2555 Wieneke Road ●●● Saginaw, MI 48603 ●●● 989-791-4330

Syllabus

Grade 9
Course Description

This course is an introduction to the study of literary genres.  In addition, formal as well as informal writing styles will be incorporated and stressed in relationship to the literature.

Outcomes:

• Be able to analyze, interpret, draw conclusions and question literary elements including character, setting, plot, conflict and theme.

• Be able to review literature sufficiently to  make and support a thesis statement.

• Be able to read various forms of literature to analyze the purposes, motivations and points of view of various authors.

• Be able to produce a variety of quality writing styles.

• Be able to effectively communicate using appropriate verbal skills.

• Be able to utilize appropriate listening skills in order to develop proper note taking procedures.

• Be able to demonstrate understanding of a novel.

 Required Texts:

• Literature:  Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes (Gold), Prentice Hall, 1999 Edition

• Survival, T.H. Peek Publishers, 1995

• The Chosen, Chaim Potok

• To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

English Department Requirements:

• All major papers must be typed.

• All written work must be completed in ink.

• All written work must be completed on loose leaf paper on one side.

• All work must be handed in on time.

• No late work will be accepted.

• No extra credit will be given.

• Any form of plagiarism is unacceptable and will result in an automatic zero.

• Required materials are expected in class on a daily basis.

• A notebook is required (must save for the following years).

• It is your responsibility to see the teacher (at the beginning of the class period) the day you return about missed assignments due to excused absence(s).  Quizzes and tests must be  made up immediately on your own time.  Dates for these will be assigned a later due date.  Work given or due as a result of an unexcused absence or tardy will result in a zero.  Prearranged absence - it is your responsibility to check before the actual absence so that work is completed upon return.

• Participation is required.

• Appropriate classroom behavior is expected.

• Writing Portfolio

• Computer disc required

Grading:

Various methods of evaluation will be used.  The purpose of this is to give you the exposure and experience to a variety of procedures.  All work given will be assigned point values as determined by their importance.  The total points will determine the final grade.  The quarterly work and semester exam will all constitute a certain percentage of the grade as determined by the student handbook.

Composition Techniques Required:

• Chapter 1 - Sentence Structure and Mechanics

• Chapter 2 - Essay

• Chapter 8 - Essay Exam

• Appendix B - A Guide to Stylistic Revision

 Literature Required:

1^st Semester

• Unit I - Spine Tinglers

• Unit II - Challenges and Choices

• Unit III - Moments of Discovery

• Unit IV - The Lighter Side

• Unit V - Visions of the Future

2^nd Semester

• Unit VI - Short Stories

• Unit VII - Nonfiction

• Unit VIII - Drama

• Unit IX - Poetry

• Unit X - The Epic