Course Syllabus

English 9, Semester 1 Syllabus

Course Number: EN111

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION 

Ms. Katie Rice, CGHS, EC and CG Global Campus Teacher Phone: (317) 881-0851 x 4171  ricek@centergrove.k12.in.us @KM_Rice Office Hours: This is a completely online course, and office hours are available upon request. We can meet online or in-person at a mutually convenient location. Please contact me to setup a time/place. Note: I generally respond to email within 12-24 hours. If there is an emergency, please indicate that fact in the subject line of your email.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Click on the video below to watch the course introduction video.

Course Introduction

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A SURVIVOR?

Survival has been the topic of many stories throughout the history of literature.  Whether it be the valiant hero surviving the evil foe, the accident victim surviving a plane crash, the cancer patient beating the odds, or the homeless child overcoming adversity, tales of survival can uplift the spirit and inspire readers.  For students, survival is a big part of their lives.  They may not be fighting for their lives, but many students feel like they have to fight to survive a test, a class, a social situation, or a home situation. This course has been designed to show students that while surviving physically in the wilderness is a fantastic feat, surviving life emotionally and mentally in everyday life is equally as impressive.  Students should be able to see by the end of the course that surviving mentally, physically, and emotionally is essential to a thriving life in any place and at any time.*

While learning these life lessons, students will study language, literature, and composition with a focus on exploring a wide-variety of genres and their elements.  Students will write a variety of paragraphs, short compositions, essays, and journals. Students will be given assignments to improve vocabulary and mechanics of writing. Students will use a variety of technology to create documents, presentations, and visual aids.  

This course is based on Indiana's Academic Standards for English/Language Arts and the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts.

*Stinson, Jessica. "Extraordinary Endurance: Survival in Literature." Web. 3 Dec. 2013.  

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

English 9, an integrated English course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for English/Language Arts in Grade 9 and the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts, is a study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication with a focus on exploring a wide-variety of genres and their elements.  Students use literary interpretation, analysis, comparisons, and evaluation to read and respond to representative works of historical or cultural significance appropriate for Grade 9 in classic and contemporary literature balanced with nonfiction. Students write short stories, responses to literature, expository and persuasive compositions, research reports, business letters, and technical documents. Students deliver grade-appropriate oral presentations and access, analyze, and evaluate online information. 

 

OVERARCHING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Students will:

  • analyze literature and non-fiction texts in regards to literary elements such as theme, character development, and rhetorical devices.
  • correctly cite, in MLA format, textual evidence to support and justify claims in writing.
  • independently read and comprehend literature and non-fiction texts at the grade 9 text complexity band.
  • effectively communicate with peers in an academic discussion.
  • appropriately and effectively use technology to learn and to demonstrate that learning to others.
  • correctly use standard English conventions in writing.

TECHNOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS

Students must have access to a computer or tablet with high-speed Internet access and video/voice recording capabilities. Students on mobile devices will be required to annotate PDF documents; iPad users should use the Notability app.

NOTE: In addition to the technological requirements, it is also highly encouraged that you have a one-subject notebook to keep any written course-related materials in.

GRADING

Students will be required to complete modules in sequential order. If assignments are not submitted leading up to the submission of assessments (including projects), then the assessments will NOT be graded. Additionally, students should create new work for the assignments in this class. In other words, students are not permitted to submit assignments that they've worked on prior to the start of this class. 

The following grading scale will be used:

93-100 A                     90-92   A-                    87-89   B+                   83-86   B

80-82   B-                    77-79   C+                   73-76   C                     70-72   C-

67-69   D+                   63-66   D                     60-62   D-                    0-59     F

VIRTUAL CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

The most important classroom expectation for this class is that students respect the rights of others at all times.  In addition, students in this class will be expected to:

• participate.
• be a positive force rather than a negative one.
• respect other people’s opinions, feelings and property (including mine).
• use appropriate language in discussions, blogs, and all other assignments.
• be prepared to prove that the work they turn in is their own.
• create new work and continuously work to improve skills related to English/Language Arts and technology.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

The specific information about learning activities and assignments will be found in the modules.  Students can also refer to the course overview, which will list the reading assignments, learning activities, and assessment points identified for each module.  You will receive a module overview from your teacher at the beginning of each week. Read the overview carefully and plan your time for working on the course according to the weekly structure and your needs/habits.

Before beginning a module, you should get online and read through the entire module.  Readings and initial posts will be due earlier than longer assignments and final products.  You can expect to be online at least three times a week and to spend at least 12 hours per week on this class.

Assignments are due by 11:59 P.M. on the designated due date.  Failure to post or submit assignments on time will result in the student only being able to earn up to 1/2 credit for the assignment if it is submitted within 48 hours of the original due date.  After the 48 hour window, you can no longer earn any credit for the assignment (read: you will earn a ZERO).  If you run into a legitimate roadblock that keeps you from turning your work in on time, please send me an email explaining your situation.  I may work with you to adjust the deadline if it is evident that you have planned ahead and put forth effort to complete the assignment on time and to communicate clearly with me.  Please plan ahead to avoid technical issues and late assignments.  Your grades will be posted in the Skyward grade book as soon as your assignments have been evaluated.

FINAL EXAM

There will NOT be a final exam in this course.

HELP-SEEKING STRATEGIES
Please be proactive and seek help whenever possible. The online environment is full of helpful people and resources.  If you are having a problem, reach out to those around you who might be able to help. Consider the following:

• Peer Support. I have created a discussion in Canvas dedicated to questions and ongoing support. The discussion is called “Have a question?” and it appears at the top of the Modules page. This is a place for you, the class, to ask each other questions, help clarify for one another, and provide each other with support. I will periodically check-in here, so if you have a specific question that you feel only I can answer, then please email me.  Don't be shy! Chances are that someone else in the class has the same question you do. Help each other out! Students who correctly respond to other students' legitimate questions will have the opportunity to earn extra credit. 
• Peer Support. You can email individual students in the course through Canvas email. You can access this feature by clicking on "Inbox" at the top right of the browser and searching for a specific classmate's name.
• Instructor Support. You can contact me anytime using my school email account at ricek@centergrove.k12.in.us.  Please do not use Canvas mail to contact me. I will respond to your emails within 24 hours. If you'd like to meet in-person, please contact me to schedule a mutually convenient time. 
• Technical Support. If you are having issues with Canvas, you may use the “Help” link to search the Canvas guides, or report a problem. As a rule of thumb, try using a different internet browser or reboot your device. For technical support related to any school-issued hardware, please ask a tech person (if you are in the school building throughout the day) or notify your teacher (if you do not attend school in the building) and he/she will file a help ticket with the Center Grove Technology Department.
• Online Support. If you have a question regarding Center Grove Global Campus in general, please send an email to globalcampus@centergrove.k12.in.us. 

DISABILITY SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

If you have special needs that may require modification of instruction or assessment, please make sure a copy of your IEP is on file. You may contact Kathy Stricker, Director of Special Needs at strikerk@centergrove.k12.in.us, so that we can determine how to make necessary accommodations to best support your learning needs. Also, please notify me of your specific needs through email prior to the start of the course.  

PLAGIARISM, CHEATING, AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

It is expected that students will not cheat, plagiarize, or engage in any other form of academic dishonesty. This behavior includes but is not limited to:

• using another's thoughts or words as your own without correctly citing the source.
• giving your thoughts or words to another student in a way that would benefit that student or his/her grade in the course.
• submitting work created prior to the course in order to earn a grade for an assignment that is to be completed while taking the course.
• working with another student to complete an assignment, quiz, or test when not explicitly told by the instructor that working with a partner is permitted.
• submitting a blank assignment so as to blame a "technical issue" for a submission problem when, in reality, you are trying to gain more time in completing the assignment.

If a student is discovered to be involved in any of these or similar behaviors, that student will be subject to consequences determined by Center Grove Administrators, which could include receiving an “F” in the course (no credit given) or dismissal from the Global Campus program entirely.