1. ENGLISH 9 “Literature is no one’s private ground, literature is common ground; let us trespass freely and fearlessly and find our own way for ourselves.” - Virginia Woolf Ms. Clay’s Class Parsons High School 2016-2017 School Year Class Rules 1. Follow directions quickly. 2. Raise your hand for permission to speak. 3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat. 4. Make smart choices. Class Expectations 1. Grab your journal when you enter the room. 2. Start bellwork promptly. 3. Do not use electronic devices in class without teacher permission. 4. Respect others. 5. Clean up after yourself. 6. Bring all of your supplies to class daily. sclay@vikingnet.net421-3660 1 Welcome to 9 th grade English! In this class each student will continue to develop writing, reading, vocabulary, and grammar skills. Each student will work to improve critical thinking skills through comprehension, analyzing, and interpreting fiction and nonfiction. In 9 th grade English literature we will cover elements of a short story, drama, poetry, mythology, and a novel. Your appropriate behavior in class assures everyone of an environment conducive to learning. Some possible rewards for continuous appropriate behavior include getting to listen to music in class, homework pass, candy, technology time, verbal praise, stickers, notes home. 1. Warning: the teacher provides a verbal reprimand/reminder 2. Detention: short time spent after school 3. Parent notification: teacher will call and/or email parent 4. Referral to Administration: referral to administration for severe behavior problems. Work not completed and turned in by the assigned date is considered late. Students are given homework pass cards and may use the punches in any class during the fall or spring. If a students loses a card he or she will not receive a new one. Course Description What do I get if I follow class rules? What are the consequences if I don’t follow class rules? What happens if I turn in an assignment late?

2. Grades will be updated each week by Wednesday at noon. Parents and students may check grades online. Questions and/or concerns about grades are encouraged! A+= 100% - 98%A= 93% - 97% A-= 90% - 92%B+= 88% - 89% B= 83% - 87%B-= 80% - 82% C+= 78% - 79%C= 73% - 77% C- D = 70% - 72% = 67% - 63% D+ D- = 68% - 69% = 62% - 60% F= 0% - 59% Grade Scale Grade Breakdown Bellwork Quizzes Exams Homework Essays Pencils or pens 3 prong pocket folder for Bellwork Highlighter 3 ring binder for notes and handouts Loose leaf paper for Bellwork folder and 3 ring binder One package of 3x5 notecards A positive attitude! Supplies How will I check my grade in class? What do I do if I am absent? Students who have an excused absence can earn up to 100% credit for work turned in within two school days of returning to school. Students must seek me out and obtain missing work. Students who have an unexcused absence are still expected to complete the work and may earn up to 70% credit for work turned in within two days of returning to school. Do I have to read outside of class? There will be times when I assign reading that must be completed in order to participate in class activities. Students are also encouraged to read for fun! What types of writing will I do this year? Each day students will write in journals. Students will also write a personal narrative and an argument paper. Students will follow the 5 paragraph model and use MLA to site sources. What are the required readings this year? Various short stories Various nonfiction excerpts or articles The Odyssey Romeo and Juilet A novel sclay@vikingnet.net421-3660 2 Ms. Clay’s Class Parsons High School 2016-2017 School Year

3. PLEASE READ THE COURSE INFORMATION, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS SHEET TO MS. CLAY. Students: Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Ms. Clay’s class, will keep it in your folder, and will be responsible for the information throughout the year, and will check online grades at least once a week. _______________________________ _____________________________________________ Student printed name Student signature Parents/Guardians: Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Ms. Clay’s class and that you will help your student be accountable for the information. If you have questions about the course or your student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact me; email is the best way to reach me quickly. _______________________________ _____________________________________________ Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature _______________________________ ______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian e-mail Parent/Guardian daytime phone number (please print) Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you: e-mail phone sclay@vikingnet.net421-3660 3 Ms. Clay’s Class Parsons High School 2016-2017 School Year Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Ms. Clay about your student’s progress. I will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments. _____I/We have internet access at home, so we will log in online at least once per week to check on my/our student’s progress. I/We will contact Ms. Clay about any concerns we have. _____I/We plan to email Ms. Clay monthly for an update. _____I/We do not have internet access at home, but I/we would like to have regular contact with Ms. Clay I/we will call for an update on a regular basis. _____Other: _______________________________________________________________________________