9/11 & 9/ Syllabus highlights, key items to know 2. Groups share out findings from BNW chapters Wright poem

Transcription

1 AP Lit & Comp 9/11 & 9/ Syllabus highlights, key items to know 2. Groups share out findings from BNW chapters Wright poem

2 Themes we ll focus on Dystopian Truths in Modern Times/Society vs. the Individual 2. Appearance vs. Reality 3. Sacrifice and Unrequited Love 4. Marriage and Family: The Bonds that Bind 5. Faith, Forgiveness, Redemption, and Resiliency ; How Does the Past Shape One's Present & Future?

3 Each thematic unit will... Have an anchor text, which will be the novel we focus on in the unit. Additionally, each unit will also contain multiple context and texture texts. I will provide you with copies (either paper or online) of these secondary texts, which will primarily be poetry and short stories. The AP Lit exam requires that we prepare by reading constantly. To do this most successfully, I like to ensure you re reading both deep and wide this is why I layer the texts.

4 Each thematic unit has its own essential questions which we will attempt to answer and will use to guide our discussions and explorations. We will spend a significant amount of time looking at authors deliberate stylistic choices, use of figurative language techniques, and structural organization. In other words, WHY do authors make the choices they do? AND how do these stylistic choices lead readers to some realization of the human condition?

5 Method makes meaning

6 This class is largely about author s craft. We will continually question: What is the writer trying to do? What means does he/she utilize to accomplish this? Why is this a great piece of literature? The answers to these questions, and the reasons to support those answers, will be the primary focus of your writing for this course.

7 MATURITY This is a college-level course. The readings we cover are mature in content and theme, and it is essential that you respond in a mature manner. Understand that a major component of being a college student --and a well-rounded and informed reader-- is being exposed to a variety of different texts and philosophies. You are not expected to like, believe in, endorse, or agree with everything we read. Part of becoming a mature, discerning adult is determining how others beliefs and viewpoints compare to your own truth. BTW: this is also a crucial survival skill you ll need in college.

8 You must be engaged Most class sessions will focus in part on either small or largegroup discussion. This means you are REQUIRED to speak in class. To do this, you must keep up with and think critically about all readings. You must respect the opinions and reactions of others. And you must be able to interact with a variety of your classmates. This type of collaborative learning environment is what you ll be exposed to both in college and your future professional life. It s what college-level learning is all about. Learn how to flourish in it now.

9 You must be engaged We will be learning together, creating independent and collective truths, and challenging one another to dig deeper into texts and our own psyches. It s my hope that in this process you will have so much to say that we will run out of time in class discussions. (This has actually been the case the past several years we always run out of time to discuss all that we d like to.)

10 Here s what to expect In AP Lit, you will always be reading something, and you will always have some assignment on the horizon. You must be prepared to read all texts closely and analytically and to fulfill corresponding assignments that are of different lengths and levels of difficulty. The readings will be layered thematically which means as we are reading a novel, we will also be reading short stories, poetry, or drama that corresponds to the theme of study. Thus, there will be a great deal of reading, but it will be divided up into manageable chunks. I typically assign novel reading in chunks, meaning you will have a good amount of time to read a section of the novel we re studying. In the meantime, we will read poems and short stories, which won t be as time consuming for you outside of class.

11 Here s what to expect At the end of each school year, after the AP exam, I survey my AP Lit students about a number of things. Specifically, I ask them about the work load. Was it manageable? Enough? Too much? About right? The response I ve gotten, unanimously, every year is the work load was manageable, and it was what I needed to be ready for the exam. It s critical that you re willing to devote the time necessary both inside and outside of class in order to get the required reading and other work done, the majority of which will be reading. This amount will never surpass 3 hours of outside reading/work/study time between 90 minute classes. Most days, it will be significantly less. For the most part, you will simply need to manage your time well and keep upcoming due dates / obligations on your radar, which again, is a critical skill for college. It s necessary you are self-driven

12 Be here! Attendance - Class discussions, activities, and lectures will be VITAL to your learning and will be nearly impossible to replicate so don t be absent. You need to be here to be successful in the class. FACT: Students who frequently miss class do not score as highly on the AP exam, despite their ability level. Course website: I will update the course website after each class meets with what we did that day. It is your responsibility to review the website. It s also your responsibility to take note of the assigned reading and complete it in its entirety before the next class (unless you truly are too ill to do so). This will help ensure that you don t fall behind.

13 Additionally, you will be selecting and reading two independent novels, one each semester. Anchor Texts How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Paperback Harper Perennial (2006) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Dover Thrift Editions) (Unabridged) (Paperback) A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Dover Thrift Editions) (Unabridged) (Paperback) The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Publisher: Harper 2005 Beloved by Toni Morrison

14 Grades Here is the grade breakdown. I have designed it to closely mimic the freshmen Intro to Lit/Comp college course this class is replacing. Timed Writings and Process Essays - 35% RLJ s (Reader Literary Journal Blog), IRP s (Independent Reading Projects) and Dialectical Journals / Independent Reading Books - 20% Reader Responses, Vocabulary Work, Practice M/C, Daily Work- 10% Quizzes (including vocabulary quizzes) - 15% Socratic Seminars / Discussions / Participation -20%

15 Late Work This is a college-level course. At the college level, late work is not tolerated, and it is important that this course prepare you for that environment. Understand NOW that I will NOT accept late work, even for reduced credit because your college professors will never allow this. I will give you one amnesty pass each semester. To receive this, you ll need to contact me at least 24 hours in advance to let me know you re using your exemption for that particular assignment. This allows you a one week extension with no point deduction. If you don t use your extension, I will award you 20 extra credit points at the end of that semester. Know that technological difficulties are not a valid excused for missing class deadlines. You are responsible for backing up all your coursework. Give yourself adequate time to finish assignments early to avoid potentially troublesome technology. Remember that if you re having difficulty with an assignment PLEASE contact me and ask for help BEFORE the assignment is due.

16 Cell phones We have an enormous amount of material to cover and learn in order to adequately prepare you to take the AP Lit exam in May. I want you to earn as much college credit as possible. Cell phones are terribly tempting distracters. Simply stated, we do not have time for cell phones in class. SO Please ensure that your phone is OFF or on silent when you get to class. Please keep it out of sight. Make a genuine effort to only check it during class when we have a natural break.

17 PLAGIARISM Defined as intellectual theft, plagiarism includes using someone else s work without proper citation (this includes another peer s work, copy/pasting from the Internet, etc.) Plagiarism, even if claimed to be accidental, is not tolerated and will result in the following consequences: 1 st offense: zero on the assignment (no chance to rewrite); parent contacted; note on academic record (this will result in removal from National Honor Society) 2 nd offense: no credit earned; parent contacted; note on academic record; student drop failed from the course Understand that in college, plagiarism = an automatic failure of the course. The dean of students is contacted, and in many cases, the student is not allowed to continue attending that college or university.

18 PLAGIARISM Understand that in college, plagiarism = an automatic failure of the course. The dean of students is contacted, and in many cases, the student is not allowed to continue attending that college or university. In an advanced placement course, plagiarism or cheating (in any form) is especially egregious I am offended when students do it, and it negatively impacts your relationship with me. I expect all of you to abide by an honorable academic code, and I expect to be able to trust you all implicitly.

19 Finally Please understand that even though this is a college level course, I am always available to help you with any aspect of the class. I am happy to assist you with understanding any piece literature, preparing for college admission, any of your writing, or any other academic need you may have. Please understand how important advocacy and communication are in building effective relationships with instructors and, therefore, proactively speak to me should you encounter difficulties, personal issues, or any life circumstances that may affect your performance in the class. Although it will be challenging, I promise this will be a fun and enriching year!

20 Online Discussions From time to time this year, all students will be contributing to our online discussion forum. This forum will serve as a classroom community to share analysis of text, reading reflections, and commentary regarding our thematic units essential questions. Entries will vary, but on average, most should be one college-level paragraph in length. For each prompt, you will write your own response and then should respond to two other classmate s posts. When responding to other classmates posts, several sentences in length should suffice, unless you wish to comment more extensively. I encourage intellectual debate and disagreement; however, please remember to be considerate and polite. Your posts should never be sardonic or condescending. An important part of college life will be learning how to respectfully disagree with viewpoints drastically different from your own.

21 Online Discussions You will be awarded a maximum of 30 points for each originally submitted post and for two responses to a peer s post. You will be graded on the following criteria: Thoughtfully and critically answering the prompt to the respective post points Responding seriously, appropriately, and critically to two other s posts points

22 Online Discussions Your level of engagement--not the length of your post--will determine the points awarded. The point of having an online discussion forum is to have everyone in the class contribute; therefore, if you miss the deadline for a blog posting, you may NOT make it up for late credit.

23 For first time access to Schoology Go to schoology.com Create an account. Log in as a student Both sections use this code: N93DH-C2CGW

24 In your groups Put all of this in a Google Doc that you share with the members of your group. Each group will become experts on its assigned chapter. Make sure to cover: 1. Character development and purpose 1. Identify key characters, how they are developed, and what their purpose seems to be in your chapter. Cite key quotes and or description from/about that person (or people) which demonstrate character.

25 In your groups 2. Language: diction, syntax, figurative language, imagery, and tone Discuss Huxley s overall use of these techniques and then give key examples of each and discuss HOW Huxley is using them to create a mood, an image, a feeling, etc.

26 In your groups 3. Plot details, new terms, and satire Take us through the important plot details and explain why you believe they re significant. Identify any new BNW terms that are introduced in this chapter and explain them to us. Finally, provide us with several examples of satire and explain how they are helping Huxley drive home his message Put all of this in a Google Doc that you share with the members of your group.

27 Share out your findings

28 For next class Go through and answer the thematic questions for unit one on Classroom. Participate in the Schoology online discussion before next class.