Mrs. Garciga’s - 9th Grade Language Arts Syllabus

Mrs. Garciga’s - 9th Grade Language Arts – SyllabusWELCOMETO WHAT WILLBE YOURFAVORITECLASS The Language of Literature, McDougal LittellGrammar workbooksSCOPE MagazineHMH CollectionsSelect short stories, poems, non-fiction writings*Novels that will be used throughout the school year, will be announced with suffice time prior to thedue date.*Page 1 COLLEGE RULED composition notebook. Students will also need a POLY (PLASTIC) 2 pocket folder WITH PRONGS (1stperiod must get a green folder , 2nd period must get a yellow folder, 3rd periodmust get a blue folder, 4th period must get a red folder, 5th period must get ablack or white folder, and 6th period must get a purple folder.) Lined COLLEGE RULED notebook paper Highlighter Blue or Black pen for classwork Any other color pen that is NOT blue or black for grading1SUPPLIES: I WILL BE GRADING / CHECKING ALL SUPPLIES UNTIL – SEPT.18TH

I strongly encourage each student to checkout a school issued tablet as we willuse it in my class regularly. You WILL be REQUIRED to purchase novels. I will advise in advance the cost ofthe novel and what date you must have it by.1st period: purchase a pack of college ruled lined paper.2nd period: purchase a pack of post-its sizes: 3x3 OR 2x23rd period: purchase a pack of colored pens that is NOT blue or black. (i.e., red,green, etc ) 4th period: purchase a ream (pack) of copy paper 5th period: purchase (BOYS: a pack of thin Crayola markers) / (GIRLS: a pack ofregular Crayola Markers). 6th period: purchase white-out (the tape kind) SUPPLIES WISHLIST: May be used as extra credit each nine weeks. Maximum of 2 extra credititems per grading period.(This is NOT required!) If your parents choose to and can afford ANY of these items, it would begreatly appreciated. Bag(s) of Candy, or Chocolate Board Games (Instructional, Educational for example: Scrabble, Sequence,Clue, Quad Doku Word Game, You’ve Been Sentenced, etc ) Crayons Markers Colored pencils Music CD’s (Instrumental version – no lyrics)Computation of Grades:* All worked turned in to me MUST be written in blue or black ink otherwise, I willNOT grade work done in pencil or any other ink color! *TASKDaily Assignments / ProjectsPercentile35%Page2Tests / Major Writing30%AssignmentsHomework / Membean / Typing 25%WebClass Participation / Journals /10%Grammar Exercises / ExtraCredit

Grading Criteria:Report card grades will be based on the following criteria: homework, class work,tests, class participation, and teacher judgment. Per County policy, the followinggrades will be utilized:100% - 90% (4.0 -3.50) A89% - 80% (3.49-2.50) B79% - 70%(2.49-1.50) C 69% - 60% (1.49-1.00) D59% and below (.00-.99) FPolicies:1. Late Work Policy Late assignments are NOT accepted! (If you are going to be absent, and anassignment is due, it must be emailed to me prior to start of your class.) Projects may NEVER, EVER be turned in late under any circumstance. (I giveyou suffice notice therefore, PLAN ACCORDINGLY ) Projects are usually assigned with several weeks notice therefore, being absenton the day a project and/or presentation is due will result in a ZERO(s)! If you MUST be absent on a day that a project is due, then it is yourresponsibility to get it to me either via email or by having someone drop itoff in the main office PRIOR to your scheduled class time – NOEXCEPTIONS! Arriving LATE on a day that a project and/or presentation is due, is unacceptableand WILL result in a ZERO for that project. If a student is absent on the day a homework assignment is due, the assignmentwill be accepted on the day the student returns to class but it will be consideredLATE (receiving 2 lower grades) and will be accepted ONLY under extenuatingcircumstances. There may be extenuating circumstances that call for the exercise of my goodjudgment. However, ANY EXCEPTION SHOULD NEVER BE DISCUSSEDPUBLICLY; it must remain between the student, the parent/guardian and me. If Ifind that this request has been breached, the student will receive a zero (0) forthe assignment. Such exceptions are RARE, but clearly there is a difference between: “Mrs.Garciga, I am in the play and did not have time to complete my assignment,” and“Mrs. Garciga, as you know, my house burned down this week, everything wasdestroyed and we haven’t yet gotten organized in the hotel.”Page3Remember, students must speak with me in private regarding any problem that mayprevent the timely completion of an assignment. If the subject is discussed publicly, noexception will be considered.

2. Absences / Make-Up Work Policy: All work will be posted on EDMODO therefore, it is each student’s responsibilityto check EDMODO or email me to obtain missed work. Students are responsible for getting notes and daily assignments from anotherstudent in the class for the day(s) missed. Any missed quizzes or tests must be made up after school by arrangement withthe teacher. Do not expect the teacher to remind you of missed, graded work including testsor quizzes. Students should be prepared to take any scheduled test or quiz on the day ofreturn. An absence does not automatically qualify a student to take the test on anotherday. Arrangements for a delay in a test or quiz must be made in advance. Major testswill not be able to be made-up unless student provides a doctor’s note and/orhospitalization documentation. Mrs. Garciga will need to see original doctor’s note and/or hospitaldocumentation prior to turning it in to the office for an admit. Students with excused absences will have up to two days to make up missedwork. Work due to unexcused absences may NOT be made up;Students MUST check the Absentee Folder to get handouts that were distributed duringany absence.3. OUTSIDE READING REQUIREMENT:(I will explain this further in class when I assign it.)You must read several approved books throughout the year. The book must fit thefollowing guidelines: I will provide you with a list of approved books. It cannot be a book required in this school year, previous years, or in 10th, 11thor 12th grade. It must be at least at the ninth grade reading level.Classroom Expectations:Page I expect every student to be on time to class every day and fully prepared (thisincludes a pen, a pencil, paper and the current reading assignment). This is a writing, reading and discussion-intensive course so preparation isessential. Such carelessness will result in a zero if the item left behind is due on that day. Students should use the Bathroom Pass and leave—without interruptingclass—whenever the need arises.4My policies are few—but very important.

However, strict rules will be individually imposed if this privilege is abused. I expect that students will not stray from the intended destination as designatedon the pass. Students may not leave while I am speaking or if a classmate is making apresentation. We will be reading a diverse body of literature and sharing student reading andwriting in large and small peer groups. Please remember that the highest level of respect is due to anyone sharing anexperience or response through writing and discussion. It takes courage to share one’s ideas with a group. Always be courteous and respectful to each other and to me. I promise you willreceive the same in return.Classroom Rules:Page5Stating these rules is hopefully only a formality at this grade level. If the behavior of thestudents permits, the class is run much more freely and both you and I will enjoy itmore.1) There will be no recording of any type of myself, my classroom, or any activitiesoccurring within the classroom without explicit consent from Mrs. Garciga. (Thisincludes any apps and/or Social Media such as: Snap Chat, Parascope, etc )2) Uniform shirt or blouse MUST be tucked in at all times (girls included).3) Be IN CLASS and seated QUIETLY when the bell rings.4) Follow directions the first time they are given.5) Raise your hand and wait to be recognized BEFORE speaking – Do NOT shout orblurt out!!!6) Treat others with respect, the same way that you would like to be treated.7) Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.8) I-Pods, cell phones, and laptops will be permitted in class for educational andinstructional purposes only. If you abuse your electronic device privileges you willlose privileges for the entire school year. It will be taken away and handed over tothe administration.9) Gum chewing will NOT be permitted in class doing so, will result in an “F” forconduct that day.10) Work QUIETLY. Do not disturb others who are working.11) Exit the classroom quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner when you aredismissed.12) Teachers, not bells, dismiss the class.

Consequences:1st time: Warning2nd time: Teacher / Student conference one letter grade dropped in conduct.(Note written in the gradebook notes section visible to parents)3rd time: Note sent home to parents and two letter grades dropped in conduct.5th time: Parent / Teacher conference and four letter grades dropped in conduct.Severe Behavior: ReferralCHEATINGCheating in ANY form will not beTolerated!!!DON’T LET THISHAPPEN TO YOU!Anyone caught cheating will receive an automatic ZERO on the assignment and a notewill be sent home as well as a note placed in the gradebook.Cheating includes but is not limited to: Talking while taking a test or quiz Plagiarism Identical homework and/or classwork from two or more different students.STUDYING OR WORKING TOGETHER DOES NOT MEAN YOU COPY EACHOTHER!!!! Using cheat sheets, notes or other prepared information in ANY FORM when notspecifically told they are allowed.Parents/Guardians and Students -- How to reach Mrs. Garciga:Page6The best way to contact me is via Email—that is checked at least twice daily. My emailaddress at school is: MLGarciga@dadeschools.net or Mrsgarciga@gmail.com . Youmay also Email me via my EDMODO; the site contains information concerningassignments. I endeavor to reply to all messages within 24 hours. I welcomeparent/guardian input as to how I can more effectively teach your child.

Treat others the way you want to be treated.Earn respect, model it, and give it!Remember to practice self-control, and do the right thing at all times.Reach your highest potential, and be responsible for your own actions.Always accept others for who they are.HEY, HERE’S ANODDLY PRACTICALIDEA KEEP A NOTEBOOK! THEREWILL BE LOTS OF NEWTERMS, AND IT WILL HELPYOU STUDY FOR THE TESTS!Required Supplies: (I will be checking supplies for a grade until Sept.12th.) 1 COLLEGE RULED composition notebook. Students will also need a POLY (PLASTIC) 2 pocket folder WITH PRONGS (1stperiod must get a green folder , 2nd period must get a yellow folder, 3rd periodmust get a blue folder, 4th period must get a red folder, 5th period must get ablack or white folder, and 6th period must get a purple folder.) Lined COLLEGE RULED notebook paper Highlighter Blue or Black pen for classwork Any other color pen that is NOT blue or black for grading I strongly encourage each student to checkout a school issued tablet as we willuse it in my class regularly. You WILL be REQUIRED to purchase novels. I will advise in advance the cost ofthe novel and what date you must have it by.1st period: purchase a pack of college ruled lined paper.2nd period: purchase a pack of post-its sizes: 3x3 OR 2x23rd period: purchase a pack of colored pens that is NOT blue or black. (i.e., red,green, etc ) 4th period: purchase a ream (pack) of copy paperPage7