Mrs. Miller's
9th grade Language Arts
&
Yearbook
"Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to
magnify himself, to multiply the ways in which he
exists, to make his life full, significant and interesting"
- Aldous Huxley
I. Overview
This course has been designed to introduce students to the reading, writing, speaking and listening concepts necessary for success not only here at JAG high school on the Ohio Graduation Test but also beyond. We will investigate a variety of genres, time periods, authors and ideas. Writings will include personal narratives, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction/research. In addition to shorter and longer speaking assignments, students will memorize and recite before the class a major work of poetry. Vocabulary will be regularly reviewed and tested
a. literature circles - students will be responsible for reading and presenting major ideas found in literature of their choice
b. guided course readings- students and instructor will work together to read and understand texts from the assigned literature book and outside sources
c. writing portfolio- students will be creating portfolios containing their written pieces. Each portfolio will include planning, drafts, and final products to be presented for possible publication, and will be kept in Mrs. Miller's room
d. journals- students will write in their journals on a daily basis as both an outlet for ideas for future writing assignments and for personal topics
e. vocabulary- each literature unit will contain practice and quizzes in these areas as well as the most commonly used SAT vocabulary lists
II. Objectives
Overall the course content is designed to help students read with an understanding of an author's main idea with sensitivity to technique, style, and inference; to write effectively, applying knowledge of the elements of fiction and nonfiction; to acquire new vocabulary and use it correctly in reading and writing; to make oral presentations that demonstrate appropriate consideration of audience, purpose and style.
III. Methods
Instructional methods include you. You must participate.
IV. Grading and Expectations
A -Excellent; superior, surpassing.
B -Satisfactory; conforms to a standard.
C -Fair; sufficient but not ample.
D -Poor; less than adequate, inferior in quality.
F -Failing; deficient, below minimum expectation.
Grade Scale
A 93-100 4.0
B 82-92 3.0
C 70-81 2.0
D 60-69 1.0
F 0-59
Homework is expected to be completed on time. Late assignments will be reduced one grade per class day; after three days no credit will be given except by prior consent of the teacher. Students who are absent from school for any reason are responsible for contacting the teacher about missed lessons or assignments.
V. Student Selected Independent reading
Independent-1 : not dependent: as a (1) : not subject to control by others : (2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit <an independent bookstore> b (1) : not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent <an independent conclusion> (2) : not looking to others for one's opinions or for guidance in conduct
Students will select a book, magazine, catalog or other form of written word to bring to class each day. This is a daily requirement, which if not met, will force Mrs. Miller to select a text for the student, and the student will then report to the class his/her findings from the reading the following day.
| 
