This document provides information for students and parents about an English 9 class taught by Ms. Brown at Hamilton High School. It outlines class policies and expectations, including homework and grading policies, required course texts, and resources for extra help. It also describes upcoming class units and activities, as well as an orientation open house and freshman pool party hosted by the Link Crew student group.

1. Welcome to Open House! Ms. Brown English 9 E214 Please take a business card with my e-mail address. E-mail is the best way to contact me. The extension on the card is incorrect. Please Change it to 883-5198 if you need to contact me by phone.

2. About me... I was born in Minnesota!

3. I grew up in Chandler, and went to CUSD schools K-12.

4. I graduated from Hamilton in 2003- Go HUSKIES!

5. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mary Lou Fulton College of Education at ASU with a BA in Secondary Education-English in 2007.

6. At HHS... This is my 3 rd year of teaching English at Hamilton.

7. I have taught both Honors and On-Level

8. I am the Link Crew Sponsor!

9. I am also very active in Invisible Children.

10. My teaching philosophy: I believe that every student can be successful with hard work and determination

11. About the Class... This is a required class for all students at Hamilton High School. We will be covering a broad range of topics, with a variety of activities designed to help with understanding literature, the English language, and preparation for the AIMS test. Through novels, plays, poetry, non-fiction, and writing we will be exploring the journey of a hero, the tragedy of star-crossed lovers, and the strength of the human spirit. Activities will include: journals, performance, research, class discussion, test preparation, non fiction writing and more.

12. Course Texts Homer, The Odyssey Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Wiesel, Night Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird Various short stories, poems, and essays

13. Class Routines Students are expected to... Come to class prepared!!! Come to class on time with your binder , notebook paper, a pen (blue or black ink), and a pencil. As soon as they enter class, they are expected to collect their writing notebook from their class period's crate, sit down in their assigned seat, and begin working. This is also a good time to make sure they have the correct homework assignment for the day.

14. Be respectful of others and the property of others. This includes Ms. Brown’s classroom supplies.

15. Refrain from eating and bringing drinks to class, chewing gum, and using any electronic devices in class (iPods, cell phones, etc.) ; water bottles are okay.

16. Respect class time. Students are given four restroom passes per quarter―use them wisely. They may NOT be used for missing homework assignments.

17. Class Expectations It is suggested that your student keeps their course materials, notes, handouts, etc. in a binder. As we finish a unit, I will tell them whether they can remove that section of work from your binder, but PLEASE help your student to make sure they keep old notes at home. THEY WILL NEED THEM LATER IN THE YEAR!!

18. Get involved in class. They are expected to listen actively during and contribute to small and large group discussions.

19. Absences If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to show me all work when they return and to schedule make- tests when within two school days. They are given almost all assignments in advance and can always refer to the class website for information on homework. If students are absent, it is their responsibility to find out what work you missed and get it turned in. HHS policy states that if a student has an excused absence, they have one day for each day missed to complete the assignment without penalty. Homework turned in after an un-excused absence is considered late and will be treated as such.

20. Expectations... Students are expected to cooperate with all classmates and the teacher. When they are acting inappropriately, they will receive a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, a student/teacher conference, a parent phone call, and a referral will follow in that order.

21. Homework Policy Daily homework is due the class period after it is assigned at the start of class. ASD is assigned for missing or incomplete homework. If a student is unable to complete an assignment due to personal/family/faulty technology reasons, a note from the parent/guardian is required for an extension. Failure to complete any homework assignment will result in After School Detention (ASD). ASD is an opportunity to promote student success. It is the policy of HHS to assign students After School Detention for being tardy to class or having incomplete or missing homework when it is due. This is a school policy and will be enforced .

22. Long Term Projects Long term projects will be broken down into steps and these will be assigned due dates that students will be responsible for.

23. Late Work Policy Late homework is accepted but is not given full credit. If the homework is late one day, it is given 75%. If it is two or more days late, it is given 50%.

24. Homework Assistance There is always homework assistance available upon request. I am available for extra help after school at the following times: M-W 2:15-3:30 and Th-F by appointment. The Husky Room in C117 is also a great resource. Here teachers offer free tutoring after school everyday in every subject until 3:30.