Frequently Asked Questions:
This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- Why do you have summer reading for AP Lit?
- If I didn't do my summer reading, can I still be in AP Lit?
- Why do you have summer reading for Symposium?
- Why is Symposium no longer an Early College Start Class?
- How can I check my grades online?
- What if I don't like to read?
- What's your bottom line?
- What is the "Staude Guarantee"?
Why do you have summer reading for AP Lit?
First, AP is the "Calculus of Literature" and I consider AP caliber
students to be the "cream of the crop". There is no "intellectual
vacation" for true thinkers... therefore, AP caliber people are always
looking for the next good thing to read.
Secondly, there is so much ground to cover in AP Lit that it helps us
tremendously to be able to "hit the ground running" when the year starts.
Results on our AP Tests have proven this to be a great idea as passing
scores have improved by over 30% since we began doing this!
If I didn't do my summer reading, can I still be in AP Lit?
You could stay in the class, but you would be behind from day #1 and I
don't recommend that! It would be in your best interest to consider
dropping it and picking up a different one of our English electives.
Why do you have summer reading for Symposium?
I added summer reading to Symposium when it was no longer an ECS (Early College Start)
I believe it is important for all students to come into an English class with things to talk about
that they read outside of the course and on their own.
Why is Symposium no longer an ECS Course?
Lindenwood changed the description of the course they wanted to call the equivalent of our Symposium
Class. In reading that description, we came to the conclusion, that what they were giving students credit
for did not adequately match the course we wanted to offer our seniors. So we decided to drop the ECS
option rather than let Lindenwood determine our curriculum.
What if I don't like to read?
That's like saying 'I don't like breathing' because the air smells like
cooking broccoli.'
What do you like to read? Long or short books? Biography
or mystery? Fact or fiction? Elementary books or challenging books?
E-books or paperbacks? Do you like to read when it is assigned or would
you rather read during summer school? Name a well-paying job where you
are never required to read? Mechanics read, car salesmen read, the
mailman reads, a lifeguard reads....
Enough said; you get my point, right?
What's your bottom line?
You are responsible for learning.
I will teach. I will provide great tools to help you learn even better/
I will tell you what you need to know. I will be available.
You need to set aside time to work. (That is also called 'studying'.)
You need to be awake. You need to listen. You need to read.
You need to do EVERY assignment.You need to ask for help.
You need to ask questions.
You are responsible for yourself and what you achieve in life.
What is the "Staude Guarantee"?
'If you do every assignment and submit it on time and take every assessment,
you will pass the course.'
It is impossible to fail if you try to do every assignment and stay
on top of deadlines.You may not do a great job on everything, but the
effort will count. If you show effort---in English Class or in life---
it is almost impossible to fail!