Advanced Placement English 11-12, Honors English 9-10
Course Syllabus
Mrs. Gdaniec
824-3400 ext. 5575
Sharon.Gdaniec@wattsburg.org
MATERIALS AND BOOKS
You will need a library card for the public library system of Erie County, a three ring binder with dividers, note
cards and a date book (agenda). Access to a good quality advanced-level collegiate dictionary is recommended.
DISCIPLINE PHILOSOPHY
Students and teachers must work cooperatively to provide an educationally sound atmosphere. No student has the
right to interfere with the education of his/her classmates or with the teacher’s efforts to educate students.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:
1. Be on time. Students should be seated immediately upon entering the room. If an assignment is
posted, it should be started upon arrival. Three lates to class will result in automatic detention.
Standing in the hall between classes is not permitted.
2. Follow classroom directions and procedures. Remain on task! Any work being done for another
class will be permanently confiscated.
3. Be prepared! Bring books, notebook, pen/pencil and assignments to class.
4. Show respect to classmates, teacher and visitors by treating others as you expect to be treated.
No food or beverages will be permitted unless prior approval is granted by the teacher.
Electronic devices/cell phones/MP3 players/iPods seen or heard will be confiscated as per district
policy. Please refrain from using strong scented perfume, cologne, lotions, and other personal
products. Do not spray or use scented products in the classroom.
5. Use the restroom and drinking fountain between classes not during.
6. Adapt behavior to the classroom activity.
7. Use school facilities and property appropriately. Please keep feet and chairs on the floor and refrain
from sitting on the desk/tabletops.
8. Show common courtesy. Treat others as you would expect to be treated.
Mature and appropriate behavior is expected at all times.
CONTACTING ME
I can be contacted through district e-mail at the school e-mail address and phone number listed at the top of this
page. Social media is not an appropriate method for contacting me.
COURSE CONTENT
Content covered will include advanced level literature, writing, vocabulary, speech, research and others as deemed
appropriate. Grades will be calculated from the assessments taken throughout the semester. Activities preparing
students for the assessments will include but are not limited to: homework, in class work, practice activities,
presentations etc. It is recommended that students and parents access ProgressBook at least once a week to
monitor academic progress.
Required reading is selected by the teacher from a variety of sources including recommended reading lists for
Advanced Placement students. The teacher reserves the right to modify course content as necessary to fit the
objectives of the course, AP testing requirements, and the state standards/Common Core.
It is expected that you complete all assigned work to the best of your abilities. In order to benefit from the
AP curriculum and best prepare yourself for college, you must complete all assignments in full and on time.
If you are not willing to participate in this fashion, you should reconsider enrollment in this course.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students caught or suspected of cheating on assignments, quizzes, tests etc. will earn “0” credit on that assignment.
Disciplinary consequences are also possible for repeated or extreme offenses. Plagiarism is a form of academic
dishonesty.
EXTRA CREDIT
Students are expected to take advantage of after school tutoring if they are having difficulty. There is no extra
credit.
GRADING SCALE (As per administrative guidelines)
A=93-100
B=85-92
C=77-84
D=70-76
F=0-69
NINE WEEK GRADES are calculated using a “Level” and “Weighting” system (see attached for explanation).
SEMESTER GRADES are calculated using the nine week grades, mid-term exam (if given), and final exam. Each
component is weighted using percentages determined by the building administration.
DAILY PROCEDURES
Class Log: A daily log will be kept by volunteers in the class. It is your responsibility to consult this log in your
absence.
Assignments: All work will only be accepted at the time the teacher collects it. Work not submitted on time will
not earn credit. Papers submitted without a name will earn no credit. All work must be typed or written in BLUE
OR BLACK INK on standard 81/2 x 11 WHITE paper, unless directions for the assignment indicate otherwise. All
papers should have a heading that includes: name, class and period, date, and assignment name. Multiple page
papers should be stapled. Illegible, sloppy, and/or incomplete assignments will earn zero credit. No papers torn
from spiral notebooks will be accepted.
Makeup work from EXCUSED absences will be given ONE DAY per day absent to complete. Extended illnesses
will be treated on an individual basis.
Makeup tests and quizzes from EXCUSED absences must be made up on the FIRST AFTER SCHOOL
TUTORING DAY that is offered upon your return to school. If this is not possible, you must make alternate
arrangements prior to the first after school tutoring upon your arrival. Failure to do so will result in zero credit.
Arranging after school help is a commitment you will attend. Failure to show for pre-arranged after school
help will result in zero credit for the work. Please plan effectively and don’t forget your commitments!
For vacations, fieldtrips, doctor’s appointments, college visits and any other absences that are known about in
advance you must get your assignments prior to your departure and the work is due the day you return. If
you arrive late or leave early on any given day, you are expected to pick up your work. Late arrivals or early
dismissals do not exempt you from your work nor will they earn you an extension. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Loss of computer privileges at school does not excuse you from completing computer work. If you find yourself in
this situation, you must make arrangements to use your own equipment outside of school.
Computer disks, CD’s and e-mailed versions of assignments will not be accepted in place of paper copies.
Plan ahead! Have extra paper, ink, and backup copies of all work in order to avoid missing a deadline.
Grading Practices/Procedures
During the semester you will receive grades that are divided into three categories: Level I: Summative Assessment; Level
II: Summative Assessments; and Level III: Formative Assessments. Summative grades are those that “sum” or measure
what you’ve learned and are able to do. Formative grades “form” your knowledge and help you reach a mastery that is
measured by the “summative” grades.
Level I assessments require a student to be evaluated IN CLASS on work done independently. Level I assessments are
usually major tests or other assessments that come at the conclusion of a unit of study and measure the mastery of major
objectives of that unit. Examples include: Unit tests, in class writing, etc. The main semester research paper, despite the
out of class requirements, are considered a Level I assessment.
Level II assessments are also based on major units or on benchmarks that lead to mastering an objective. The main
difference between a Level I and Level II assessment is that some of the work for a Level II assessment is done outside the
classroom and may have a limited influence from an outside source in order to complete the assessment. Most Level II
assessments are done in the classroom, however some (like long term writing assignments or reading quizzes for novel
deadlines) require considerable time outside of class but are still considered Level II assessments. Examples include:
reading quizzes, some long-term writing assignments, some research papers, and some presentations.
Level III assessments are formative in nature because they help the student “form” or build the skills that will later be
assessed in a Level I or Level II assessment. They can be used to determine how well a student is mastering the skills
taught in class. Level III assessments help the student and teacher see where a student needs more practice and what he/she
has already learned. Level III assessments are “practice” or deal with acquiring basic knowledge that will lead to higher
level thinking skills that are evaluated in Level I and II assessments. Examples include: reading guides for novels (if
given), homework assignments, in class practice, some presentations, and group work.
Grade Calculations
The grades for each nine weeks will be calculated with the following weighting system:
Level I = 80% of grade; Level II = 20% of grade; and Level III = 0% of the grade.
Level III Formative grades will not receive a calculated grade in the same manner as the Level I and Level II assessments
because these assignments are meant to help you shape your skills. You should be allowed to make mistakes on the
formative work and not fear penalty. The goal with the formative assessment is to practice and “form” skills. However,
formative grades WILL BE RECORDED and will show up on your progress reports even though they will not factor in to
the grade calculation.
It is important to do the formative assignments well and on a daily basis because these assignments will help you learn and
practice what will later be assessed in Level I and II. The more effort you put into the formative work, the better you will
do on the summative assessments.