AP English 12Name______
Culpepper
A Day: 2nd block
1st Semester Syllabus
Fall 2017
So much great literature, so little time! I have spent many hours this summer trying to come up with a manageable plan for this semester. We will scratch the surface of some of the world’s greatest works and write about them in a variety of ways. The literary choices should both help us to define ourselves and force us to question our assumptions about ourselves. They should be broad enough to allow us to see our place in the world and limited enough to afford us focus. They should provide us with vicarious experiences appropriate enough that when we are faced with the questions that people have always faced, we can say, “This has happened before. Oedipus, also, reached too high; he, too, found painful truth.” And they should teach the joy of a well-spoken word.
Besides all this, we will learn the language of criticism, discover ways to talk about literature, and prepare for a national exam. I’ll do all I can to get you ready without your even knowing it!
Here are some things you need to do: Read the material. Class discussion will be richer for you if you know what we are talking about. The assigned material should be read before you come to class. When, for example the syllabus says, “Oedipus Rex due,” you should have the entire play read (carefully) when you come to class that day. The reading is spaced so that there is time to get through it if you plan ahead and use your time wisely. Don’t just turn the pages; read for understanding. You will be tested before discussion, and you will write an essay after discussion. I may also give homework assignments that are not listed on the syllabus. Always be prepared. Follow the syllabus AND check Edmodo every single day. You may miss days, but class will go on even when you are not here. Now that we are on block schedule, each day in class is roughly the equivalent of two days of class last year.I may have to tweak the syllabus from time to time. These changes may include additions or subtractions from it. If you are in doubt about what’s going on, remember that I post frequent reminders/ updates on Edmodo. Participate in class. Many discussions will be student-led, but daily participation is also required. The more you put into this class, the more you will get out of it. Come to class, come to class ON TIME, and come to class prepared (with necessary book[s], charged computer, paper, pencil, pen). I want you to realize how important your attendance is to the success of this class. Many days you will be in charge. Not showing up on these days is not an option. Do everything in your power to be present on the day of a test; make-up tests are much more difficult than the original tests.
I’m really excited about our year together. Know that I am glad to help you in any way that I can.
Major Works for 1st semester:
*Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Stranger by Albert Camus
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (to read over Christmas break)
*This was a summer reading book, so you should already have a copy. In a few weeks, I’ll order copies of the other major works for those who need them.
August 2First-day-of-school chaos. Syllabus for 1st semester. Discuss the importance of doing your own work. Summer reading project on one of the 10 choices (see titles and project info on Edmodo)due by August 25th. By August 14th, you need to decide which book you will be using and whether you will be working in a group or by yourself on your project. There will be a very specific test on Life of Pi on August 22nd. (Be sure to read the “Author’s Note”—it’s actually part of the novel!!)
Advice from former AP students, AP vocabulary and literary terms for 1st nine weeks
(first quiz on August 8th).
TED talk—the importance of showing up. Explanation of one-page writing assignment—due Tuesday, August 8th. Must be typed, double-spaced, printed out, and turned in to my basket by beginning of class.
Join noredink—1st assignment (“Embedding Quotations”) due by 11:59 pm August 8th. (It’s a great idea to click on “Lessons,” then scroll down to “Embedding Quotations” and review the rules for embedding quotations before beginning the assignment. The more you know, the fewer exercises you will have to do!)
August 4Visual images: moving from observation to analysis. Connecting device to meaning: clip from Wit.
“What is Poetry?”/ “The Secret,” “This is just to say.”Small group work on poems.
August 8 One-page writing assignment due. Sample responses, AP Poetry Assignment, TP-FASTT,
SOAPSTone. First official poetry response* on “The Writer” OR “The Lanyard” due by
Thursday at the beginning of class.
*IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT POETRY RESPONSES:
No outside sources (except a dictionary) are allowed—this includes input from classmates, siblings, parents, former students, etc. Place responses in the basket on my desk or turn in via Turnitin.com NO LATER than the beginning of class on the day they are due. I will always accept responses early, but responses turned in after the beginning of class will not receive full credit.
Quiz on words 1-10.
Noredink assignment due by 11:59 tonight!
“The Red Wheelbarrow.”
August 10More on “The Red Wheelbarrow.”
PR #1 due (“The Writer”/ “The Lanyard”). New poems: “Acquainted with the Night” and
“My First Poem for You.” Close reading: “The Chaser.” Levels of questions. Group work.
August 14 SR Project plan (which book? Alone or with partner[s]?)due.Identifying theme. SS
assignment on “The Prodigal Son” due Wednesday, August 16th.
Notes on sonnets. Info on asking for recommendations, writing college application essays. Discuss one-page “self” papers. By Monday, August 28th, choose a college application essay topic from a school of your choice (or use one of the common app topics) and answer it in a well-written essay. Include the essay topic/ question at the top of page and the word count at the end. Turn a printed copy into my basket by the beginning of class.
August 16SS assignment on “The Prodigal Son” due by beginning of class.
Xword on 1-10. Discussion leader assignments.
Discussion of “The Author to her Book.” Mapping out the poetry essay.
August 18Quiz on literary terms 1-10. More on how to approach the poetry essay. Small group work.Discussion of “The Prodigal Son” (the importance of close reading, seeing familiar stories with fresh eyes.)
August 22Quiz on words 11-20. Test on Life of Pi. TED Talk—think about the different
ways it relates to Martel’s novel. Intro to novel. Teacher-led discussion of “The Writer” and “The Lanyard.”
August 24PR #2 due (“Acquainted with the Night”/ “My First Poem for You”).
Summer reading project is due NO LATER than tomorrow!
In-class poetry essay. Assign discussion questions—due by end of class Monday, August 28th. Explanation of scored discussion.
August 28College application essay due by beginning of class. Group work.
Life of Pi discussion questions dueby end of class.
August 30Xword on 11-20. Life of Piscored discussion.
September 1Quiz on literary terms 11-20. Video: Life of Pi.
September 5Quiz on 21-30. Finish video. SS assignment on “The Story of an Hour” due
Monday, September 11th.
September 7Final discussion of Life of Pi. Theme/ The Literary 3 x 3.
PR #3 due (“Bright Star”/ “What Lips”).
September 11SS assignment on “The Story of an Hour” due.
In-class essay on Life of Pi.
Student-led discussion of “Acquainted with the Night.”
September 13Xword on 21-30.
Student-led discussion of “My First Poem for You.” Discussion of “The Story of an Hour.”
September 15Quiz on literary terms 21-30. Notes on the origin of drama. IMPORTANT: You need to read all of Oedipus the King and be ready for a test on Sept. 25th. We will watch a movie version of the play that will help you understand it, but be sure that you read the play too!
Student-led discussion of “Bright Star.”
September 19 Vocabulary test on words 1-30.
Student-led discussion of“What Lips.”Sonnetassignment—due NO LATER THAN
Thursday, September 29th. Begin Oedipus video.
September 21PR #4 due (“Icarus”/ “To a Friend”). Video: Oedipus the King.
September 25Test on Oedipus the King. Discussion of the play.
September 27Literary term test on words 1-30. Oedipus the King.
September 29 Last day of 1st nine weeks. Sonnet (including scansion + self-evaluation) due. Assign
vocabulary for 2nd nine weeks.
Intro to Song of Solomon. Interview with Toni Morrison. Be sure to have read
through Part 1 (Chapters 1-9) of novel and be ready for very specific test on October 12th. New requirement for poetry responses: Poetry focus statements
------
October 2-6Fall Break
October 10Approaching the prose essay. Multiple choice: prose + hints.
October 12Quiz on words 1-10.
Test on Part I (Chapters 1-9) of Song of Solomon.
PR #5 due (“Do Not Go Gentle”/ “One Art”). Group work on Song.
October 16Student-led discussion of “Icarus” and “To a Friend.” Group work on Song.
October 18Xword on 1-10.Scored discussion of Song, Part I.
October 20Test on Part II of Song of Solomon (Chapters 10-15).
Quiz on literary terms 1-10. Group work on Song.
October 24Quiz on words 11-20.Scored discussion of Song of Solomon.
October 26PR #6 due (“Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”/ “Traveling through the Dark”). Final
discussion of Song.
October 30 In-class essay on Song of Solomon.
Student-led discussion of “Do Not Go Gentle.” Read
“The Myth of Sisyphus” carefully several times by Friday.
November 1Xword quiz on words 11-20.
Student-led discussion of “One Art.” Villanelle assignment—due Wednesday, November 9th. (Discuss “Lonely Hearts”.) Notes on Existentialism.
November 3Quiz on literary terms 11-20.
Student-led discussion of “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” and “Traveling through the Dark.”Group work on “The Myth of Sisyphus.”
November 7Quiz on words 21-30. Test on The Stranger.Video: “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” Discussion of The Stranger.
November 9Villanelle (including scansion + self-evaluation) due.
PR #7 due (“Gretel in Darkness”/ “Mirror”). The Stranger.
November 13Student-led discussion of “Gretel in Darkness” and “Mirror.”The Stranger.
November 15Xword on words 21-30.The Stranger
November 17Quiz on literary terms 21-30.
In-class essay on a prose passage.
November 20-24 Thanksgiving Holiday
November 28 Vocabulary test on words 1-30. Introduction to A Streetcar Named Desire. Video.
November 30PR #8 due (“Mid-term Break”/ “Ethics”). Video: Streetcar.
December 4Test: Streetcar.
Student-led discussion of “Mid-term Break”and “Ethics”
December 6Test on literary terms 1-30.Discussion of Streetcar.
December 8Final discussion. In-class essay on A Streetcar Named Desire.
December 12A1 and A2 exams
December 13B1 and B2 exams
December 14A3 and A4 exams
December 15B3 and B4 exams
Advice: Try to read through the first ten chapters (or more) of Jane Eyre over the break. Chapters I-X will be due in mid-January, Chapters XI-XXVII about a week later, and the end of the novel a week after that.