English 9 A and Honors English 9A                 Carol Pentz

Disclosure/Class Overview                              email:  cpentz@morgansd.org

                                                                website:  https://mhs.morgansd.org/275645_2 

                                                                Canvas: https://morgancounty.instructure.com/  

                                                                 phone:   (801) 829-3418 (high school office)

             Welcome to Trimester A of 9th grade English!  This class focuses on improving the language skills of reading, writing, speaking, and grammar. To review the Core Standards, visit the following website:  www.schools.utah.gov/file/9fe44d83-9e6e-4802-8216-f844570c65e4.  We will read a variety of short stories, poetry, a novel, and informational text.  We will also study several genres of writing.  

I am excited to be back in the classroom for my 17th year of teaching at Morgan High School and love working with your students.  I graduated from Weber State University with an English Teaching Major and Health Education Minor.  I have since earned my Level 2 Reading Endorsement and continually participate in formal and informal education to improve my effectiveness. 

Daily procedures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19:  

• Clean and disinfect each desk and textbook at end of each class period

• No sharing of Chromebooks and/or charging cords

• Students/teacher will wear masks 

• Students desks will remain in front-facing rows

• Students will not be allowed to move to other desks during class

• Disinfect door handles and common spaces between classes

• Reduction of paper and paper handling in class

Texts: We will work primarily from two classroom textbooks:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Literature Grade 9 and  Holt McDougal Literature:  Grade 9.  Your student will not be assigned a textbook but will use a textbook in class (see cleaning and disinfecting, above).   On-line access will be available for many of the selections within the textbooks, as well.  I will also be working to utilize Canvas as much as possible for assignments, instructions, and information.  

Hall Passes:  Each student will receive 5 hall passes.  The hall pass must be given to me prior to the student leaving the classroom.  Each unused hall pass may be turned in at the end of the trimester for 5 pts. Each of extra credit.  I DO NOT OFFER ANY OTHER EXTRA CREDIT.

Grading:

Your grade is determined by the total percentage of points earned in class.  A 

grade scale follows:

95% + = A 77%-79.99% = C+ 60%-63.99% = D-

90%-94.99% = A- 73%-76.99% = C 59.99% or lower = F

87%-89.99% = B+ 70%-72.99% = C-

83%-86.99% = B 67%-69.99% = D+

80%-82.99% = B- 64%-66.99% = D

Grades consist of participation and attendance, assignments, quizzes, tests and both formal and informal writing.  Although I use Canvas, Aspire is the official grade book and I work to keep Aspire updated regularly.  

Classroom Expectations:

·        Come to class with appropriate materials, ready to learn.

·        Follow instructions.

·        Be kind and respectful - especially while I am teaching or giving instructions.  Please do not talk or play on your phone or Chromebook while I am providing whole-class instruction.

             ·        Cell phones must be silent and out of sight during class, especially while I am teaching, unless we are using them in the instruction. Chromebooks should be ready for use but should not be accessed while I am teaching.

                   Failure to follow classroom expectations may also result in the drop of a student’s citizenship 

    grade.

             ·        Food and/or drinks are allowed in my classroom as long students clean up after themselves and the food/drinks don’t become a distraction.  I reserve the right to change this rule at any time.

Late Assignments:

·        Please make every effort to keep your assignments current as it will help you to be more successful in your learning. 

·        Work is due at the first of class and must be turned in when called for to be considered “on-time”.

·        If an assignment is given while you are in class but you are absent when it is due, then it must be turned in prior to class beginning on the first day you are back in class.

·        If you need to turn in an assignment late, you may turn it in up to one week late for a maximum grade of “90%”. 

·        Any work turned in more than one week late may receive points based on the assignment, the quality of the completed work, and the reason for the late work. 

·        October 7, 2020 is the last day I’ll accept late work from the first half of the trimester, and Friday, November 13, 2020 is the last day I’ll accept work from the 2nd half of the trimester.

·        I will follow the guidelines outlined in the student handbook for make-up work.

Required Materials:

        A notebook, a composition book, pen or pencil, free-choice reading book, and assigned reading material every day.  New this year:  bring your Chromebook and charging cord every day to class.  

Plagiarism:

         Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s ideas or exact work and claiming it as your own.  Students who plagiarize will be asked to redo the assignment for reduced credit.  Plagiarism is stealing!!!

Consultation Time:

            ·        I am available Mon. - Thurs. after school during consultation time from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide additional help and support to your student.  I will also reserve some Friday class periods to consult with students regarding late, missing, and absent work and to make up tests.  I am also available before school by appointment. 

I will follow all other policies and procedures as outlined in the student handbook.

           I have provided each student with a signature page (sample below) for you to sign and return to me.  Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns! 

         This is an assignment worth 10 points and is due on or before Friday, September 4, 2020.

Signature Page

Disclosure/English 9A

English - Mrs. Pentz

The full disclosure can be found on Canvas and Mrs. Pentz’s website.  

This page should be signed and turned in on or before Friday, September 4, 2020.  

_________________________________ _________________________________

Parent Signature Parent Name (Printed) and Date

 ___________________________            ___________________________

Student Signature Student Name (Printed) and Date

Please indicate below anything that I need to know to help your student to be successful!