Course Syllabus
Mrs. McTiernan
English

Welcome!  I hope you all had a wonderful summer, and are ready for the fun year to come.  My promise to you is to teach you everything you need to build a foundation for a successful high school career. 

Course Outline: This year will consist of the following units

Short Stories
Poetry
Research Paper
Four Major Novels and Independent Reading (one per quarter for 9 and two per quarter for 9H)

Contact Info:

Class Times: Homeroom, Per. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 all in room 13

I have a desk in the North Workroom at East, and a desk in the Faculty Room at West

Extra Help:  During non-teaching periods I will be at West, either in Rm 13 or in the Faculty Room.  I will also be in Rm 13 after school M, W, Th & F, but will only stay until 3pm unless someone shows up, or other arrangements have been made. 

Web Page:  http://www.shenet.org/high/hsacaddept/english/kmctiernan/kmctiernan.htm

MOST HANDOUTS AND NOTES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE WEB!  PLEASE CHECK HERE OFTEN!!!!!!!

E-mail:  MctiKath@shenet.org         

Phone Number:  881-0330 ext. 62629

Materials:  See suggested materials link.

Be prepared for:

Reading:  We will be reading a great deal this semester.  Some pieces you will love, and others you will only like, but all will be challenging and new.  On that note, be advised that reading will take place in different forms – as a homework assignment, me reading aloud, you reading silently, and you reading aloud.  Reading aloud will not always be on a volunteer basis - sometimes you will be asked to read. 

Tests and Quizzes:  These will always be announced, unless I suspect that the class is not keeping up with the work.

Writing:  Writing assignments will include a research paper (we will study process), essays, poetry, journal entries, etc.

Oral Presentations:  Yes, you will have to speak in front of the class, sometimes with others, sometimes on your own.  Honors students will participate in Friday Talks.  It is the research and presentation of a topic of their choice, complete with handout and preparation for taking questions.  Every student will complete a district required performance prompt that I will assign at the end of the year (once they are more comfortable and practiced with the necessary skills).

Vocabulary:  New and/or difficult words will be chosen for each literary work.  We will define them and work with them.  They will be on your tests.  Honors students will learn 400 words this year.  They will receive twenty each Monday and be tested on Friday.  They will have  a unit test after each set of 100 words. 

Regents Practice Activities:  At the end of your 11^th grade year of high school you will be taking the English Regents exam – this is mandated by the state.  We will work on various writing tasks that resemble what is on the Regents so that you are properly prepared.

Collaborative Work:  In other words, “group work.”  You will not always be choosing your own groups.

Homework Policy: 

You are old enough and have had enough practice with this “going to school” thing to be responsible for homework and be held accountable for what is not done.  All assignments should be handed in on time.  Homework will not be accepted late.  Essay and projects will, but 10% will be lost for every day the work is handed in late.  Work due when absent is expected upon next arrival to class.  No materials will be accepted if you miss class due to cutting.

Extra Credit Policy:

EC assignments will be offered to grade 9 students, at my discretion for the amount of points I feel it is worth.  These opportunities are for mistakes and booboos, not for laziness and lack of cooperation.

In Regards to School Rules:

Cutting:  Will result in automatic write-up as per student handbook.

Nurse:  You MUST come to class before going to the nurse.  Do not go in between periods.

Electronic Equipment:  Also as per student handbook - headphones, cell phones, pagers, etc. will not be allowed in the classroom.

Tardiness:  Arriving late to class is not acceptable.  The following will happen after said number of tardies:

1^st  – warning

2^nd  – detention

3^rd  – call to parents

4^th  - further disciplinary action

Absences:

If you are absent, you are responsible for making up all work.  Please go to the desk at the front of the room for missed work – AND SEE ME!

This will be a great year – we are going to learn a lot in this class and have a lot of fun.  I know that you will all be successful in this class if you come prepared, participate, always put your full effort into your projects and maintain a respectful and open-minded attitude.  Lets get started!!