Dr. Ray Gen

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rgen@esusd.k12.ca.us  school
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Class Requirements - English 9

Welcome to English 9 Honors. Our goals this year will be to enhance and develop your use, knowledge, and appreciation of both the technical and literary aspects of the English language. You will be required to listen, speak, read, write and think analytically. Our study of the genres of literature will enable us to achieve these goals. The study of literature will open up to us the common experiences shared by all humankind.

Requirements:

1. Essays, Journals, and Special Projects
These assignments enrich, correspond and coordinate the literature we read.

2. Quizzes and Exams
Weekly vocabulary quizzes will be given to prepare you for standardized tests such as the SAT. Reading quizzes are given to check your comprehension of reading assignments. Essay exams will be given at the end of each unit to demonstrate your mastery of the topic of study.

3. Homework
Assignments based upon your reading will be allocated. These assignments primarily investigate the themes and character development of the readings. Most of these assignments will be placed in your notebook to be turned in at the end of the unit.

4. Notebook
For each unit of study, you must keep assignments, class notes, handouts, returned work, quizzes, etc. on your web site which will be evaluated at the end of each unit. This notebook should be consulted when preparing for unit exams. Students need to place a detailed table of contents at the beginning of each notebook.

5. Class Participation
This major grade is based upon how well you interact with the materials and other students. Each student’s opinion and viewpoint is highly valued. Respect for each other and the opinion of others is mandated.

6. E-Portfolio
Save all your writing assignments in your personal web pages. The stages of writing will be reflected in the portfolio.

7. Grammar Notebook
Daily grammar exercises will be given. Students need to keep track of these exercises and organize them appropriately.

Grading Policy:
Students will be awarded points for every requirement of this class. A grade of zero point will be earned if a student fails to turn in an assignment. Progress reports and the final grade for each semester will be determined by the traditional scale:

100% - 90% A
89 - 80 B
79 - 70 C
69 - 60 D
59 - 0 F
The percentage of the total points possible will determine the student’s grade. The points earned are cumulative for each semester. Students who do not maintain the minimum grade of B- are no longer eligible for the honors program.

General Conduct:
Be kind. Be courteous. Have courage. Be respectful. Be honorable. Conduct yourself with self-respect and dignity.

Plagiarism is anathema.

This class conforms to the expectations of this school's honors program.

Expectations:
As a student of the English language, we are preparing you to speak, write, think, and function well within our society. As we proceed in this millennium, there will be different challenges and requirements facing you – some of these haven’t even been thought of. With this objective in mind, you must allocate the necessary time and resources to achieve this goal. Much effort is required to perform well in this class.


My educational philosophy is espoused in this wonderful poem:

“Woman with Flower”
by Naomi Long Madgett

I wouldn’t coax the plant if I were you,
Such watchful nurturing may do it harm.
Let the soil rest from so much digging
And wait until it’s dry before you water it.
The leaf’s inclined to find its own direction;
Give it a chance to seek the sunlight for itself.
Much growth is stunted by too careful prodding,
Too eager tenderness.
The things we love we have to learn to leave alone.