9th Grade Honors English

Carolyn Gilman, room 501

cgilman@osd.wednet.edu

Course Content: 9th grade honors English will focus on refining and improving writing, reading,
critical thinking, discussion and research skills through the study of literature, including novels,
short stories, nonfiction, drama and poetry. Vocabulary and grammar will be taught throughout the
year. Our curriculum includes: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Romeo and Juliet by William
Shakespeare, and excerpts from Homers The Odyssey. We will also be piloting new instructional
materials during first semester. Independent reading and additional texts will be included
throughout the year.

Learning Goals: We will begin the school year working toward achievement of the following
learning goals based on Common Core Standards:
Reading
Students will transition from reading for comprehension to reading for analysis and authors
craft.
Students will understand elements of literature and apply them to content.
Writing
Students will identify significant and relevant evidence and incorporate it into their original
writing.
Students will construct a compelling, thought-provoking and arguable thesis.
Communication
Students will support their ideas with evidence from the text.
Students will develop their own ideas by adding to and elaborating on the ideas of others.

Grading: Students grades are intended to be a reflection of the level to which they have achieved
the learning goals. Grades will be posted in Skyward and will be divided into these two categories:

Daily Assignment: These assignments are designed to help students achieve the learning goals.
Daily assignments include: group work, notes and in-class writing assignments, practice with
grammar and vocabulary, annotating texts, completing reading assignments at home, homework,
blog posts and informal discussions. Daily assignments will account for 20% of your total grade in
this class.

Evaluation: Evaluation includes the types of assignments that assess your mastery of the learning
goals. Evaluation includes: quizzes, tests, essays, projects, and formal discussions such as Socratic
Seminar. Evaluation will account for 80% of your total grade in this class. Students will be afforded
ample opportunity to show they have met the learning goals.

Technology
Chromebooks: We are fortunate to have a class set of Chromebooks in the classroom at all times.
Students will need to sign in to the Chromebooks using their @students. osd.wednet.edu email
address. This email address needs to be used for any and all class work, including the English
blog. Students should not be using personal email accounts at school.

English Blog: Students will create a personal English blog to use as a place to supplement class
discussions and practice writing. A weekly blog post and commenting on classmates blogs will be
required for class credit. Assignments will be posted weekly on Mrs. Gilmans blog:
gilmanhonorsenglish2016.blogspot.com

Class Webpage: An on-going record of assignments, activities and due dates for this class is
available on my page of the OHS web site, including access to handouts and assignments. It is the
students responsibility to check the web page to find out what was missed and download any
assignments.
Expectations of Classroom Conduct: We will work together as a class to develop policies on
the following classroom concerns and procedures:
Use of phones and other electronics
Managing the use of classroom Chromebooks
Printing assignments
Managing group work
Being ready when class starts
Being kind and respectful to one another

Participation and Classroom Conduct:

Class discussions and group activities are crucial to learning. In order to achieve the maximum
benefits of this class, aim for the following behaviors:

1. Be in class on time every day. Avoid absences whenever possible. Make appointments at other
times of the day.
2. Stay in class for the duration of the period. Limit the use of the hall pass to emergencies.
3. Be alert and attentive. Avoid side conversations.
4. Be ready to learn. Maintain a positive attitude. Work on English in English: no other coursework
in class.

Supplies
Binder space: a section within a binder for all of your classes or a slim binder exclusively
for English if you prefer.
2 composition notebooks
Loose leaf notebook paper
Pens and pencils
Post-It Notes (standard size) for annotating the texts
Highlighter pens or tape.
Every student will need to purchase Word Power Made Easy for approximately $6.50 from
the OHS student store. Students will be required to read and study lessons for weekly
vocabulary quizzes.

Policies
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN ON OR BEFORE THE DATE DUE REGARDLESS OF
ABSENCE. If this is impossible, students must email me at cgilman@osd.wednet.edu.
If you have extenuating circumstances preventing you from turning in an assignment,
please contact me prior to the due date.
Regular attendance and active participation in daily classroom activities are important
factors contributing to success in this class. Generally, work assigned before the student
was absent is due on the day he or she returns to class. Students are allowed one day for
each day absent to make up work assigned while absent.

Cheating
Cheating is taking anothers work and calling it your own so that you derive the
benefit.
Cheating defeats the purpose of education. Any and all forms of cheating will result in disciplinary
action.
Cheating includes but is not limited to:
Exchanging answers or assignments with others. This includes exchanging answers by taking
pictures or other electronic or recorded means and then submitting them as original work.
Using hidden reference sheets during a test.
Using phones in any way during a test.
Submitting someone elses assignment as your own, in whole or part.
 Submitting material (written or designed by someone else) without giving credit to the source
(plagiarizing information from the Internet or other source or submitting work done by family,
friends or tutors.)
Taking credit for group work when little contribution was made.
Stealing tests, answers, or materials, or having unauthorized possession of such materials.
Sabotaging or destroying the work of others.
Submitting the same work in more than one course without the knowledge and approval of the
teachers.
Not following the guidelines specified by the teacher during a test (i.e. talking), or for a take-
home test or exam.
Altering the posting date of blogs that are completed past the due dates.

Olympia High School Plagiarism Policy:

1st offense: Failing (zero) grade on assignment and disciplinary action.
2nd offense: Failing grade in course
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
To ensure the success of our students, please read the information on this syllabus carefully. If you
have any questions, please feel free to email me at any time. Please include a way that I may
contact you so that we may have open communication, further assuring the success of all
students.

Student Name (please print) Student Signature

___________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Parent Name Parent Signature

___________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Parent Daytime Phone Number Parent E-mail Address

___________________________________
_________________________________________________________

I look forward to a fun and exciting year.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Gilman
cgilman@osd.wednet.edu

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

To ensure the success of our students, please read the information on this syllabus carefully. If you
have any questions, please feel free to email me at any time. Please include a way that I may
contact you so that we may have open communication, further assuring the success of all
students.

Student Name (please print) Student Signature

___________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Parent Name Parent Signature

___________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Parent Daytime Phone Number Parent E-mail Address

___________________________________
_________________________________________________________

I look forward to a fun and exciting year.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Gilman
cgilman@osd.wednet.edu