AP English Language and Composition Policies
Mr. James Cook
2. Show respect, take responsibility, try hard, have integrity, be engaged
- Be respectful. This is a college-level class. If you act like a young adult I will treat you that way, at least as much as I am able to do within the confines of a high school.
- Be resourceful. Take responsibility for your own education and behavior. In an AP class this means using all the resources at your disposal to gain and demonstrate a mastery of skills and information.
- Be resilient. Keep thinking and working, especially when tasks are particularly difficult.
- Be engaged. Off-task, distracted, or distracting behavior, such as texting, doing homework for another class, or visiting unauthorized websites, is simply unacceptable.
- Be honest. Don't copy other people's work. Don't plagiarize. In other words don't cheat. And don't make up fictional excuses. In other words don't lie. The consequences can be painful.
I promise to work hard to make sure lessons are purposeful and relevant to your life. If you can read well, write well, and think critically you will have more control over your own life. I can help you with that. I also promise to work hard to make sure we read, write, and think about big questions that human beings have long been concerned with, especially this one: How do people respond to trauma, injustice, and wrongdoing? In return I ask that you engage with the work we do in class and the work I ask you to do outside of class.
3. Staying organized
- A large three-ring master binder in which you will keep unit binders/folders from completed units and graded processed papers, projects, tests, quizzes, and homework from completed units. (Keep processed papers and projects for the entire year. Keep graded tests and quizzes for the semester. Keep returned homework assignments for the term.)
- (Optional but recommended.) Smaller three-ring binder, pocket folder, or manila folder for each unit. I recommend using smaller binders for units so you can bring that binder to class every day but leave the heavy master binder at home.
- The folder or binder you bring to class daily should contain a source of paper.
- You will also be responsible for bringing whatever book(s)/text(s) we are reading to class each day.
- Use your school handbook to record homework assignments. Homework assignments are written on the right side of the whiteboard at the front of the class. They are also posted on the website and Google classroom.
- Bring a pen or pencil to class. (Pens and pencils cost $.25 in 2207.)
- Remember your assigned Chromebook number. Keep your Google Docs organized.
4. Grading
25% UNIT-WORK GRADES (Formative Assessments)
These assignments assess your learning along the way.
· These assignments, which account for most of the homework and classwork, assess your learning as you practice skills and build knowledge.
- reading check quizzes (Did you read and understand?),
- vocabulary homework (Are you learning the words?),
- entry/exit tickets (Are you prepared for class? Did you learn what was taught that day),
- steps in the writing process (pre-writing, drafts, self-assessment, peer-assessment),
- MCAS practice work, whole class discussions, small group work
Unit-Work will be graded using the following system:
- Advanced: 20/20 or 19/20
- Proficient: 18/20 or 17/20
- Adequate: 16/20
- Needs Improvement: 15/20 or 14/20
- Warning: 13 (or lower)/20
75% END-OF-UNIT ASSESSMENT GRADES (Summative Assessments)
These assignments assess your learning after a process of learning, practice, and feedback.
- Processed essays, unit projects, unit tests = 200 points.
- Quizzes, single-draft take-home essays, in-class essays, most graded discussions, etc. = 100 points.
- These assignments will usually be graded using AP English Language-style nine-point rubrics:
9=A+, 8=A, 7=A-, 6=B, 5=B-, 4=C, 3=C-, 2=F, 1=F
(Other rubrics will be used occasionally.)
5. Late work
Unit Work/Formative Assessments (especially homework)
· Unless you are informed otherwise, homework that is completed late but before the end of the unit will be accepted but for reduced credit.
· Unless you are informed otherwise, homework that is completed after the end of the unit will not be accepted.
End-of-Unit Work/Summative Assessments (especially papers and projects)
· If you are between one and five school days late with an end-of-unit assessment your grade on that assessment may be reduced by ten points.
· If you are more than five school days late with an end-of-unit assessment you may receive a passing grade (65) on that paper or project if you discuss the lateness with me , you turn the assignment in a week or more before the end of the term, and the work meets requirements.
· Not doing an end-of-unit assessment is not an option.
6. Tardiness and Truancy from Class
· If you are late to class (meaning you arrive at your desk after the bell and after I have begun the day's lesson) you may be asked to stay after school.
· If you are late by more than seven minutes you will be marked absent from class. This is school policy as set forth in the student handbook.
· If you are discovered to have skipped class a zero will be added to your unit-work grade. (This consequence is in addition to the consequences outlined in the student handbook.)
7. Absences and make-up work
· Work missed due to absences is your responsibility. The absence policy for GHS is outlined in the Compass.
· On the day you return to class, you will be expected to take tests, quizzes, participate, and turn in any assignments that are due on the day of return or had been due during your absence, so long as the due date was announced or posted before your absence.
Note: These policies are subject to change. All changes will be announced in class. Students will cross out the changed language and write in the new.
8. Class Blogs & Emails
· The class blog can be found at http://apenglangghs2017.blogspot.com. You are responsible for checking the blog regularly. Email questions and share Google documents with jcook@gloucesterschools.com.
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