PRE-AP ENGLISH 10

SYLLABUS2010-2011

Instructor: Lynnae Kellett

Contact Information: GCT High School: 870-236-6113, Lynnae.kellett@gctsd.k12.ar.us

Course Description: Pre-AP English 10 Course Description:

Pre-AP English 10 is an advanced-level course for the high school sophomore that gives students the opportunity to practice skills that will allow them to be successful in AP Language and Composition as juniors and AP Literature and Composition as seniors. The course includes study of traditional novel units, grammar and vocabulary study, and a concentrated practice of close-reading skills in fiction and non-fiction selections, such as poetry, short stories, essays, letters, and speeches, as well compositions which illustrate those skills.

Students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students will consider a work's structure, and the writer’s style, arguments and themes. Other elements such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone are also analyzed. In addition to considering a work's literary artistry, students reflect on the social and historical values it reflects and embodies. Students demonstrate what they have learned through writing assignments in which they defend, refute, or qualify arguments of theme and meaning through synthesis from various readings studied.

Since writing is an integral part of AP courses, the goal of the writing assignments will be to increase the students’ ability to explain clearly their interpretations of the various literary works. They will improve and refine their communication skills through writing, speaking/listening, and visual representation. They will plan, draft, and complete a variety of written compositions on a regular basis. They will edit their papers for mechanics and usage of written English and produce final, error-free compositions.

Course Objectives: Each student will demonstrate the ability to

identify and analyze the elements of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
determine universal meaning in literary works.
understand the importance of allusion in literature.
write well about literature with concern for content, grammar, syntax, style, and structure.
identify, analyze, and use the elements of exposition and persuasion.
write effectively for many purposes.
master AP literary terms and learn new vocabulary.
practice mature, disciplined study habits appropriate for continued success in the AP classes, on the AP exams, and eventually on the collegiate level.
prepare for successful achievement on the junior end-of-course literacy test.

Requirements: Texts: Lit book, Animal Farm, Antigone, The Great Gatsby, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Macbeth, and selected short stories, lyrical poetry, essays, letters, and speeches.

Materials: Students will need

· a large 3-ring notebook with dividers for various section handouts & notes

· plenty of notebook paper

· blue or black pens & #2 pencils

· highlighters (different colors)

· Post-it notes and/or tape flags

· journal for dialectical (close-reading) exercises

Reading Guides/Worksheets: TPCASST, DIDLS, SOAPS

Timed Writings, Exams, Quizzes—Because AP students need much practice in writing, many of the

exam grades will be essays, some of which will be timed writings, generated from the reading

assignments. A test grade will also be taken weekly on paragraphs that will interpret quotes as to

universal meaning. Other exam grades will come from AP-type multiple choice questions on

various reading assignments, vocabulary and literary terms, and out-of-class essays.

Projects/Activities: One project this year will be a PowerPoint/oral presentation during the poetry unit.

Another project will be a class poetry anthology.

Class Expectations/Participation: Each student is expected:

· to be in class every day. There can be no class without you and your participation. Missing class

will be missing what I say and any fresh, original ideas from your classmates.

· to come to class on time, prepared, and ready to work, putting forth your best effort at all times.

You cannot learn unless you have this attitude.

· to listen closely while I am speaking and take notes at all times. Everything I say and everything

written or handed out to you is designed to better prepare you and is also fair game for a quiz and/or exam question.

· not to converse with another student while the instructor or another student is speaking. This behavior shows poor manners and a lack of self-discipline.

· to be honest with himself/herself and with me.

· to keep the classroom a risk-free environment where any question can be asked and all problems

can be addressed comfortably and freely. All prejudices and bullying will be left at the classroom

door.

Format of the Class: During the year out-of-class reading, in- and out-of-class writing assignments, lectures,

and discussion will be employed. As time allows, cooperative learning activities, audio/visual, Power-

Point and/or multimedia presentations, and guest speakers will be incorporated. Time will also be

spent becoming familiar with the AP Exam format.

Grading: Nine Weeks:

Tests: 80% = Exam, essays, projects, notebooks, dialectical journals

Homework: 20% = Homework, pop quizzes, non-major assignments/projects

Grade = Test*/Homework Avg. = 80%

Nine Weeks Exam = 20%

Semester:

40% = 1^st nine weeks grade

40% = 2^nd nine weeks grade

20% = Semester Exam

If Exempt from Semester Exam:

50% = 1^st nine weeks grade

50% = 2^nd nine weeks grade

Late Work: If students do not turn in assignments by the date due, they will receive one day’s grace after

which points will be deducted per day late. Not being prepared will make it difficult for the

student to keep up with the class.

Make-up Work: The student is responsible for obtaining his/her make-up work from days absent. It is

pertinent to this college-level course that the student promptly complete make-up work so as not to get

behind in the class. One day per days missed will be allowed, unless extenuating circumstances have

been approved by the instructor. Missed in-class work, such as exams or timed writings cannot be made

up during another class period. Arrangements must be made to come in before or after school to make

up the work.

TIMELINE

First Nine Weeks –

Unit Time/Date(s) _____Assessment

AP Literary Terms/ Weekly 15-20 terms—spelling & definitions;

Vocabulary 20 words to begin after AP terms are

mastered—spelling & definition tests

Quote Interpretation Weekly Paragraph must address correct grammar,

Paragraphs sentence structure and analysis of universal

meaning

Benchmark Literacy/ Three per semester Practice writing prompts for grade

Target Testing

Dialectical Journals As needed for selections being Practice using specific AP skills for close-

studied reading analysis, graded periodically by

instructor or shared in group discussion

Grammar Daily/weekly, as needed Lecture, practice addressing writing errors

AP Close-reading Analysis

“Sargasso Sea Eels” DIDLS, dialectical journal; lecture

“The Giant Waterbug” discussion, AP-style practice tests and

“Living Like Weasels” open-response essays concentrating on

“Masque of the Red Death”– Allegory specific AP skills

“Young Goodman Brown” – Allegory

Nathan Hale’s Speech to the Virginia Convention SOAPSTone, discussion, AP-style tests

Letters by Hawthorne and Jefferson and open-response essays concentrating on specific AP skills

Declaration of Independence SOAPSTone; comparison of Jefferson’s original draft with final draft; AP-style

practice tests and open-response essays

concentrating on specific AP skills

First Nine Weeks Test –

Second Nine Weeks –

Unit Time/Date(s) Assessment

AP Terms/Vocabulary Weekly 15-20 AP terms—spelling & definitions;

20 vocabulary words—definition tests

Quote Interpretation Weekly Paragraph must address correct

Paragraphs grammar, sentence structure and

analysis of universal meaning

Benchmark Literacy/ Three per semester Practice writing prompts for grade

Target Testing

Grammar Daily/weekly, as needed Lecture, practice addressing writing

errors

Greek Drama Background lecture, discussion,

Antigone Accelerated Reader objective tests,

AP-style practice tests& open-response essays concentrating on specific AP skills

Second Nine Weeks –Cont.

Unit Time/Date(s) Assessment

Shakespearean Drama Background lecture, discussions,

Julius Caesar Accelerated Reader tests, AP-style

practice tests & open-response essays

concentrating on specific AP skills

AP Close-reading Analysis Practice AP-style tests & open-response essays

Additional practice with various selected short concentrating on specific AP skills

short stories and passages

First Semester Exams –

Third Nine Weeks –

Unit Time/Date(s) Assessment

Vocabulary Weekly 20 words—spelling & definition tests

Quote Interpretation Weekly Paragraph must address correct

Paragraphs grammar, sentence structure and

analysis of universal meaning

Benchmark Literacy Three per semester, dates to be Practice writing prompts for grade

decided by administrator

Grammar Daily/weekly, as needed Lecture, practice addressing writing

errors

Poetry/PowerPoint Project Background lecture, poetry terms,

Lyrical (odes & sonnets) TPCASST analysis, AP-style practice

tests & open-response essay, poetry-

writing, anthology, research

AP Close-reading Analysis Practice AP-style tests & open-response essays

Additional practice with various selected short concentrating on specific AP skills

short stories and passages

Third Nine Weeks Test

Fourth Nine Weeks

Unit Time/Date(s) Assessment

Vocabulary Weekly 20 words—spelling & definitions

Quote Interpretation Weekly Paragraph must address correct

Paragraphs grammar, sentence structure and

analysis of universal meaning

Benchmark Literacy/ Three per semester Practice writing prompts for grade

Target Testing

Novel

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Background lecture, discussions,

Accelerated Reader tests, AP-style

practice tests & open-response essays

AP Close-reading Analysis Practice AP-style tests & open-response essays

Additional practice with various selected short concentrating on specific AP skills

short stories and passage

Second Semester Exams –

10^th English
2010-2011 Syllabus

Instructor: Lynnae Kellett
Contact Information: GCT High School: 870-236-6113, Lynnae.kellett@gctsd.k12.ar.us
Class Preparation: Each student is expected
·         to come to class on time, prepared, and ready to work.
·         to be honest with himself/herself and me.
·         to put forth his/her best effort in all work.
·         to keep the classroom a risk-free place where any question can be asked and all problems can be addressed freely.
        Each student will gain
·         regular exposure to various forms of literature and literary terms.
·         practice in reading for both comprehension and content.
·         experience in reading and analyzing written works.
·         exposure to new vocabulary.
·         practice in a variety of writing forms and the skills need for effective writing.
·         practice in the rules of grammar, syntax, punctuation, and usage.
·         practice in MLA citation and parenthetical referencing.
·         practice for successful achievement on the junior end-of-course literacy test
Late Work: Daily homework is necessary and will not be accepted late, unless student has been absent.
Makeup Work:
            1. Finding out the work you missed during absences from class is YOUR responsibility, not mine. You
                need to call Parent Link, or you must ask me for you missed assignments on the day you return.
            2. You will have the same number of days to make up your work as the number of excused days you
                 missed. I will not continue to remind you daily to make up the work—I have too many students to do
                 that. If you have not made up the work in the required time, I will record a zero for the grade.
            3. If you know about an assignment or test before you are absent, and you return on the day the test or
                assignment is scheduled, you will be required to take it on that day.
            4. If you know about an assignment or scheduled test and are on campus, but miss class because of an
                activity, you should make up the work on the day you return. You should also stop by class during
                the day to find out your assignment.
Textbooks: The Writer’s Craft (McDougal Littell)
       Adventures in Appreciation (Holt, Rhinehart, Winston)
Grade Determination:
            Tests*/Homework: 20% = Homework/pop quizzes/daily class work/non-major assignments
                                             80% = Unit tests/major writing assignments/projects/Accelerated Reader points/
                                                         book reports
            Nine Weeks Grade = Test*/Homework Avg. = 80%
                                                Nine Weeks Exam = 20%
            Semester Grade: 40% = 3^rd Nine Weeks Grade
                                        40% = 4^th Nine Weeks Grade
                                          20% = Semester Exam
            If Exempt from Semester Exam:
                        50% = 1^st nine weeks grade
50% = 2^nd nine weeks grade
Refer to your student hardcopy handout received the first week of school for monthly/weekly breakdown of syllabus.