Syllabus

Below is my class syllabus for this school year. If you have any questions or need clarification on something, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

A P L A N G U A G E & C O M P O S I T I O N

Ms .Graham

hgraham@dentonisd.org

(972) 347-7825

Tutorials: By appointment most days before or after school.

ABOUT AP LANG & COMP:

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text—from a range of disciplines and historical periods.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 Writer's Notebook

• Pens (all timed essays should be completed in pen)

• Highlighters or colored pencils (3-5 colors)

• Device with internet & microphone capability

READINGS:

As AP Lang is a predominately nonfiction class, we will not be reading novels as a full class study. You will, however, read up to 3 books. You are responsible for finding a copy, either an audiobook, library book, or purchasing one. Ms.Graham will help you in finding a copy if needed.

POSSIBLE UNITS OF STUDY:

• The American Dream

• Immigration

• Identity

• Civil Rights Movement

• National and International Politics

• Ethics & Exam Prep.

STANDARDS

• Rhetorical Situation (RHS): Individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation.

• Claims and Evidence (CLE): Writers make claims about subjects, rely on evidence that supports the reasoning that justifies the claim, and often acknowledge or respond to other, possibly opposing, arguments.

• Reasoning and Organization (REO): Writers guide understanding of a text’s lines of reasoning and claims through that text’s organization and integration of evidence.

• Style (STL): The rhetorical situation informs the strategic stylistic choices that writers make.

GRADING POLICIES

Our goal in this class is to always be becoming. We are always growing and revising. In writing, we are never finished, we have only found a temporary stopping point.

In AP Lang, we use a standards based grading system. Some assignments may assess several College Board standards through different parts of what students are doing. Each standard, however, will go into the grade book separately. When reassessing, students will focus on reassessing that particular standard.

Every standard is evaluated on a 4 point scale:

3 Assignment Types:

Formative (0% weight in gradebook, required to reassess minors & majors)

Minor Summatives (30% weight in gradebook)

Major Summatives (70% weight in gradebook)

HOMEWORK:

My goal is to give you as little homework as possible, but there will be some. There are two kinds of homework in this class:

• Preparatory

• Evaluative

Preparatory homework is something you're going to have to get used to if you are planning on going to college. It is a lot of reading or reviewing videos/notes before class. It helps you come to class prepared, but it does not come with a grade attached. It's on you if you do or do not.

Evaluative homework evaluates your mastery of a standard or concept. Things like essays and projects. I will do my best to give as little of this as I can. However, in order to do that I need you to do the preparatory homework so that we can use our classtime as effectively as possible.

AP & STRESS

Junior year is rough. It's when I students get the most overwhelmed because they end up taking on too much and/or the world starts putting too much on them. It is okay to struggle this year; it will help you to grow and become a better scholar and person.

But you don't have to do it alone. If you start feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to me or to our counselor Ms. Brooks at bbrooks2@dentonisd.org. We are here to support you.

My reminder to you during this is that you are worth more than your grades and that your grades do not define you. Do not sacrifice your mental or physical health for an assignment. Talk to me and we can make adjustments to our timeline. I am proud of any progress you make in this class towards becoming a better writer & scholar. Give yourself grace and be proud of yourself.

CONTROVERSIAL TEXTUAL CONTENT

Please review this with your guardians

Issues that might, from particular social, historical, or cultural viewpoints, be considered controversial, including references to ethnicities, nationalities, religions, races, dialects, gender, or class, may be addressed in texts that are appropriate for the AP English Language and Composition course. Fair representation of issues and peoples may occasionally include controversial material. Since AP students have chosen a program that directly involves them in college level work, participation in this course depends on a level of maturity consistent with the age of high school students who have engaged in thoughtful analyses of a variety of texts. The best response to controversial language or ideas in a text might well be a question about the larger meaning, purpose, or overall effect of the language or idea in context. AP students should have the maturity, skill, and will to seek the larger meaning of a text or issue through thoughtful research.

AP English Language and Composition Course and Exam Description, p. 86

TEST DEADLINES:

The AP English Language Exam is early May. Students this year must register in the fall in order to take the test.

You must register before October 2nd.

COSTS:

• There is no cost for just enrolling in AP courses.

• The 2021 AP Exams cost $100 for all students or $40 if you qualify for free/reduced lunch.

• More information about payment options and deadlines will be provided at a later date.

Please contact Ms. Falola at rfalola@dentonisd.org with questions.

Regardless of if you are planning on taking the exam, you must sign up for My AP classroom through the instructions provided on Canvas.

This year is going to be a lot of adapting on the fly. It'll be different than anything you've ever done before, but I know you are going to do amazing. Give yourself (and your teachers & school) some grace this year. We're learning together.

If you need help, please reach out at any time via email or phone. Allow 24 hours for a response, but don't be afraid to advocate for yourself if you haven't heard back or need more help. I am here to help you learn!