Course Overview
AP English Language and Composition
Teacher: Mrs. Amanda Smiddy
Room #: 2203
Phone #: 984-8110 ext.562149
E-mail: Smiddya@blountk12.org
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Course Design:
The main emphasis of this course is on building the skills the students will use when they take the AP exam and enroll in college English courses. The course is designed for students who possess accelerated reading and writing abilities and high motivation. A challenging course curriculum includes heavy emphasis on writing skills development and analysis of both non-fiction and fiction literature. Initially, the students will explore and practice various styles of writing through the completion of essays composed in and out of class. Students will also analyze the non-fiction writings of other authors for elements and style. As the course progresses, the students will encounter and analyze more traditional examples of fiction, drama, and poetry. Essentially, this course is conducted at the college level; for this reason, students must be committed to developing and maintaining a high level of academic integrity. Students must develop time management skills and self-discipline in order to be successful in this course.
Course Objectives:
This course is designed with several goals in mind. Ultimately, students taking this course will develop skills in literary analysis as well as an ability to recognize and employ various styles of writing. Students participating in the course are expected to become critical thinkers, readers, and writers with the ability to analyze and interpret literature independently. Upon completion of the course, students are encouraged to take the AP English Language and Composition exam. Students who take the test and earn a passing score may receive college credit.
Homework:
The daily average for homework is 30-45 minutes. A course syllabus is provided for each student at the beginning of the semester. In addition, a daily agenda is posted in the classroom, monthly calendar with assignment due dates noted is posted on the class web page. These are provided with the intention of allowing students to further develop their time management skills. Students will also be assigned several long-term projects of reading assignments that require them to plan their time carefully so that they are not overwhelmed with deadlines.
Reading:
In general, students should expect to have a reading assignment everyday. Most assigned reading is completed out of class for discussion in class. Students are asked to read and respond critically to assigned selections; they should not depend on Cliff's Notes or class discussion for understanding. For most reading assignments, students should expect a short quiz. For all reading assignments, students will be required to complete a reading log, which may be turned in for points periodically. Additionally, students are asked to complete four novel studies throughout the semester, two of which will be due in each nine-week grading period.
Writing:
A goal of this class is to allow students to develop a personal writing style. In order to do this, various approaches to writing are taught throughout the course. At the beginning of the semester, each student will be assigned a writing folder to use in the classroom; all formal writing assignments will be stored in this folder so that the students and I may track their progress as writers. Students should expect to write process papers of varying lengths throughout the semester. In-class timed writing will be asked to complete journal assignments on a daily basis. Students will also be required to complete weekly assignments in their AP writing manual.
Late Work:
Self-discipline and responsibility are characteristics that will be stressed in this course. Students will be given one "late work" pass. This pass will enable the student to turn in one assignment during the semester on day late with no penalty. The pass must be turned in with the late assignment. Students may not use the pass for any component of the research paper or for novel study projects. If the student fails to turn in another assignment, I will contact the student's parents and allow the student to turn in the assignment with a 10% penalty. No further late work will be accepted.
Absences:
Regular school attendance is necessary in order to be successful in this class. When absences do occur, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain and complete missed assignments. An assignment folder is maintained in the classroom for each of my classes, and students are required to collect their missed handouts, worksheets, and other paperwork from my folder. Additionally, I maintain a daily record of class activities that is made available to the students; they should check this as well as the folder to determine what class work must be completed. The School Board policy concerning time to complete missed assignments is enforced in this classroom. Due to lengthy preparation time afforded the students, long-term assignments such as research paper or novel studies will be due on the day the student returns to school after the absence.
Behavior Expectations:
It is my goal as a teacher to establish a classroom environment of respect and learning. A detailed description of the rules and policies of Heritage High School can be found in the student handbook. All students enrolled in the course are expected to follow these school policies without exception. In addition to these policies, I expect students in my class to come prepared each day to learn; each student must bring paper, pen or pencil, and the class notebook each day. Students must also observe general rules of courtesy and respect towards other students and the teacher. If students fail to follow school or classroom rules, parents will be contacted, and detention may be assigned or further disciplinary action may be taken.
Tardy Policy:
Students are always expected to be on time to class. For this class, "on time" means that the students are seated and working on the opening activity for class, which will be a journal entry written on the front board. For a first tardy offense, a warning is given to the student. For the second tardy offense, a parent is notified. For the third tardy offense, a parent is notified and a discipline essay is assigned. For the fourth and any further tardies, the student is referred to student affairs for disciplinary action.
Grading:
Grades for this class are based on a total points system. This means that the grade a student earns is based on the percentage of points you earned by the student out of the total number of points possible. Students are informed of the point values for assignments as the assignments are given. Parents and students are also encouraged to use Star Student to monitor progress and grades in class.
Materials:
Three ring binder (2 inch)
Dividers (Journal, Reading, Rhetoric/Style, Vocabulary, Test Prep)
Paper
Pens or Pencils
Markers or Highlighters
Webpage designed by: Amanda Jennings