English 9 Honors Syllabus 2016-2017

Ms. C. Dinh, Room 82, cdinh@fremont.k12.ca.us

School Loop: http://ihs-fusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Phone: 656-5711 ext. 46382 (call between 3:05-3:30pm; or email me with callback info)
Office hours: Advisory moving days, or make appointment for lunch/after school
We are a collection of stories, we are the stories we tell, the stories we believe, and equally, the
stories that we choose to ignore. Seema Anand, TEDxEaling
What skills must I learn to succeed in the course?
This class is about the sharing of minds sounds creepy, right? However, for you to learn effectively, I
need to know what is going on in your mind, so I will ask you questions, which you must think about. In
addition to speaking, you must display what is going on in your mind through writing - formats will
include in-class timed writing, quick writes, and formal essays. You will also be exposed to the minds
of others, like your classmates. You will see what is going on in my mind - through my responses to
you, my conversations with you, and through the material I present to you. Its important to be a good
listener. Lastly, you will learn about the minds of writers - we will read 6-7 novels this year as well as
non-fiction and poetry. Thats a lot of minds and youll need to use reading tools to deeply understand
their messages and your connection to the texts. Thus, the course is centered around four Common
Core Language Arts Standards - of speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Together, we will come to
understandings of our own truths and power.
What will we read?
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Odyssey by Homer
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

If students lose any books, they will be responsible for paying the replacement fee(s) back to Irvington
High School. You MUST return each book before you can check out the next novel or play. Final test
and essay grades will not be counted until the book is either paid for or replaced.
Reading homework will typically be 20 pages every weeknight.
Outside Reading Book (ORB) Report: Each quarter, you are required to choose a grade-appropriate
fiction or non-fiction book at least 250 pages long. You must read it and complete a project, which will
be specified, due at the end of the quarter.
What will we write?
Writing will include both in-class timed essays and formal take-home essays, including a variety of
essay types: narrative, argumentative, expository, and literary analysis. Students will study and
practice proper grammar, spelling, sentence variety, paragraph structure, stylistic elements, Modern
Language Association (MLA) format, and the writing process itself. All formal essays must be
submitted both in hard copy and to turnitin.com. Any written assignments that are difficult to read will
be returned to the student to rewrite or type for a grade.
How are essays scored?
We are going to view and discuss the elements of weak vs. strong essays. We will do structured peer
revision. When you finally turn in your essay, the score will be broken down into roughly three
categories: Thesis/Controlling Idea, Topic Sentences, Evidence, Grammar/Style. When you receive
your essay back, you will reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, to take into the next assignment.
You can rewrite essays earning below a C, due one week from when you get it back. Rewrites can
earn a maximum of 70%.

What should you have in class every day?

-You will need a 1 inch three-ring binder exclusively for English, with 7 dividers labeled with the book
titles of our novels. Book titles are subject to change so label as titles are announced. Simply put all
work we do while reading each book in the correct divider.
-Binder checks for completeness and organization will occur for grading without notice keep your
work organized and stay current with all assignments. Keep papers for proof if grades are mis-entered
and for referring back.
-Bring your required outside reading book to read if you finish work early, and the class text we are
currently reading.
-Also, bring pencils, binder paper, pens, highlighters, post-it notes, your IHS planner, and anything that
helps you stay focused in class such as glasses or tissues. DO NOT use cell phones or music players
unless I permit it. If seen, cell phones will be taken away, and delivered to the office for your parent to
pick up. If it happens again, you lose your phone for a month. A third infraction means your phone is
gone for the year.
What are the behavioral expectations in class?
Expectations: My goal is to create a focused, safe, enjoyable learning environment. See the rules
and consequences for breaking them posted on the classroom walls.
Tardy Consequence: Arriving late affects your learning and is disruptive. If you are tardy to class, you
will receive afterschool detention.
Overall, use Irvingtons Schoolwide Outcomes of Personal Responsibility, Communication, Critical
Thinking, and Social Responsibility to guide your behavior in class (and in life, really).
What is the late work policy?
-Work turned in after the time the assignment is collect is accepted for 50% credit, whether its turned
in the next day or weeks later.
-If absent, ask a classmate for the work the day youre absent and try to be prepared with the
assignment the next day. However, you have as many days as you were absent to turn in work and get
help (if unable to contact classmate, another option is to email me or come to office hours). You must
have parent note/call to prove excused absence.
-If you were absent, you must make up quizzes, tests, and in-class essays ASAP during lunch,
Advisory, or afterschool. No redos for low scores instead, seek extra help so you can be better
prepared next time.
What is the grading policy?
I make every attempt to help students succeed, but remember YOU earn YOUR GRADES. I do not
give them to you. Each student is expected to meet the California State Standards and Common
Core Standards for Language Arts at the 9-10 grade level.
The grading scale is as follows*:
90% - 100% A Mastery
80% - 89%
B Proficient
70% - 79%
C Competent
60% - NC Below grade level
Grades are not rounded

Grade Breakdown
45%
Essays
10%
ORB Project*
10%
Participation/Discussions*
25%
Quizzes/Homework
10%
Final Exam
*In the second semester, the ORB Project and
Participation grades will be incorporated into
the Homework section, and 20% will be
Change Project grade

-Participation points are earned when you come to class on time, are on-task in class, and contribute
during group work and discussion. They will appear in the gradebook periodically. Participation
increases learning, so it will be reflected in your grade indirectly as well.
-Grades are updated within 2-3 days after assignments are turned in (allow a few weeks for major
assignments). Students and parents should check grade reports online at School Loop, to identify
missing assignments or mis-entered grades.
-Contract Policy: Contracts are individualized achievement plans that may be offered to a student who
is not passing this class. At the end of the semester, if your grade is within the 60%-69% range and
you have completed at least 70% of the assignments, you may ask me for a contract. Contracts are
given out at my discretion and are given at the end of the semester only. Incomplete contracts result in
an NC (no credit). Parents will be notified if you are in danger of failing by phone and email.
-CHANGE Project: This is the first Irvington Benchmark project, and it centers around an
Environmental service topic that you choose with your groupmates and your science teacher. You
must meet the deadlines and pass each component of the Project, which includes an annotated
bibliography and research paper (see CHANGE project Handbook for more details). In second
semester, it will be 20% of your overall grade in both English and Science.
-Extra Credit: Will be announced and are not to be relied on to dramatically boost grades. You may
earn extra credit ONCE per year if you donate a tissue box.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism is defined as, To take and pass off as ones own someone elses work or ideas
(Macmillan Dictionary). This includes copying from friends, sharing your original work with someone
who copies it, or copying from the internet without giving credit or during an exam. Cheating is taken
very seriously and its consequences are not worth it. You will be required to upload your writing to
turnitin.com, which catches plagiarism. If you feel compelled to cheat because you dont understand
the assignment or didnt prepare for a test/quiz, just do your best with honesty. Better yet, talk to me
after class as soon as you start feeling overwhelmed. If a student is caught cheating, he/she will:
meet with Ms. Dinh, get a 0 on the assignment/test, serve 3 hours of Saturday detention, and
parents and administration will be notified. The second and third times involve suspension and NC
for the whole course.
Who is Ms. Dinh?
I was a student at Irvington High School, and some of my old teachers are now my colleagues! I went
on to earn my Bachelors degree in English at Yale University in New Haven, CT. I then earned my
Masters in Teaching at the University of Michigan, student-teaching for a year in Ann Arbor. While I
love seeing new places (Ive been to Vietnam and Europe), Im happy to be back in my hometown. I
enjoy reading everything from 19th century British novels to modern-day memoirs. My other interests
include cooking, hiking, drawing, writing, and hanging out with friends and family. I teach English 9
Honors during periods 1, 2, 3, and 6 and English 11 CP during period 5. Students and parents can
email me or call to get in touch outside class. My office hours are on page 1.
How can parents/guardians support the student?
Talk with your student about what he/she is learning
Provide time and quiet space for your student to study at home
Notice and commend your students EFFORT, not just high grades
Check for completion of assignments: daily, weekly, monthly. Course website updated with
assignments, so log on to www.DinhEng.weebly.com to see what we are learning this week.
Check grades on School Loop.
Keep in touch with teachers by emailing or calling. Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences in
November.

To reach the main office, call 510-656-5711. Visit www.irvington.org for school-wide calendars, forms,
and parent resources.
Please return this page to Ms. Dinh, signed by yourself and your parent. KEEP THE SYLLABUS
IN THE FRONT OF YOUR BINDER.
I will help all students reach their potentials, meet their needs, and encourage them, while creating a
fun learning environment.
_______________________
Ms. Dinh
Honor Code and Syllabus Contract:
I have reviewed Ms. Dinhs English Syllabus contract with my parent/guardian.
In this class, I will uphold the following values. I intend to do my best this year to pass this class with a
successful grade. I will not cheat or plagiarize. I will not bully other students. I will not steal from my
classmates or other people at school. I will treat others with respect, even if I do not always agree with
their ideas. And I will try to be a positive member of this class. Below, I have signed my commitment
to this class and to myself.
Student Name: ________________________________________________
Student Signature: ________________________________________________
Period in my class: _____________
Parent Name(s):

_____________________________

Parent Signature: _____________________________

___________________________
___________________________

Parent Phone Number: _____________________Ok to contact parents by text message? Yes / No

Parent Email Address: ____________________________________________
Parent on School Loop? Yes / No
Other questions/concerns?
We will use both texts and many photocopied materials. Since minimal funding is available for making
copies, we ask each family to donate $15-$25 to help offset the cost. The check should be made out
to Irvington High School, paid one time only, at the beginning of the school year. Should a family be
unable to contribute, please let me know and I will ensure that your student receives materials. Thank
you!
I am donating $____ for supplies and copying fees (please attach check or cash. if you would like a
letter acknowledging your donation for tax purposes, Ill be happy to provide one.)