Introduction to Literature 2 

9th Grade

Course Syllabus -- Spring 2004

Ms. Gina Ahnen

Room 214
Phone: (303) 689-6100 extension 2214
Voice Mail: (303) 764-3203 mailbox 21400
gina_ahnen@dpsk12.org

Course description:

This is a semester course focusing on reading, literary analysis, writing and presenting at the high school level. Students will develop reading and writing skills, focusing on a variety of formats and genres. Students will continue to work on improving grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. This course is required for high school graduation, and an end of course assessment will be given at the end of the semester.

Materials:

You will need:  

• Your ID

• Blue or black pen

• Loose leaf paper

• Three ring notebook

• A place to write down assignments

• Textbook and book we are reading at the time. (Each student will be assigned a textbook during the second week of the semester and will be responsible for bringing the book to class.)               

• An independent reading book

Selections from the textbook and other selected works.

• “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

• Like Water for Chocolate  by Laura Esquirel 

• The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

One of the following four selected autobiographies:

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

• Finding Fish by Antwone Fisher

• Growing Up  by Russell Baker

• Black Ice by Lorene Cary

Choice book from list to be given later for research paper

Attendance:

Attendance is essential for you to do well in this class. 

The South High School policy regarding school absences and tardies will apply.  Students who have more than four unexcused absences during a nine-week grading period will fail the nine weeks, unless the attendance appeal board has approved the absences. 

Students are expected to be in class on time every day.   Students should be in their seats ready to work when the tardy bell rings.

If you are absent IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU MISSED (ON YOUR OWN TIME).  You may talk to someone in the class before you come to class, see me before or after school, or arrange to see me at lunch. 

Attendance and participation –20%

• You will be expected to participate in class discussions and activities during class, including listening to the teacher and other students.

• You will be expected to come to class on time and bring the materials that you will  need for the day

Shorter homework and beginning of class writing assignments—15%

• You will do an entry in your writer’s notebook at the beginning of class.  These will be graded on quantity and effort.  If you are late, this will show in your writer’s notebook grades. 

Short writing assignments, classwork and creative writing assignments—30%

• All writing assignments should be kept in your binder after they are returned to you so that you can refer to them later.

  Longer assignments, quizzes and tests—35%

• Papers in this category should be typed and REVISED before they are turned in.

• Projects should be done with pride and neatly presented.

• If you get below a C on any of these projects, you will be expected to revise and the assignment and turn it in again. We will discuss this further when you receive your first assignment. 

Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Any paper that is partially or fully plagiarized will receive a 0 for the grade.  In order to pass each nine weeks marking period, major papers must be turned in.  

You should expect to read, write and discuss everyday in class!

---------------------------------------------

I have read the syllabus and understand and agree to follow the guidelines outlined.

Name  ___________________________________

Signature____________________________________________Date________________

Parent Signature__________________________________________________________

Parent e-mail address__________________________________________

Please list any questions or concerns you have below.

______________________________________________________________