Aplangsyl09-10

“This isn’t a popularity contest, it’s not the moral Olympics, and it’s not church. But it’s writing…not washing the car or putting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can do business…” ~ Stephen King, On Writing, p. 107

What are Ms. Spillane’s goals for A.P. Language & Composition students?

Note: What if you don’t take the A.P. exam?

Buy supplies by Wednesday! What supplies do students need for our class this year?

Lee Ann Spillane, Ed.S., NBCT Cypress Creek High School 1101 Bear Crossing Dr. Orlando, FL 32824 phone: cell: web page: email:

407.352.3400 ext. 2689 321.945.7984 http://www.laspillane.org [email protected]

My Goals for You My goals for this class include nurturing an environment that is interactive and dynamic where we all can speak up and share our ideas and our writing. This requires daily commitment from each of us—achieving nearly perfect attendance; arriving with all supplies and completed reading assignments, engaging in class discussion; taking risks with assignments to go beyond what you have always done, and accepting responsibility for your own learning and growth. In addition, it is my goal that all students who take A.P. Language & Composition will pass the A.P. exam in May.

Note: Students who do not show up for the exam will be require to reimburse the school $85 for the exam fee.

Materials Needed: • a 1-2 inch binder • a non-spiral composition book • plastic dividers with pockets • 1 pack of clear plastic sheet protectors (25 count) • post it notes • notebook paper • blue/black ink pens • colored pencils • 1 box of Kleenex (last name A- I) • 1 package antibacterial Lysol wipes (last name J-O) • 1 package plain white copy paper (last name R-Z) • a Google account (free); we will set up in class • a Blogger.com account/blog for journal writing (free)

S Y L L A B U S

What is Advanced Placement Language and Composition?

Course Description: AP Language and Composition is a college level critical reading and writing course. As King says, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” We will read, interpret, analyze and write every day. Students will write numerous essays in class and at home exploring such rhetorical modes as narration, description, argumentation and exposition—among others. Course reading assignments are primarily non-fiction (essays, letters, speeches, biographical excerpts, pamphlets, and articles), but will also include novelsfrom the American literature curriculum. All students are expected to take the AP Language exam in May. Students who do not show up for the exam will be expected to reimburse the school for the cost of the exam.

Objectives: 

What are students expected to do or learn? ding Gra le Sca -100 0 A 9 -89 0 B 8 -79 0 C 7 -69 0 6 D 9-50 F 5

How will students be graded?

          

Read and understand challenging prose works from a variety of historical periods and disciplines. Evaluate writing techniques and their effect on the reader: vocabulary, sentence structure, organizational pattern, literary allusions, historical conventions, grammatical usages, etc. Identify audience, purpose, and strategies in texts Analyze the types of arguments that writers use Write formally and informally for a variety of audiences Write expository, analytical, and argumentative essays Understand their own writing process and the importance of revision Recognize techniques in visual as well as verbal arguments Synthesize ideas and information from various sources Know how to interpret information presented in notes and citations Use the conventions of standard written English Create and MLA format Create a significant body of personal writings that demonstrate writing development and “voice.”

Final grades are based on total points. Writing will make up the bulk of your grade. Essay grades increase by quarter: 25 pts, 50pts, 75 pts, 100 pts in order to allow for learning and improvement. Daily grades, typically worth 10-25 pts., will be given for participation, homework, quizzes and other assignments. Each term will have 1 or more tests and a larger project worth 100-150 pts. Independent study points, worth 100-150 pts, will also be available each quarter. You may check your grades on Progress

Book at any time. If you have a question about a grade, please email me or write it down and put it in the red “Grades Questions” folder which is taped to the front of my desk. I will discuss individual grade questions or issues after school by appointment not during class time. Assignments will fall into the following categories Classwork: Binder checks, team building, bellwork, vocabulary, quick writes and other in class assignments Writings & Projects: Timed writings, essays, research paper, digital projects, note taking and other written work Tests & Quizzes Biweekly vocabulary/reading quizzes, unit tests Homework Reading, annotation, journal writing and other assignments. Extra Credit Will only be awarded to students who have completed all regular assignemnts and maintained a good attendance record (<10 absences per semester and <3 tardies)

Expectations

Be in Class Participation is an integral part of this class and something that cannot always be made up. Be here.

Behave Respectfully We have much more to learn this year than we have time for; this means that wasted time is lost knowledge.

Avoid Getting Detention A student may receive a detention for tardies, and for inappropriate behavior in class. Detention forms must be signed by parents/ guardians and returned before serving. Failure to report for detention will result in a loss of all extra credit points earned.

Come Prepared Always have your binder, journal, paper, pens, the appropriate books and a positive attitude. You will be graded on preparedness. Lack of materials should never hinder your participation in this class!

Keep Track of Your Assignments Use a planner. Subscribe to the class’s Google Calendar. Use the reminder feature on your cell phone. You need to develop a system to manage your time, and juggle all you want to accomplish both academically and socially.

Turn Your Work in On Time All assignments are due on time at the beginning of the period or when called for. Late homework is not be accepted. If you are absent, you may email assignments to me at your own risk, or turn them in upon your return. Major assignments may be turned in late for a penalty (10 points per day including weekends and holidays) only with parent conference/contact.

Be Honest I expect you to do your own work honestly and to do it to the best of your abilities. Presenting another’s work as your own is cheating even if you do not get caught. Cite your sources using MLA format when you use them and give credit where credit is due. Cheating may result in 3 in conduct, parent/teacher contact, an academic detention, loss of extra credit and or an administrative referral

Communicate I cannot read your mind. When you have a problem with anything in this class, or in your life that affects your schoolwork, talk to me, and I will do my best to listen, and to help in any way I can. I am always here early in the morning, and after school on most days.

Use Technology Responsibly You are expected to abide by the general accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following: · Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others. · Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. · Do not reveal your personal address, password or phone numbers of students or colleagues. · Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the authorities. · Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users (e.g., downloading huge files during prime time; sending mass e-mail messages; annoying other users with comments). · All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be private property.

Attendance for Academic Credit for Grades 9-12 (1) No student shall be awarded a credit unless the student has been in attendance for instruction for a minimum of 135 hours. The 135 hours required for attendance for instruction corresponds to twenty (20) absences in a school year or ten (10) absences for each semester. The principal may provide a student who has been in attendance less than 135 hours an opportunity to receive credit by demonstrating mastery of the student performance standards in that course of study. (2) Excused absences shall be considered, on an hour per hour basis, as a part of the 135 minimum hours of classroom instruction. The principal is authorized to accept the following reasons for absence(s) of a student: a. Illness, injury or other insurmountable condition; b. Illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family; c. Recognized (or established) religious holidays and religious instruction; d. Medical appointments; e. Participate in an approved activity or class of instruction held at another school site; f. Prearranged absences of educational value with the principal’s prior approval g. Head lice infestation (up to four (4) days during the school year); h. Catastrophic disasters that significantly impact the life of the student (loss of residence from natural disaster). (3) Academic instruction missed by the student shall be made up in an acceptable manner in accordance with the district pupil progression plan. (number of days absent + 1) It is the responsibility of the student to retrieve any work missed during an absence from the teacher. (4) Students may make up work missed during a suspension within a time limit established by the school principal. Attendance Laws: Florida Statutes 1001.41, 1003.21, 1003.24, 1003.436 The Bottom line: No matter what your grade point average at the end of a semester or year per class, if you have more than 10 absences in a half credit course or 20 absences in a full credit course, you MUST pass the Mid-Term or Final Exam with a 70% or you will not receive credit for the course.

All absences will be marked as unexcused until a written note is received from the parent within 48 hours of returning to school. Any questions regarding the attendance policy should be directed to the attendance office (407) 852-2283.

What are the consequences for being tardy?

House A Rules 1. Come to class on time. You must be INSIDE the door, IN your seat with your book out reading when the bell stops ringing to be considered on time. (DETENTION FOR 1ST TARDY, REFERRAL FOR 2nd) 2. Attend to personal needs before coming to class.

How are students expected to behave in class?

How is cheating punished?

What items are prohibited on campus?

3. Bring required materials every day unless you are otherwise directed. 4. Talk only when permitted. Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations and speaking to the entire group without raising your hand may be allowed in others. I will remind you once and expect compliance. 5. Cheating will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his/her work for an independent assignment AND the person copying will suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do your OWN work and be sure no one can copy it. 6. Follow the teacher’s directions immediately when entering classroom. Student Code of Conduct will be enforced in classroom. 7. ALL electronic devices in use for noninstructional purposes will be confiscated IMMEDIATELY. 8. NO HATS ALLOWED ON CAMPUS

What is the policy regarding late work?

9. NO LATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR A GRADE. Only excused absences will receive credit. 10. RESPECT will be given by teachers and students at all times in and out of classes.

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We have read the syllabus for Advanced Placement Language & Composition. We agree to uphold House A’s rules and to live up to Mrs. Spillane’s expectations to the best of our abilities. _______________________________________________________________________ Print student name Student’s signature date

________________________________________________________________________

Print parent name

Parents’s signature

date

AP English Language and Composition Curriculum Map

Though flexible and subject to change, below is a snapshot of what we will study this year.

Objectives are cumulative and practice continues over time

Anchor Texts will be supplemented by a variety of nonfiction articles & essays

Papers/Assignments

On-going Assignments

1 Quarter In the Beginning, there was the Word: Introduction to the Course, Close Reading. -introduce or review close reading & annotation -definition of the “essay” - levels of interpretation -color-marking -levels of diction -DIDLS -SOAPSTone -methods of persuasion: logos, pathos & ethos -writing process -MLA format - intro. AP exam format - define and use literary concepts of metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, allusion, & hyperbole -develop vocabulary On Writing, Stephen King (summer reading) Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck - A.P. essay prompt pre-test -Informal response guided reading questions - Reading and Writing Autobiography - Goals essay

2nd Quarter America, The Beautiful

3rd Quarter What Does Our Past Tell Us About Our Present?

4th Quarter The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth?

-analyze place in texts -analyze the author’s attitude toward the American landscape -apply knowledge of ethical, logical and emotional appeals while reading -reinforce & explore voice, diction, and syntax in essays and other literary forms - research essay process & project -practice oral and written discourse of literary analysis

-understand and analyze author’s use of allusion

-understand point of view including bias, subjectivity and “poetic license” - understand and analyze features of syntax: repetition, sentence types and lengths, parallelism, paradox, stream of consciousness -analyze author’s intentions in terms of stylistic choices -explore humor, satire, and irony -hone research skills

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Crucible, Arthur Miller, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

excerpts from The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien In Cold Blood, Truman Capote

Comparison/Contrast essay -response to teacherdesigned essay prompts analyzing unfamiliar text -Expository essay imitative writing -released AP Prompt writing -self-scoring and reflection -writing conferences -Revision paper

- Analyze criterion of the AP rubric, examine/discuss anchor papers -In-class essays focusing on prompt analysis, organization and using textual support -writing conferences -Revision of low scoring in-class writing - self-reflections

-Objective to subjective newspaper argument (narrative nonfiction) -Stream of consciousness writing -Visual argument or Photo-essay on the Death Penalty (or related topic) -Documented argument essay -Year End Self Evaluation -Advice letters

- discuss layers of meaning in text -explore author’s purpose, audience and word choice -understand levels of questioning: literal, analytical and synthesis -review grammar/sentence structure as writer’s tools -standard vs. nonstandard syntax -introduce modes of discourse

Journal writing, bimonthly vocabulary/reading quizzes, practice A.P. tests, timed A.P. style essays, independent study projects (quarterly), CCHS writing portfolio