English 9 Syllabus
9th grade English at Foothill Technology High School is designed
to train students to communicate through the written and spoken
word, as well as to analyze and appreciate literature.
Students will learn the writing process from brainstorming
all the way to a final copy of an essay after various drafts;
students will see writing not as a “single shot affair,” but
as a “work in progress” which can always be improved
upon. Students will study the conventions of grammar, essay
structure, and thesis statement. Students will read literature
and learn to study closely an author’s theme, style,
and the plot cycle. Students will learn how to work in groups
and make presentations in front of an audience. The emphasis,
however, is clearly placed on developing powerful reading and
writing skills through expansion of vocabulary and increasing
written fluency in standard academic English.
BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
1. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
2. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (Honors English only)
3. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley (Honors English only)
4. 9th Grade Literature Text
5. To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee
6. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
7. Various media products (commercials, print advertisements,
etc.)
8. Poetry binder and plastic protectors.
9. Of Mice and Men - Steinbeck
Come to class with the proper supplies everyday. Do not forget!
Binder Requirements:
You will need four dividers for the English
section of your binder:
1. Journal 2. Vocabulary
3. Notes
4. Work (returned work, tests, essays, etc.)
Grading Scale:
93-100 = A
90-92 = A-
89 = B+
83-88 = B
80-82 = B-
79= C+
73-78= C
70-72=C-
69 = D+
63-68 = D
60-62 = D-
0-59 = F
Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, homework, projects,
and class participation.
All homework is to be done neatly or it must be typed. Assignments
that consist of more than one paper must be stapled. All written
essays must be handed in with ALL previous pre-writing activities,
drafts, peer editing sheets, and self-evaluation forms attached.
Late work will not be accepted. If sick only on the day of
a due assignment, students should e-mail work to me at joshua.dinkler@venturausd.org.
Students are responsible for knowing and following
the rules and procedures stated in the "FTHS Survival
Guide." Cheating or plagiarism violate the school code
and will not be tolerated. Any such violations may result in:
suspension, double zero grade, referral to the office, a mark
on your record. If you are unsure about how to avoid possible
plagiarism in your work, please ask Mr. Dinkler for help.
EXPECTATIONS:
Students should come to class and be ready to pay attention,
work hard, and learn to read, write, and think critically.
Students should arrive prepared, obey the class rules, complete
their homework, and perform well on tests, writing assignments,
and long-term projects. Students are responsible for bringing
books, materials, and planners to school every day. Students
must arrive to class on time and be ready to learn. Failure
to do so will be reflected in a lowering of student’s
grade.
Students should listen attentively, and participate in class
discussions and activities. These expectations can be summed
up as follows:
*Come to class prepared and on time
*Respect your school and one another
*Pay attention and do your work
Although they require commitment, discipline, and hard work,
these goals are simple. Your final grades will reflect your
ability to fulfill these goals which are important not only
in school but in life generally. Mr. Dinkler wishes all his
students good luck this school year!
Mr. Dinkler does not expect perfection from his students;
nevertheless, he does expect that all students honesty strive
to do their best to fulfill their potential. Above all Mr.
Dinkler endeavors never to waste his student’s time;
in return, he hopes you will not waste his. Do your best in
class and both teacher and student can rest content with the
results. If both put forth their best effort honestly and patiently,
teacher and student can feel in their exhaustion at the end
of the year a deep satisfaction and sense of accomplishment – knowing
the time together was well spent and that significant learning
and growth had taken place. This is the goal.
BEHAVIOR:
Students need to obey class rules, be honest, and treat their
peers with respect. Students are in school to study and learn
and not to fight or fool around. If a student does not heed
warnings as to violations of class rules, the situation will
bring the involvement of parents and school administrators.
Much of the work in English 9 will be done in groups; students
must treat their peers with respect and conscientiousness.
You do not have to be best friends with your fellow students
in English 9 class, but you need to be able to collaborate
successfully with them. Do your best to keep interaction with
your peers positive. Strive to work successfully and amicably
with other students in class.
Class rules apply when a substitute teacher is present. Again,
to succeed in school everyday you need to do the following:
come to class on time, respect one another, pay attention,
and do your work. If not easy, it is at least simple.
Students should treat the computers with respect and not violate
any of the acceptable use policies with regards to their use.
WORK HABITS:
Work habits consist of effort in class, completion of homework,
neatness in all work, and coming to class with supplies. Students
must pay attention in class to lectures and keep up with the
various assignments and group activities; work habits often
directly correspond to a student’s grade, and so this
is most important! Mr. Dinkler does not ask for perfection
from students, but he does expect consistency and the best
possible effort.
Students should arrive to class on-time. Students should finish
any food or drinks before entering class. Eating and drinking
is not permitted during class session.
Unusual incidents such as illness in the family or other unforeseen
emergencies will of course be taken into account with respect
to student work. Students should speak with Mr. Dinkler and
inform him of any situations which might interfere with student’s
ability to do his/her work.
Mr. Dinkler is available to meet with students almost everyday
during lunch or break to discuss student concerns. Please come
talk to him if you have any worries, problems, or questions.
ABSENCES:
Students have as many days as they were absent to make-up
work. For example, if a student misses two days of class they
have two days to make-up the work. Mr. Dinkler will hold relevant
materials for students. However, he will not hold the material
for extended periods of time. It is the student’s responsibility
to make-up all work; upon your return from being absent, please
come see Mr. Dinkler to get make-up materials. Absence is not
a valid excuse for a failure to complete class assignments
in the allotted make-up time.
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