Ap Lang 2009-2010

AP Language & Composition 2009-2010 Mrs. Paige Lahaise e-mail: [email protected]

class website: http://www.lahaiseslair.com

Course Overview Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition is a college level course that will equip students to succeed on the AP English Language exam and to thrive in college and beyond, to become critical thinkers, analytical readers, strong writers, skilled communicators, and apt technology users. The course focuses on nonfiction and rhetoric, the art of wielding language to achieve one’s persuasive purpose. Students will hone their skills in close, analytical reading, learning to examine an author’s rhetorical purpose and to analyze how the author achieves that purpose through rhetorical and stylistic devices. Ultimately, students will translate the same devices to their own writing, learning to write succinctly, powerfully, and with stylistic flair. Additionally, students will learn research skills including how to search for and evaluate sources, how to synthesize information from multiple sources into one’s own argument, and how to cite sources using MLA format. Though students will use MLA format for their own writing throughout the course, they will also become familiar with a variety of citation formats they may encounter in college and beyond. Though nonfiction reading and argumentative and persuasive writing are the core elements of the class, students will read a wide-range of texts including prose fiction, poetry, drama, and technical and practical texts. Students will also write for a variety of purposes and audiences, sometimes in timed writings and sometimes in process writings undertaking the various stages of writing from inquiry and research to drafting, revising and editing, and publishing. This course satisfies the requirements for both English 11 as outlined by the California English Language Arts Frameworks and for Advanced Placement English Language and Composition as outlined by the College Board.

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Basic Classroom Rules Show Show Show Show

respect. responsibility. self-control. honesty.

Following the rules and expending effort in this class will result in a successful learning experience. However, the negative consequences of breaking the rules are listed, but not limited to: 1. Student/teacher conference, 2. Phone call to parent/legal guardian, 3. Referral to the administration.

Needed Supplies 3-ring binder with tab dividers and loose leaf paper Pen or pencil Highlighters (green, yellow, pink) Sticky notes Flash drive (This is not required but will be very helpful in saving all your computer work and transporting between school and home. We will be doing several multi-media projects, which can be difficult to save on disks because of their large file sizes.) If you have a laptop or netbook computer, feel free to bring it. You may leave it in my locked cabinet during the day and pick it up at the end of school. A small daily planner would also be helpful.

Classroom Procedures Bring everything you need for class, and be prepared to learn. You need your Independent Reading material and three-ring binder with you EVERY day. Enter the room quietly and on time. Begin working immediately on the daily journal assignment. Daily, write assignments in planner. Follow directions and participate in class. When working in groups, work quietly and productively. When transitioning from one activity to another, do so quickly and quietly without disrupting other learners. Remain in seat until dismissed by teacher. Leave room in the same condition (or better) you found it!

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Homework Policy Completing assignments is crucial not only for students to master learning objectives but also for students to experience academic success and score a passing grade; therefore, I maintain a ZERO TOLERANCE homework policy, which requires students to complete ALL work assigned. If a student fails to complete a homework assignment, the student will have an opportunity to turn in the assignment within one week of the due date for a 50% grade reduction. I will not accept late assignments after one week. If a student repeatedly fails to complete assignments, I will request a conference with the parent to discuss ways we can work together to help the student succeed in completing assignments.

Make-Up Work/Tests I adhere to LAUSD policy on make-up work. After an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make up all work missed. Students may access all homework and missed assignments on the class website. Homework must be completed and turned in within two class days following the student’s return to school. School policy states that students will not receive credit for unexcused absences. Note, however, that because I have a zero tolerance homework policy, I still require students to complete the work, even though they will not receive credit for doing so. A missed vocabulary test may only be made-up Wednesday’s during nutrition. This prevents students from missing valuable instruction in class and getting further behind.

Plagiarism Every year I am amazed at how many students try getting around the Turnitin.com system of catching plagiarism. Is it really worth getting a zero on the assignment, possibly failing the class, losing ALL my trust, and your parents getting a phone call from me? The bottom line is this: I know there are a few cheaters that fall through the cracks and get away with it; the vast majority though are caught and the repercussions can be devastating. I HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO PLAGIARISM OR CHEATING. EVEN ONE LINE IN AN ESSAY THAT ISN’T YOURS, OR TAKING ANOTHER’S IDEA AND PRETENDING IT IS YOUR OWN, AND ISN’T QUOTED AND CITED MEANS THE ENTIRE ESSAY RECIEVES A ZERO!

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Assessment The course uses a system of assessment that evaluates students throughout the learning-throughout a variety of activities and projects—and encourages students to revise and polish their work. Grades will be calculated as follows: Major Tests & Essays – 20% •

Each five weeks students will write timed essays in response to AP style prompts.

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For each prompt, students will write the first draft in class in forty minutes, emulating the AP exam conditions. Using the 9-point AP rubric, Mrs. Lahaise will grade the essay as a rough draft, assigning a grade as follows: First Grading

Second Grading (replaces first grade)

8-9

90-100

90-100

7

85

80

6

80

75

5

75

70

4

70

65

3

65

60

1-2

55 or below

n/a

Rubric Score

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If students earn a minimum score of “3” on the first draft, they earn the opportunity to revise/rewrite the essay to earn a higher score, which will replace the first grade. Note, the scores for the second draft are lower since students have extensive time to revise essays.

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Students must turn in a typed second draft to Turnitin.com no later than three days after receiving the graded first draft. I will accept NO LATE assignments on these second drafts.

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I will grade the second draft as a finished, revised writing using the 9-point AP scale and will replace the first grade. 4

Assessment The course uses a system of assessment that evaluates students throughout the learning-throughout a variety of activities and projects—and encourages students to revise and polish their work. Grades will be calculated as follows: 20%

Reading/Writing & Classwork

Reading journals Daily journals SSR Fat Paragraph Active Participation in Literature Circles

10%

SSR

Your participation in daily SSR

10%

Quizzes & Homework

10%

Class contribution

Weekly vocabulary test Daily Homework AP Multiple Choice Quizzes Do you make the class better?

30%

Special Projects

Essays Blogs (columnist; connective reading/writing; application review) Research Project

A in the class = 90-100% B in the class = 80-89% C in the class = 70-79% D in the class = 60-69% Anything under 60% will receive a Fail in the class.

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