Ms. Deborah R. McCarthy
English Language Arts, 9th & 10th Grade
Education:
Master of Arts in Teaching at Tusculum University, TN
Master of Science in Administration at Central Michigan University, MI
Bachelor of Science in Business Management at University of Mary, ND
Associate in Arts for Leadership at Rose State College, OK
Associate in Applied Science for Information Management at the Community College of the United States Air Force
About Me: I am a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and I graduated with my teaching degree from Tusculum University in 2018. I am currently state-certified to teach business and English courses. I have two daughters: Elizabeth (27 years old) and Catherine (18 years old), who make this momma so...proud. Elizabeth is a registered nurse, and Catherine is a senior at Volunteer High School. The experience I've had during my tenure in the military, my parental experiences, as well as various teaching opportunities, have given me the tools to help students become self-directed and lifelong learners. I love being a teacher, and I hope to instill a love of learning in my students.
English Language Arts (ELA) Syllabus
for 9th & 10th grade
Class Description:
Welcome to English/Language Arts! Our focus this school year will be learning and developing our skills as critical thinkers, readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. These skills are essential for achieving success in other school subjects as well as the further development of critical life skills. This course is a combination of language arts and literature.
The literacy skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, comprehending, and thinking are taught. Students gain practice in grammar, punctuation, and writing skills. Assignments include all writing modes identified by the State of Tennessee: argumentative, narrative, and informative.
Link to Tennessee Academic English/Language Arts Standards:
Link to Hawkins County Schools Family Information:
Canvas:
Canvas is the online platform to upload any classwork or homework, complete quizzes/tests, and write discussion posts. Each student will have access to canvas, which will be the main access area for student assignments. I will post assignments, slides, and any video references as needed. Students will be taught how to access my classroom during the first week of school; this is a tool that can be used when absent or during in-class assignments. I will be looking for your Bell Ringer submissions, any assignments, and class discussion posts.
Google Classroom:
Each student will also have access to my Google Classroom. I will periodically post assignments, Google Slides, and any video references used during class. Students will be taught how to access my classroom during the first week of school. This is a tool that can also be used when students are absent or during class assignments. Grades will not be correctly reflected on Google Classroom or Canvas; for appropriate grades, refer to Skyward.
Grading:
If you do not have a code to Skyward, you can get your access code from the office. All grades will be updated weekly. Please check Skyward for all grades.
Grading Weight:
Bell Ringer & Reading Response/Daily Work 10%
Quizzes 15%
Tests: Essays, Book Report Presentations 50%
Participation 5%
Final/EOC 20%
Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
Honors Course only:
The average in an honors course may not exceed 103%.
This will include the addition of 3 percentage points to the grades used to calculate the semester or yearly average.
Absent Work:
Personal responsibility and accountability are paramount in my class. All students are expected to turn in all writing assignments and projects on time. All homework assignments will be turned in at the beginning of class. Any assignment that does not make it into the bin by the beginning of classroom instruction will be considered late.
It is the student’s responsibility to ask for missed work. When a student is absent, check Canvas for the missing assignments. The student has one week from the date of absence to turn in the missing work. If I do not receive the assignment within the 1-week time frame, you will receive a ZERO. Any MAJOR assignments that are turned in one day late will be given a maximum grade of 80%. Any major assignment that is turned in two days (or more) late will be given a ZERO. (*Note: The only exception to this will be if prior arrangements—due to unforeseen family circumstances or medical emergencies—have been made and approved by me. In the event of an approved arrangement, the assignment must be submitted to me no later than two days after returning to class.)
Procedures/Expectations/Rules:
No disrespect, no dishonesty, no disobedience, and follow school and classroom procedures and expectations/rules.
1. Come in and begin Bell Ringer work; you will have 10 minutes to complete it.
2. The Lesson will begin after the Bell Ringer.
3. Choose one person from each grouped table weekly to be the group leader. This group leader will be responsible for getting the curriculum books as well as ensuring the group’s table and area are clean from debris.
4. You will complete an exit ticket each day. One exception will be when we go to the library or have our independent reading.
5. Make sure you are engaged during the class.
6. At dismissal: 1- pack up, 2- group leaders gather work, and if applicable, put classwork in the turn-in bin before leaving, clean up the group tables, and 3- exit the room quietly.
7. For Fire Alarm and/or drill: follow the teacher to evacuate.
8. No personal cell phones or earbuds are allowed during class. You must put your cell phones in the phone parking lot before class. If you have your phone, earbuds, or any other electronic device during class other than the school’s Chromebook, I will follow the Hawkins County Schools handbook procedures.
Bell Ringer:
You will complete your Bell Ringer on paper and turn it in for grading. If you are absent, it’s your responsibility to make up your bell ringers during your absence. Bell ringers will be done Monday–Friday, minus the library/reading day.
Springboard Curriculum:
We will be using the Springboard curriculum. You will be given a consumable copy of the book; you will complete assignments or take notes in this book. Please DO NOT tear up, write graphic words or drawings, or ruin your book. You only get this one book; I do not have any spare books, so please take care of your book. I will have a place on the bookshelf for you to keep your books in my class.
Classroom Library:
I do have a private library. All books were purchased with my personal funds. Please respect the books and take care of them for future readers. If you damage a book, you will be held responsible; therefore, you will be held accountable to replace the book with an equivalent book.
Independent Reading Assignment:
You will be required to read a book (no graphic novels, only novels) every six weeks for this class. You will have 30 minutes to read your book in class every other Friday. Once a month, you will complete your Reader Response Packet. Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to keep up with your continuous reading to stay caught up. You will be giving a book presentation to the class after the 6-week time period. You may make a mini-movie (many free apps) or a slide show presentation. You will also have to write a 5-paragraph reader response essay about your book, which is due on the day you give your presentation.
Friday (2 times per month):
Much of the reading for this course is expected to occur outside of class. You will be given reading time on two Fridays each month. Once a month, we will be going to the school library to choose a book for additional reading. You will be required to complete a Reader Response Packet for your library book once a month on Friday, after your 30 minutes of reading. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to complete your Reader Response Packet on your own.
Tennessee Academic Standards:
As students master the standards, they will: demonstrate independence; build strong content knowledge; respond to the varying demands of audience/task/purpose/discipline; comprehend as well as critique; value evidence; use technology and digital media strategically and capably; and come to understand other perspectives and cultures. I have attached a link to the standards on this syllabus.
9th Grade ELA Unit Overview (Subject to Change):
*We will use the SpringBoard text/workbook
Book Presentation: Must complete for each 9-week grading period
Your choice—Independent Reading Mini-movie Presentation, or slide show
5-paragraph essay about your book
Fall/Spring Benchmark Tests throughout the semester
Unit 1: SpringBoard English Language Arts (ELA)—Telling Details
Part 1: writing a literary analysis
Part 2: writing a short story/narrative writing
Exam
Unit 2: SpringBoard ELA—Pivotal Words and Phrases
Romeo and Juliet
Part 1: poetry
Part 2: drama/explanatory writing
Exam
Unit 3: SpringBoard ELA—Compelling Evidence (Argumentative)
Exam
Unit 4: SpringBoard ELA—Powerful Openings (Historical Investigation)
Final Exam
TNReady Test Prep (2nd Semester)
End-of-Course (EOC) Test: at the end of the semester
TNReady Test Prep (2nd Semester)
10th Grade ELA Unit Overview (Subject to Change):
*We will use the SpringBoard text/workbook
Book Presentation: Must complete for each 9-week grading period
Your choice—Independent Reading Mini-movie Presentation, or slide show
5-paragraph essay about your book
Fall/Spring Benchmark Tests throughout the semester
Unit 1: SpringBoard English Language Arts (ELA)—The Power of Argument:
Lessons 1.1-1.12
Embedded Assessment 1: Creating an argument
Embedded Assessment 2: Participating in a Debate
Exam
Unit 2: SpringBoard ELA—Persuasion in Literature
Lessons 2.18-2.20
Language Checkpoint
Embedded Assessment 1: Writing a Literary Analysis Essay
Embedded Assessment 2: Writing a Short Story
Exam
Unit 3: SpringBoard ELA—Informative Texts and Research
Lessons 1-13
Embedded Assessment 1: Creating an annotated bibliography
Exam
Unit 4: SpringBoard ELA—Figurative Language & Poetry
Lessons 1-8
Embedded Assessment 1: Writing an Analysis of a Piece of Creative Writing
Final Exam
TNReady Test Prep (2nd Semester)
End-of-Course (EOC) Test: at the end of the semester
***Remember to be KIND to yourself, your classmates, your teacher. We will have a great school year! I’m so…happy to be your teacher! We will have FUN too!
If you need to get in touch with me, please email me: deborah.mccarthy@hck12.net
I can be reached at (423) 272-7629, ext. 5376