Cynthia Fowlkes, Principal Exploring the World through Technology and Innovation 9th Grade Humanities Academy of Innovative

Technology 2013-2014 School Year Dear Student, Welcome to your first year of high school! You are beginning a wonderful journey through the halls of the Academy of Innovative Technology. We will be your Humanities teachers during your freshman year. Our names are Ms. Brown and Mr. Headlam. Ms. Browns focus is English, while Mr. Headlams focus is social studies and history. In this course guide you will find the overview of the course, the course objectives, a tentative reading list, the grading policy, a contract you must sign, and a letter that your parents must read. We are looking forward to embarking on this voyage with you. Sincerely, Ms. Brown and Mr. Headlam E-Mail: Ms.Brown@aoiths.org and Mr.Headlam@aoiths.org Office Hours: Mr. Headlam or Ms. Brown will be at school Monday through Friday from about 7:30am until at least 3:00pm. You can either stop by at those times or make an appointment for a time that works for you. What You Will Need for this Course: Planner/Agenda 3 Ring Binder (You may use a binder that is 1 inches or larger and may also be shared with another class) At least 4 Binder Dividers Writing Utensils (Pencils and or Pens) Highlighter Post-it Notes 1

Mission The Academy of Innovative Technology High School provides a foundation and pathway on which students can build their academic successes and triumph over their challenges. Our innovation lies in exploring inventive ideas, perspectives, and strategies; incorporating technology into the learning process; and presenting opportunities for students to grow as lifelong learners and active citizens. As graduates, AOITHS students will be open-minded, believe in taking risks, learn from their mistakes, and participate in shaping their intellectual behavior thereby realizing their own potential and responsibility for bringing change to their communities and to the global society. Classroom Rules 1. You must attend class daily and arrive on time. If you are late you must sign the late book. Excessive absences or lateness will result in a phone call home, referral to the dean, detention and other disciplinary actions as necessary. 2. There is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for hats being worn in the classroom or school building. Not adhering to this policy will result in the hat being confiscated and turned over to the dean. 3. You are to enter the classroom quietly and immediately begin working on the Do Now. 4. You are to come to class prepared to learn and work every day; this includes being prepared with the necessary materials. 5. RESPECT! You must respect your teacher, your fellow students, your classroom and yourself! Course Overview This school year, we will be exploring the theme of government and society. Students will learn government and historical content related to the constitution, the role of government, influential court cases, and the role of media and the military. There are three essential questions that we will be answering throughout this course: * What is the purpose of government? * What effect does the court system and its rulings have on America? What effect does America have on the court system? * What effect does media have on government, politics, and society? We will be exploring the answers to these questions through a series of books, movies, video clips, newspapers and/or news magazines, etc. We will show our understanding of this theme, and answer the Essential Questions in several ways. 2

Thus, your work in this class will be organized as follows: 1) Regular reading assignments We will spend time reading silently, as a group, and with audio books this year. You will have class time to read the assigned pages. However, if you do not finish the reading in class, you are required to finish it at home. 2) Regular quizzes on the reading We will be testing your knowledge and understanding of the reading assignments all the time. This means that you can expect both announced and unannounced quizzes throughout each unit. 3) Regular class discussions on the readings and how they relate to the theme of the unit During most classes, we will have a discussion about the reading. These discussions will allow you to express your opinions about the text and will also help us to better understand the theme of the reading as a group. We value your insights and opinions and so your active participation is highly encouraged. 4) Extended writing projects The final product of almost every unit will be a typed, carefully drafted essay. While much of the work for these essays will be done in class, you may also be required to do some of it at home from time to time. 5) Additional assignments, including grammar and vocabulary workshops as well as projects will also be part of this course. Course Objectives: In this course, you will learn to: Reading a. Consistently use your annotation skills to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of literary techniques used within a piece of literature. b. Use your knowledge of text to answer comprehension questions within journal entries and assessments. c. Make connections between pieces of literature and communicate those connections both orally and in written form. d. Understand and make connections from informational texts focused on the content of the course.

Listening Develop the ability to listen actively and carefully to complex literary passages or informational texts. We will also be focusing on your ability to listen actively to short texts and answer comprehension questions that follow. These are essential skills to a successful school career, both in high school and later in college, as well as in the work force.

Writing a) The ability to write well-constructed and coherent sentences for ALL assignments. b) Systematically produce carefully constructed essays in a variety of modes and styles. We will pay particular attention to creating argumentative and persuasive essays. All final writing products in this class will be typed and will involve more than one draft. b) Evaluate, revise and edit your own written work. In this class we will practice revising and editing to give you the skills you will need. c) Regular short responses based upon a writing prompt that is directly associated with the classroom reading and/or discussion that has occurred during class. These prompts may also serve as an introduction to an upcoming unit or topic that will be discussed in class. Texts Novels: 1984 by George Orwell The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee * All texts will be provided for you Various Informational Texts

Grading Policy The AOITHS has a standard grading policy which we will follow. Scholarship-70% Tests/Quizzes- 25% Projects/Essays-25% Homework-10% Classwork-10% Participation and Preparation 20% Class Participation/Materials-10% Attendance/Punctuality-10% Citizenship 10% Conduct/Integrity/ Dress code-10%

Scholarship70%. This includes any categories that a teacher creates for his or her weighted grading scale. These categories may include but are not limited to: tests, exams, quizzes, HW, projects, class work, writing assignments.

Participation and Preparation20%. The grade for this category will be determined by the following: o Active engagement in class. This includes both sharing ideas and listening to others. We acknowledge that all students do not participate in the same way. Students are allowed to participate in their own way from speaking, writing, and ability to complete assessments. Active engagements means that students will be alert, engaged, and heads will not be on desks.

o Having class materials on a daily basis: This includes having the materials necessary to participate in class which are daily class-work and notes, an organized three ring binder, dividers, pens, pencils, loose leaf paper and the novel we are studying.

o Daily attendance: This includes arriving at class on time (No later than 8:05am). Please note that a great deal of your grade in this course is tied to your attendance and active participation in class. This means that, in order to get a good grade, you must be here on time and must be an involved and productive member of the class.

Citizenship10%. This category will be determined by the students conduct, personal integrity, and demonstration of leadership.

Late Assignments:

Late work will be accepted in order to help students succeed. It is not a policy for laziness or irresponsibility. All students must turn in work on time. If for some reason you are unable to turn in an assignment on the date that it is due you will have one week from that date to turn it in. Please speak to us in advance if an assignment will be turned in late.

Contract English 9 Instructor: Ms. Brown and Mr. Headlam 2013-2014 School Year

I ___________________________________ have received and read the course outline for my English class. I understand the rules and expectations for the class, and I accept them.

Signed,

_____________________________ Signature 6

_____________________________ Date

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Dear Parent/Guardian: This year, our class will be watching/reading material that is suited for students in high school but does contain mature content. The maturity of the material presented is of a higher level, but it is very informative and provides critical information that is a large part of the units we will be studying this year. Please indicate your preference by checking yes or no and signing at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at any point via e-mail at Ms.Brown@aoiths.org or Mr.Headlam@aoiths.org.

Best, Ms. Brown and Mr. Headlam 9th Grade Humanities Teachers

___________ Yes, my child may watch/read all assigned material this school year. ___________ No, I would prefer my child not read/watch material that contains mature content.

___________________________________________________________ Signature