AP Literature and Composition

Ranes

Contact information: michaelranes@fcschools.net

Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,  9:40-11:15

Advanced Placement English- This course requires students to read critically and to write persuasively about a wide-range of literary works of different genres and from different periods, following the curriculum requirements outlined in the AP English Course Description. Students will write frequent in-class and out-of-class essays with the aim of analyzing writing, expressing their own ideas and evaluating the ideas of others. Emphasis will be placed on helping students develop their own writing style, demonstrating effective and appropriate use of a well-developed vocabulary, variety in sentence structures, logical organization, and a balance of generalization and specific detail. This course consists of genre units on the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel. In addition to the assigned readings in these units, students will choose four novels for independent study. These novels are chosen from those of our school-wide reading program as being of recognized literary merit and are designated in the school media center with an AP label. Students are required to pass objective tests on these books. Students will also have weekly vocabulary quizzes and literary terms quizzes. The first ten minutes of each class period will be devoted to either writing exercises or a grammar lesson.

Student Characteristics

Students are expected to write multiple pieces to analyze, explain, and/or evaluate a variety of subjects related to the literature studied in the class.  Students should be capable of reading up to 30 pages of assigned reading each day in addition to other assigned work.  In class, students should be prepared to demonstrate content area skills and actively participate in the discussion of course content.  Students at the AP level possess qualities that other students are still developing. 

AP students are presumed to be:

• Interested and talented in the subject.
• Strong and avid readers capable of reading above grade level.
• Able to work independently and in groups without constant direction.
• Able to face and overcome academic challenges.
• Ready to handle a rigorous workload.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will

1. prepare to perform successfully in reading across the curriculum
2. prepare to perform successfully in language arts across the curriculum
3. prepare to use a variety of study skills
4. prepare to use critical thinking and processing skills
5. prepare to effectively be able to use a variety of analysis, summative, and evaluative skills to prepare for the AP Literature and Composition Exam.

CLASSROOM RULES  

Each student will

1. Act appropriately when entering and leaving classroom
2. Be in his/her assigned chair when the classroom door is closed after the tardy bell rings
3. Bring required supplies each day
4. Ask for permission to leave your school chair.
5. Turn in assignments during the class period when due.
6. Make up work within the first three days after returning from an absence. (See Board of Education Policy) 
7. Use common courtesy language.
8. Ask for permission to talk.
9. Stay in the student section of the classroom and not touch or remove anything from the teacher’s area.
10. Follow school and classroom policy on cell phones. (see below)

Technology Policy:

There is no reason to be continuously scrolling on your phone during class. Checking your phone and sending a QUICK text is very different from scrolling on your phone. If Mr. Ranes sees you glued to your cell phone, he will ask you to put it away. If it comes out again, he will ask you to put it on his desk. If you refuse, you’ll be sent to ISS and written up.

Do not go to or share inappropriate images, websites, or messages. You don’t need to watch football highlights, play games, or anything else when you have work to complete.

GRADING

The grade will be assigned on the basis of work in these areas:

                Quizzes-10%

              Homework/Daily Work-10%

             Tests and Major Assignments-40%

             Progress Checks-20%

              Unit Guides-20%

REQUIRED MATERIALS                            

CHARGED chrome books

Standard-rule (college-rule) paper                  

Blue or black ink pens are the only acceptable colors of ink to be used.

Three packs of 3 X 5 lined, white note cards

Tutoring Schedule:  Monday-Thursday 3:00p.m.-4:15p.m.