Course Syllabus and Classroom Rules

Course Syllabus and Classroom Rules Ms. Melcher AP Language and Composition

Course Description and Objectives: AP English Language and Composition is a college level course designed to engage students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Through writing, reading, speaking, viewing, and listening, we will study the interactions among the author’s purpose, the audience’s expectations, the subjects being discussed, and the context in which these interactions take place, as well as the conventions and resources of language that contribute to a message’s effectiveness. We will read closely a number of texts of different varieties, and from different time periods. We will complete independent vocabulary and grammar work, and participate in regular in- and out-of-class writing and discussion activities. Major writing assignments will ask you to conduct and synthesize research, develop arguments, revise for sophisticated syntax, and demonstrate skill with various rhetorical techniques including controlling tone, establishing and maintaining voice, and achieving appropriate emphasis through diction and sentence structure. It is the expectation that you will be taking the AP English Language and Composition exam in May, and this course is designed to prepare you to be successful on it.

Upon completing the AP English Language and Composition course, you should be able to: . analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques; . apply effective strategies and techniques in your own writing; . create and sustain arguments based on readings, research, and/or personal experiences; . produce expository, analytical, and argumentative compositions that introduce a complex central idea and develop it with appropriate evidence drawn from primary and/or secondary sources, cogent explanations, and clear transitions; . demonstrate understanding and mastery of standard written English as well as stylistic maturity in your own writing; . move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review; . analyze image as text; and . evaluate and incorporate reference documents into researched papers.

Materials Needed EVERYDAY:  a pencil or pen  3 ring binder and paper (separate from other subjects) dividers are suggested to organize your assignments and notes (quick-writes & warm-ups, vocabulary, argument, rhetoric, synthesis)

Classroom Rules and Expectations:  Be in the room and IN YOUR SEAT when the bell rings  Have your materials with you and ready to work when the bell rings  Use the restroom, go to your locker, get a drink during class change – not during class.  Show respect to your teachers, classmates, and yourself  No food or drink is permitted (water is OK, unless you lose this privilege by causing a disruption)  Electronic devices may only be used for appropriate classwork tasks and may not be used for other purposes during class

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior: Failure to follow the above rules or any other behavior that disrupts the learning environment will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in the following manner:

1ST TIME --- verbal warning 2nd TIME --- after school detention and/or phone call home 3rd TIME --- office referral Severe behavior will result in an immediate office referral Grading Policy: Grades are calculated on a computer grading program. Students and parents are encouraged to check the student’s progress through Pinnacle. Keep up with your grades! If students have a question about grades, they can see me before or after the class period. The following grade scale will determine a student’s letter grade for each term. The two term grades are equally weighted to determine the semester grade. There will be NO ROUNDING of grades.

90.100 A 70-79 C 59 or below F 80-89 B 60-69 D

Late Assignments: Assignments may only be turned in one day late for a reduction of one letter grade or two days late for a reduction of two letter grades. Following this grace period the maximum an assignment can receive is a 50%. Students have until interim to turn in papers/projects from before the interim date. Students have until the end of the term to turn in papers/projects from the interim until the term date.

Homework will not be accepted late.

Absent: If a student is legally absent from school, she/he has TWO DAYS to see me to set-up a makeup time or to receive missed work and a due date for its completion. Work may be made up after school when you have made arrangements with me to stay. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE UP MISSED WORK. If the student does not make arrangements for makeup work within two days, a grade of F will be given for any missed work.

Plagiarism: It is against school policy to cheat, including copying any work from another student or from other sources. You are also guilty of this if you allow someone to copy YOUR work. PLAGIARISM WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION TO BE DETERMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. Please refer to the student handbook for further information about the student honor code.

Contacting the Teacher and Keeping up with Class Assignments: Parents, if you need to contact me please send me an email at [email protected] or leave a message on my voice mail at (240) 236-7131.

About every 2 weeks I will send emails regarding upcoming and current assignments for this class. Please indicate on the signature sheet that you wish to receive these emails

I look forward to working with you this semester and hope we have an enjoyable as well as successful class together. Please sign the attached half sheet and return it tomorrow for your first homework grade.

This syllabus should remain in the student’s notebook as reference to this information necessary.

“Don't raise your voice, improve your argument." – Desmond Tutu Please sign below, have your parents read both sides of the syllabus and sign below, and return this portion tomorrow for your first homework grade.

Student Name (Print) ______

Student Signature ______

Parent/Guardian Name (Print) ______

Parent/Guardian Signature ______

Parents, if it would become necessary, please allow me to contact you by the method that is most convenient to you. If you have a preference between phone or email contact please indicate it.

Parent/Guardian Daytime Phone ______

Parent/Guardian email Address ______

If you would like to receive periodic parent emails regarding general information about upcoming assignments and tests, please check yes below and I will add you to the distribution list created for this class. Please print your email address clearly above.

Yes ______No ______

Please sign below, have your parents read both sides of the syllabus and sign below, and return this portion tomorrow for your first homework grade.