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275 North Lexington Pky
Saint Paul, MN 55104
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Class Syllabus
English 9 Quest
Ms. Peifer
Room 403

Course Description:
Thiscourse is an intensive literature course that introduces freshmen tothe thematic focus of Quest courses. The class is intended to developthe skills necessary for growth in the Quest department that includesskills in effective oral and written communication skills, analysis offiction, drama, and poetry related to two themes: the individual'sidentity in the fall and the individual's place in society in thespring. This course is a humanities based course rooted in the Socraticmethod. Students complete ongoing, self-directed tasks in class andoutside of class-projects and assignments that incorporate a variety ofwriting and speaking skills. Students develop and practiceinterpersonal communication strategies.

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of English 8 and the Minnesota Basic Standards Test in reading.

Graduation Standard:
Semester One:     Interpersonal Communication
Semester Two:     Research process

Course Expectations and Grades:
Studentsare expected to complete reading and writing assignments outside ofclass. Students are also expected to participate in large and smallgroup discussions, reading journals, group and individualpresentations, formal and informal writing assignments, and peerediting. Students are expected to teach or present to the classspecific selections from literary works. Students need to be in classdaily and turn in class assignments on time at the beginning of thehour on the due date. Students are responsible for the work that theymiss when they are absent. It is up to each student to find out whatwas missed by checking the black assignment. Ask Ms. Peifer for anymissed handouts.
Papers need to be completed in the MLA Handbookstyle. Computer processed or typewritten papers are mandatory exceptfor in class assignments. Public libraries have computers andtypewriters for public use. All other assignments need to be writtenlegibly or are impossible to grade.

Grades are based on acombination of written work and class participation. This class isconsidered an advanced level of literature, and students will receiveweighted honor points for their grades. Therefore, students will beexpected to work at an accelerated level, manage their timeindependently, complete many assignments outside of class, and takepersonal responsibility for the quality of their work. Although we willcontinue to work on writing skills, this class is not designed as aremedial writing class. Students should be familiar with and use thestandard mechanics of formal written English.

Late Assignment Policy:
Allassignments are due at the beginning of class. Anything turned in afterthat will be considered late. Assignments will be accepted up to oneweek after the due date for half credit. Assignments will not beaccepted after the one-week extension. You will not pass the course ifyou consistently turn work in late.
Excessive absenteeism and lateor missing work will result in lowered grades. There are manyassignments that are impossible to make up. Communication with yourteacher is strongly encouraged especially when you have been absent.
Lastly,Challenge Projects ARE NEVER ACCEPTED LATE.  This is for tworeasons: one--you have four opportunities to complete two challengeprojects per semester, two-- there is a presentation attached to theChallenge Project grade.  Late projects are not accepted. There are no exceptions to this.
Additionally, please see handout on the department's policy on truancy and make-up work.

Course Overview:
Unit One: Writing workshop
Duration:   2-3 Weeks
Content:    Writing process and short grammar review
Group and individual work
Peer editing and oral presentations
Personal identity theme work
Prose and poetry analysis information
Introduce Independent Novel Study
Activities:   Autobiography project Class discussion Peer editing

Unit Two: Novel Study One
Duration:       Three weeks
Content:        House on Mango Street
Activities:       Reading of novel and related prose and poetry
Group work
Paper on Personal identity represented in the novel
Written assignments that include assignments on literary devices
Class discussions
Challenge Project option

Unit Three: Novel Study Two
Duration:       Three-Four Weeks
Content:        Catcher in the Rye
Activities:      Reading of novel and related prose and poetry
Group Work
Literary Analysis Paper
Challenge Project option

Unit Four: Novel Study Three
Duration:       Four weeks
Content:        Lord of the Flies
Activities:      Reading of novel and related prose and poetry
Group work
Psychological look at identity
Paper on identity
Challenge Project option

Unit Five: Novel Study Four
Duration:       2-3 weeks
Content:        “OurTown"
Activities:       Reading of play and related prose and poetry Written scene of play and presentation
Group work Challenge Project option

Unit Six:  Independent Novel Study Presentations
Duration:   One week
Content:    Independent novel study project
Activities:   Reviewing Novel
Paper
Peer Editing
Presentation

Unit Seven: Review and Final Test/Essay
Content:     Personal Identity

Anyindividual who has any disability, either permanent or temporary, whichmight adversely affect their ability to perform in this class, isencouraged to inform me of this condition. Adaptations of methods,materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitableparticipation.

I look forward to an exciting and productivesemester. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at thefollowing address: lindsay.peifer@spps.org. If you do not have email,feel free to call me at (651) 632-6000 x4030.



Ms. Peifer

Mail 275 North Lexington Parkway - Saint Paul, MN 55104 • Phone (651) 744-4900 • Fax (651) 293-5433
Please eMail questions or comments regarding website management to: brian.reinhardt@spps.org -  any other questions should directed to the main iffice number, (651) 744-4900
St. Paul Public School System, District #625