Info for rising 9th English students Jessica Scaggs Chattahoochee English department 9th English plc leader

Topics to cover English courses your child can take in 9th grade Overview of 9th English curriculum and expectations On-Level vs. Honors and points of contact Questions! ** This powerpoint will also be posted on my school website, jscaggs.weebly.com, for continued reference.

Possible English courses in 9th grade You should have a recommendation from your child’s current English teacher about where he/she is advised to go, based on current performance. Your child’s current English teacher (rather than the teachers at our school) will have the best feedback for future paths, since that teacher has the most insight about his/her strengths and weaknesses. If your child took 8th grade ELA in 8th grade  9th on-level or 9th Honors (depending on performance) If your child took 9th on-level ELA in 8th grade  10th on-level, 10th Honors (very rare), or 9th ELA again If your child took 9th Honors ELA in 8th grade  10th on-level, 10th Honors, or 9th Honors again

Difference between on-level and honors English General distinctions between honors and on-level: Honors courses have a summer reading assignment Honors courses are faster paced Expectations are much higher, especially in writing skills and critical thinking skills There is a higher expectation for personal responsibility in an honors course Characteristics of successful honors students: Self-motivated An advocate for their education Accepts instruction and constructive criticism Participates in class on a regular basis and embraces opposing viewpoints

Question examples

9th on-level english Moving away from whole-class novels and towards book clubs/independent book choices In-class instruction often focuses on a particular skill or technique displayed in a “mentor text” Students learn to apply that skill in the class example through teacher modeling first Students then identify, analyze, or use that concept in relation to the chosen books they are reading. Students also have periods of time in class allocated to reading their books or doing classwork (rarely HW assignments besides reading). Emphasis on vocabulary development, writing structure/stamina, self-monitoring progress, and analysis rather than summary.

Questions?? Points of contact: 9th on-level – Jessica Scaggs, Scaggsj@fultonschools.org 9th honors – david white, whitedp@fultonschools.org 10th on-level – Margaret garth, garthm@fultonschools.org 10th honors – Carla Boudreaux, Boudreaux@fultonschools.org