GHS AP English Language and Composition Policies

Mr. James Cook's AP English Language Policies

1. Know the policies in your Compass.

2. Show respect, take responsibility, try hard, have integrity, be engaged

·   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. Show respect for yourself, each other, me, other teachers, administrators, staff members, the room (including Chromebooks, desks, floors, walls, etc.), and the equipment (books, etc.)

·   Take responsibility for your own education and behavior. In an AP class this means using all the resources at your disposal to demonstrate a mastery of skills and information. Off task behavior is simply unacceptable.

·   Put forth a good faith effort especially when tasks are particularly difficult.

·   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.

·   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.

             Bring a pen or pencil to class. (Pens and pencils cost $.25 in 2207.)

             Remember your assignment Chromebook number. Keep your Google Docs organized.

 

4. Grading

30% UNIT-WORK GRADES (Formative Assessments)

These assignments assess your learning along the way.

·          This category consists of reading check quizzes (Did you read and understand?), vocabulary homework (Are you learning the words?), annotated texts or notes, blog/forum comments, steps in the writing process (pre-writing, drafts, reflections), open response writing, discussion or group work preparation, some student-led discussions, some teacher-led discussions, group activities, practice AP questions, etc.

·          Individual assignments (of the type cited above) will be graded using the following system:

The work is considered advanced (90-100, A-range, check-plus) if the work is complete and shows exceptionally thorough and thoughtful understanding of concepts and mastery of skills; the work is considered proficient (80-89, B-range, check) if the work is complete and meets expectations by showing sufficient understanding of concepts and mastery of skills;  the work needs improvement (65-79, C/D-range, check minus, 2 on 4-point unit) if the work is nearly complete and/or shows partial understanding of concepts/skills; the work triggers a warning (<65, F) if the work is incomplete and/or shows little to no understanding of concepts/skills.

70% END-OF-UNIT ASSESSMENT GRADES (Summative Assessments)

These assignments assess your learning after a process of learning, practice, and feedback.

·          Grades on unit tests, unit projects, and papers for which you are expected to write more than one draft will be worth 200 points.

·          Grades on content quizzes, single-draft take-home essays, in-class timed essays, most graded discussions, etc. will be worth 100 points.

·          Grades on independent reading products (notes, passage responses, papers) will vary in weight over the course of the year.

·          These assignments will be graded using rubrics, including nine-point the AP English Language rubric, six-point SAT essay rubric, four-point MCAS-style response rubric, discussion rubrics, and others that students will become familiar with throughout the year.

  

Note: Keep all graded or checked work in your binder or folder. Formal papers and major projects should be kept for the entire year. Graded tests and quizzes should be kept for the semester. Checked homework assignments should be kept for at least the term.

               

5. Late work

Unit Work (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. (The grade will be reduced from advanced to proficient, proficient to needs improvement, or needs improvement to warning.)

·         Unless you are informed otherwise, homework that is completed after the end of the unit will not be accepted.

 

End-of-Unit Work (especially papers and projects)

·          If you are between one and five school days late with an end-of-unit assessment your grade on that paper or project will 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://apenglangghs2016.blogspot.com. You are responsible for checking the blog regularly.

     Email questions to jcook@gloucester.k12.ma.us

 f        Share summer reading Google documents (last day is today) with jcook@gloucester.k12.ma.us. Share future Google documents with jcook@gloucesterschools.com.

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After reading the policies, use the comment box below to write your first name and last initial followed by the sentence "I understand Mr. James Cook's AP English Language policies."

Ask me questions if you have questions.