Colonia High School
Teacher: Stephanie Platko Grade Level: 12
Course: AP Literature & Composition
Course Description: Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition is a college level class designed to help students develop the skills required to analyze, discuss, and write about literature on a scholarly level. AP English Literature & Composition is both demanding and intellectually stimulating, and with that in mind, careful reading, analysis, and organization of all material in both oral and written work are essential.
This course is designed to prepare students to take the national AP English Literature & Composition test in May and follows the curricular requirements described in the AP English Course Description. Most highly competitive colleges and universities will award college level credit for successful completion of the examination (a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the 1-5 scale of evaluation). To help students accomplish this goal, we will cover a significant number of works thoroughly - rather than a great number of works superficially - and sharpen skills in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
General Course Objectives:
Train students to become skilled readers of prose, poetry, and drama written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts.
Offer students the practice and helpful criticism necessary to make them flexible writers who can compose for a variety of modes and purposes like understanding, explaining, and evaluating.
Develop students' analytical and rhetorical skills.
Offer students the opportunity to write for many purposes, on many subjects, for diverse audiences.
Emphasize the expository, analytical, and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional communication.
Enable the students to read and write prose mature enough in conception, development, and language to communicate effectively with adult readers on issues of intellectual importance.
Allow students to respond to assigned reading through informal exploratory writing activities such as: free responses, journals, or personal reaction essays.
Explore and formally evaluate cultural, social, and historical contexts in which pieces of literature are grounded.
Develop students' mastery of their own writing processes, particularly their ability to reconsider and revise their work.
Develop students' awareness of the different stylistic effects created through different syntactical choices, and through different levels of diction.
Develop a rich and varied vocabulary and incorporate vocabulary in oral and written discourse.
Instill in students a sense of confidence in their abilities, and encourage them to develop an appreciation for literature and a love of learning.
Grading Procedures: 25% of your grade will be comprised of Minor Assessment grades including all classwork, homework, discussion posts/responses, AP Classroom Progress Checks, and quizzes. The other 75% of your grade will be comprised of Major Assessments including all major projects, tests, and writing assessments.
Late Work Policies
MINOR Assessments
1 Day Late -10
2 Days Late -20
3 Days Late -30
4 Days Late -40
5 Days Late -50
Anything after 5 days is a ZERO!
MAJOR Assessments
1 Day Late -20
Anything after 1 day is a ZERO!
Extended Time
If you need an extension on any assignment, the request must be submitted to me in writing via email. The following conditions must be met in order to have an extension granted:
Since most work can be completed during class time, you must have used the time allotted appropriately. (i.e. working consistently, not on your phone, not watching videos/playing games, etc…)
You must communicate in your email the date the assignment will be completed and if you fail to hand in the assignment by that date, you will be denied extensions on assignments for the foreseeable future.
Absence Policies
If you are absent on a day something is assigned, you will have two days without penalty to complete the assignment after your return to class.
If you are absent on a day something is due, you must hand in the assignment upon your return to class.
ALL WORK WILL BE POSTED IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM DAILY SO THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT KNOWING WHAT WE DID IN CLASS THAT DAY!
Office Hours
I am available in Room 248 from 7:20-7:40am daily and after school by appointment only. Email me at stephanie.platko@wtsdnj.com to arrange any extra help.
Textbook and Possible Major Works:
Literature & Composition: Essential Voices, Essential Skills for the APⓇ Course
Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller), Brave New World (Aldous Huxley), Hamlet (William Shakespeare), Beloved (Toni Morrison); Poetry and Short Fiction Selections
Daily Mini Lessons: Monday - Grammar/Mechanics Handout; Wednesday & Friday - Literary Terms; Tuesday & Thursday - MCQ Practice
Required Materials for Class
A 3 subject notebook to be solely used for this class, a folder for handouts, A CHARGED Chromebook
Two different colored pens; pencil; highlighters
Classroom Expectations:
Be prompt, positive, prepared, and productive.
Respect all people, property, and instruction. Do not do anything to disrupt instruction.
Be responsible for your actions and your own learning. Be aware and involved in class.
Cellphones and smartwatches must be turned to silent and stowed away in the caddy at the front of the room as soon as you walk in. If you are caught with your cell phone in class, the following disciplinary actions will be taken:
1st infraction = warning
2nd infraction = warning and phone call home
3rd infraction = write-up, phone taken and administration will take disciplinary action
No earbuds or headphones are to be worn in class. If an assignment requires you to watch a video, I will give you permission to use them.
No winter attire (coats, hats, etc…) or Backpacks allowed in the classroom. Leave them in your locker.
All school rules (including lateness and attendance policies) are in effect in the classroom.
MLA Header & Format on all written assignments
You are responsible for checking my Google Classroom if you are absent. The daily agenda will be posted in the Stream tab. See above for all absence policies regarding missing work.
Be honest and communicate your needs. Be your own ADVOCATE!
If you have questions about an assignment, ASK ME
If you are having personal problems that are interfering with your work, TELL ME
I want to help you, but you must be willing to help yourself first and reach out.
Plagiarism Policy and AI
While AI tools can be incredibly powerful, it's crucial to use them responsibly in an educational setting. For this reason, I strongly encourage students to rely on their own critical thinking and creativity rather than AI-generated content. To ensure academic integrity and genuine learning, I will be utilizing advanced checker tools to detect and address any possible AI-generated submissions. These measures are in place to maintain a fair and honest learning environment where students can truly showcase their individual skills and knowledge.
Please note that any AI-generated work will be handled according to the plagiarism policy as set by the WTSD.