Pre-AP+English

Pre-AP (Honors) COURSE SYLLABUS Pre Advanced Placement Literature and Composition 2011

Instructor: Nancy Blackwell Office/Hours: activity period E-Mail: nblackwell@wvschools.net Course Description:

Course Objectives: **Abilities Standards** [Apply the following to each content standard.] 1.Be able to relate literature to self and the real world. a. Be able to clearly and precisely state the emotional and intellectual impact on self. b. Be able to clearly and precisely state the relationship to the real world. c. Be able to identify specific text which elicits the response or shows the relationship. d. Read and understand a variety of Literature. e. Analyze how an author's words creates tone and mood f. Analyze how an author's use of words advances the theme and/or purpose of the work. g. Establish a reading/writing vocabulary h. Identify and correctly use new words acquired through the study of context cues, use a dictionary, or other reference tool i. Understand the meaning of and apply key vocabulary across the various subject areas A. use knowledge of root words and words from literary works to recognize and understand the meaning of new words during reading 1. use these words accurately in speaking and writing

Content Standards

2. Be able to understand poetry. A. Identify the poetic terms. B. Be able to read and analyze a poem C. Be able to interpret a poem. D. Be able to identify various poetic forms. E. Demonstrate fluency and comprehension in Literature F. Be able to read aloud with accuracy 1. self-correct mistakes, use appropriate rhythm, flow, meter and pronunciation.

3. Be able to participate meaningfully in a discussion of a given work of literature. A. Be able to demonstrate proper social courtesies in a free-flowing discussion. B. Be able to respond directly to specific questions clearly and briefly with appropriate textual references. C. Be able to ask questions of other students which are clear, specific, and relevant. D. Be able to demonstrate creative and clear analytical skills. E. Be able to appropriately challenge and respond to the challenges of other students.

4. Be able to analyze, interpret, draw conclusions, and question literary devices in novels. A. Be able to define literary devices such as flashback, foreshadowing, symbolism, etc. and identify them in novels. B. Be able to explain with specific textual references how these devices contribute to the themes and impact of novels.

5. Be able to use a variety of sentence structures to enhance your writing style. A. Be able to construct grammatically-correct sentences. B. Be able to use different types of clauses to produce a variety of sentence structure. C. Be able to vary sentences by type, length, and beginning element for pleasing effect. D. Be able to use correct mechanics in sentences.

6. Be able to write high quality traditional college-level themes. A. Be able to use traditional structure including introduction, conclusion, thesis, three or more body paragraphs, and transitions. B. Be able to use sentences in a correct, clear, appealing, and varied manner. C. Be able to use words correctly and precisely with ease and clarity. D. Be able to write with correct usage, word processing mechanics. E. Be able to write with creativity of expression. F. Be able to use evaluation to challenge yourself.

7. Be able to answer essay questions in proper form. A. Be able to write with reasonably correct and understandable language, penmanship, and other mechanics. B. Be able to specifically address the question with appropriate textual references or other appropriate support. C. Compare and contrast readings

8. Be able to adequately research and selectively support a thesis. A. Be able to locate a variety of print and on-print media to support a thesis. B. Be able to distinguish high quality support information from lesser quality support information. C. Assess the validity of documents and source material based on context D. Analyze positions, arguments, and evidence in documents E. Critique documents to identify strategies common in public discourse F. Evaluate author's purpose and strategy C. Be able to use proper source-crediting techniques in a research paper. D. Be able to use various techniques to develop an argument to support a thesis. E. Be able to synthesize research material into a coherent product. 1. edit the project.

Textbook(s): Sebranek, Patrick, Kemper, Dave, Meyer, Verne. //Writers Inc.// Houghton Mifflin Company, Massachusetts, 2001. Elizabeth, Mary. //Painless Poetry.// Barron’s Educational Series, New York, 2001. Strausser, Jeffrey. //Painless Writing.// Barron’s Educational Series, New York, 2001.

Novels: __The Chocolate War__ by Robert Cormier __Lord of the Flies__ by William Golding __Animal Farm__ by George Orwell __All Quiet on the Western Front__ by Erich Maria Remarque __Oedipus Rex__ by Sophocles __Antigone__ by Sophocles __Medea__ by Euripides __Twelfth Night__ by William Shakespeare __Othello__ by William Shakespeare __A Doll's House__ by Henrik Ibsen __I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings__ by Maya Angelou __Fahrenheit 451__ by Ray Bradbury __A Tale of Two Cities__ by Charles Dickens

Attendance Policy: The attendance policy is strict because your success in this (and every other) course depends on your ability to participate and fully engage in all classroom activities. Follow also WVSD’s absence policy as stated in your student handbook.

Classroom Responsibilities:
 * Arrive on time
 * Do not leave early unless cleared with instructor ahead of time
 * Bring books and homework to class
 * Be prepared to discuss assigned material
 * Turn off all cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices
 * Be respectful of instructor and other students in the class when speaking or expressing ideas
 * No eating or drinking in class
 * No working on computers when the instructor is lecturing
 * Student should contact the instructor if he/she will miss class
 * Students are responsible for notes and work missed when absent

Homework Responsibilities:

Academic Honesty:
 * All assignments will be **neatly ** completed and turned in on time. NO torn papers, ‘fuzzy’ edges, etc.
 * Name, date, period must be written in the upper right hand corner.
 * Students are responsible for making up tests, quizzes, homework, class work, etc. due to an absence from class and must contact the teacher **____PRIOR__ __ ** to the beginning of class.
 * Students are responsible for pre-announced assignments and ____MUST__ __ hand these in on the due date. Check your syllabus or the wikispace.
 * NO late homework will be accepted.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: "Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Any assignment forgotten in a locker, car, or “at home” will be considered LATE. If you choose to get the forgotten item from your locker and return to class after the bell rings, you will be marked LATE to class.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: "Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Late papers, projects, etc. will be penalized ONE letter grade (off the grade earned) for EACH day that the assignment is late.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: "Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Homework is a very vital aspect of this course and should be taken seriously. Any student who does not do homework on a regular basis is placing him/herself in danger of failing the course.
 * Williams Valley School District expects that all work produced by students will represent their personal effort. Academic dishonesty includes but should not be limited to:
 * Cheating on tests and exams
 * Using test aids
 * Copying
 * Sharing work with others
 * Stealing test materials
 * Plagiarism – Quoted materials must be enclosed in quotation marks with complete documentation indicating the source. Materials used without direct quotations should have the source indicated.
 * Copying any written assignment such as papers, homework, lab reports, ENG105 research skills workbook
 * Copying any electronic assignments such as papers, homework, lab reports, programs, etc. Do not copy something from the Internet and call it your own – it is very easy to get caught doing this and I will check suspicious papers!
 * Purchase of all or part of papers, reports, workbooks, or other assignments
 * False statements designed to earn the student the right to make up missed work.

All offenses will be reported to the Dean of Students where a record is made and retained. (The faculty member involved decides how to handle each case of dishonesty, unless the penalty exceeds failing the course or affects something other than grades)

Consequences of cheating or academic dishonesty may include any of the following:
 * Receive a warning and retake the test or redo the assignment immediately
 * Ability to retake the test or redo the assignment immediately with a loss of points
 * Receive a grade of zero on assignment or test
 * Receive an “F” in the course

Tutoring: Tutoring will be available during activity periods on a daily basis. It is best if you inform your instructor of days you would like tutoring. This will allow your instructor to prepare any necessary materials needed for the tutoring session.

Library: The Williams Valley Library supports the research and information needs of the students, Miss Lemke will help to provide access to materials not available at the library through inter-library loan. Students also have access to Power Library on any classroom computer.

Grading and Assessment: A = 93 to 100 points B = 83 to 92 points C = 73 to 82 points D = 70 to 72 points F = 69 points and below

Assignments and Evaluation:

Essays, tests, and journals are all equal in weight. Each is worth 100 points. The book analysis, however, is worth 300 points. There will be a writing assignment following each piece of literature and following most poems. You will be given ample time to complete most writing assignments, therefore absences ( you must turn in your assignment on the day you come back) and field trips do not excuse you from turning in your assignments on time. There is a 5 point deduction for each day a paper is late. You will be given a list of vocabulary words that we will work with throughout the year. You are responsible for learning the definition and application of the words on the list. There will be two vocabulary tests on these words; one containing definitions, and one containing both definition and examples of the usage of the words.
 * Evaluation:**

Summary of point values: Summer Assignment - 400 points Essays/Tests - 100 points each Journals - 100 points each Book Analysis - 300 points each Homework - tba Participation - 50 points


 * Keys for success in the course:** Read the text //before// you come to class. This will eliminate the need to take detailed notes and will enable you to recognize information in the lecture that is not covered in the book. You are responsible for all information; this includes lecture, text, videos, and all handouts given in class. Hand in assignments on time. Work on your journals as we finish each piece of literature, remember that everything we read and write about must have an entry in your journal. Organize your journal, DO NOT present it as a jumble of papers. Prepare your book analysis in advance of the due date – do not wait until the last minute. Be wary of the information you may find on the internet, it often provides bad information. Do not be tempted to plagiarize papers from sites such as //classic notes,// you will fail the analysis or essay if I catch you.

Familiarize yourself with the differences in the usage of the following words: Then Than Could have – not could //of// Their There They’re To Too Affect Effect Your You’re <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">***If I find mistakes made with these words in an essay or analysis, I will deduct 5 points for __each__ mistake.**


 * Syllabus Calendar:** This is subject to change. We may move faster or slower than the dates provided here. Do not hold me to the dates listed herein as they do not reflect snow days, field trips, or other activities that may delay the coverage of the material.

discussion of Summer Assignments - Novels review of the elements of the novel plot, setting, character, point of view sociopolitical factors contributing to the work themes of the work: includes but is not limited to: changes in social or political attitudes spirit of the law vs letter of the law human frailty societal decomposition prejudice
 * First Quarter**

analysis symbolization/allusion

the Essay Structure introduction and thesis statements body and evidence conclusion Dos: internal and external transitions variation in sentence type, word order length and opening devices parallel structure figurative language

Don'ts: personal pronouns the weak expletive //there// passive voice contractions criteria for evaluating essays essay on summer work peercritique and individualizsed instruction re-write and conference with instructor the Book Analysis: an overview

Review of Figurative Language and Poetic devices including: Imagery Diction Metaphor Tone Speaker Major poetic forms Meaning

Literature: Discussion finding the significance of the work conflict in literature Themes Assignments essay - critical analysis and responses tests discussion of themes, elements, sociopolitical factors journal assignment/update


 * Second Quarter**

Readings:__Twelfth Night & Othello__ by William Shakespeare Poetry

Themes

Assignments essays - based upon the text, notes, and interpretation of the literature response essys - wikis book analysis journal update

Readings: __I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings__ by Maya Angelou __A Doll's House__ by Henrik Ibsen
 * Third Quarter**

Themes

Assignments essays - based upon the text, notes, and interpretation of the literature journal update

Readings: __Fahrenheit 451__ by Ray Bradbury __A Tale of Two Cities__ by Charles Dickens
 * Fourth Quarter**

Themes

Assignments essays - based upon the text, notes, and interpretation of the literature book analysis journal update

Assignments

Journals: TBA Book Analysis: TBA

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time.

Journals are due at the end of each marking period (dates above)

Follow this format:

Reading Journal – entries will be no longer than one page.
 * Title, author (date born/date died/where lived)
 * Publication date of work (original, not current edition)
 * Setting: place/time, theme or main idea (in one sentence)
 * A brief plot synopsis
 * Characters (write brief descriptions; identify protagonist and antagonist)
 * Major symbol/systems or allusions
 * Distinguishing characteristics of the work
 * Your personal response to the content and style of the work.

2. Poem Analysis/Reading Journal
 * Title, author (date born/date died/where lived)
 * Setting: place/time, theme or main idea (in one sentence)
 * Major symbol/systems or allusions
 * Meaning of the poem
 * Your personal response to the meaning and to the content and style of the work

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Book Analysis

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The emphasis of your paper is to be on your own analysis of the work, rather than a survey of critics’ opinions. The paper will be as long as necessary to complete the assignment, (minimum 3 pages) and will include all of these sections:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">· A brief discussion of the sociopolitical factors that influenced the author, and the impact of his or her work; references consulted must be documented.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">· An analysis of the theme of the work, supported by evidence from the plot.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">· A discussion of another element of the work (character, characterization, setting, point of view, style, or other distinguishing element) as it contributes to the theme. (Another way of thinking of this section is, “How does the author use this second element to express the theme?”)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*These two sections should be the major part of the paper. They should not include citations from other critics and must be your own ideas, in your own words. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">· A conclusion that explains why the work should be included in a list of works of high literary merit.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">· A Works Cited page (MLA style)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The cover sheet will contain: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your name <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Date due <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The name of the work and its author

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your thesis statement