9th Grade English

   This course complies with the required contents of the Alabama Course of Study and the given state exam mandates. The primary objective for this course is to teach students how to apply strategies, and to express meaning effectively, competently, and confidently in various written and spoken modes. Please read over the following rules, procedures, and policies to ensure that you understand what is expected of you as a student, as well as myself, as your teacher. As a student, you will master this course through successfully completing grammar exercises, writing, reading, and speaking. Although I will be giving you the tools you will need to succeed, along with any help you may need, it  is ultimately up to YOU to make the most of the time we have together. Only you can determine your level of achievement and success in this class.

Classroom Rules:   

                    1.Bring ALL materials to class. Be prepared to work everyday.

                    2.No food or drinks (only bottled water) are to be brought into my classroom.

                       Don't bring leftovers from the lunchroom.

                     3. Respect others at all times.

                     4. Disruptive behavior is never tolerated.

Failure to comply with the above rules will result in proper disciplinary action.

Supplies:    3 ring binder/6 dividers - (labeled as WOD, Writing, Vocab, Grammar, Literature, DOL)

                  Loose leaf paper 

                  Blue or black in pens/pencils

                  One subject spiral notebook

Resources:    Textbook- Writers Choice: Grammar and Composition Elements of Literature

                     Workbook- Glencoe Grammar and Literature

                      Literature: Reading with a Purpose

Area of Study: Grammar- During the course of the year, students will be learning various methods and practices involving the following:

                 Parts of Speech, Parts of a Sentence, Subject/Verb Agreement, Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement, Pronoun Case, etc.

                 Narrative, Expository, Descriptive, and Persuasive Writing/ 4 Essays/ Peer Editing

               Poetry, Various Short Stories, The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet

              2 Novels- The Time Machine/The Outsiders- You do not need to purchase these novels! I have a classroom set of each.

Assessment: Grades are determined based on a total points system.

                     Quizzes/Classwork  10-20 points

                     Grammar/Literature Tests - 100 points

                      Vocabulary Tests - 50 points

                      Essays - 100 points

                      Project  100-150 points

                      WOD tests - 60 points

Make Up Work: If a student is absent or check-in/out, it is solely the student's responsibility to collect his or her assignments. If a student misses a test, it is the student's responsibility to speak with me on a time to make up the test. According to county-wide policy, a student is only allowed two days per excused absence to make up missed work/tests. Work or tests missed due to an unexcused absence as determined by our test missed due to the unexcused absence. This includes any point value of grades. My planning period is 1st block. Students with an elective during 1st block may make up a test at that time. I will work with students who do not have an elective during that block to ensure a proper time to do so.

Hall Passes: Students will be allowed 4 passes out of the classroom per nine weeks. After the student has used all 4 passes during each nine week period, the student will not be allowed out of my room. If the student chooses to leave my classroom for any reason without the use of a pass, a demerit will be given. Use passes wisely.

Parent/Teacher Communication: Parents should feel free to email me or call to set up a conference at any time. Parents may .call the school at 205.467.7833. My email address is Ashley.stapleton@sccboe.org. I will be glad to speak with anyone who has concerns or questions regarding his or her child.