Mr. John Boegman jboegman@fremont.k12.ca.

us

510-657-3600 x37054 http://classjump.com/mrboegman/

English 9H with Mr. Boegman 2011-2012

Course Description
Well be critically reading a variety of material in English 9H, including fiction and nonfiction, novels, short stories, drama and poetry. In addition, well develop writing skills through formal essays and informal exercises such as journal writing, reading logs and learning logs. The focus will be to develop descriptive, clear and concise writing that displays a high level of critical thinking and reflection. We will also work on oral presentation skills through group and individual activities, and students are expected to take an active part in class and small group discussions.

Reading List
In addition to material provided in our anthology, Holt Rhinehart and Winstons Literature and Language Arts, Third Course, reading material will come from: Romeo and Juliet Lord of the Flies Animal Farm To Kill a Mockingbird Great Expectations Selected short stories Of Mice and Men Fahrenheit 451 and poems

Vocabulary Development
We will have lists of vocabulary to study from Vocabulary for Achievement, Third Course, as well as words taken from the context of our readings. Vocabulary quizzes will be every two or three weeks.

Group Work, Homework, Class Work, Essays and Tests

Group work: In addition to individual work, students may occasionally work on projects based on their reading or other activities with a partner or in small groups. Homework: students can expect up to 50 pages per week of reading to be done outside of class. Careful budgeting of your time will be necessary. Dont procrastinate and wait to begin longer assignments at the last minute! Homework assignments to be turned in are usually small (5 or 10 points each) and students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss their work. Work that is sloppy, illegible, or done with incomplete sentences will either be docked points or simply not accepted, but otherwise homework is usually given full credit if it is done on time. Classwork: participation in classroom activities and discussions is essential to the learning process. Everyone is expected to respect each others ideas and suggestions to encourage this participation. Essays: Most essays will begin as in-class writing assignments, and then go through a peer revision process, with the final version being typed and turned in with all accompanying material. Usually 60-100 points total. Quizzes / Tests: Short, unannounced reading quizzes (2 or 3 plot-related questions5 or 6 points) should be periodically expected. Unit tests are always scheduled well in advance and may include objective sections (True/False, multiple choice, etc.) as well as short answer / free response.

Grading Policy
Grades will be weighted in this class according to the following scale: Homework 15% Projects/Presentations 20% Vocabulary/Class Participation 10% Tests and Quizzes 30% Writing 25% Extra credit is not offered as a remedy to boost your grade, and grades are not rounded up. Letter grades are based on the following percentages: 93.0 to 100 83.0 to 86.9 B 67.0 to 69.9 D+ A80.0 to 82.9 B63.0 to 66.9 D A 87.0 to 89.9 77.0 to 79.9 C+ 60.0 to 62.9 D90.0 to 92.9 73.0 to 76.9 C Below 59.9 F B+ 70.0 to 72.9 C-

Materials
Please bring the following to class every day:

8.5 x 11 college-ruled paper. If you use a spiral notebook, make sure that it has perforated pages so that there are no hanging chad when tearing paper out to turn in your work. A three ring binder for English with dividers to keep handouts, notes, vocab. work, etc. Pencils are used only on Scantron tests. Please bring ballpoint pens (black or dark blue for work and other colors for correcting/editing) and 3 different colored high-liters. Currently studied text(s). Failure to bring your text to class can result in loss of points.

Mr. John Boegman jboegman@fremont.k12.ca.us 510-657-3600 x37113

Mr. John Boegman jboegman@fremont.k12.ca.us 510-657-3600 x37113

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the unauthorized use, or close imitation, of the language and thoughts of someone else and the representation of them as one's own original work. Students are expected to turn in new, original work of their own. First offenders will get a zero on the assignment, receive a referral, and must have a conference with a parent and administrator. Second offenders will have another parent conference, fail the quarter, and face possible suspension.

Policies
Respect: Please be courteous and respectful to your classmates, myself, and also any substitutes. The best way to ensure receiving respect from others is to extend it to them in the first place. Tardies: You are tardy if you are not sitting in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings. Three tardies will result in a departmental detention. Additional tardies may result in a Saturday school and being put on a tardy contract. Hall passes: Plan on using the restroom during lunch or passing period. If it absolutely cannot wait, you may ask for a hall pass. There are no passes given the first or last 10 minutes of class, and only one student may be excused at a time. Late work: Unless otherwise specified, work is normally due at the beginning of the period. Late homework will be worth a maximum of 50%. Computers and printers can malfunction at very inconvenient times, so dont rely on them have a back-up plan for printing and submitting your work without it being late. Make-ups: Work, quizzes, and tests missed due to excused absences are students responsibility. When you return to class, be sure to ask how and when to make up any missed work. Work missed due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up. Electronic devices: Do not bring your iPods, cell phones, Game Boys, PSPs, etc. to class. When these items become distractions, they will be confiscated, which will result in a parent conference to discuss the appropriate times and places to use these devices. Attire: Please do not wear hats, hoods, or sunglasses in class. Students who violate the school-wide dress code will be referred to the office. Food: Generally speaking, eating is not permitted in class. Bottled water is acceptable, however no other beverages are permitted.

Assorted Dos and Donts

Do bring your sense of humor to the class. Life is ever so much more enjoyable when there are plenty of opportunities to laugh and when we make the most of those opportunities. Dont make anyone else uncomfortable or disrupt the class with your humor. Learn when humor is appropriate and when it is not. Do take chances and risks by asking questions and making suggestions. Even if your thoughts are not fully formed or concrete, giving them voice can help clarify your thinking, as well as your classmates. A suggestion put forth that is ultimately insupportable may spawn two or three other ideas that are true epiphanies. Dont be shy if you have something to add to the discussion. Fortune favors the bold, but abandons the timid, (Latin proverb) so raise your hand and belt it out. Do share your personal experiences, skills, and knowledge to help illustrate concepts and ideas. I love it when students put literature into a personal perspective! Dont hesitate to speak to me before or after class, during lunch, or by appointment if you have questions or concerns that you are uncomfortable sharing in class. Do have a great year, enjoy your start at Mission San Jose High School, and do your best to internalize the wisdom of the following two quotes: Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action and purpose. Lance Armstrong Work like you dont need the money; Love like youve never been hurt; Dance like nobodys watching. Mark Twain