AP LANG SYLLABUS |
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October 13, 2008 . AP BUDDY NOTE: Part of your 9-week job point requirement is to e-mail your SENIOR AP LIT buddy--if you signed up for one. These seniors are saying that they have not heard from many of you, and you could be receiving help with your grammar, vocabulary, and writing.
==If you don't e-mail your buddy at least once to say hello, than you will be
switched with some other student who needs a buddy but has not received an
e-mail response. If you haven't been able to make contact with your senior
buddy, let me know ASAP.
. (This new buddy system is over and above the tutoring service!!) If you are having trouble, ask for real tutoring HELP NOW! We are fortunate to have a long list of regular tutors, with someone available most mornings and afternoons. You just have to be pro-active and contact them! . .
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**YET ANOTHER EXTRA GRADE OP!! The annual Martin Luther King Essay Contest. As you submit essays with contest potential, you can edit with me online for extra grades. See the CONTEST ICON for further information!! If you are interested, read the rules and guidelines, and let me know if you will be starting the competition. You have until Monday October 13 to let me know. Then get to work.
============================================================================ . October 22nd: End of the first nine weeks (*If we are not through with the grammar presentations by the 22nd, I'll have to leave that grade for the new 9-week term). I may give one test grade on subjects, predicates, and complements so you will have a chance to get in an easy assignment.
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. LEDGER EDITORIAL CONTEST--Wednesday update (see below!!)
--Thanks to everyone for bringing in the articles for the editorial work. I apologize for confusing everyone with my math mistake (6 instead of 9). I must have been really tired when I whisked that on the page!
--Although you can start work on the editorial if you feel confident about your writing ability, I would like for most of you to wait until we discuss the guidelines (download page) and go over some samples. So much is involved in creating a great paper in only 300-400 words.
--We'll work on it after the PSAT (pausing the grammar for a bit--holding it in abeyance). I'll readjust the timing for the mastery tests after I see how far we get. Right now I want to get through phrases, pronouns, antecedents, and all the extra-grade PSAT categories by Tuesday. However, we're a little behind that schedule right now. We'll do the best we can, putting the PSAT overviews first. ,
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@@@@@@ You were able to revise your FIRST ESSAY on the novel as many times as you needed until I was satisfied with the product. I gave until Friday Oct. 10 to revise. This window is now closed.
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. NEEDED AN EXTRA GRADE?
OPTIONAL
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS@@--
CATEGORIES: Sentence completion, Sentence Errors, Sentence Revisions. We will squeeze the presentations in during the regular grammar presentations as we finish some major areas (like pronouns and dangling modifiers). You can find sample questions in workbooks, but be sure to give credit where it's due. .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ OPTIONAL EXTRA SAT PRESENTATIONS (alone or in pairs):
3rd Period SAT Extra Presentations --Sentence Completion--CHRIS H, EMILY Q. (completed) --Sentence Errors-- DEANN --Sentence Revision--DANA, ASHLEY
5th Period SAT Extra Presentations --Sentence Completion-- CAMILLA , COURTNEY (Camila absent, incomplete) --Sentence Errors-- CARLEY, AMELIA --Sentence Revision-- RUTHIE, BETH
6th Period SAT Extra Presentations --Sentence Completion--RODNEY (completed) --Sentence Errors--MARK, SIOBHAN --Sentence Revision--OLYMPIA
=============================================================================== . ****Haley M. has set up QUIZLET for vocabulary study. Thanks!!!! * . .
GREAT PSAT GRAMMAR REVIEW SITE (also, correct answers provide automatic humanitarian donations). http://freerice.com/index.php Do the quizzes and write down anything that puzzles you. You can progress up levels as you answer correctly! .
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----NEED POWER POINT from Open Office? http://www.openoffice.org/
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@@@ IMPORTANT NOTE: Please take the PSAT since it is an important gauge for AP placement. The details are below. Please sign up accordingly:
LHS: There are a limited number of tests available for 11th graders who wish to sign-up to take the PSAT. They may sign up in the cafeteria/during lunch, beginning next week. 11th graders must pay a $13.00 fee to take the PSAT.
HARRISON: Harrison juniors wishing to take the PSAT should sign up w/ Mrs. Munday in the Harrison office.
THE PSAT is offered during school on Wednesday October 15. .
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WORK OFFERED:
!! COPIES: Besides the AP Language people who are making copies from your classes, Nathan from my AP Lit classes can make copies and have them to me by third period. Please contact your own class members first, then try him if you have printer problems. (NOTE: Waiting until the last minute is NOT a good plan! ALSO: PRINTER NEED at the last minute? Contact EMILY:
*****Let copiers know if you have computer printing problems. Let the technology gurus know if you have computer problems.
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@@ REMINDER for DUE DATES: (see full description at the bottom of the page). If you are going to be absent, do your work in advance, if possible. If you have a long-term deadline, the assignment is DUE on that day. WORK ahead and don't be caught typing at 4:00 in the morning. College courses have REAL deadlines--and so does AP!
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--The picture above is the WINDOW of OPPORTUNITY. When papers are due, I give an opening date and a closing date. You are free to turn the paper in ahead of time, but once the window has closed, no excuse will work. Make sure you organize yourself so you aren't stuck outside the window on an assignment.
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@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ We have TUTORS available to help you if you are struggling in an area: terms, vocabulary, writing, computer usage. Please do not wait around in silence. Let me know that you need extra help.
--MARY-CATHERINE SAVANT-- cell, 258-0748; evenings, home phone, 325-8518. Available Wed., Fri, and sometimes Thurs.
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--BRITTANY CAREY-- Cell: 863-255-9301; Home: 863-619-7986; Available Mon., Wed., and Fri. after school but must know in advance. Will post e-mail soon. .
--RACHEL VANMIDDLESWORTH:
Phone: (863)397-5191 (Cell)
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--JAMIE STEINBERG: 644-6158, 6-8 PM (arrange to meet)--In the morning before school or after school.
--MEAGAN JOHNSON: cell number 670-3942; right now during swim season available to help from right after school to about 3:00. After Oct., will be available after school.
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--CARRIE MCNEILL: cell phone number (863) 712-8050, or contact by email-- should be able to tutor any day before school and most Mondays and Wednesdays after school.
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--OLIVIA WILLIAMS: 863-899-475
--ALEX LEWIS at alexandraannel@aol.com
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@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Great site for pronunciation of an unknown word!!
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***WRITING:
==While the bulk of AP writing eventually will be done ONLY in class, at the first of the year I allow revisions until we are both satisfied with your work. If I see the need, I will ask you to send your typed revised papers to me online for detailed explanations of problem areas.
==Most out of class writing will go by the usual guidelines: Times New Roman 12 font, double-spaced.
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****NOTE: ==As part of the original supply list, I asked each of you to bring in one ream of paper. At this point we have enough paper, but we may need more later on. Instead, if you please could bring in hand sanitizer, paper towels, or tissues as part of the original supply list, that would be appreciated. (These are not for points.) It's a rough budget year!
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***JOBS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THE LANG GENERAL PAGE. As we approach the end of the 9 weeks shortly, make sure you have kept track of your job performance and can request points with proof of your endeavors.
At the end of each grading period, you will turn in a job update letter, written to me ON an e-mail. (no attachments, please!!!) In it, you will tell mewhat jobs you have done and request a certain number of points, usually from 0 to 20. Sometimes people go over the 20points when they go that extra mile. These points can help you a little if you fell down on an assignment, but they can't work miracles. They work like an insurance policy , something there to help out if needed. .
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*****GUIDELINES FOR THE FUTURE :
**IMPORTANT note for procrastinators/ malingerers: Start organizing yourself, and keep up with what is due. Please do not send papers to me to print. You will have class helpers to call upon for that task.
If you miss a test, you must hurry to retake it so we can discuss it in class. If you have a pre-excused absence, make up work BEFORE you leave.
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THE FOLLOWING WAS POSTED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER!
== TERMS -- Review by downloading the multi-page terminology sheet. You will need to know many of these for the novel unit. We eventually will have tests over the terms.
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==GRAMMAR--After the first diagnostics: Look over grammar categories (on the sign-up page) and select ones for presentations. Since 3rd and 5th period are large, you will double up. Since 6th is small, you will need to take on more than one category. By creating and delivering lessons on the material, you will learn it better. All grammar presentations will be on Power Point--the due date will be in approximately 2-3 weeks. I will give you more specifics after we finish diagnostics and work on the first vocabulary list.
==****GRAMMAR NOTE (9/2): I have changed the asterisks on some of the categories so we can accommodate the larger classes more efficiently. DIRECTIONS are on the sign-up page. Everyone still will be working alone on the categories, producing your own individual PPT. These presentations will take a long time, so I will show extra ones to the small classes, if necessary so we keep on the same schedule. After the presentations, we will have study time (tutoring, if needed), and then the tests will start, first the easy ones, then the mastery. After that, grammar should be tightly embedded in your brains!
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==SENTENCE VARIETY and GRAMMAR HELP-- You should have downloaded the handout with the monkey at the top!! On all the papers from now on, I will expect you to understand how to use transitions well and how to combine and connect your sentences smoothly with dependent clauses and phrases.
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******LEDGER EDITORIAL CONTEST--Since this course is based largely around persuasive writing, all students will participate in this contest. Full prompt explanations are on the Contest Page site. If you go all the way to the end of the competition, the directions for submission are on the main LEDGER page.
DIRECTIONS:
--For now, find and make 3 copies each of 3 articles (9 total, from newspapers or online). The 3 articles should deal with one of these 3 issues. Bring to class by October 8th. Librarian/Resource people will check off people as they put their articles in a file folder to be used as soon as we finish the grammar presentations. Although we will have some time in class to get ideas from each other's articles, the bulk of the writing (and the revision) will be done at home. Only the best ones will receive top grades and be edited and re-edited with me online.
****My specific directions and a sample from the past are on the download site.
Here are the specifics: (for detailed information on the topics, go to the web site below!)
The 2008 Ledger Student Editorial Contest has officially begun. I encourage you to utilize this opportunity to further instruct our students on the purposes of persuasive writing.
You may view the Contest Rules at http://www.theledger.com/studenteditorialrules or on our Language Arts Website, under Information for Middle and High. Visit www.polk-fl.net, keyword: language arts.
The Contest at a Quick Glance: · ELIGIBILITY: All students in Polk County schools, public or private, or homeschooled in Polk County. · CATEGORIES: Awards will be presented in three categories – High School (9-12), Middle School (6-8), and Elementary School (K-5). · AWARDS: Cash prizes and plaques will go to the top three entries in each category. The three first-place winners will each receive a $250 award, the three second-place winners each will receive a $200 award and the three third-place winners each will receive a $150 award. · LENGTH: Editorials in the Elementary School category MUST be from 100 to 150 words. Editorials in the Middle School and High School categories MUST be from 300 to 400 words. Limits on length will be enforced. · WRITING PROMPTS o Offshore Oil Drilling o Change Florida’s Minimum Driving Age to 17 o Replace Electoral College with Popular Vote · DEADLINE: Teachers and/or department heads must submit their two (2) best entries per class to The Ledger by FRIDAY, NOV. 7.
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Week of October 6-- Grammar presentations all week. Period 6: if we finish early because of the low class size, I will show you power points from the other 2 classes. As you see you have problem grammar areas, STOP and get tutoring help. Go to the sites online for interactive quizzes and elementary descriptions of the problem area. Be prepared each day as indicated below! . . Wednesday the 8th--We are going slowly on the grammar so we don't lose anyone. Therefore, we are not where I had expected to be at this point. We finished participial and gerund phrases today in most classes.
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Thursday--Continue phrases. Try to fit in pronouns and antecedents before the PSAT. .
Friday--PSAT--sentence completion extra presentation. ***Last day TEWWG revisions will be accepted. . .
**Note: Although we will never get through with all of the above this week, you must be prepared with your handouts, as shown. .
@@@@Once the presentations are over, we'll immediately start taking grades on grammar, eventually moving into the 3 or 4 grammar mastery tests. We probably will have to push back the mastery tests for a week to give us time to ensure that everyone is test-ready. During this time we will use the copied articles to work on the editorial drafts in class. . ==================================================================================
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Week of October 13
Monday--PSAT extra presentation--Sentence Errors
Tuesday--PSAT extra presentation--Sentence Revisions.
(Hopefully, we'll be through with pronouns and antecedents by now!)
Wednesday--****PSAT!!! Periods 1-4. I expect you to be taking it.
Thursday--Look through the editorial folders and select extra copies for your topic, if necessary. *This is in case some people have computer problems or little time to do research. If everyone does a little research, it will save time for all!!
Friday--STUDENT HOLIDAY.
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******JOB LETTERS due to me on an e-mail by Sunday October 19. Describe what you have done in any capacity and request job points. Be specific and reasonable. If you have done nothing, write to explain. You may have to be creative in looking around for areas of interest. Please do not request over 20 points per term unless you are obviously going way over the job requirements!! Again, be reasonable in your requests. Do not "pad your descriptions." Do NOT send attachments. I will not open them.
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. Week of October 20
Monday--** First Preliminary Grammar Test over core sentences: simple subject, simple predicate, complements, prepositional phrases (to take out of the way). You will have to recognize the difference between MAIN independent clauses and dependent clauses. **Last grade on the 9 weeks!
* Turn in the first draft of your LEDGER editorial. We will peer review in class, read some aloud, then take home and revise. The seniors eventually will have a chance to look at them and help me select the top papers.
END of the 9 weeks is TUESDAY October 22nd!
--Tuesday-Wednesday -- Discuss preliminary grammar tests. (*If you bombed it, you have onre more chance before school Wednesday).If you need to take copies from the editorial folders home, I'll give you time to look through them and select some. Continue grammar until finished.
--Thursday-- **2nd EDITORIAL drafts due. From these I will select ones to go on to the next round. At each juncture, you will get an extra grade if yours shows contest promise. You may revise the first for a better grade, regardless of whether or not you are in the competition. GRADES for the 9 weeks are harvested today!
Friday-- After the grammar presentations, I want to give you more preliminary practice tests before the real mastery test, so I'm postponing the "MASTERY TESTING" week
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Week of October 27
Monday--Grammar work
Tuesday--*Next round of editorials. Peer evaluate this bunch with the class. Seniors will check them over too. I will help you with them online.
Wednesday-Friday--Grammar work and help in small groups.
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Week of November 3
**Final revisions of editorials will be turned in Monday NOVEMBER 3, all with submission information filled in exactly as it's shown on the Ledger site. From these I will make the selections for submission. We may still have some polishing up to do. I will take the selected ones to the Ledger mid-week.
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--GRAMMAR MASTERY TEST WEEK every other day. In between them, we'll get in groups for help and review. If you're absent without quick make-up work, you will not get the drop grade. Two of the 3 mastery tests will be recorded. I will drop the lowest one. (If all are high, we'll keep them!!) I may have an optional 4th before school at the end. We won't have vocabulary this week.
Monday--Grammar Mastery Test #1. Study weak grammar areas in you do not do well. If you are absent for these mastery tests, you may have to forego a drop grade. If you have valid pre-excused absences, do the tests ahead of time.
Tuesday--Discuss Grammar Mastery Test #1. Work in class with peer experts on weak areas.
Wednesay--Grammar Mastery Test #2. . Thursday-- Discuss grammar Mastery Test #2.
Friday-- Grammar Mastery Test #3.
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*****COMING UP: The Scarlet Letter. Have it read in advance.
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