Ms. Starkey

michele.starkey@rentonschools.us

Office Hours: 2:03-4:00 M, T, W, and F (closed Thurdsay)

At Lunch by Appointment (starting at 11:15)

Course Information

Course Description: 

Course Objectives:

By the end of this trimester, students will be able to:

1. Analyze persuasive appeals by identifying how authors use ethos, pathos, and logos to influence an audience.

2. Determine an author’s purpose and explain how language choices, structure, and rhetorical strategies support that purpose.

3. Develop and support a claim about a social issue using relevant evidence and reasoning.

4. Evaluate multiple sources and perspectives on a social issue using research and critical reading strategies.

5. Collaborate in book club discussions by building on others’ ideas, asking thoughtful questions, and reflecting on their participation.

6. Analyze narrative nonfiction by examining how authors use character, conflict, and setting to communicate ideas about justice and social change.

7. Write and revise analytical and persuasive pieces that clearly communicate ideas using evidence and rhetorical strategies.

8. Create a multimodal call to action that informs others about a social issue and encourages community awareness or action.

9. Use speaking and presentation skills to communicate ideas effectively to peers and community audiences.

10. Reflect on how language can be used to promote justice, heal harm, and inspire positive change in communities.

Grading Policy

Successful completion of this course with a passing grade gives ELA credit (.5) towards the 4 ELA credits are required for graduation.

Mastery Assessments: 50%

• Essays, projects, and other work done to show mastery of a reading, writing, speaking, and/or listening skill. A rubric will be used to evaluate the student’s level mastery of ELA standards.

Skill Building Assignments: 40%

• Daily reading, writing, speaking and listening tasks we do in class to build skills and prepare for assessments. Work is graded on level of completion.

Community Skills: 10%

• This includes independent reading, using technology appropriately, and being physically present and mentally engaged in class.

Academic Honesty Policy

In order to learn, a student must do their own thinking, reading, and writing. Plagiarism, cheating, using generative AI, and copying answers harm student learning and are not allowed. Assignments may be scanned for AI and other measures may be taken to verify student work.

Plagiarism is the taking of language, ideas, or thoughts from another source and passing it off as your own. This includes artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT.

1st offense: Zero on the assignment, opportunity to redo for up to 50%. Referral, parent notification.

2nd offense: Zero on the assignment, no opportunity to redo. Student-parent-administrator conference.

3rd offense: Fail course.

School Information

Weekly Announcements | Student Handbook | Bell Schedule | Family Access Skyward | Family Access Canvas

If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm call Teen Link at 866-TEENLINK (866-833-6546) and ask to talk to a peer. The phone line is open 6 p.m.– 10 p.m. and chat is available 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily. https://www.teenlink.org/

Weekly Schedule

Week	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Dates	3/17-3/20	3/23-3/27	3/30-4/3	4/13-4/17	4-20-4/24	4/27-5/1	5/4-5/8

 

Week	8	9	10	11	12	13
Dates	5/22-5/15	5/18-5/22	5/26-5/29	6/1-6/5	6/8-6/12	6/15-6/17

 

Week 1,	Week 2,	Week 3
Week 4,	Week 5	Week 6
Week 7	Week 8	Week 9
Week 10	Week 11	Week 12
Week 13	Week 14