1. Welcome to 10 th Grade Honors English! Mrs. Ebersole

2. About Me… My name is Laura Ebersole My name is Laura Ebersole I’ve taught at Upper Merion for 15 years. I’ve taught at Upper Merion for 15 years. My undergrad work was at U. of Delaware (go Blue Hens!) and my master’s degree is from West Chester University. My undergrad work was at U. of Delaware (go Blue Hens!) and my master’s degree is from West Chester University. I also direct plays, am a class sponsor, and live in the district (you may see me in the Middle School or at Caley). I also direct plays, am a class sponsor, and live in the district (you may see me in the Middle School or at Caley).

3. My Beliefs All children,,, All children,,, can learn can learn should be held to high expectations should be held to high expectations Should have choices that meet their areas of special interests. Should have choices that meet their areas of special interests. deserve exposure to higher level concepts to promote critical thinking and problem solving deserve exposure to higher level concepts to promote critical thinking and problem solving Need strong communication skills as a vital component in any career path. Need strong communication skills as a vital component in any career path. Can improve their writing skills by reading challenging material. Can improve their writing skills by reading challenging material. Must take risks in order to grow. Must take risks in order to grow.

4. Essential Questions: Grade 10 While there are many questions we will address through our reading and writing, below are the essential questions that shape our coursework: While there are many questions we will address through our reading and writing, below are the essential questions that shape our coursework: How does the process of self-discovery shape an individual's identity? How does the process of self-discovery shape an individual's identity? How does social/economic/class structure affect an individual's identity? How does social/economic/class structure affect an individual's identity? What makes us stand out amongst a society that values sameness? What makes us stand out amongst a society that values sameness? What qualities define an effective leader? What qualities define an effective leader? How do we use our words to persuade others? How do we use our words to persuade others? How are themes in literature reflected in our personal lives? How are themes in literature reflected in our personal lives?

5. Grammar Grammar 1 formal unit per quarter 1 formal unit per quarter Focus areas include clauses/phrases, parallel structure, comma review, commonly confused words, agreement, active/passive voice. Focus areas include clauses/phrases, parallel structure, comma review, commonly confused words, agreement, active/passive voice.Projects 1 per quarter 1 per quarter Reading Olympic project Reading Olympic project Ad campaign Ad campaign Research wikispace Research wikispace Zine Poetry project Zine Poetry project Vocabulary Quizzes Approximately 4 a marking period Approximately 4 a marking period Mixture of SAT words, In-text vocabulary, and Tone Words Mixture of SAT words, In-text vocabulary, and Tone Words Novel tests Based on Essential questions, class discussions, literary terms, and reading strategies. Based on Essential questions, class discussions, literary terms, and reading strategies.Writing Analytical writing Analytical writing Literary comparison Essays Literary comparison Essays Creative Writing Creative Writing District performance tasks Writing and reading Writing and reading 1 per quarter 1 per quarter PSSA domain specific rubric PSSA domain specific rubric Major Assessments

6. Grading Policy Components (point value system) Components (point value system) Reading Reading Writing Writing Grammar Grammar Vocabulary Vocabulary Projects Projects Criteria Criteria 90-100% A Exceeds expectations 90-100% A Exceeds expectations 80-89% B Meets expectations 80-89% B Meets expectations 70-79% C Needs improvement to meet expectations 70-79% C Needs improvement to meet expectations 65-69% D Below expectations 65-69% D Below expectations Below 65% F Below 65% F

7. Extended Learning Students can earn up to 10 bonus points per marking period for submitting additional writing assignments. Items might include: Students can earn up to 10 bonus points per marking period for submitting additional writing assignments. Items might include: Submissions for Venture Submissions for Venture Reviews of plays, sporting events, or other school sponsored events. Reviews of plays, sporting events, or other school sponsored events. Book, Music, or Film reviews. Book, Music, or Film reviews. Submissions must be 1 page of text and be received at least 1 week before the end of the marking period. Submissions must be 1 page of text and be received at least 1 week before the end of the marking period.

8. How can students improve their organization? Keep an English notebook or digital notebook, devoting sections to reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and research. Keep an English notebook or digital notebook, devoting sections to reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and research. Use a study buddy or email the teacher if they are missing a class due to illness, sporting event, or music pull out. Use a study buddy or email the teacher if they are missing a class due to illness, sporting event, or music pull out. Review “Ning” for blogging, videos, and peer editing. Review “Ning” for blogging, videos, and peer editing. Subscribe to ical for due dates, notes, and announcements. Subscribe to ical for due dates, notes, and announcements.

9. How can we work together? Ask students what will be due in the next week and monitor their progress. Ask students what will be due in the next week and monitor their progress. Encourage students to develop self advocacy while still offering parental support. Encourage students to develop self advocacy while still offering parental support. Please contact me with questions, problems, or concerns. Please contact me with questions, problems, or concerns. Stress the importance of balancing responsibilities. Stress the importance of balancing responsibilities.

10. What do you like to read? Books I’ve read this summer and found interesting: Books I’ve read this summer and found interesting: Understanding Creativity by Jane Piirto, Ph.D. Understanding Creativity by Jane Piirto, Ph.D. Late Lost and Unprepared: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning by Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel Late Lost and Unprepared: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning by Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel The Hunger Games series The Hunger Games series The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.