Advanced Placement English 12 s1

Advanced Placement English 12 Renee Brown Literature and Composition Thompson High School Course Syllabus [email protected]

Overview This course will offer learning experiences equivalent in pace, scope, depth and methodology to a college freshman literature course. The curriculum will also comply with College and Career Readiness Standards and Alabaster City Schools’ expectations for English 12; therefore, the AP strategies and skills will be intertwined with a survey of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century.

Course Objectives The primary objective is to prepare each student to pass the AP Literature and Composition exam in May, earning both intangible and tangible rewards. The intangibles include heightened ability to interpret literal and figurative meaning in print and visual communication, to form a well-reasoned opinion, to craft a well-supported argument, and to create a confident analytical voice. The more concrete rewards include college credit from most universities, and a $100 VISA gift card for scoring a “3” or higher. 

General Expectations Attend class. Amazing things happen when a roomful of great minds get together and discuss what other great minds have written. Please refer to the website for handouts/lesson plans if you do miss class; make-up work can be discussed during 7th period or before/afterschool. Be intellectually present, too. You can check texts and social media after class, you can do your math homework at home... Complete work on time. I have a mercy rule: I will accept routine work one day late for 80% earned credit. On the second day, you can earn 50%; after that, the zero will remain. Be a team player. If you are a gifted writer, help others. If you are not, accept help.

Provided Texts Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008. Print. Murfin, Ross and Supryia M. Ray. Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003.

Additional Texts You will choose and acquire two outside reading books during the first semester; you will also need a copy of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (first semester) and George Orwell’s 1984 (before spring break).

Note about the literature The required reading texts for this elective class have appeared on the College Board AP Lit and Comp exam; that is why we read them. Be aware that some of these texts contain mature themes and language.

1 Grading Policy AP style essays will be graded using an AP rubric in which the 9-point scale correlate to a 100-point scale. Research-based writing will be graded using a different rubric. During the first semester, multiple choice practice tests will be counted for House Awards; during second semester, multiple choice practice tests will be entered into iNow, but curved...generously. I will accept routine work one day late for 80% earned credit. On the second day, you can earn 50%; after that, the zero will remain. This “routine work” does not apply to large-scale research projects and other formal assignments with firm deadlines. These assignments will be announced and explained weeks in advance.

60% of your grade will come from assessments: tests, essay tests, and major writing assignments. 30% of your grade will come from writing process and multi-day classroom activities, vocab quizzes, etc. 10% of your grade will come from MC participation points, single-day assignments, etc.

Save These Dates! The first three dates are A+ College Ready activities that will be held on campus at THS, and other schools may be joining us here. Your attendance at these sessions is strongly recommended and will be incentivized by earning extra credit in my class, winning House Points, enjoying snackies and door prizes, and—more importantly—increasing the likelihood of earning a passing score. This passing score, in turn, earns you college credit from many universities and a $100 VISA gift card from A+ College Ready!

 September 26, 2015 - Saturday study session. Master teachers from all over the state of Alabama will teach students fresh strategies and provide opportunities to get a “second opinion” about methods here at THS for exam prep.  January 9, 2016 – Mock Exam. No, you don’t tease the poor thing; you get to sit for a simulated full AP Lit exam. This practice exam will play an important role in understanding the amount of skill, energy, and stamina required to succeed.  March 5, 2016 - Debriefing of Mock Exam. This is where you learn your score on the Mock Exam; trained professionals are on hand to explain the scores and teach strategies to improve them in small-group settings.  May 4, 2016 – The Real Exam! Woo-hoo! This is what you’ve been working toward all year.

Contact Information Email – [email protected]

Webpage – Please go to alabasterschools.org; select “Faculty &Staff,” then select “Renee Brown” or click on this link: http://ths.alabasterschools.org/? PageName=TeacherPage&Page=10&StaffID=237592&iSection=Teachers&CorrespondingID=237592

The calendar page will show you what to expect in class. Special announcements will appear from time to time. The forms and assignments link will have copies of…well, forms and assignments. 

Thank you for sharing your senior year with me. We are going to make it extraordinary.