9th Grade English Literature OVERVIEW

Mrs. Williams 2014-2015

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LITERATURE/WRITING: We will be focusing primarily on literature and writing. The following is a list of
strategically designed unit plans that we will venture through to help you meet the goals and standards set
before you:

UNIT 1: Journey of Discovery: Nonfiction
Part I: Elements of Nonfiction
Part II: 5 Nonfiction readings
Part III: Test and Expository Essay

UNIT 2: Research Paper
Part I: Choosing topic and sources
Part II: Note taking
Part III: Outlines
Part IV: Editing
Part V: Producing a Final Draft

UNIT 3: Novel: A Separate Peace
Part I: Background and novel components
Part II: Reading and Discussion
Part III: Test

UNIT 4: Criminal Minds: Fiction
Part I: What makes a Detective story
Part II: 4 fiction readings plus a video
Part III: Test and Narrative Detective story

UNIT 5: Declaration of Independence: Persuasive Speeches and Articles
Part I: Elements of Persuasive Writing
Part II: 4 Persuasive readings
Part III: Persuasive Essay and Speech

UNIT 6: The Odyssey
Part I: Greek Gods and Goddess, Epic Poetry
Part II: Reading of both parts with discussion
Part III: Tests over each section


GRAMMAR: The bell-ringers (done during the first 5 minutes of class) will review grammar techniques and
a short quiz will be taken through the week to check for understanding.

VOCABULARY: Freshman work through the level 9 Wordly Wise. A lesson is assigned on Monday, you
have a full week to complete the assigned sections. On Friday, you will tear out the assigned sections and
turn it in. Vocabulary quizzes are given on Friday, the quizzes are broken into 4 parts: synonym, antonym,
complete the statement, and standardized test prep. Vocabulary is not assigned on 4 day weeks, however,
you may be required to complete lesson reviews.
TESTS: Because it is difficult to keep up with which class is testing when, my class will have what I call
Testing Mondays, which means that (unless something drastic occurs) all of the tests will be on a
9th Grade English Literature OVERVIEW
Mrs. Williams 2014-2015
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Monday. There are times that this will not happen but I will never give a unit test on a friday due to the
shortened class period. This, of course, does not extend to final exams. Students will be given a study
guide that will be completed for extra credit on the test several days before the actual test. Study guides
need to be completed in whole to gain the extra credit.

HOMEWORK: Whether completing blog questions, discussion questions, vocabulary, or reading, you will
have some sort of homework every night. All writing assignments are completed in class unless assigned
differently.

WRITING: All writing assignments will be written in MLA format. We follow Owl Purdue MLA, please use
the website https://owl.english.purdue.edu as a reference. All writing will need to be uploaded to
turnitin.com

LATE WORK AND SUCCESS FRIDAY: All late work is graded at a highest score of 70%. I call in any
student that is missing any kind of work, it does not matter if you have an A or a F, you will need to show up
in Success Friday. If you do not turn in the missing work by 3pm of that Success Friday, the assignment
will turn into a zero. All late work needs to be labeled LATE at the top of the page

TARDINESS AND ABSENCES: If you are not in my classroom when the bell rings, you are counted Tardy
unless you come in with a pass. If you are gone, you need to check the calendar under the clock in the
room, figure out what you missed and then look in the appropriate folder under the day of the week. You
have two days to complete the work. All absent work needs to be labeled ABS at the top of the page.

GRADING SCALE: Grades will be calculated by a point value system. The grading scale will be based
upon the percentages of (30%) Tests, (30%) Writing, (25%) Assignments, (10%) Quizzes, (5%)
Participation.
The grading period will end at the conclusion of every quarter. Then, at the end of the semester the two
quarters will be added together with the final exam score. The semester score will be based upon the
percentages of (40%) 1st Quarter (40%) 2nd Quarter and (20%) Final Exam.

Actual grading scale:
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 F