Hutchinson Central Technical High School

Course Syllabus

Course Name: AP English- Language and Composition

Instructor: Mr. Potter            Contact Time: 9:42-10:23         Phone Ext: 1423

Grading Policy
Every assignment that is given will be have a numerical value placed on it depending on its level of difficulty, time spent completing it, and/or level of importance. For example, an essay or a test is going to be worth at least a 100 points, but a vocabulary quiz or a classroom writing assignment may only be worth 25-30 points. Each marking period we will have between 500-and 700 total points, and however many points are earned is the grade. For instance, if there are 100 points that represent class quizzes, a writing assignment, and vocabulary quizzes and a student has earned fifty of those points, then his/her grade would be a fifty average. Graded assignments will include vocabulary quizzes, formal essays, creative writing assignments, homework, classroom assignments, and literature based tests and/or quizzes.
I try very hard to offer students every opportunity to do well in my classroom, and by grading in this fashion I hope to create a more well- rounded and accurate assessment of the students’ ability to perform in this English class.

Homework Policy
Homework will be given on a consistent basis. If there is not a written assignment to be handed in or a reading assignment to be completed, then every student is expected to study his/her notebook, vocabulary, or essay outlines. Most homework assignments will be collected and/or graded, and the teacher holds the right to do a surprise check on a Friday to see the previous Monday’s homework. Any student who does not hand in his/her homework will be expected to serve detention with me in room 423 after school in order to make it up. A lot of our assignments will be long term projects, and the students are expected to be working on them.
If a student is absent or has some sort of emergency, then I would simply ask for an explanation. At that time, in most cases, an alternative plan will be worked out. Students are responsible for their own work, and any missing assignments.

Test Policy
Students will receive tests in essay form, fill in blank, and multiple choice. Each test will be worth 100 points in most cases, and students are responsible for making those tests up if they are absent on that day.

Quiz Policy
The students will be expected to complete a variety of quizzes throughout each marking period. Those quizzes may consist of vocabulary words, notebook checks, writing techniques, literary terms and/or elements, and reading quizzes.
If a student is absent he/she will have the opportunity to make it up. However, if he/she is not given that opportunity, then that particular assignment will not count against his/her grade .

Projects
Each project has a variety of purpose designed specifically to enhance writing skills, research skills, and critical thinking skills. The students will have the opportunity to explore several goals, several topics, and develop their own “voice”. In each case students will receive a period of a few weeks to work on it. There will be a rough draft, which will be corrected and reviewed by the teacher, and a final copy. Also, at least once during the process, students will review and offer advice to their peers. The teacher will sit down and conference one on one with each student to discuss the use of the rhetoric skill at hand, and discuss ways to improve upon it to help build understanding. The student and the teacher will review the devices, the definitions, and how the overall goal of each mode at hand is being applied. There will be at least one, but maybe two projects due per marking period.

1. “Visions of the Future” –
The main purpose of this assignment is to help students develop a strategy to writing a research paper, and incorporate literature into their writing. Also, students will be better prepared to make a good decision regarding college or university.

INTORDUCTION:

A. Define what you believe it means to have a vision of the future, and
why having an idea about your future might be important.

B. Pick a career that you could research that will reflect your vision of your future.

BODY:

A. Describe or explain the required or suggested steps to follow in order to find success in the field, and the education required.

B. What are the best colleges or universities for this type of program?

C. Describe or explain the daily tasks or responsibilities of the job. In other words,offer a description of a basic day at work.

• For each section of the body at least one source of information is required.
• In each paragraph use at lease three examples from each source.
• Using the examples from the lesson on APA citation, cite your sources correctly.
• A bibliography page is required.

CONCLUSION

A. What draws you towards this topic or career?

B. How can communication impact your chances of finding success within this field?

C. What’s the connection between creativity, having a vision of the future, and your life?

• For each question write a complete paragraph being both in-depth, and complete.


2. “Autobiography”

The main purpose of this assignment is for students to introduce themselves to their classmates. All students will write this paper, and then one or two students will read their papers at the beginning of class each day. In this essay students will present one incident, event, or experience which has changed their lives or made them into the people they have become. To get ideas and for a better understanding of the topic, please read the model student papers presented at the bottom of this page.
Assignment

Choose an event, situation, or experience that has had a tremendous impact on your life. Describe the event and then tell how the event has changed you. The event / incident / experience which you describe may be a huge event such as the death of a loved one, or it may be a simple event such as a childhood play experience. The only requirement is that the event must have changed you or changed your view of life in some way. For obvious reasons, this paper must be written in first-person point of view.

The tone of your paper may be serious, poignant, humorous, angry, etc. Obviously, the event or experience and what you learned from the event or experience should dictate the tone of your paper.

Examples of Topics

* The first day of school (elementary, middle, or high school)
* A divorce or change in the family structure
* A transfer to a new town, school, neighborhood
* A memorable vacation
* An award or achievement which impacted your life greatly
* An important relationship which has changed you
* A religious experience
* A physical challenge
* An illness or accident
* An embarrassing event
* An ambition or goal which you struggled to achieve (may be ongoing)

Please note that the event / incident / experience may have happened in one hour, or it may be an experience which took place over several years. Don't worry about whether or not the topic you have selected is acceptable for this paper. If the event or experience is important to you and impacted your life, it is a good topic for this assignment.

Organization and Questions

Think about your topic and make a jot list or outline of what you remember about this event or experience. Although students may organize this paper in many ways, all papers will answer these fundamental questions:

1) What is the event / incident / or experience.
2) How did the experience take place?
3) Who was with you at the time, and what did these people add to your experience?
4) What were your initial feelings, emotions, beliefs?
5) How did you react or change immediately because of this experience?
6) Looking back on the experience now, how did the event change you fundamentally?
Have your feelings changed over time?
7) Why is this experience / incident / event so memorable today?

Remember to use sensory (Sounds, sights, tastes, odors, feelings, etc.) and concrete details to describe your experience. Use descriptive language and dialogue which will allow your reader to feel as though he or she was there with you.


3. “Disease”

The main purpose of this assignment is to enhance writing, research, and critical thinking skills. Students will learn and understand that good writing skills go far beyond the English classroom, and in this case will explore the medical field. Also, students will reflect upon humanity, and will learn to appreciate their own health.

PROCEDURES

1. Pick a disease you feel is important enough to pay attention to.
• Possible examples might be cancer, HIV, Tourettes, or Autism.

2. Research the disease using 2-3 sources of information, and answer the following questions: (1-2 pages)

A. What are some of the possible causes of the disease?

B. Roughly how many people die or are affected by this disease each year in the U.S.?

C. How does the disease affect the body and or mind?

D. Roughly how much money is being collected each year for research?

E. What is being done to prevent or cure the disease? (Be specific)

3. Find three articles relating specifically to your disease topic, and paste/tape them onto pages 3, 4, and 5. Under each article write 5-7 sentences explaining the main theme of each article.

4. Create a 1-2 page interview either with a current patient of the disease or a person in the public. Develop a 10 question interview to ask the person relating to your disease as you feel are important to help see how the disease is viewed and perceived.

*Examples: Do you think enough is being done to find a cure for….?
Do you treat people differently if you know they have…?

5. In your own words, explain why the world needs to pay attention to this disease, three main things you learned from researching this topic, and how talking or communicating about this disease might lead to a quicker cure. (1-2 pages)


4. “Photography”

The purpose of this assignment is to help students understand the premise that everything in life has a story to tell. Also, students will use technology to enhance their ability to write, and connect to the world around them.

1. Introduction
• Write 1-2 pages explaining how you see the connection between a photograph and the notion of telling its story.

2. Body
• 5 photos (Each one on a separate sheet of paper)
• After each picture write 5-7 sentences describing what we are seeing

A. Reflection of yourself
B. Something in nature that moves you.
C. Reflection of a person who is important in your life.
D. Something that reflects a passion of yours.
E. A pet or animal you like.

• Pick 2 of the photos you have taken and write 1-2 pages telling the complete story of the image. (Be descriptive, and complete)

3. Conclusion (Answer each question completely and fully) – 1-2 pages

A. How do the images you produced or captured reflect or connect to your “voice”?

B. Through this assignment what did you learn about how you “see” the world?

C. Is it a valid argument to suggest that what we “see” and experience in this world has a story to tell?


Second Semester:
1. “Novel”
The purpose of this project is to help students learn the importance of independent reading, and how literature can be used to enhance our lives.

A. Find and read a novel of you are interested in about a subject you are passionate about.

B. Write one page creating an argument as to why that book should be read in school by students’ your age. What can be learned from it, and why would it be beneficial?

C. One page giving two examples of the theme. First, in a brief paragraph describe what the author wants you as the reader to learn from this piece. Then, give two very specific examples of that theme or lesson, and explain it in your own words within 4-5 sentences.

D. One page giving two very specific examples of a second literary element that is significant to the piece of literature. First, say what the literary element is, and then give two very specific examples of it from the literature. Finally, in 4-5 sentences explain what each example means in your own words.

E. Write a brief paragraph answering the following questions. (Be complete)

• Why is reading on your own more important than simply knowing how to read?

• Why should teachers give students more of an opportunity to have a say in the literature you read during the year, and do you think students overall would take that responsibility seriously?

• Why did you choose this particular novel? In other words, what drew you to it?


2. “Alternate Book”

The purpose of this assignment is to bring into focus the importance of theme, and why staying on track is so vital within writing. Also, students will learn that creativity, and imagination are just as powerful of a tool in determining “voice” then lots of words.

A. Find a book you no longer want. (Must be at least 50 pages long)

B. Pick a theme or a topic you are passionate about.

C. Through the use of pictures, words, writings, quotes, and anything else you can think of develop that theme, and illustrate its story.
*Consider creative design, colors, imagination, and “voice”.

D. Decide how many pages your book will be, and then count an equal number of pages in-between each page you want. Finally, use tape to re-create the book you are producing by taping together the in-between pages until your desired number has been met.

E. Decorate each of your new pages with a background of your choice.

*Be creative, and consider style

F. On each page use your information (pictures, etc.) to design, and tell the story of your theme. Make sure it is specific, interesting, and complete.

*Be sure your book has a title.

3. “Emotion”
The purpose of this assignment is to illustrate how emotion plays a significant role in our lives. Also, students will be able to analyze an emotion, and apply critical thought to it.

A. Pick an emotion people your age could benefit from learning more about, and that you could teach a great deal.

B. Intro. : Either begin with a quote (4-5 sentences explaining it) or a short story of personal experience or opinion about the emotion (4-5). Then, transition with: With this in mind, one emotion we could all learn about is _____... Finally, write 1 powerful sentence closing out the intro.

C. Body – Two paragraphs

1. Explain what everyone should know about this emotion
• Share your knowledge, use examples, and be specific.
2. Explain how having this knowledge could improve our lives. (Give examples, and be specific)

• In each body paragraph give two very specific examples from your experiences, prior knowledge, or an outside source to describe your point. Then explain them fully.

3. Create a 1 page visual illustration of your emotion

• Pictures, photographs, etc. –show it in life!


4. 1 page color: Describe or tell the story of the color of your emotion.

• Why is it this color?
• What does it want to teach or prove?
• How does it feel?


5. Conclusion: Write 7-10 sentences explaining how this emotion has affected or impacted your ability to communicate with other people and yourself.