1. Robinson 209-8507
Room 815, House 4 srobinson@cfsd16.org
9th Grade Honors English
2009-2010 Course Guidelines
Course Description
In order to develop an understanding of the world, themselves, and to communicate effectively
with others, freshman will read, write, and analyze narrative and expository texts from around the
world and throughout history. Students are expected to develop vocabulary, write correctly in Standard
English, undertake independent research, think critically, and use a variety of strategies to explain and
defend their insights using both formal and informal methods.
Novels
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Kite-Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Additional novels TBA
As students will need to take notes and annotate these novels as we read them, I highly
recommend purchasing your own copies. These novels are available online and in bookstores.
Bookman’s and other thrift bookstores often have them, as well.
Also, I encourage parents/guardians to read along with their student(s) as we progress
throughout the year. Not only will this provide students with an additional perspective on the novels, it
will also allow parents closer oversight of their student’s daily classroom experience.
Classroom Policies
Be Respectful. As young adults, you are expected to behave in a manner that proves you worthy of the
title. This means treating your classmates and your teacher—and everyone else!—with the
respect due to every human being, whatever your personal feelings. Your worlds are growing
beyond yourself and your own concerns, expanding to include new communities and
responsibilities, and your behavior must reflect this new reality.
Be Responsible. This means you will not only be in your desk before the bell rings, assignments and
supplies in hand, but that you will honestly account for your own actions, or lack thereof. This
includes explanations—not excuses—for late work or lack of attendance, as well as choices made
regarding behavior in the classroom.
Be Rational. God gave you an awesome brain; use it! Start looking at the world with an analytical mind,
constantly considering the hows and whys of every situation. Be attentive to your surroundings,
both inside and outside the classroom; you cannot confine yourself to the interior of your own
mind and expect to be either respectful or responsible. No human being is an independent
agent; begin to observe the way outside factors effect you, and the effect your actions have.
Think through the consequences!
Late Work
ALL WORK IS DUE ON THE DUE DATE. Work turned in late will necessitate a written
explanation—not an excuse!—and will only be accepted THREE DAYS after the due date. Weekends
count as one day. Extenuating circumstances must be accompanied by proof and explained prior to the
due date.
I will not accept late work more than three days after the due date.
Absence Policy
Excused absences are the only exception in which work may be submitted late without immediate
consequence. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you may submit the work the day you

2. return. This applies to tests, quizzes, presentations and papers. Further extensions must be
accompanied by an explanation and approved. It is your responsibility to keep up-to-date with any
missing work because of absences.
Also, please note the school policy on attendance: “Students will lose credit for a class upon the
10th absence whether excused or unexcused. The principal/assistant principal may grant waivers (very
few) in case of medical situations. Doctor’s notes do not automatically generate a waiver. Students must
apply for a waiver with their House Leader.”
Remember: An unexcused absence will result in ZERO credit for any assignments, tests, quizzes,
and/or presentations due that day, regardless of when you may later attempt to submit/take/present
them.
As always, if certain extenuating circumstances are present, like an extended stay in the hospital
or a death in the family, arrangements can be made for extensions without consequence. Talk to me!
Grading Policy
Your grades will be assessed on the traditional 0 – 100 percentage scale. As stated in the Absence
Policy, please note that as per district policy, ten absences in one semester will result in a failing grade
for the semester.
Supplies
You are responsible for acquiring and being prepared with all of the necessary supplies. You need to
have all of the supplies listed below every day unless otherwise noted by me.
Required
 AT LEAST two writing utensils
o Pens must be either blue or black
o Pencils must be sharp enough to write clearly
 One package of loose leaf paper
 A note-taking and organizational system consisting of either:
o A three ring binder (preferably NO SMALLER than 1 inch) with a divider for your daily
journal, notes, assignment sheets and tests/quizzes, OR
o A notebook with perforated pages with established sections for your daily journal and
notes, as well as a folder to store assignment sheets and tests/quizzes
 Different colored highlighters (two-three)
 Student planner or assignment notebook
Suggested
 USB drive on which to store all school work for easy “transportation” between school and home
 Colored pencils
 Gmail account
Other supplies, such as poster boards, markers, or index cards, may be required throughout the year and
will be assigned with ample notice.
I have read and understand all parts of the syllabus for Miss. Robinson’s 9th Grade Honors English
class and understand what is expected of me.
Student signature/date
____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent signature/date
_____________________________________________________________________________________