Advanced Placement Language and Composition (Period 4)
Course Description
Keep this in your notebook at all times.
Golden Valley High School
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition 2012-13
Mrs. Davies
Introductory Statement/Overview
Composition skills are required in any university course without regard to the chosen major. The goal of this course is to enable students to be familiar with the PSAT for October 2012, the EAP for California State University placement in April 2013, and the Advanced Placement examination in May of 2013. This course was designed with guidance from the College Board and the syllabus has received College Board approval for Advanced Placement Language and Composition. This college level course in a high school setting concentrates on writing skills while providing a survey of American Literature beginning with Native American stories. During the first semester there are both out of class process essays and shorter timed essays. The historical period covered is up to the Reconstruction Period. This follows the same time period as the AP U.S. History course. Documents studied in class are shared with the AP U.S. History teacher.
Topics and benchmarks to be learned
The rhetorical strategies covered include:
Oral tradition Persuasive speeches Historical sermons
Personal narrative Compare-contrast Definition
Cause-effect Classification-Division Synthesis
The second semester concentrates on developing timed writing skills. This is done along with looking at literature from the Gilded Age and the Great Depression. Attention is given to the writing prompts developed by the California State University system the Early Assessment Program. More information on this can be found on their website www.csuenglishsuccess.org . The format for the AP Language examination has changed in the last few years and now includes a synthesis essay. During the second semester the skills required for the multiple choice test will also be reviewed. The three essay types usually found on the AP Language test include: rhetorical analysis, synthesis, and persuasive writing. Assignments will be posted on the Infinite Campus website for parents and students to view. Grammar and vocabulary skills are worked on continuously throughout the year. These are critical to success on all required standardized testing.
Classroom behavior expectations and requirements
Students must complete all reading and writing assignments. Past results indicate that those who faithfully attend class and complete all assigned work score much higher on the AP test. Remember this is a national test where GVHS students compete with the rest of the nation. Many of the graded homework assignments form the basis of in class discussions. Without the reading and written work, students will be unable to participate. There will be quizzes and tests on a regular basis. Questions are based on the content, higher level thinking skills and format that students need to recognize for the AP test in May. Assignments appear on Infinite Campus on a regular basis. Major assignments will also appear on the library web site under class links. For the last five years, I have been one of 300 high school teachers from around the nation to be selected to read and score the AP test for Language and Composition.
Attendance expectations and consequences
It is essential to maintain a good attendance record. Students who are continually tardy will be assigned Saturday School. Students who fail to attend class on a regular basis will find it very difficult to be successful.
Textbook information
The required textbooks for the course include: Patterns of College Writing, Writing with a Purpose, The Essay Connection and Literature the American Experience. Fiction and other non-fiction are dependent on the texts that are available through the district textbook sharing system. This has, in the past, included The Scarlet Letter, Walden, Their Eyes were Watching God, and The Grapes of Wrath. Other material will be distributed in class. Students should maintain all worksheets and handouts in good condition.
Grading
All assignments will receive a numerical point grade, which is converted to a letter grade. Writing assignments will receive more weight than say a vocabulary quiz. The vocabulary quiz, which could be matching or fill in the black will not be worth as much as the ability to use the vocabulary in an essay or recognize the important of word choice or diction in a text. Of great value is the year-long research project which will also have a notebook that accompanies it. Last year these presentations took place at Open House and in the classroom. The College Board does not use an A,B,C system of grades. After students have taken both the multiple choice and written the essays in May, raw scores are converted to determine the final score of 1 – 5, with 5 being the highest. College Board scoring is done on a 9 point scale. Students are made familiar with the 9 point universal rubric (very similar to the 9 point scale used for US History) at the beginning of class. The grades are converted from the 9 point scale depending upon their value. As a student begins to develop writing skills, the assignments are not worth as much in total value as they are at the end of the semester and the end of the year. The lack of work turned in is the most damaging. At least 60% of the points of the class must be gained for a passing grade. At the end of each quarter, the points will be totaled and the following scale will be used.
100-93% A 92-90% A-
89-88% B+ 87-83% B 82-80% B-
79-78% C+ 77-73% C 72-80% C-
69-68% D+ 67-63% D 62-60% D-
59% or less F
It is important for the student to realize that the final grades include all the work for the entire semester. All assignments MUST be completed. For those students taking part in school activities during class time, the teacher must be notified in advance and all work must be made up with assignments handed in on time. Should students arrive at class without the assigned homework an alternative assignment will be made available through the intervention program. Partial credit will be available for those missing assignments completed in after school intervention. Students with excused absences will be dealt with in accordance with Hart District Board Policy.
District Policy on Grading:
Grades and units of credit also serve as vehicles of communication from the schools to students, parents, colleges, universities, and other agencies of society. Grading practices and credit granting procedures should reflect the consistent application of reasonable criteria. These criteria should include not only the results of tests and examinations, but also the completion of daily assignments, projects, homework, and classroom participation/recitation.
The primary purpose of grade reporting shall be:
1. To help the student evaluate his/her own work.
2. To help the instructor to evaluate his/her teaching effectiveness.
3. To inform the parents of their child's progress and to facilitate home-school cooperation.
4. To help to motivate the student.
5. To provide a permanent record of the student's progress.
With the preceding in mind, standards for grading shall be established by the teacher of the class and the determination of each grade is the responsibility of that teacher.
Discipline/Academic/Dishonesty Policies
AP and Honors students have high expectations of achievement. Therefore, each student needs to view the classroom as a place of work. The general rule is that all students have a right to learn, and the teacher has the right to teach. Therefore, any student who stops another from learning or who distracts the teacher from teaching will be considered in violation of another’s rights. Those students will be removed from the classroom from suspension.
The Golden Valley honesty policy will be enforced. Students should be aware that this policy differs little from those standards that college and university students are expected to follow.
The school rules of no eating or drinking in the classroom will be followed.
Conference
Should you wish to speak to the teacher, please call and make an appointment. Telephone (661) 298-8140 ex. 1411. My conference period is 7th. This is usually after 2:00. E-mail is [email protected].
________________________________________________________________________
The Final Exam will be cumulative over any/all vocabulary and skills learned in class. It will be worth up to 10% of the cumulative grade.
Then…before you know it, it will be time to plan your graduation. Remember, your future begins today. Let’s work together to make it a great year!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
In addition to the previous policies and procedures, the student should also come to class with a positive attitude. Empathy and respect for self and others are always required. I will not tolerate any disrespect or prejudice toward others. My class embraces all colors, cultures, religions and sexual orientations. Differences are to be celebrated, not discriminated against.
In our class there are no silly questions, no lesson that cannot be repeated with fear of shame or humiliation. No one will laugh at the weaknesses of others.
Attendance is extremely important. Excessive absence will severely affect your grade.
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE:
In-class writing assignments
Weekly vocabulary assignments
College level reading and reflection on readings
Weekly test-taking strategies/grammar review
Weekly Socratic Seminars based on topics discussed in class
The Final Exam will be cumulative over any/all concepts discussed in class.
Then…before you know it, it will be time to plan your college admission applications. Remember, your future begins today. Let’s work together to make it a great year!
Student Last name and class period: ____________________________
I have read the above and agree to abide by all the policies, procedures and requirements as well as any classroom rules. Above all, respect for myself, for other students and for my teacher will be required at ALL times. Parental signature also signifies the approval of documentaries and films to be shown, some of which have a PG/PG 13 rating.
___________________________ ___________________________________
Student’s name (Print) Student’s signature
_____________________________ ___________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s name (Print) Parent/Guardian’s signature
Phone # or e-mail where parent/guardian can be reached
Golden Valley High School
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition 2012-13
Mrs. Davies
Introductory Statement/Overview
Composition skills are required in any university course without regard to the chosen major. The goal of this course is to enable students to be familiar with the PSAT for October 2012, the EAP for California State University placement in April 2013, and the Advanced Placement examination in May of 2013. This course was designed with guidance from the College Board and the syllabus has received College Board approval for Advanced Placement Language and Composition. This college level course in a high school setting concentrates on writing skills while providing a survey of American Literature beginning with Native American stories. During the first semester there are both out of class process essays and shorter timed essays. The historical period covered is up to the Reconstruction Period. This follows the same time period as the AP U.S. History course. Documents studied in class are shared with the AP U.S. History teacher.
Topics and benchmarks to be learned
The rhetorical strategies covered include:
Oral tradition Persuasive speeches Historical sermons
Personal narrative Compare-contrast Definition
Cause-effect Classification-Division Synthesis
The second semester concentrates on developing timed writing skills. This is done along with looking at literature from the Gilded Age and the Great Depression. Attention is given to the writing prompts developed by the California State University system the Early Assessment Program. More information on this can be found on their website www.csuenglishsuccess.org . The format for the AP Language examination has changed in the last few years and now includes a synthesis essay. During the second semester the skills required for the multiple choice test will also be reviewed. The three essay types usually found on the AP Language test include: rhetorical analysis, synthesis, and persuasive writing. Assignments will be posted on the Infinite Campus website for parents and students to view. Grammar and vocabulary skills are worked on continuously throughout the year. These are critical to success on all required standardized testing.
Classroom behavior expectations and requirements
Students must complete all reading and writing assignments. Past results indicate that those who faithfully attend class and complete all assigned work score much higher on the AP test. Remember this is a national test where GVHS students compete with the rest of the nation. Many of the graded homework assignments form the basis of in class discussions. Without the reading and written work, students will be unable to participate. There will be quizzes and tests on a regular basis. Questions are based on the content, higher level thinking skills and format that students need to recognize for the AP test in May. Assignments appear on Infinite Campus on a regular basis. Major assignments will also appear on the library web site under class links. For the last five years, I have been one of 300 high school teachers from around the nation to be selected to read and score the AP test for Language and Composition.
Attendance expectations and consequences
It is essential to maintain a good attendance record. Students who are continually tardy will be assigned Saturday School. Students who fail to attend class on a regular basis will find it very difficult to be successful.
Textbook information
The required textbooks for the course include: Patterns of College Writing, Writing with a Purpose, The Essay Connection and Literature the American Experience. Fiction and other non-fiction are dependent on the texts that are available through the district textbook sharing system. This has, in the past, included The Scarlet Letter, Walden, Their Eyes were Watching God, and The Grapes of Wrath. Other material will be distributed in class. Students should maintain all worksheets and handouts in good condition.
Grading
All assignments will receive a numerical point grade, which is converted to a letter grade. Writing assignments will receive more weight than say a vocabulary quiz. The vocabulary quiz, which could be matching or fill in the black will not be worth as much as the ability to use the vocabulary in an essay or recognize the important of word choice or diction in a text. Of great value is the year-long research project which will also have a notebook that accompanies it. Last year these presentations took place at Open House and in the classroom. The College Board does not use an A,B,C system of grades. After students have taken both the multiple choice and written the essays in May, raw scores are converted to determine the final score of 1 – 5, with 5 being the highest. College Board scoring is done on a 9 point scale. Students are made familiar with the 9 point universal rubric (very similar to the 9 point scale used for US History) at the beginning of class. The grades are converted from the 9 point scale depending upon their value. As a student begins to develop writing skills, the assignments are not worth as much in total value as they are at the end of the semester and the end of the year. The lack of work turned in is the most damaging. At least 60% of the points of the class must be gained for a passing grade. At the end of each quarter, the points will be totaled and the following scale will be used.
100-93% A 92-90% A-
89-88% B+ 87-83% B 82-80% B-
79-78% C+ 77-73% C 72-80% C-
69-68% D+ 67-63% D 62-60% D-
59% or less F
It is important for the student to realize that the final grades include all the work for the entire semester. All assignments MUST be completed. For those students taking part in school activities during class time, the teacher must be notified in advance and all work must be made up with assignments handed in on time. Should students arrive at class without the assigned homework an alternative assignment will be made available through the intervention program. Partial credit will be available for those missing assignments completed in after school intervention. Students with excused absences will be dealt with in accordance with Hart District Board Policy.
District Policy on Grading:
Grades and units of credit also serve as vehicles of communication from the schools to students, parents, colleges, universities, and other agencies of society. Grading practices and credit granting procedures should reflect the consistent application of reasonable criteria. These criteria should include not only the results of tests and examinations, but also the completion of daily assignments, projects, homework, and classroom participation/recitation.
The primary purpose of grade reporting shall be:
1. To help the student evaluate his/her own work.
2. To help the instructor to evaluate his/her teaching effectiveness.
3. To inform the parents of their child's progress and to facilitate home-school cooperation.
4. To help to motivate the student.
5. To provide a permanent record of the student's progress.
With the preceding in mind, standards for grading shall be established by the teacher of the class and the determination of each grade is the responsibility of that teacher.
Discipline/Academic/Dishonesty Policies
AP and Honors students have high expectations of achievement. Therefore, each student needs to view the classroom as a place of work. The general rule is that all students have a right to learn, and the teacher has the right to teach. Therefore, any student who stops another from learning or who distracts the teacher from teaching will be considered in violation of another’s rights. Those students will be removed from the classroom from suspension.
The Golden Valley honesty policy will be enforced. Students should be aware that this policy differs little from those standards that college and university students are expected to follow.
The school rules of no eating or drinking in the classroom will be followed.
Conference
Should you wish to speak to the teacher, please call and make an appointment. Telephone (661) 298-8140 ex. 1411. My conference period is 7th. This is usually after 2:00. E-mail is [email protected].
________________________________________________________________________
The Final Exam will be cumulative over any/all vocabulary and skills learned in class. It will be worth up to 10% of the cumulative grade.
Then…before you know it, it will be time to plan your graduation. Remember, your future begins today. Let’s work together to make it a great year!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
In addition to the previous policies and procedures, the student should also come to class with a positive attitude. Empathy and respect for self and others are always required. I will not tolerate any disrespect or prejudice toward others. My class embraces all colors, cultures, religions and sexual orientations. Differences are to be celebrated, not discriminated against.
In our class there are no silly questions, no lesson that cannot be repeated with fear of shame or humiliation. No one will laugh at the weaknesses of others.
Attendance is extremely important. Excessive absence will severely affect your grade.
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE:
In-class writing assignments
Weekly vocabulary assignments
College level reading and reflection on readings
Weekly test-taking strategies/grammar review
Weekly Socratic Seminars based on topics discussed in class
The Final Exam will be cumulative over any/all concepts discussed in class.
Then…before you know it, it will be time to plan your college admission applications. Remember, your future begins today. Let’s work together to make it a great year!
Student Last name and class period: ____________________________
I have read the above and agree to abide by all the policies, procedures and requirements as well as any classroom rules. Above all, respect for myself, for other students and for my teacher will be required at ALL times. Parental signature also signifies the approval of documentaries and films to be shown, some of which have a PG/PG 13 rating.
___________________________ ___________________________________
Student’s name (Print) Student’s signature
_____________________________ ___________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s name (Print) Parent/Guardian’s signature
Phone # or e-mail where parent/guardian can be reached