1. Welcome to Honors English 9
Mrs. Malaspino and Mr. Billingsley
Folsom High School
Welcome to Honors English 9
Mrs. Melinda Malaspino

2. About Mrs. Malaspino Extracurriculars: Education and Training:
Global Perspective Studies (GPS) Coordinator
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) advisor
Education and Training:
MA, Curriculum and Instruction: CSU SacramentoNational Board Certified Teacher , 2010 (AYA/ELA)
Globe Education Academy, 2010; Advanced Training, 2016
Teaching for Tolerance Academy, 2015
BA, English (music minor): California Lutheran University
Teaching credential: CSU Sacramento

3. About Mr. Billingsly

4. Grading Policies Grading Scale:
Grades will be based on points earned through the entire semester.
Point value of assignments will depend
on importance and complexity.
Grades will be weighted
in the following areas:
Writing and Projects 40%
Tests and Quizzes /Final Exam 40%
Classwork and Homework 20%

5. Grading Scale
Letter grades will be based on the following scale as set forth by the FHS Department of English:
100% + = A % = C +
93-99% = A % = C
90-92% = A % = C-
88-89% = B % = D +
83-87% = B % = D
80-82% = B % = D-
59% and below = F
CSU and UC systems require at least a C in all academic areas.

6. Summer Reading Expectations
Purpose:
to introduce students to curricular concepts
to accelerate the curriculum
Selections
Connected with 1st instructional unit (Mythology)
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Connected with 2nd Quarter instructional unit (Empathy and Dreams & Aspirations)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
Assessments:
Comprehensive Objective Test, Comprehensive Essay

7. GPS Curriculum Many students in Honors English 9 are
enrolled in Folsom High School’s GPS program, a curricular and service pathway.
Through connections to the literature, students will explore questions about
the universal nature of mythology,
the choices and consequences of leadership,
the importance of developing empathy,
and how journeys, both literal and figurative, help shape individual identity within a global society.

8. Common Core Curriculum
Honors English 9 is designed to be an inquiry-based course, integrating reading, writing, discussion, and critical thinking in all units.
Honors English differs from regular English classes in pace of instruction as well as depth and complexity of texts and assignments.
Honors English Teachers collaborate through a Professional Learning Community
to establish learning goals for all students
to gather and examine data to inform our instruction
and to create lessons which call on students to explore ideas, interact with the text
and develop thoughtful understanding, and which enable students to meet collective and individual learning goals.

9. Study Sync: Folsom-Cordova’s Newly Adopted ELA curriculum
Last year, ELA teachers in grades 6-12 across the district piloted several curricular resources. Study Sync was strongly recommended as the best Common-Core relevant option available to FCUSD.
Key Features:
Multi-media access. Lessons are delivered by means of a variety of media, including print texts and online resources.
Thematic approach. Curricular units are organized around themes and include core literature, comparative texts of various genres, and writing and research components.

10. Literature 1st Semester: (in addition to the summer reading)
The Odyssey (Theme: Leadership)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Theme: Empathy)
Of Mice and Men (Theme: Dreams and Aspirations)
2nd Semester: (Proposed)
Night
The Book Thief
I Am Malala
Fahrenheit 451
Romeo and Juliet
Independent Reading:
Students will be expected to read additional selections following the guidelines of their teachers, including but not limited to online selections from StudySync, global literature, biography/autobiography, and classic literature.

11. Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing
Grammar and Vocabulary will be taught using lessons from Study Sync.
Weekly Vocabulary HW/Monthly Vocabulary Tests
Bi-Weekly Grammar Lessons (beginning this week)/Quarterly Grammar Tests
Students will write frequently for a variety of audiences and purposes, both in and out of class. Skills-based writing lessons will be addressed using online StudySync lessons.

12. E-Mail is the best way to reach us!
THANKS FOR COMING!
We can be reached at
ext
is the best way to reach us!