Friday, August 23, 2013

Information on Summer Assignments



August 21, 2013        

To the Parent/Guardian(s) of all Senior Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition Students:

Your student was enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course for this academic year 2013-2014 and as part of being enrolled in this college-level course, students are required to satisfy an assigned summer packet to ready them for this course.  This assignment was hand delivered to each 11th ELA instructor and your student, if present, signed for this assignment.  In addition, announcements were made the last two (2) weeks of school to make sure that every student received notification.

AP courses are challenging and demanding and are geared to improve your student’s chances of gaining entrance into competitive colleges. The course is probably unlike any course your student has ever taken in school, and the demands upon their time are very extensive. In AP classrooms, students often notice and experience a higher level of rigor, and an increased emphasis on critical thinking. Students are exposed to intensely engaging classroom instruction, collaborative inquiry, and academic writing.

AP courses are considered honors level classes and students receive honors weight in the computation of their GPA. Student potential success in AP courses comes with a student’s ability to be self-motivated and have a strong work ethic in class as well as at home.  

There are many benefits to participating in the AP program including these:

·         an acquisition of a deeper understanding and knowledge base of the subject matter

·         an enhanced college candidacy through willingness to challenge themselves with the most rigorous courses offered at TCHS

·         an overt demonstration of ability to be successful in a college level class

·         the potential to earn college credit which leads to less out-of-pocket expenses and a shorter college career

·         an improvement of GPA, class rank and potential for financial rewards such as scholarships

The Advanced Placement program is owned by College Board and they have very specific guidelines that are required of all the participating schools around the country, including the curriculum, the class structure, and the AP exams that students take at the end of the course.

At TCHS, we understand the need of students to maintain a balanced life. We believe that a balanced life includes academic challenges; the AP program provides this opportunity in a safe and supportive environment. Moreover, we encourage all of our students to participate in at least one AP class during their high school career. However at this time, this correspondence will serve as notification that your student did not completely satisfy the pre-course requirement in its entirety or at all of for this academic year (2013-2014).  

Please talk with your student about his/her options as he/she, was informed verbally by his/her instructor of an extension provided to all in efforts to combat a change in instructors as well as moving from an AA/BB block back to an A/B Block schedule.  Because your student’s schedule for this academic year (2013-2014) reflects enrollment in an Advanced Placement class based on teacher recommendations for this current year, your student will not be allowed to switch into any other course as our master schedule is constructed with the specific needs of our students in mind. Please see back of letter where you will find the new due dates as mentioned to your student with the highest possible grade received 85% upon the changing of our schedule back to A/B.

If you have any further questions about the AP course at TCHS please contact your student’s instructor Tammie West Jones or Aisha Moore-Webb.  If you have any questions about College Board in regards to the AP Program you can find more information at www.collegeboard.com. Any additional questions or concerns that you would like to discuss in detail, please notify Ms. Lett via email.

Respectfully,

Tammie West Jones                                                Aisha Moore -Webb

Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition Instructors

 

Assignment
Submission  Date
Presentation/Exam
Assignment 1: 
Approaches to Literary Criticism
(15 July)…
 
Research Paper using MLA format with parenthetical documentation and works cited…(Historical-Biographical Approach, Moral-Philosophical Approach, Mimetic Approach, Formalistic/New Critical Approach, Psychological Approach, Mythological, Archetypal, and Symbolic Approach, and the Feminist Approach, Deconstruction, etc.)
 
 
 
[New: 19 September 2013]
 
Assignment 2: 
Film as Art
(12 August)…
 
Part 1:  Quotations – A record on a separate paper a minimum of twenty significant quotations in the book, and explanations of their significance (with page references; typed).
 
Part 2:  Essay - Demonstrate your understanding of both the novel and movie in a thorough, well-organized comparative essay utilizing specific examples from both on specified topic.
 
 
 
[New: 19 September 2013]
 
Assignment 3:
Biblical Allusions
(19-21 August)…
 
Much of Western literature alludes to biblical accounts and without knowledge of those accounts; students of AP literature in particular are at a disadvantage.  Prepare a three (3) minute oral summary of the event.  Class will take notes as you speak, and you may use an outline or note cards for guidance.
 
 
Part 1:  Old Testament
[New A/Day 24 September… B/Day 26 September]                        
 
Part 2:  New Testament
[New A/Day 25 September and B/Day 27 September]
 
Assignment 4: 
Strunk and White’s Elements of Style…
(02 September)…
                    
Part 1:  Notes – A record of underline important and interesting passages and make frequent, copious marginal notes as well as a list of questions that you may have in regards to the text                          
 
Part 2:  Test -
 
[New A/Day 30 September and B/Day 01 October]
 
Assignment 5: 
Hamilton’s Mythology…
(09 September)…
Part 1:  Notes- A record of underline important and interesting passages and make frequent, copious marginal notes as well as a list of questions that you may have in regards to the text
Part 2: Test
 
[New A/Day 02 October and B/Day 03 October]
NOTE-- Students who submitted assignments #1 and #2 by its original due date will receive 15 bon

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