BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
IBMYP ENGLISH I – Mrs. Walker

       (International Baccalaureate Middle Year Program)
            2009/2010 COURSE DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

 

RATIONALE & COURSE DESCRIPTION - The primary objective of International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program in English, grades 9 & 10, is the development of critical thinking skills as reflected in both written and oral communication.  Thus, the focus of the study of grammar, vocabulary, usage, and mechanics will be on employing those skills in narrative, descriptive, and expository compositions.  Research-based group projects and individual research papers will help students enhance their research and documentation skills. Critical thinking and analytical writing skills will be further enhanced through the study and analysis of short stories, novels, drama and poetry. 

 

METHODS – Class discussion, writing, cooperative learning, direct instruction, oral & silent reading, composition modeling, audio-visual, research, and presentations.

  

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE –

·         Summer Reading

·         Literary terms and Study Skills

·         Writing Unit (personal narrative)

·         Sentence structure unit

o       Conjunctions

o       Sentence combining activities

o       Dialogue

o       Punctuation

o       Word choice in confusing pairs and groups

o       Active voice vs. passive voice

·         I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

·         5 paragraph essay- Expository and persuasive

·         Logical fallacies

·         The Crucible

·         Research project

·         Julius Caesar or Romeo and Juliet

·         Research Paper

·         Odyssey

·         Poetry (from textbook)

·         *I reserve the right to modify the schedule and order of assignments as I see fit.

·         Bellringers, grammar, and vocabulary will be graded on a weekly basis.

 

BELLRINGER ACTIVITIES- Each day the students will come in and complete the bell ringer written on the board. These will be in the form of journal prompts and/or quotes to reflect upon. The students must write a minimum of five sentences per bellringer. These are worth five points a day and will be turned in on Friday for a total of 20 points. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure these get turned in.

 

VOCABULARY and GRAMMAR- The vocabulary words for the week will be given every Monday. We will have a discussion about the words and the students will be responsible for writing a definition in their own words. We will also have a grammar lesson each Monday. The students will complete exercises in the textbook for homework. I will post the answers on my website and the students will have exactly one week to grade them. The students should write the total number they got right at the top of their paper.  The exercises will be due every Monday. There will be a short vocabulary and grammar quiz every Friday.

 

 

ASSESSMENT – Multiple choice and short answer quizzes; multiple choice, short answer, and essay exams; narrative, descriptive, analytical, expository, and persuasive essays; creative writing; oral presentations; visual presentations (including the use of Power Point)

 

 GRADING - Daily assignments, exams, and quizzes will be graded on a point system.  Tests and major writing assignments will be worth more points than daily assignments and quizzes.  Ninety percent of semester grades are determined by averaging the total points on a percentage scale.  Participation will determine the other 10 % of the grade.  Students will receive participation points for being prompt, respectful, prepared, and attentive. Extra credit will be given periodically throughout the semester.

 

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM –Dishonesty such as cheating, violating the integrity of tests, or plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class.  A zero will be given for the assignment or test you cheated on or plagiarized and administration will be notified.  If you allow another person to copy your work or otherwise aid another person in a cheating or plagiarizing incident, you will also receive a zero for that assignment.

 

PROCEDURES- Students should be in their seats when the bell rings. If they are not they will be considered tardy. As soon as the bell rings the students are to begin working quietly on the bellringer. There will be no passes the first ten minutes or the last ten minutes of class unless it is an emergency. There is not assigned seating. However, I reserve the right to move a student if he or she is being disruptive. The students must wait for the bell before packing up to leave.

 

MAKE-UP WORK AND ACCEPTANCE OF LATE ASSIGNMENTS

 

·                     If you have an UNEXCUSED absence, you may turn in the assignment the next day for half credit.  No exceptions will be made! 

·                     If you have an EXCUSED absence, it is YOUR responsibility to check for any work that you might have missed. 

·                     Daily assignments and writing assignments are due the day you return to school.

·                     Tests must be made up within three school days after you return. 

·                     Grammar and Vocabulary quizzes must be taken the day you return since you have had plenty of time to prepare for them outside of class.

·                     Tests and quizzes must be made up before or after school. Please make an appointment with me to do so. It is your responsibility to set up a time with me to make-up your test or quiz.

·                     Homework is due at the beginning of the class period. If you turn it in at the end of the period it is considered late.

·                     Late work will receive a 10 point deduction for every day it is late.
****Attendance is highly important as class disussions and group work will not always be able to be made up.

SUPPLIES-Whatever you are able to get from this list is fine since this syllabus is going out so late. I only expect that you have a writing utensil, paper, and a place to keep your papers for this class.

 

  • Box of tissues
  • Three-ring binder (1½ inch) with dividers
  • Continuous supply of college-ruled notebook paper
  • Pens (with blue or black ink only)
  • A flash drive (aka a jump drive or a thumb drive) This is the best way for a student to keep his or her typed assignments for all classes.

 

DISCIPLINE: Rules are posted in the room.  Please follow them.  Violations of classroom rules will be handled as follows:

         1st offense – verbal warning

         2nd offense – written warning and phone call or email to parent or guardian

         3rd offense – office referral

 

Remember: Don’t be afraid to ask, and don’t forget to have FUN while you are learning.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns this year:

Sarah Walker

IB-MYP English I

Room 330A

925-1000

walkesa@tulsaschools.org