Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Ms. Goldman		
2016-2017
River City High School

Course Objectives
“The AP course in Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety if periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.  Both their writing and in their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.”  ---College Board

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
1	Read critically a wide range of non-fiction and fiction, in a variety of genres and from an array of time periods.
2	Understand and employ the rhetorical strategies used by writers to accomplish their purpose and reach their audience.
3	Critically respond to reading through thoughtful inquiry, articulate discussion, and incisive writing.
4	Improve their research skills and properly attribute resources to their sources in accordance to MLA guidelines
5	Analyze visual images and non-traditional texts and recognize the significance of such “texts” in contemporary society.
6	Write insightfully, intelligently and critically in a variety of forms with an emphasis on expository, analytical and argumentative writing
7	Develop a strong, confident voice in oral and written communication, a voice that reflects an enriched vocabulary and an excellent command of diction and syntax
8	Be an informed citizen, capable of framing and effectively writing coherent arguments that analyze, synthesize and evaluate various viewpoints on a wide variety of contemporary social, economic and political issues.

AP Language and Composition is a nationally recognized college level course.  The curriculum has been approved by College Board as meeting the rigor needed for students to be successful on the AP Language test in May given here at RCHS during the school day.  AP tests cost $92.  Fee reductions are available for students who meet requirements.  While students are encouraged to take the test, it is not mandatory.  Students who pass the test earn college course units at most institutions.  The test is May 10, 2017 at 8am sharp.

Successful AP students are prepared, dedicated and take responsibility for their own education.  Along with the following items, please also bring an open mind to class every day.

Necessary materials:
•	Binder---organized in a manner suited to your needs
•	Binder paper-- spiral bound paper is not acceptable
•	Pencils, pens and highlighters--- use only blue or black ink for regular work
•	Colored pencils and pens for creative works
•	Flash drive (thumb drive or jump drive) for saving essays and other work. (Yes. Even if you use Google Docs)
•	Index Cards for vocabulary flashcards
•	Composition book with 100 pages.  MUST BE COLLEGE RULE
•	Agenda---must have dates and space for writing assignments
•	Dictionary—I suggest the Merriam-Webster app
•	Access to Daily News—I suggest the Reuters app

Novels required for AP Language—While these book are all available from our library it HIGHLY recommended that students have their own books for annotating purposes.
•	Hunger of Memory by Richard Rodriguez
•	Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
•	The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
•	The Crucible by Arthur Miller

You can plan on approximately 45-60 minutes of “homework” every night Monday through Thursday.  It is the student’s responsibility to plan accordingly. “Homework” does not include reading novels, vocabulary flashcards, studying for tests, completing projects and extra credit.

Tests, quizzes, projects and essays are given at regular intervals through the course.  Students will receive oops passes/bathroom passes for the duration of the term.  

AP Grading Policies

Grades are calculated by weighting grades in specific areas:

Category	Percentage	
Writing	60%	
Class work including homework, tests, quizzes, and projects	40%	

Essays are graded based on the Advanced Placement Grading Rubric.  This is the same rubric that AP graders will use to assess the AP test in May.  Each numbered grade will represent a letter grade/percentage of the total points possible.

Grade		Points (out of 50)	Letter Grade	Percentage	Can I submit a REWRITE?	
9/8	Effective	50/45	A/A-	100%/90%	No	
7/6	Adequate	43/40	B/B-	85%/80%	No	
5/4	Average	38/35	C/C-	75%/70%	Yes, but not recommended	
3/2	Ineffective	33/30	D/ D-	65%/60%	Recommended	
1	Incomplete	28	F	55%	Yes, Required	
HC	Half-credit	25	F	50%	No*	
NT	No Tolerance	0	0	0	Yes, Required	

Be aware that AP courses are given a grade point bump.  This grade is only given to students who earn a grade of 70% or more.  Grades are updated weekly. Grade checks are available through HomeLink.  

Some Food for Thought….
Often students who are in honors programs are accustomed to “getting” an ‘A’.  Students and parents should prepare themselves for the possibility of the dreaded ‘B’.  Please keep in mind the following:
•	In the end, GPA will reflect an extra point if the student earns a ‘C’ or better.
•	AP is a college-level course, so expectations are set at college level.  
•	High expectations are meant to challenge students.  Meeting challenges is an indicator of future success.
•	College admissions regard a ‘B’ in AP to be better than an ‘A’ in general English classes.
•	While it is true that few earn an ‘A’ in my class, it is also true that even fewer students earn ‘D’s or ‘F’s.
•	In AP a ‘B’ is nothing to be upset about.  A ‘B’ indicates hard work, improvement, critical thinking and a wiliness to learn.

Attendance and participation is mandatory.  If you have an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain the work and make it up in a timely fashion.  Typically, one week from the date of return is given to complete any and turn-in any make-up work without a penalty.  This is only a guideline.  Students must make arrangements with Ms. Goldman to make-up tests and quizzes.  Class time may not be used for make-ups.  All assignments are marked as missing until the work is made up.

Late work (including due to unexcused absences) will not be accepted.  UNACCEPTABLE work will not be tolerated.  Unacceptable work includes but is not limited to the following: messy, illegible writing, incorrect or missing headings, no name papers, and torn papers.  Unacceptable work will be, in most cases, recycled without warning. 

Tutoring is available before school, after school or during lunch.  Please contact Ms Goldman for an appointment.  Peer tutors are available. 

Behavior problems disrupt the educational process.  Stopping instruction to deal with issues resulting from negative behaviors cannot occur.  Please show yourself and others respect by conducting yourself accordingly. AP students do not have behavior problems.

Please feel free to contact me anytime via email at agoldman@wusd.k12.ca.us or at 375-7800 ext 2353

Thank you in advance for you hard work, patience and respect.

Ms. Goldman