Course Syllabus 2017-2018 English III Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Rivera Early College High School A. Aguilar F207 Course Overview Based on the College Board s most recent AP English Course Description, this course is primarily designed to help you become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes (6). Course Goals The primary goal of this course is to help you improve your reading and writing skills as you successfully earn high school credit. In addition, this course will prepare you for the AP exam (if you are enrolled in this course, you are required to take the AP English Language & Composition Exam in May); a score of 3 or higher can possibly earn you college credit without having to enroll in a college class first. It will prepare you for English IV-AP and it will help you read and write better in other AP courses you may be currently taking or will be taking next year. It will, subsequently, prepare you for the PSAT, the SAT, ACT, TSI and/or any other standardized tests that may come along. It will help prepare you for college. Even if you don t earn college credit, once you finish this course you will definitely be ready for any composition course in which you enroll in the near future. And finally, it will help you better understand the world and your place in it as you begin to decipher the words of other writers who struggle to bring clarity to their own ideas. Then you, too, will learn to communicate your own ideas in a way that makes sense not only to you but also to those with whom you choose to share them. To fulfill the aforementioned goals, this course is organized based on guidelines and requirements found in the AP English Course Description. What follows is the plan I have developed based on the Course Description, based on resources made accessible by the College Board, based on ideas shared by other experienced AP English Language teachers, and based on my own experience in the classroom as both a student and a teacher. Course Plan Ongoing Summer Reading At the end of the previous school year, you received instructions for the summer reading assignment which is due on the first day of class and for which you will be tested the first week of school. Independent Reading Each six weeks you will be required to do independent reading. The type of book and the assignments or project you do will vary each six weeks. Most of the books we read will be available as class sets in the library, but you may acquire the book from any library where you have checkout privileges (Rivera, public, TSC) or you may purchase your book or borrow one from a friend or teacher. You will receive a minor grade for bringing your book on IR check dates and by completing a mini-assignment in class. You will receive a major grade for completing the assignments or projects assigned each six weeks. For the 1 st six weeks you will be expected to read a Non-Fiction book. I have posted a list of recommended titles on the class website. By the second week of school, you will submit a proposal for the book you have chosen. Be sure to get my approval for your selection prior to beginning any assignments.
Writing Exercises The purpose for writing will vary. You may have any of the following to do throughout the course of a week to practice any of the following: Vocabulary, Journals, Modes of Writing, Sentence Construction, Sentence Combining, Paraphrasing, Quoting, Open-Ended Questions. Each collection of entries will count as one minor grade and will be graded holistically and on the quality of the effort put forth. These entries should be worked on as assigned, for they are meant to help you improve specific techniques. They will only feel as if they are meant for torture if you put them off until the day before they are due. Daily GUM (Grammar, Usage, Mechanics) We will work on grammar, usage, and mechanics skills at the beginning of almost every class period both to improve sentence construction and to prepare for standardized tests. You are expected to take notes and maintain the practice sentences in your binder for a grade. If you are absent or late, it is your responsibility to get the sentences you missed prior to the due date or you risk losing points. While some of our GUM may be isolated practice, most often it will transition us into a writing exercise. Online Grammar (No Red Ink, Quill, etc.) Each six weeks, you will be required to practice grammar online. You must set up an account, and complete specific exercises by the assigned dates. Instructions and the timetable for these assignments will be provided at a later date. Rhetorical Analysis You will read various selections throughout the year that you will be expected to analyze. The majority of these will be non-fiction selections such as essays, speeches, or newspaper or magazine articles. These readings will come from the textbook you are assigned, one of the many textbooks I have in the classroom, or from another source for which I will give you a print copy to annotate and keep permanently in your notebook. I will give you specific instructions in class for how to complete assignments for these readings. We will begin with close reading and annotation. Vocabulary Expect an SAT style sentence completions quiz for each 15-20 word list. After two lists, expect an SAT style sentence completions test using words from both lists. Both quizzes and tests will be timed, so expect no more than 10 minutes for quizzes and no more than 25 minutes for tests. You will not be given extra time. You may turn in your test or quiz early to be scored on the Gradecam. If you turn it in when the time runs out, you may need to wait until the end of the day or the following day to see your grade. Any responses left blank will count against your grade. All of the lists will be available to study online on Quizlet.com. You are not required to use this resource, but you will find it extremely beneficial once you do. Essays Some of your essays will begin in class, first as prewriting and then as a rough draft. You will be required to make revisions based on specific skills being taught at the time. You will also be required to participate in peer revision and editing. You will need to submit your draft to pegwriting.com prior to a conference with me about your paper. Prior to the conference, you will also need to prepare two specific questions about what you would like me to help you with. Each of these steps of the writing process will be counted as a percentage of your final grade. You will need to demonstrate that your drafts have been revised at least twice before you
submit a final draft. The final draft, which must be typed, will count as a major grade. Final drafts will only be accepted if all of the required steps in the writing process are completed first. Please be sure to review the policy regarding late work and the submission of essays. Timed Writing As preparation for the AP exam and other timed standardized tests, you will be expected to write a well-developed essay draft during a specific amount of time (20 or 40 minutes). Timed Writing in class will include prompts that require you to do any of the following: analyze a writer s rhetorical strategies, discuss the tone of a selection, compare and contrast selections by theme or rhetorical strategies, imitate a writer s style, evaluate a writer s purpose and effect on audience, write an argument in which you defend, challenge or qualify, write an argument which you support with sources and cite appropriately. Most of these prompts will be based on questions found on previous years AP exam questions. You will be expected to write complete first draft essays with some evidence of prewriting. By second semester, these will occur at least once a week or as time allows, depending on what else is going on. Turnitin All writing assignments completed outside of class or in the lab will be submitted through Turnitin. This is an online tool to ensure that students are better prepared for college by checking for plagiarism or cheating. Once we have accounts set up and full access, I will not accept any assignments that are not submitted through Turnitin. Classwork and Homework Most class work will include a wide variety of writing tasks. These tasks will include annotation exercises with close reading of texts, reader response questions, imitation/emulation exercises, and all of the staging exercises (prewriting, outlines, rough drafts, revision and editing of essays). While some of these tasks may be assigned as homework, aside from your ongoing assignments and final draft work on essays, most homework will involve reading, studying, and research. Although we will read or listen to some short selections and excerpts orally in class, you should expect to read primarily outside of class, hence the reading check quizzes. Current Events Homework will also include outside research. Some of your sources will be print sources like from books or periodicals, but you will also need to acquire your sources from online databases. We will practice in class as we work on integrating sources, parenthetical documentation, and MLA style bibliographic entries. Some of your short essays will require integrated sources. You will also be required to compose a research paper in MLA format. Quizzes Quizzes can be expected to check for basic understanding of reading selections (actually, sometimes just to check if you have read the assigned selection), to check for vocabulary comprehension (these will be SAT style sentence completions), to check for grammar, usage, mechanics, and syntax that is reviewed during warm-ups. Each quiz will count as a minor grade. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up the quiz during class the day you return, afterschool that day, or the following morning. You will receive a zero for that quiz if you have not taken it by the following morning after the day you return to school. I may drop one of your lowest daily grades each six weeks, but if you have too many missed quizzes due to absences or tardies, it is your responsibility to confer with me about your grades before the marking period ends. If you are out several days due to illness, you will need to confer with me about making up alternative quizzes/work.
Tests In addition to vocabulary tests, you will have at least one multiple-choice test each six weeks based on material we are reading at the time; other times these tests will be based on selections that we have not read before. The questions will measure critical reading and the function and effect of rhetorical devices in the text. Each test will count as one major grade. After a unit of study, you may also have a timed writing test. The writing prompt will be based on either a selection we have finished reading or one we have not read before. Based on the skill or technique we are working on at the time, you will be required to respond to a prompt. For instance, by the second semester, you will be required to discuss a writer s rhetorical strategies and/or the effect on the audience. It is your responsibility to prepare for these tests. Please refer to the policy regarding make-up and retests for additional requirements. Library Books You will need to maintain an account in good standing with the library to access the library computers and to check out books we will be reading this year. It is your responsibility to acquire the books we will be reading from either the school library or from some other source if you are unable to use the library. Textbooks Most of the selections we will read come from The Language of Composition, Readings for Writers, and The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers, and Glencoe Texas Treasures: American Literature. Periodically you will receive supplementary readings from me which I will collect from additional sources. You will be required to check out the following textbook from the Rivera bookroom: The Language of Composition, Bedford St. Martin s You will be assigned an online access code for the following book, but you have the option to check it out from the book room as well: Texas Treasures: American Literature. Columbus: Glencoe/McGraw Hill. The following books will be used during class time only and will not be available for check out: Readings for Writers 9 th ed., Harcourt Brace Publishers The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers 6 th ed., Prentice Hall. Computer and Internet Access You will need to have access to a computer with a word processor for the final drafts of essays you will submit. I don t have MS Word is not an excuse for failing to complete a writing assignment. There are other comparable options besides Word which you may use. If you are unfamiliar with other options, then it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with them as soon as possible (today) so that you can be ready for your first writing assignment. The library has computers available for you to use before and after school and at lunch time. You should use a USB or other method to store all of your work. In addition, you will need to have access to the Internet to submit work, to access the class blog for notes, assignments, handouts, or reminders, to complete assignments, and to find information. If you don t have access to the
Internet at home, then you will need to make sure you use the library lab which is available at school. riveraenglishap.weebly.com is your source for all things related to this class. Links to important sites, documents, and class assignments will be added regularly. Course Materials Maintain a NOTEBOOK (3 ring binder) for organizational purposes and for reference. Keep everything, but please be organized about it. You are expected to bring your notebook with you every day. Your notebook should be arranged as follows: Cover Sheet, Calendar, Course Syllabus, Signed Honor Statement, Daily GUM, Notes/Handouts, Writing Exercises, Assignments, Vocabulary, AP Prep, Tests/Quizzes. I may conduct unannounced notebook checks periodically. In addition, be prepared everyday not only with plenty of paper and a working pen, but also with a good attitude and a willingness to do what it takes to learn. Policies Abide by the BISD Student Code of Conduct. Attendance/Tardies Please recognize that attendance is vital for success in this course. I will adhere to all BISD and RHS policies regarding attendance and tardies. Be on time to class. If you come in late during a test or quiz, you do not get extra time. If you miss the quiz due to a tardy, you will get a zero. Be on time, please. Electronics Absolutely no cell phone or other personal electronic devices may be used or visible during class time. These items must be stored in your back backs or purses. A visible electronic device during a test or quiz will invalidate your score; in other words, you will get a zero on that test or quiz. Unless you have received explicit permission from me to use an electronic device for educational purposes in class, it is not allowed. I will adhere by the BISD and Rivera Campus Policy regarding phone use. Cheating Do your own work. Unless otherwise stipulated in the assignment, you are expected to do your own work at all times. Cheating will lead to a zero on the assignment. Cheating may also lead to being dropped from the course. You will sign an honor statement which includes more specific information about cheating. Any student in violation of the honor code will also be reported to the National Honor Society sponsors. Classroom Etiquette Be polite. Profanity is not acceptable. Basic manners are always expected and are appreciated. Think before you speak. If you don't have anything nice to say about another individual, don't say anything at all. Gossip is not an acceptable form of communication in my class. Participate in class discussions either by verbally contributing, actively listening, and/or taking notes. Take good care of the classroom, equipment, and books. Always clean up after yourself. Always place books back on the shelves. Passes out of class are allowed only for emergencies. Passes to the restroom will be allowed only after the first 15 minutes after the entrance bell and will not be allowed during the last
fifteen minutes before the exit bell. Be considerate of others by returning to class quickly, as only one person at a time may leave the room. Abuse of the restroom pass will result in the loss of the privilege. Passes anywhere else are nonexistent, so do not bother to ask me if you may go to another class, the counselor, etc. If a school official is anxious to speak with you, he/she will find you and escort you out of my class if necessary. Late Work Late work will NOT be accepted on any minor/daily assignments. Because final drafts of essays are counted as major/test grades, they will be accepted, but your grade will be reduced by 10 points if turned in anytime after the final pick-up call has been made during the class period and by 20 points each day thereafter. Any late essays must be handed in directly to me. Work that has not been printed prior to entering class is considered late even if stored on a USB. I will accept work that is emailed to me only if you have also submitted it to your parent s email and to the English department administrator (mcastillo@bisd.us). The late points deduction will still apply if it is not sent before the class period in which you are enrolled. It is still your responsibility to bring me a print copy at a later time. All writing assignments must be submitted through Turnitin once we have access to this resource, no exceptions. Make up Work You must make up any work missed due to an absence or tardy by the following day after your return or the same day if it is a tardy. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the assignment. You must make-up a scheduled test the same day you return. The test may be made up during class, or if you do not want to miss another day of class, you may make-up the test before or after school. Failure to show up for a make-up test will lead to a zero on the test. If you are going to be absent due to a field trip or extra- curricular activity, you must make arrangements with me for make-up work prior to your absence. If you are absent due to a field trip or extra-curricular activity on the day an assignment either major or minor is due, it is your responsibility to make sure I have received it by that day. You can turn it in the day before; you can drop it off in the morning before you leave; you can give it to front office to place in my box. Figure it out or expect either a zero for a minor assignment or points deducted for a major assignment. Retests Retests are only available after school. You have one week to retest (for a grade no higher than a 70) after you receive your score. If you fail a test, you need to assess why: you took insufficient notes; you did not study enough, etc. If you fail another test after having made changes in your study prep, you will need to see me. Generally, you should not fail an entire six weeks because of one failed test. Usually, a failing grade is a result of consistent low grades throughout the six weeks. If you are not turning in assignments, not passing daily quizzes, not turning in major essays, then you will likely fail the course; if that happens, then you should confer with me about taking action to help you succeed: after school tutorial, peer tutoring, a work contract, a study/planning guide, etc. Failure is not an option. Retests are not available in college courses. If you receive a failing grade on an essay that is counted as major grade, you may resubmit the essay with appropriate revisions for a grade no higher than a 70. Revising does not mean merely rewriting the essay with corrections. See me about specifics if necessary.
Additional resources Because of the demanding pace of this class, absences can be detrimental. Since not all absences can be avoided, students should have a class buddy whom they can contact for assignments. Also, I have set up a website on which I m posting assignments and reminders. When you re absent, but even if you re not, it will be good practice for you to check the website to help you stay on top of things. This is much easier than trying to catch up later. Also, you and your parents can sign up at Remind.com to receive reminders on your phone or email. The calendar you have received with this syllabus includes numerous specific due dates, quiz and test dates. My goal is to adhere to the schedule as closely as possible, and when postponements or cancellations become necessary, I will let you know so that you can update your calendar.