1. Brian Van Velzer Honors English 9 Vista del Lago High School
Welcome
Brian Van Velzer
Honors English 9
Vista del Lago High School

2. Brian Van Velzer
BA in English Literature – California State University Sacramento
MA in Education – Curriculum and Instruction
National Board Certification – Adolescents/Young Adults in English Language Arts
Taught two years at Folsom High School (English 9 and English 10)
Taught at Vista del Lago since 2007 (Beginning Composition; Honors and English 10; English 9, Honors English 9)

3. Educational Philosophy
Students will learn more if they are challenged to engage in intelligent conversations with their peers about the concepts being discussed in class.
A sense of community is important so that students feel the freedom and safety to speak freely in class.
Students should be learning how to think critically about the world around them.

4. Requirements for Honors English 9:
Common Core Aligned: Asks students to address areas of Literature, Non Fiction, Writing, Speaking and Listening
Summer Reading Novels: Fahrenheit 451, Jane Eyre, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Novels: A Long Way Gone, In the Time of the Butterflies, Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird
Shakespeare: “Romeo and Juliet”

5. Honors English 9 is an advanced study of English Literature for students who plan to go on to AP classes later in high school.
In Honors English 9 we will address Common Core areas of focus: Reading (Literature and Informational Text) Writing (Narrative, Informative, Argumentation) and Speaking and Listening (Formal and Informal Discussions)

6. A typical day in Honors English 9
Big Ideas and Enduring Themes
Novel Study – Close reading from our current novel, reading check quiz, class discussions, Socratic Seminars, small group collaborative work, etc.

7. Course Overview: Units of Study
Unit One (JANUARY): Winter Reading Analysis: A Long Way Gone
Unit Two (JANUARY/FEBRUARY): “Leadership” – In the Time of the Butterflies
Unit Three (FEBRUARY/MARCH): “Empathy” – To Kill a Mockingbird
Unit Four (MARCH/APRIL): “Dreams and Aspirations” – Of Mice and Men
Unit Five (APRIL/MAY): “All for Love” – Romeo and Juliet

8. Grades Grades are weighted:
70% of the total grade: Summative Assessments - Assessments OF Learning (tests, final drafts of essays, major projects, etc)
30% of the total grade: Formative Assessments Assessments FOR Learning (quizzes, reading checks, rough drafts of essays, homework, etc)

9. 6 Point Scale
All Assignments (both formative and summative) are worth 6 points on the following scale:
6/5 – Expert (The student demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills)
4/5– Proficient (The student demonstrates strong knowledge and skills – only minor mistakes)
3– Apprentice (The student has a basic understanding but requires further assistance and practice)
2 – Novice (Student demonstrates limited understanding of concepts and is not ready to move on)
1 – Unsatisfactory (Student does not demonstrate skills or understanding of the concept)

10. The calendar will be updated weekly
Communication
Teacher Web Page
My teacher web page is a way for students to check on upcoming assignments and check their current grades in any class
The calendar will be updated weekly
Grades will be updated every two weeks

11. Contacting Me…
is the easiest way to contact me.
Phone
ext

12. THANK YOU!
Teachers and administration sincerely appreciate your efforts to attend Back-to-School Night
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help your son or daughter succeed.