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SYLLABUS
“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 orputting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can dobusiness…”~ Stephen King,
On Writing
, p. 107
My Goals for You
My goals for this class include nurturing an environment that isinteractive and dynamic where we all can speak up and share ourideas and our writing. This requires daily commitment from each of us—achieving nearly perfect attendance; arriving with all suppliesand completed reading assignments, engaging in class discussion;taking risks with assignments to go beyond what you have alwaysdone, 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 requireto 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)
What are Ms. Spillane’sgoals for A.P. Language &Composition students?What supplies do studentsneed for our class thisyear?What if you don’t take theA.P. exam?
B u y s u p p l i e s b y W e d n e s d a y
!
Lee Ann Spillane, Ed.S., NBCT
Cypress Creek High School1101 Bear Crossing Dr.Orlando, FL 32824phone: 407.352.3400 ext. 2689cell: 321.945.7984web page: http://www.laspillane.orgemail: lee.spillane-larke@ocps.net
Note:
What isAdvancedPlacementLanguage andComposition?
What arestudentsexpectedto do orlearn?How willstudentsbegraded?
Final grades
are based on total points.
Writing will make up the bulk of yourgrade. Essay grades increase by quarter: 25 pts, 50pts, 75 pts, 100 pts in order to allowfor learning and improvement. Daily grades, typically worth 10-25 pts., will be given forparticipation, homework, quizzes and other assignments. Each term will have 1 or moretests and a larger project worth 100-150 pts. Independent study points, worth 100-150pts, will also be available each quarter.
You may check your grades on ProgressBook at any time. If you have a question about a grade, please email me orwrite it down and put it in the red “Grades Questions” folder which is taped tothe front of my desk. I will discuss individual grade questions or issues afterschool by appointment not during class time.Assignments will fall into the following categories
Classwork
:Binder checks, team building, bellwork, vocabulary, quick writes and other inclass assignments
Writings & Projects
:Timed writings, essays, research paper, digital projects, note taking and otherwritten 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 assignemntsand maintained a good attendance record (<10 absences per semester and <3tardies)
G r a d i n g S c a l e
A 9 0 - 1 0 0 B 8 0 - 8 9 C 7 0 - 7 9 D 6 0 - 6 9 F 5 9 - 5 0
Course Description:
AP Language and Composition is a college level critical reading andwriting course. As King says, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or thetools) to write.” We will read, interpret, analyze and write every day. Students will writenumerous essays in class and at home exploring such rhetorical modes as narration,description, argumentation and exposition—among others. Course reading assignments areprimarily non-fiction (essays, letters, speeches, biographical excerpts, pamphlets, and articles),but will also include novelsfrom the American literature curriculum. All students are expected totake the AP Language exam in May. Students who do not show up for the exam will be expectedto reimburse the school for the cost of the exam.
Objectives:
Read and understand challenging prose works from a variety of historical periods anddisciplines.
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.”
Expectations
Be in Class
Participation is an integral part of this class and something that cannot always be made up. Behere.
Behave Respectfully
We have much more to learn this year than we have time for; this means that wasted time is lostknowledge.
Avoid Getting Detention
A student may receive a detention for tardies, and for inappropriate behavior in class. Detentionforms must be signed by parents/ guardians and returned before serving. Failure to report fordetention 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 inthis class!
Keep Track of Your Assignments
Use a planner. Subscribe to the class’s Google Calendar. Use the reminder feature on your cellphone. You need to develop a system to manage your time, and juggle all you want toaccomplish 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. Latehomework is not be accepted. If you are absent, you may email assignments to me at your ownrisk, or turn them in upon your return. Major assignments may be turned in late for a penalty (10points 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. Presentinganother’s work as your own is cheating even if you do not get caught. Cite your sources usingMLA format when you use them and give credit where credit is due. Cheating may result in 3 inconduct, parent/teacher contact, an academic detention, loss of extra credit and or anadministrative referral
Communicate
I cannot read your mind. When you have a problem with anything in this class, or in your lifethat affects your schoolwork, talk to me, and I will do my best to listen, and to help in any way Ican. 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 (butare 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 otherusers (e.g., downloading huge files during prime time; sending mass e-mail messages; annoyingother users with comments).· All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to beprivate property.
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