English III AP is a unique combination of non-fiction and fiction from both recent sources as well as older writings. You will need to get to a level of comfort with all sorts of styles in order to be successful in this course. You will be proving your analytical skills through numerous ways: timed writing, literary journals, outside papers, AP multiple choice tests/quizzes, TAKS practice, and reading quizzes
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Also, by practicing skills that will help you to prepare to take the Advanced Placement Language and Composition exam this coming May, your confidence in being successful in earning college credit will increase. It is important to note that since this is a class that has a definite goal of taking the test at the end, you will be expected to uphold college level reading and writing standards. Hopefully, you will feel comfortable with the challenge and rigor and enjoy the material. If you are not up to it, you will need to speak with your counselor about other options.
Course Descriptions:
Since you have chosen to take an AP class, it is expected that the reading is done thoroughly and you come to class with enough knowledge and insight in order to participate in high level discussions that go beyond basic comprehension. Also, you will be writing quite a bit this year, so be prepared to respond to questions on the books and/or criticisms through timed writing.
You may want to write in the margins, highlight sections you have questions about, or keep some basic notes so you can review the books when we are ready to discuss them. It is YOUR responsibility to be prepared.
One of the main objectives of English III AP is to not only further your experience on literary study, but to also examine and appreciate how authors write and the effect they have on the audience. This will be applied to both non-fiction and fiction in many different genres. Please keep this in mind when approaching what you should be looking for in what we read this year.
Sources used this school year include the following:
The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Several online passagesand vocabulary that will be provided as needed.
Other novels will be read, but since they will be offered as choice, please wait until further instruction before purchasing. Some may include the following:
A Hemingway novel
Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Late Work Policy
Since you have chosen to take a course that expects college level work, there is little excuse for late work. It is important to ALWAYS come to class prepared. If you make the choice not to, your grade will be affected in the work ethic category which will result in a lower grade than you would like. PLEASE take the responsibility of owning up to these consequences rather than laying the blame elsewhere (such as extracurricular activities, lack of time, or me). It is your responsibility.
Make-Up Work Policy
A calendar will be provided and updated for you on my website so thatyou are aware of what you are expected to do to prepare for each class. If you are to be gone for a planned event , it is expected that you do the work BEFORE you go. If you are absent for an unplanned reason, you need to keep up with the assignments as much as you can. Falling behind in your reading will most likely affect your grades because you will be expected to take the quiz(zes) and catch up by the following period since you will receive a calendar that shows all the assignments for the month.
Breakdown of Grades
50% = TESTS: tests and papers (this does include AP practice tests)
25% = QUIZZES: literary quizzes (this includes AP short section quizzes) and vocabulary quizzes
20% = PROJECTS
5% = LESSONS: Warm ups and in class activities
Progress reports will be given at the mid-way point of each grading period to EVERY student. If the grade is below a 75%, the student is required to return it with a parent signature.
