Syllabus

Dearborn High School

Language Arts 1

Course Syllabus

September 2017 – January 2018

 

Instructor:     Ms. Fetter

     fetterk@dearbornschools.org

     (313) 827-8248

 

Course Description:  Guided by the Common Core Standards for 9th grade language arts, this course aims to prepare students for the remainder of high school and eventually college by exposing them to a variety of different texts while pushing them to deeply analyze craft and make connections to their own lives.  Students will be challenged to consider conflicting perspectives, to reflect on their own experiences, and to get out of their comfort zone with literature they might not otherwise explore.

 

Required Materials (Due by Monday 9/11):

  • Composition Notebook (Interactive Notebook)
  • Glue Sticks
  • Two or three different color highlighters
  • Red pen
  • Pencils

 

Assignments

 

  • Formative – (20% of Grade) – These will make up the majority of assignments. These include daily writing, Articles of the Week, and any other homework assignments throughout a unit.
  • Summative – (80% of Grade) – These will consist of tests, projects, and essays.  These come at the end of learning in order to assess what  you’ve learned and will be much fewer than formative assessments.

 

 

Grading Scale

A: 100-93                            C-: 72-70

A-: 92-90                            D+: 69-67

B+: 89-87                            D: 66-63

B: 86-83                              D-: 62-60

B-: 82-80                            E: 59-0

C+: 79-77

C: 76-73

 

Independent Reading:

  • Students will be expected to read at least 1 independent reading book per card marking.
  • After our initial visit to the library, 10 minutes at the beginning of class will be allocated to independent reading every day. This means that students will be expected to have their independent reading book with them daily.  If students forget, it will be considered as being unprepared for class, and if it happens frequently, will result in me following the leveled consequences outlined under “Behavioral Expectations.”

 

Behavioral Expectations:

  • Non-negotiable expectations:
    • Be respectful at all times
    • Keep your voice at a reasonable volume
    • Bring all required materials/assignments to class
    • Be present in the classroom — do not check out or fall asleep!
  • I believe that a student-teacher relationship should be built upon mutual respect.  I have nothing but the utmost respect for my students, and I expect to receive the same in kind.  Due to my belief in this reciprocal relationship, we will build a list of class norms to follow together in addition to my non-negotiable rules. Students should get a say in how the class is run, within reason.

 

  • Consequences for breaking norms or non-negotiable rules:
    • First offense – Warning/conversation to clarify expectations
    • Second offense – Warning/conversation to clarify expectations/move seat if needed
    • Third offense – Phone call home
    • Fourth offense – Phone call home and after school detention with me
    • Fifth+ offense – Office referral

 

Phone Policy:

  • My classroom is a RED ZONE. Unless explicitly stated, phones should be silenced and stowed away.  Occasionally phones will be used for in-class activities, but this will be done at the discretion of the teacher.
  • Violations of this policy will be treated as follows:
    • First offense – Warning/conversation to clarify expectations
    • Second offense – Phone confiscated and kept until the end of the hour
    • Third offense – Phone confiscated and kept until the end of the hour with signed plan from student on how to prevent further offenses
    • Fourth+ offense – Phone confiscated and given to the office

 

Homework Policy:

  • Baskets will be set up for each hour.  Before class begins, unless otherwise stated, homework should be placed into the basket before you go to your seat.  If it is not in the basket before the bell rings for your hour on the due date, it is considered late.
  • Most major assignments will be turned in via Google Classroom. This will be explained in class, and if these assignments are not turned in properly, they will not be counted. Do not share these assignments with me on Google Drive or send them via email.
  • Obviously sometimes there are extenuating circumstances resulting in students’ inability to turn an assignment in on time, and these will be dealt with individually. Set up a time to meet with me after school to discuss due date extensions if necessary.  I will also follow up with your parents/guardians to make sure everyone is on the same page.

 

Absent Work:

 

  • Make Up Tests/Quizzes – I will set up specific dates to make up in class writes or tests.  These must be made up on one of these dates. If not, you will receive a zero. For quizzes, lunch make ups will be available if that option works best.

 

    • If none of those options work at all, you must reach out and schedule a separate make-up time with me. This is your responsibility.
  • If you were present the day that an assignment was assigned, then it is due immediately upon your return.  If you were absent the day it was assigned, then it will be due the day after.

 

After School Help/Resources:

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