Hutchinson Central Technical High School
Course Syllabus
Course Name: Grade 9 ELA
Instructor: Mr. Heffron Contact Time: 8:12-8:53 or 8:12-8:53 Phone Ext: 1339
Grading Policy
Mr. Heffron
Course Syllabus 2020-2021
Overview
The New York State grade 9 curriculum modules offer a wide range of quality texts that span the canonical to the contemporary. The grade 9 curriculum balances classic works by William Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Emily Dickinson with contemporary writing by authors such as Temple Grandin, Karen Russell, and Marc Aronson. Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills. The lessons within each of the modules are linked explicitly to the Common Core Learning Standards, and provide a rigorous and pedagogically-sound approach for how the standards can come alive with thoughtful planning, adaption, and instruction.
ELA I
Grades –
The grade is earned on a total points system. The total number of points earned calculated equally by the number of possible points will determine grade. Different Assignments are worth different amount of points determined by the level of assessment. To clarify, homework assignments may be only worth 10 points while a test would be worth 100 points however, the are both part of the total point system used in factoring averages. Example: 450 points earned out of 500 points possible = a grade of 90.
Participation, behavior, and attendance all impact the grade received.
Materials *(If/when class is in-person)
· College-ruled loose-leaf paper
· Blue or black pens
· District-Issued laptop (EVERYDAY)
· Headphones
· a folder
*While instruction is virtual, students need only their laptops; we will work almost exclusively in Schoology and Microsoft Teams.
Homework Policy
Homework is ongoing in the class. This work is posted in schoology. Late work will often be accepted. Late work is reduced by as much as 50%. The homework points are the same value as the other points and combined in the category entitled "classwork" in schoology. This is consistent with the grading policy above.
Feedback:
I will make every effort to provide feedback toin a timely manner. You can expect corrections for activities and assignment usually within one week and not to exceed 2 weeks. I am also available everyday in my office hours between 8:15 and 9 am through a teams meeting link that is provided to every student in the schoology folder.
Test Policy
Summative Assessments are given twice a quarter. The first summative assessment in that quarter is termed a "midterm" or "mid-unit." This usually carries a value of at least 50 points.
The points earned carried the same value as the other points in the class.
Quiz Policy
Quizes are termed "quick writes" in this class. They are assigned on a weekly basis. These are considered formative assessments. The points earned carried the same value as the other points in the class.
Projects
Summative Assessments for Quarter 1:
Mid-Unit Assessment:
Students complete the Mid-Unit Assessment by writing a multi-paragraph response to the following prompt: Choose and explain one epigraph. Analyze the relationship between that epigraph and the girls’ development in that stage.
End-of-Unit:
For the End-of-Unit Assessment, students write a multi-paragraph response to the following prompt, relying on their reading and analysis of “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves”: Analyze Claudette’s development in relation to the five stages of Lycanthropic Culture Shock.
Summative Assessments updated Quaterly.
Course Outline
The course outline follows the NYS modules as determined by the Buffalo Public Schools. More specifically, this course is broken up into two week increments. All materials and assignments are posted in schoology folders labeled accordingly. For example; Folder September 9/08-9/21
Once this folder is opened in schoology, the student can see all the assignments, due dates, and point values. This is stored in schoology for the year and be directly accessed by all memebers.
Access to Standards: There are four strands in the Standards for Grade 9 ELA. Within each strand there multiple proficiencies linked to standards. It is the goal of this course for every student to become proficient in these standards at grade level. To further explore the learning standards in this class, please visit the following:
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/9-10/
Thank you so much for consideration! I am very much looking forward to teaching your child. As a resident of our great city and parent of two young BPS students of my own, I proceed with great expectations and humility for this awesome responsibility!