pass to be initialed by the teacher. Students are encouragedto use the restroom between classes.Every student shall have and keep an up to date binder/folder that will include all handouts, notes,homework, and other various papers in a neat, organized, and chronological order.Every student is responsible for any notes, assignments, and assessments that are missed due to absences.Make up work must be completed within one week of absence or the student will receive a zero for theassignment.Students will not get ready to leave until the teacher instructs them to. Work in this class will be done bellto bell.Students will be expected to adhere to the BVAHS Code of Conduct; including dress code.Absolutely no food or open beverages.
Academic Standards:Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been adopted by theDepartment of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in the process of beingimplemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance of the standards and the efforts tomeet them.Course Grading Criteria:All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District grading policy.Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than having letter grades per eacheffort. The grading scale is as follows:ABCDF-90-10080-8970-7960-690-59Assignments per Quarter:Formal Assessments will account for a majority of the grade Vocabulary quizzes Reading check and chapter quizzes Short story/ novel/ play exams In-class essays/ take-home prompts and essays Quarterly examsSeveral projects will be completed throughout the year and will contribute significantly to the grade.Project are listed, but not limited to: Animal Farm research paper and presentationThe Odyssey journalsRomeo & Juliet speechRomeo & Juliet research presentationsRomeo & Juliet creative projectOther assignments may include: Bell Ringers Homework Summer reading assignment and quiz*Assignments or assessments may vary due to pace of class and individualized instruction.Emphasis will be on formal assessments. Therefore, grades will be weighted in this course.
Formal Assessments will account for 90% of a student’s grade (quizzes, tests, projects, performance-basedrubrics, essays, graded homework, etc.)Informal Assessments will account for 10% of a student’s grade (homework for completion, classparticipation, exit tickets, etc.)IfSapphire:Grades will be updated weekly on Sapphire. If you lost or cannot remember log in information, please contactour Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500 ext. 1108.Cell Phone PolicyUnless directly instructed to do so, students are NOT permitted to use their cell phones during class. Cellphones will be taken if students do not obey this rule, and discipline referrals will be initiated for repeatoffenders. Additionally, any student found to have a cell phone out while working on any gradedassignment (tests, quizzes, writing assignments, handouts, etc.) will receive a zero on the assignment.Academic Honesty:Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be deemed asunacceptable. This includes work copied from peers and/or taken from online sources. Any doubts will initiatethe completion of an alternative assignment or a zero on the assignment, depending on the severity of theinfraction.Make-Up Work PolicyIt is important that students are present in class daily. If you know ahead of time that you will be missing classdue to an appointment, field trip, sporting event, etc. you must see Mrs. McConnell beforehand to receive yourassignment or to make arrangements to make up a quiz/test.Absences and late work:i. It is the student’s responsibility to collect work missedii. Three days is the maximum time allotted for an assignment missed due to an absenceiii. Exceptions will defer to the school policy of a maximum of ten school daysiv. If a student misses a day but was already given the due date for an assignment, NOADDITIONAL TIME WILL BE GIVEN unless there is a medical/specific exception toconsider. This includes reading assignments. To find out what reading assignments youhave missed, ask a friend, check schoolwires/ e-school, or e-mail Mrs. McConnell.v. All major assignments (projects, essays, etc.) will be deducted specific percentage points(usually 10%) for each day lateExceptions can be made for students with extended absences supported by a doctor’s excuse or foremergency situations.
Course Outline:1st QuarterI. Sadlier-OxfordVocabularyWorkshopUnits 1-52nd QuarterI. Sadlier-OxfordVocabularyWorkshopUnits 6-93rd QuarterI. Sadlier-OxfordVocabularyWorkshopUnits 10-12II. Elements ofLiteratureVarious short storiesII. Animal FarmNovel,Vocabulary,PropagandaII. The OdysseyPoem,Vocabulary,JournalsIII. The Five ParagraphEssayNumerous intensivewritingsIII. Research Paperand PresentationIII. Romeo & JulietShakespeare/Globetheatre,Acts I & II4th QuarterI. Sadlier-OxfordVocabularyWorkshopUnits 13-15II.Romeo & JulietActs III, IV, & V,Speech,Creative projectIII. Lost HorizonNovel,Vocabulary
2021-2022 School YearParents/Guardians,Please review the Honors English 9 Syllabus. In an effort to save paper, I have posted the syllabus online rather thanprinting copies for each student. The syllabus is available by completing the following steps:1.2.3.4.Visit bellevernonarea.netIn the top menu drop down, select “Schools” and then “Belle Vernon Area High School”Select “Teachers” in the green bar across the top of the pageSelect “Elaine McConnell,” Select “Honors English 9” and click the link for the Honors English 9 SyllabusIf you are unable to access the syllabus online, please contact me and I will provide a paper copy.Please review the syllabus with your student, paying particular notice to the Cell Phone Policy, Academic Honesty,and Make-Up Work sections. Also, please provide me with the best phone and email address to contact youthroughout the school year with any issues or concerns.I am looking forward to a great and productive year here in Honors English 9!Thank You,Elaine McConnellThe following signatures state that all parties are aware of the preceding syllabus:Student Name (printed):Student Signature DateParent Signature DateParent phone number between 7AM and 3PM:Parent Email:
Required Text: Elements of Literature: Third Course Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level D Lost Horizon Animal Farm The Odyssey Romeo and Juliet Additional Resources: MLA Handbook Teacher-generated handouts, worksheets, and Bell Ringer Prompts Various videos which
