First Semester Evaluation: Final grades will be based on the following estimated percentages:

Writing 25% (research paper, expository essay)

Daily work/Homework/Journal 25%

Tests/Quizzes 15%

Grammar 10%

Vocabulary Stems 10%

Semester Test 15%

Second Semester Evaluation: Final grades will be based on the following percentages:

Daily work and Homework 25%

Writing 15%

Tests/Quizzes 25%

Grammar 10%

Vocabulary Stems 10%

Semester Test 15%

100%

2. Grading Scale: (see student handbook for detailed breakdown of grading system)

A 90 – 100%

B 80 – 89%

C 70 – 79 %

D 60 – 69 %

F 0 – 59.9 %

3. Late work/Make-up work: Students are expected to complete assignments by their due date. Late work will be deducted by 10% of the score earned for each day the assignment is overdue. Make-up work must be completed within one class period of an excused absence. Thereafter, the assignment is subject to late work deduction. No late work will be accepted within the last two weeks of a semester.

4. Quality Work: When work does not meet satisfactory requirements, students may be required to revise the work. All writing assignments receiving less than a C- (70%) are subject to revision. Additional credit may be earned through revisions, but maximum credit is best earned through turning in quality work upon assignment due dates. When turning in a revision, also turn in the original graded copy and grading sheet.

5. Discipline: Students are expected to respect each other, the instructor and all guests to the classroom. Discipline problems will be managed according to school policy. If behavior, attendance, or academic problems cannot be handled within the classroom, parents will be notified and out-of-school time may be required on part of the student. Cheating and plagiarism results in an automatic zero score for the assignment and a call home to parent(s)/guardian.

6. Challenges (Extra Credit): Occasionally enrichment opportunities will be offered throughout the semester. These opportunities are designed to increase your knowledge and skills pertaining to the unit being studied. There will be deadlines associated with the challenges. Those students aiming for an A grade for the course are encouraged to complete several challenges. Extra Credit will not be offered as a way to bring up a failing grade at the end of the term. Instead, take advantage of these opportunities when they are offered.

Materials:

Bring paper and pen to class everyday!
Journal—college ruled notebook or three ring binder with college ruled paper
Bring textbook to class when needed—check the board for announcements.
School Planner—record assignments

Classroom Rules:

Respect others: listen, allow your peers to have their own point-of-view, leave other people’s property alone, do not prevent others from learning or completing their work.
No audible or visible cell phones; they should be turned off and put away. Better choice: don’t bring them.
All handbags are to be deposited in the bin at the front of the room at the beginning of class. They may be retrieved at the end of the period.
Do not interrupt—raise your hand when others are speaking.
Visit your locker, the restroom and/or the drinking fountain before class—you will not be excused during lectures or guided activities.
If you are tardy, you must have a signed pass in order to be excused.
Use your class time to work.

Guidelines for Papers and Essays:

Follow MLA style of documentation for all written work. All finished work should be written in blue or black pen. Refer to the example in this package for MLA Style guidelines. Use one-inch margins and Times, Arial or Helvetica fonts no larger than 12 points in size for typed assignments.

Curriculum

The standards and benchmarks of the English 9 curriculum may be viewed at anytime by accessing the district homepage at http://www.ankeny.k12.ia.us/Admin/Distinfo/InstrucServ/Frameworks/district_map_frameworks1.html.