9 MYP Accelerated Syllabus 2015-2016

English 9 MYP 2015-2016
Syllabus:

Dr. Palmen, Rm 3109 - 3110

karen.palmen@spps.org    (school e-mail - submit QUESTIONS to this address)

For Paper Submission:
palmencentral5@gmail.com

Course Description:

English 9 MYP is a year long survey of American Literature from stories of the first people to the present.  The focus of the course is developing rigorous skills in reading, writing, and literary analysis, as well as studying cultural diversity and conflict and the impact of these on American values and history during the past 400 years.

Materials:

Students will be expected to maintain a journal throughout the course. This journal will be used to record thoughts, feelings and analysis of the reading materials for the course. Students journal will be evaluated several times during the quarter.

CLASS LIST of MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:

A writing utensil

A composition book for daily writing

An iPad (when you receive it from the district)

A BOX of TISSUES

State Standards and Benchmarks: 

In English MYP, students acquire skills in the areas of vocabulary, comprehension, literature, writing, spelling, research, speaking and listening, and media literacy. These skills are aligned with the districts and states 2010 Common Core English/Language Arts Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Media Literacy standards which can be found online:

http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/educ/documents/basic/005238.pdf

Curriculum:

QUARTER ONE AND TWO

Writing workshop/ Narrative reading and writing

First People and Colonial Literature
The Scarlet Letter and YoungGoodman Brown or The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Introduction to The Commentary

Edgar Allen Poe

The Narrative of the Life ofFrederick Douglas

QUARTER THREE AND FOUR

Modern Poetry – The Commentary
The Transcendentalists – The Journey Journal

Piano Lesson by August Wilson - American drama 

Independent Reading Novel and Project – The RESEARCH PROCESS AND PAPER (AMERICAN AUTHOR

CLASS ACTIVITIES:

Writing activities accompany all units of study.  These will include a formal research paper and several short comparative essays.  Students will study literature in many ways including informal journals, small groups, large group discussion, dramatic and creative projects, and oral presentations.

There are several longer assignments that will need to be typed in MLA format (we will learn this in class). MLA is required for every English class at Central High School.

If you do not have a computer with Internet at home there are resources in the community to help you meet your school requirements. Many community centers and all public libraries have computers with Internet available for public use. Central library also has computers for student use.

For peer editing days, you will need to bring a HARD COPY of your writing for your partner to read or your personal laptop (although, I would caution against this for security purposes). Peer editing is calculated into your writing process grade. As a courtesy to your partner, please do not peer edit with a hand-written copy. 

It is preferable that all essays and papers be submitted via Google docs. 

Essays and papers should be submitted no later than 11:59pm on the day it is due.

Grading:
Grades are based on a combination of written work and class participation on a point/unit basis. Assignments will be assessed not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. Students will be expected to work at an accelerated level, manage their time independently, complete many assignments outside of class, and take personal responsibility for the quality of their work.

Again: Completing homework is vital to your success in classwork and participation. You must complete your homework in order to fully participate in groups and activities and to successfully complete the work done in the classroom.

It is a Central policy that each 9^th grade student will complete a research paper. 

We have placed this project in the third and/or fourth quarter of the year.  Student CANNOT and WILL NOT receive their 9^th grade English credit (either 3^rd or 4^th quarter) without completing the work for this research paper.

CLASSWORK: 15%

EFFORT AND PARTICIPATION: 15%

HOMEWORK: 10%

ASSESSMENT: 60% (PROJECTS, PRESENTATIONS AND PAPERS)

LATE AND MAKE-UP WORK POLICY:

Excessive absenteeism and late or missing work will result in lowered grades or failure.

1.     If you are having a problem with an assignment, it is your responsibility to speak with me in advance of the due date.

2.     Late assignments lose 10% of total points achieved for each day it is late. Late assignments must be completed within 5 consecutive days after due date (this includes weekends – if it is due on Wednesday, it must be turned in no later than Monday at 11:59pm). No work will receive credit if it is handed in more than 5 days late.

3.     No work may be made up if the student does not provide an EXCUSED Admit slip.

4.     Students with EXCUSED absences are responsible for asking about and picking up their own make-up work. Due dates will remain in place unless the student and the teacher make a reasonable arrangement.

5.     Students are responsible for recording assignment due dates in their daily planners. Some students find it easier to keep their assignments and due dates on their calendars on their iPads or Smart phones. Students need to keep track of their work and turn it in on time to achieve high grades in English 9 MYP.

I look forward to an exciting and productive year. If you have any questions or concerns, you may e-mail me at karen.palmen@spps.org.

Thank You,

 Ms. Palmen