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AP Language & Composition SyllabusCourse Description
AP Language and Composition is a college level critical reading and writing course. As King says,³If 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 homeexploring such rhetorical modes as narration, description, argumentation and exposition²amongothers. Course reading assignments are primarily non-fiction (essays, letters, speeches, biographical excerpts, pamphlets, and articles), but will also include novelsfrom the Americanliterature curriculum. All students are expected to take the AP Language exam in May. Studentswho do not show up for the exam or who sleep through the exam will be expected to reimbursethe school $85 for the cost of the exam.
G
oals
I want you to become avid readers and confident writers in a nurturing environment thatis interactive and dynamic where we all can speak up and share our ideas and our writing.This requires daily commitment from each of us²achieving nearly perfect attendance;arriving with all supplies and completed homework assignments, engaging in classdiscussion; taking risks with assignments to go beyond what you have always done, andaccepting responsibility for your own learning and growth.
My goals are for students to«
develop as critical thinkers capable of participating thoughtfully in learningcommunities and in our democratic society,
read, understand, interpret and analyze texts from many genres,
recognize and write in a variety of modes: narrative, expository and persuasive,
discuss and write about a variety of texts,
develop and sustain reading habits and personal reading preferences,
employ the writing process,
use technology responsibly,
understand new vocabulary words both connotatively and denotatively,
read and compose on demand (timed writings),
employ strategies for answering test questions, and
create a significant body of personal writings that demonstrate writingdevelopment and ³voice.´
CONTACTINFO
Lee Ann Spillane, Ed.S., NBCT
Cypress Creek High School1101 Bear Crossing Dr.Orlando, FL 32824classroom phone: 40-7.852.3400 ext. 2689cell: 321.945.7984 (texting okay)class web page:http://www.laspillane.net email:spillal@ocps.net School Social Network:http://www.bearenglish.ning.com
³This isn¶t a popularity contest, it¶s not themoral Olympics, and it¶s not church. But it¶swriting«not washing the car or putting oneyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we cando business«´ (108)~ Stephen King,
On Writing
Materials Needed:
y
3-ring binder (1- 1½ inch); AVID students use AVID binder
y
plastic dividers with pockets
y
1 pack of clear plastic sheet protectors
y
post it notes or tape flags for annotating school-owned books
y
notebook paper
y
composition notebook (no spirals please)
y
U
SB flash drive
y
blue/black ink pens
y
Other classroom supplies. If your last name begins with A-K: 1 large box of Kleenex, L-S: 1 pack of Lysol or other antibacterial wipes, T-Z: 1 pack of copier paper
Texts:
Eve
rything is an Argum
e
nt
, Andrea Lunsford et. al. ,
Ele
m
e
nts of Lit
e
ratur
e
,
T
his Boys Lif
e
byWolfe,
Ele
m
e
nts of Sty
le
by Strunk and White,
F
ast
F
ood Nation
by Schlosser,
Of Mic
e
and M
e
n
bySteinbeck,
T
h
e
Crucib
le
by Arthur Miller,
T
h
e
Gr
e
at Gatsby
by Fitzgerald,
In Co
l
d B
l
ood
by Capote, andother texts
from a variety of sources both print and nonprint.
10 Expectations
1
Learn
Learn is our mission. Engage in the process. Cultivate curiosity.
U
se your interests tomake school more relevant to your life. Learn.
2
Be in Class
Participation is an integral part of this class and something that cannot always be madeup. Be here.
3
Behave Respectfully
We have much more to learn this year than we have time for; this means that wasted timeis lost knowledge. Behaving respectfully also means follow the Code of Conduct andschool rules.
4
Avoid
G
etting Detention
A student may receive a detention for tardies, and for inappropriate or disrespectufl behavior in class. Detention forms must be signed by parents/ guardians and returned inorder for students to serve their detention. Failure to report for detention will result in aloss of all extra credit points earned.
5
Come Prepared
Always have your binder, journal, paper, pens, the appropriate books and a positiveattitude. You will be graded on preparedness. Lack of materials should never hinder your participation in this class! Extra paper, pens, handouts and such are located at thetable by the door to our classroom.
6
Keep Track of Your Assignments
U
se a planner. Subscribe to the class¶s calendar.
U
se the reminder feature on your cell phone. You need to develop a system to manage your time, and juggle all you want toaccomplish both academically and socially.
7
Communicate
I cannot read your mind. When you have a problem with anything in this class, or inyour life that affects your schoolwork, talk to me, and I will do my best to listen, and tohelp in any way I can. I am always here early in the morning, and after school on mostdays.
8
Do the Work
ALL
work must be completed for this course.
If you do not complete the work youmust communicate with me by writing me a note or an email on the day of or beforethe class when the assignment is due.
Notes should be turned in to the red grades folder which on the front of my desk. You will have 3 days to do the assignment and turn it in.If you do not turn your work in, you will be given an
academic detention
to make up thework and solve the problem. The highest grade a student may earn on an assignmentmade up during an academic detention is a C.
9
Turn in Work
Late work happens. Planes are late. Taxes can be late. My expectation is that you willturn in your work on time at the beginning of the period or when called for, but late work is accepted with a point penalty of 1/3 of a letter grade per day including weekends andholidays. If you are absent, you may email assignments to me at your own risk, or turnthem in upon your return. Students absent unexcused may not receive credit for their work as per Orange County policy. Parent contact is expected if you are having difficultyturning in a major assignment on time.
10
Be Honest
Do your own work honestly and to do it to the best of your abilities. Presenting another¶swork 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 resultin 3 in conduct, parent/teacher contact, an academic detention, loss of extra credit, anadministrative referral and or removal from the class.
Internet Policy
All communication and information accessible via the OCPS network or the BearEnglishning should be considered private property that can be seen by all. You are expected toabide by general accepted rules of network etiquette. Highlights from the county¶sInternet Policy are noted below:
y
Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others.
U
se appropriatelanguage. Do not swear, use vulgarities or other inappropriate language.
y
Keep personal information private. (address, full name, phone numbers, etc)
y
Maintain the integrity of the network (e.g. do not send mass emails, post irasciblecomments, download large files or spread viruses)
Please see the Internet Policy in you Student Code of Conduct to review all policies.
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