ELA 9

2022/23

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Kessler

skessler@monroecti.org

Class Overview

The central purpose of this course is to extend students’ growth in all communication arts by building upon prior knowledge gained throughout the K-8 English curriculum. English 9 includes a survey of literature and an intense focus on writing in preparation for entry-level workplace documentation. Our readings focus on bildungsroman (coming-of-age) stories, with particular emphasis on The Hero’s Journey.

Students will complete various standards-based assessments, including research-based writings and presentations. Reading comprehension, vocabulary development, oral communication, listening, discussing, understanding media, and utilization of technological skills are applied to help students enhance their language arts competency in an effort to become lifelong learners adept with creative and critical thinking abilities.

Required Materials

Students will need the following:

• Computer with internet access
  • All reading materials will be provided by the teacher, with links to full-text PDF and audio versions located on Schoology.

 Homework

Unless otherwise stated, homework consists of any class work not completed during ELA. Students are responsible for missed readings – please encourage your student to check our Schoology website daily, as all assignments are posted in our classroom. Parents may request the Schoology access code for their students.

Major Assignments

Students will complete an MLA formatted research paper, based on their course of study at M.C.T.I. including the production of a brochure based on their findings. During the course of their research, students are required to interview someone in their chosen profession (this interview may be conducted via email or telephone, and fulfills the one hour job shadowing requirement).

 Resubmission Policy/Late or Missing Work

Students must request the opportunity to resubmit work on major assignments/assessments which receive a 65% or lower.

Students will have the opportunity to earn partial credit for late standards-based assignments, projects, and assessments.

Academic Calendar*

*Please note that all dates are subject to change based on inclement weather/school closures!

Unit	Assignments	Due Dates
Introduction/Note Taking Skills/Short Speeches	Short Story Prompts “Run Trevor, Run” Notes Assignment Entertaining and Informative Speeches	August/September
The Hero’s Journey/”The Odyssey” by Homer	Hero’s Journey Activities My Superhero Story Odyssey Study Guide Odyssey Book Quizzes (3) Odyssey Final - Is Odysseus a hero?	October/November
“A Knight’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer	Andreas Capellanus Reading Poetic Conventions and Vocabulary Quiz	November/December
William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”	Globe Theater Research Project Midsummer Act Quizzes (3) Midsummer Final - Recreate your favorite act!	January
Career Research Paper (MLA Formatting)	Job Shadow Interviews Research Rough Draft Editing Final Draft	February/March
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee	Chapter Study Guides (5) Chapter Quizzes (4) Final Exam/Timed Essay	April/May
MCTI Who Done It?	1. Problem-Solving Interactive	June

 

Supplementals

Students, upon completion of the above readings, will have the opportunity to view any related multimedia content, including graphic novels and movies. All supplementary materials are provided by the teacher.

Class Website