Class Info
Dearborn High School
Honors Language Arts 2-Semester Two
Course Syllabus
January 2016-June 2016
Instructor: Dr. Amira Kassem
Room: B-19
E-mail: Kassema@dearbornschools.org
Voicemail: 313.827-1600 X21775
Blog: https://iblog.dearbornschools.org/kassema
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Language Arts emphasizes the role language plays in our academic, personal and social lives. This course is designed to lay the foundation for successful high school writing and analysis of literature. We continue to develop critical reading strategies, practice process writing and argumentative and analytical prompts, sharpen our speaking skills, and use our knowledge of the elements of grammar to enhance critical reading, writing, and speaking skills in order to help students continue to move beyond knowledge and become questioning individuals and citizens. This course will include intensive analytical, argumentative, and expository writing aligned with The Michigan Merit Curriculum and benchmarks. Both semesters (1 and 2) aim to help students discover their own answers to the state of Michigan “Essential Questions” for ninth graders (see below). As such, discussion is a major part of class dynamics (Socratic Dialogues) and students are expected to take part in it both as avid listeners and as thoughtful speakers.
State of Michigan Language Arts Essential Questions: 9th Grade Focus
Theme: Inter-relationships and Self-Reliance
- Who am I?
- How do my skills and talents help to define me?
- How do I relate to my family, my community, and society?
- How do I build networks of people to support me?
- How am I a reflection of my relationships?
- How do my relationships within and across groups affect others?
- What influence do class, religion, language, and culture have on my relationships and decisions?
- What can I contribute as an individual?
- What is my responsibility to society?
- How do I see my beliefs reflected in government policies and by politicians?
Anchor Texts and writings
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
- Poetry
- Argumentative Prompts and research
Course Materials
- Pens/Pencils/highlighters/flashdrive
- Five subject Notebook (Reader’s/Writer’s Notebook/Grammar/Literature/Homework)
- Loose Leaf Paper/3 divider tabs
- Independent Reading Book (Bring daily to class, but especially Friday for Reader’s workshop)
- Art Supplies and Materials (colored pencils/glue/scissors/construction paper/old magazines/etc…
Assessment and Evaluation
Student learning will be assessed and evaluated through participation in class discussions, essays, journals and other written work, oral presentations, projects, tests, and quizzes. Students earn points for each assignment based on the degree of difficulty and the function the assignment serves. Usually, homework or daily work assignments are 10-20 formative points, quizzes ae anywhere from 10-20 summative points, and final papers, tests, and projects are (50-100 pts). Grades will be calculated by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible accounting of course for formative (20%) and summative (80% assignments). Formative assignments assess for learning and thus guide instruction, while summative assignments assess learning following instruction. Students will be notified in advance whether an assignment is either formative or summative.
Graded Work
All work to be handed in must include a complete heading (student’s full name, Subject, Hour, Date) and a title of the assignment. Final Essays must be typed or written in ink (MLA style). Students are required to keep a copy of all typed work on a flashdrive at home. If the work is late, or make-up work, the heading should contain a highlighted label denoting that (Late or Make-Up Work under the date). It should also be placed in the make-up or late folder. Late Work received a 10% deduction in points for every day it is late. If we have already gone over the work in class, and the student will thus no longer benefit from doing the work, it is counted as a zero in the gradebook.
Daily Guidelines
The following guidelines create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment for all students:
- Respect self and others
- Be seated and ready to learn before the bell rings
- Follow directions meant to enhance all of our well being
- Bring all necessary materials to class daily
I expect you will help me in providing you with a productive and meaningful semester,
Dr. Kassem