English 9 Fall 2020 Schedule & Syllabus

Bob Jones High SchoolTeacher: Mr. James Patrick Maguire

650 Hughes RoadE-mail: jpmaguire@madisoncity.k12.al.us

Madison, AL 35758Phone: 256-772-2547 ext. 80147

(Syllabus begins on next page)Course Description & Objectives: Passing English 9 satisfies one English Language Art credit toward graduation, according to the Madison City 2020-2021 Curriculum Catalog.

In this course, students will acquire new skills and develop existing skills for: comprehending informational texts; understanding and appreciating literature; writing for a variety of purposes, including argumentative, narrative, and informative; conducting research; speaking & listening effectively; and, commanding the English language with respect to grammar and vocabulary. (For a complete list of standards to be met, refer to the Ninth Grade ELA standards published in the Alabama Learning Exchange.)

Classroom (Virtual) Rules/Expectations: As your teacher, I expect the following each day:

· Participation → Showing up is the hardest part. Be present and punctual, and respect all others' right to do the same.

· Determination → Life is what you make it, and we get out what we put in. Build character by being the best version of yourself, especially when doing so is difficult.

· Communication → I’m here to help! Confused about an assignment? Having trouble contacting a classmate or logging into something? Just found out you need to miss a class in the future? Tell me, or have a parent/guardian do it on your behalf.

· Application → The skills you gain in this class are designed to improve your quality of life overall: from developing an appreciation for art, to representing your best self in a job interview, to communicating with friends and family. No assignment is ever given to function as “busy work.” By applying yourself now, you will find life's future challenges less daunting.

· BJHS Remote Learning Expectations

Grading Policies:

As per BJHS policy, major grades (essays, tests, research papers, projects, etc) will account for 70% of the student’s grade. Homework/daily grades (bell ringers, class writing, participation, etc.) will account for 30% of the student’s grade. The final exam accounts for 1/5 of the final grade. Progress reports will be sent home every three weeks.

· Major test grade assignments (projects, essays, etc.): a deduction of 1 letter grade will be taken off every day a major assignment is not turned in. Without a valid excuse, work submitted more than three days late WILL NOT receive credit.

· Daily assignments (bell ringers, daily work, vocabulary homework, etc.): half credit will be given if turned in after the assignment is due.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism:

BJHS has a zero tolerance policy for dishonest work, especially plagiarism. There are many different types of cheating: sharing test answers or information/homework with classmates, using visuals or text found on the internet, or paraphrasing ideas without giving the original author credit. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating, and is most prevalent when doing research papers, but all of these forms of cheating will be dealt with seriously and will include a meeting with the teacher, the student, and school administration. To prevent being accused of plagiarism, students must take care always to give credit where it is due.

Required Materials:

All texts will be provided virtually or in-person as needed over the course of the semester. Students will need a laptop device to access assignments and materials on Schoology and class meetings via WebEx and Screencastify. Google Chrome is the recommended web browser to access all materials. Click here to book a time for MCS Device and WiFi Pickup; see the Madison City Schools site for additional information.

18-week Plan (as of August 12, 2020):

Time

Works

Weeks 1-3

→ Summer Reading: Animal Farm by George Orwell (selected passages)

→ “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King

Weeks 4-6

Short Stories:

· “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes

· “Interlopers” by Saki

· “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell

· “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar A. Poe

· “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

· “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

Weeks 7-9

Research:

· “The Flowers” by Alice Walker

· (Additional works TBD)

Weeks 10-12

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Weeks 13-15

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Weeks 16-17

The Odyssey by Homer