Grimsley High School PLC Planning Form
PLC Name
PLC Leader
Meeting Location
Liz Parsons
Kathy Saunders
Ground Rules for PLC Meetings
AP English Language/English III
Kathy Saunders
Room 215
PLC Members
Absent
Matt Ringrose due to AP Language PLC
1. Open discussion
2. Shared materials
3. Spirit of collaboration
4. Reflective practices
PLC Goal(s)
1. Determine ACT plan for students
2. Evaluate AP English materials and determine which unit plans are effective
3. Combine and synthesize data to determine best practices for student learning outcomes
4. Develop SMART Goals for the 2014-2015 school-year that incorporate reflective practices,
students surveys, and common formative assessments to achieve student growth.
We discussed the student scoring of actual speech presentations from prior AP exams as a
scaffolding activity for the synthesis essay. We also discussed use of the cornucopia activity
(see below) for students to engage in preparation for the synthesis activity through handson learning and physical activity.
We decided to assess students on scoring of AP student essays using the AP rubric for
synthesis essays to prepare to writing. This will scaffold the next segment of the synthesis
essay. Next Steps for PLC
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bring copies of USPS and US Elections Essays
Determine/anticipate potential obstacles for planned common formative assessment
Reflect on data from synthesis essays
Plan the mid-term assessment and long term approach using the text for next
semester essay (long-range)
Welcome to the Annual AP Language Synthesis Essay Games!
Purpose: To obtain the best information necessary to frame a cohesive, persuasive
argument as a synthesis essay.
Guidelines:
Each time will send one new person at a time for each pass
Students may retrieve one item per pass
Students may also tap an opposing team member on the back only and then that individual
passes on the round
Format of Activity (30 Minutes):
Each team will send alternating teammates in turn/No duplicates until everyone has made
one attempt.
There will be at least ten passes.
Teams are required to plan on necessary information to acquire, in advance.
Product (15 Minutes to Plan):
Students will generate a thesis, annotate supporting sources, outline paragraphs, and
formulate a closing argument in a unique manner. Caveat: If you take a sample essay, you
may not duplicate any portion.
Scoring:
Ethical practices 20 points
Equitable practices 20 points
Meaningful information obtained 25 points
Relevancy of argument in thesis and outline 25 points
Creativity 10 points
Inventory of Items
Item Number
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Description
Prompt (Mandatory)
Rubric (Mandatory)
Consult with Teacher (5 Minutes)
Source A
Source B
Source C
Source D
Source E
Source F
Source G
Source H
Sample Essay
Sample Essay
Sample Essay
Dictionary
Quantity
Seven
Seven
Three
Six
Six
Six
Six
Six
Six
Six
Six
Three
Three
Three
Two
Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor!