Folsom Cordova Unified School District s1
FOLSOM CORDOVA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
COURSE EXPECTATIONS 2014-2015
FOLSOM HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE: AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION MS. PIERCE, ROOM HS102
EMAIL: (preferred contact) PHONE: (916) 294-2400, EXT. 415293
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The AP English Language and Composition course is designed to help students become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and to become skilled writers who can compose for a variety of purposes. By their reading and writing in this course, students will become aware of the interactions between a writer’s purposes and the resources of language which contribute to effective writing. Our AP English Language and Composition course runs within the frame of American literature, but non-fiction is emphasized as we study the writings, speeches, historical events and visual images that have shaped the American paradigm of thought and the literature that has blossomed from it.
The college composition course that the AP Language and Composition course is intended to parallel is one of the most varied in the curriculum. Approved by the College Board, this course allows students to compose in a variety of forms—narrative, analytical, expository, and argumentative—and for wide-ranging purposes on a variety of subjects from personal experiences to public policies, from historical analysis to popular culture. Throughout the course, students determine an author’s philosophical, religious and ethical assumptions from our readings through analysis of the language used. This course highlights the uses of rhetoric in various genres of literature as well as increases students’ awareness of their own composing processes--the way they explore ideas, synthesize information from a variety of sources, choose and implement definite rhetorical strategies, and revise their work.
The AP course is differentiated from the regular English 11 course in terms of student expectancies by the breadth and complexity of material covered in the course. Students are expected to take the AP English language and Composition test in May. Upon completion of an AP course, students will receive weighted grade points as per District Policy 5126.3.
GPS INTEGRATED CURRICULAR FOCUS: While focusing on American studies, students will incorporate writings representing a wide variety of cultural viewpoints as they examine the myth and reality of The American Dream.
COMMON CORE: AP English creates inquiry-based classrooms, in which students are challenged to explore ideas, interact with the text and develop thoughtful and logical understandings of their world. The key to literacy is the idea that every teacher teaches reading, writing, and critical thinking in a classroom that integrates the three through discussion, exploration, and problem solving.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Folsom High School English Department is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. My classroom shall be free from discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability, or any other unlawful consideration. My classroom shall be readily accessible to individuals with disabilities. If a student feels he/she has been discriminated against by anyone in the classroom, please have him/her see me immediately to discuss the episode(s) so that I can work to remedy the situation.
HOMEWORK: A portion of your academic grade will be based upon homework assignments. Homework in this class will be assigned regularly for the following reasons: vocabulary study, independent practice of a new skill, writing assignments, and reading in preparation for class discussion, activities, and/or writing. Assignments may vary in quantity and complexity because of subject matter and ability level. Since only your best effort is acceptable to you, me, and your parents or guardians, late homework will ONLY be accepted one day after an assignment is due, for half credit. After one day, late work will not receive credit.
TESTS: Students will receive at least two days’ notice prior to major tests, which will be both objective and essay. The semester exams, which will include information from any part of that semester, may also be both objective and essay. Quizzes may be given at any time and without advance notice. Make-up exams must be scheduled with the instructor the day the student returns to class. All major tests and quizzes must be made up within a week’s time of the student’s return to class or before the test/quiz is returned, whichever comes first; if the student does not make up the test within the given time frame, he or she will receive a zero for that test or quiz. No make-up work will be accepted a week prior to the end of the quarter or prior to the end of the semester.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Grades are based on total accumulated earned points. Your overall grade reflects the quality of your work in reading and comprehending literature, in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, vocabulary assignments, and a final exam. The semester grade will be based on accumulated points for both quarters, including the final exam. The following scale will be used to determine a student’s grade:
100+% - 93% = A 82% - 80% = B- 69% -68% = D+
92% - 90% = A- 79% - 78% = C+ 67% - 63% = D
89% - 88% = B+ 77% - 73% = C 62 % - 60% = D-
87% - 83% = B 72% - 70% = C- Below 60% = F
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES: Regular attendance is critical for success in this or any endeavor. Just as with any absence, it is the responsibility of the student to ask about any missed materials and work. If the student is absent for more than two days, the student and/or parent should contact the teacher in order to request homework. The use of the restroom will be at the teacher’s discretion and must be reasonable - the use of a hall/bathroom pass is mandatory, and those are limited. You may bring in your own water; trips to get a drink will not be allowed.
In order to avoid being tardy, students must be in their assigned seats when the bell rings. Class tardies will result in escalating consequences including detention, parent/guardian contact, Saturday school, a lowered citizenship grade, and class suspension. Each student is allotted 2“free” tardies per semester.
SCHOOL RULES: Campus rules and policies in the PAWSPort will be adhered to in this classroom; see appropriate pages for a detailed list. Remember that no food, drink, or gum will be allowed; all iPods, cell phones, and accessories must be turned off and placed out of sight during class; and all staff will be enforcing the school dress code throughout the entire school day.
CITIZENSHIP: The citizenship grade is measured by a student’s ability and willingness to follow the policies of this class. As an English Department, we value courtesy, cooperation, and respect. These policies reflect the standards conducive to an orderly, productive classroom environment. Therefore, the following will be used to determine your citizenship grade: attendance and class contribution, following directions, obeying rules, and attitude toward the teacher, fellow classmates, and substitutes. The following citizenship grades will be part of the academic grading report:
1. Supporting ideas for marking citizenship
a. A good citizen must assume responsibility for his/her own behavior.
b. A good citizen respects himself/herself, adults, fellow students, teachers, the school, and the property of others
c. Each student will follow the rules and regulations of the school and each classroom
2. Marking System
O= Attitude elevates the behavioral and academic level of class. Attendance is exceptional; lates/ tardies are very rare. Participation and volunteerism is continuous and constructive. Respect is always demonstrated for people and property.
S= Attitude is positive and constructive. Attendance is excellent; lates/tardies are uncommon. Participation and volunteerism are frequent and constructive. Respect is consistently demonstrated for people and property.
N= Attitude is negative and nonproductive. Attendance is mediocre; lates/tardies exceed teacher’s limit. Participation and volunteerism are rare or inappropriate. Respect is sometimes not demonstrated for people or property.
U= Attitude diminishes the behavioral and academic level of class. Attendance is poor; lates/tardies are excessive. Participation and volunteerism are nonexistent or inappropriate. Respect is often not demonstrated for people or property.
MAKE-UP: All assignments are due immediately upon returning from an absence. The only exception would be assignments GIVEN during the absence; these will be due two days after returning to class unless they were designed to be completed over several days. Long-term assignments—those designed to be completed over a week or more—are due on the day specified, regardless of any absences between the day assigned and the day due. In the event of an absence, students should email written work to me as an attachment at ; however, students must still provide a hard copy to me the next day. Problems with technology are the individual student’s responsibility. Students may also send their work to me via a trustworthy friend or have a parent, sibling, etc. place it in my box or classroom throughout the school day. A student with an extended absence of three or more days will make up work according to the instructor's directions. Again, the student is responsible to inquire about any and all missed work and to make the necessary arrangements for its completion. A STUDENT WITH AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE(S) MAY NOT MAKE UP MISSED WORK.
EXTRA CREDIT: No extra credit will be accepted in place of any assignments. Students are expected to perform the reading and writing assignments designed for the course.
MATERIALS: The recommended material list for this class includes 2 - 3 blue or black ink pens; sharpened pencil with eraser (for scantron testing only); green, red, or purple pen (not a crayon, marker, pencil, or highlighter) for correcting only; highlighter; glue sticks; 3-subject notebook (with pockets or a separate folder) or a 1” binder with 3 dividers; PAWSPort; and free-reading book to class every day. Other materials may be needed for certain units or reports. Successful students will maintain an orderly notebook in which they keep their notes, handouts, assignments, and other course materials. If a student consistently fails to bring necessary notes, handouts, assignments, and/or assigned book to class, the teacher may initiate consequences. Unless otherwise instructed, final drafts of writing assignments and reports must be typed or word-processed.
TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS RESPONSIBILITY: Students are financially responsible for all books and materials provided to them. This includes damage as well as loss and will be billed accordingly. Damage fees may vary from $2.00 to the full replacement cost of the text or resource material. Book damage includes removal of barcodes. Payments for lost or damaged materials must be taken care of at the Student Accounts window.
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: All students at Folsom High School are held accountable to the school wide Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the PAWSPORT (22). Please consult the policy for a detailed list of what constitutes cheating and consequences for each step. A single instance of cheating counts as a Step 1 Offense and follows a student throughout his/her entire class schedule and throughout all of his/her years at Folsom High. The next instance (even if in a different class or year) counts as Step 2 and/or Step 3.
POWER SCHOOL PARENT PORTAL: Grades are updated as assignments are corrected, usually every two weeks, never instantly.