AP English 12
Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor Information:
Teacher:
Mrs. Vandermer
Room:
Belle Vernon Area High School, Room 314
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
http://www.bellevernonarea.net/bvahs
Required Text:
IPAD Mini (most texts are contained on device)
724-808-2500; ext. 2314
Course Description:
Designed to prepare students for high level college work, this course emphasizes an integrated
approach to the study of English and American literature, essay writing, and methods of
research. The course also offers opportunity for earning college credit by taking the AP
Language (or Literature) test and through dual enrollment with Mount Aloysius College.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Read, interpret, and respond creatively to various literary genres.
2. Compose a well-structured, grammatically sound essay and research paper.
3. Recognize and remedy composition errors by prescription.
4. Develop vocabulary skills both in reading and writing.
5. Improve speaking and listening skills.
6. Prepare for AP Language test.
Academic Honesty:
Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be
deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate the completion of an alternative assignment
or a zero on the required effort, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Class Policies and Expectations:
1.
Come to class prepared with IPAD, class folder, notebook, and pencil or pen daily.
Failure to do so may result in loss of class points.
2.
Check the homework board in the classroom and the school website (teacher page)
when you miss class. Upon returning from an absence, arrange for make up of
quizzes and tests. Unless there are special circumstances, make up work is due
one week from your return to school.
3.
Your teacher is available before and after school to answer questions and provide
you with extra help.
4.
Because disciplinary problems disrupt everyone’s learning, the teacher will deal with
the problem first with the student. If the problem persists, parents, the counselor,
and principal will be consulted.
Course Grading Criteria:
All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District
grading policy. Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than
having letter grades per each effort. The grading scale is as follows:
A
B
-
90-100
80-89
C
D
F
-
70-79
60-69
0-59
Emphasis will be on formal assessments. Therefore grades will be weighted in this course.
Formal Assessments will account for 90% of a student’s grade (quizzes, tests, projects,
performance-based rubrics, essays, graded homework, etc.)
Informal Assessments will account for 10% of a student’s grade (homework for completion,
class participation, exit tickets, etc.)
Assignments per Quarter:
Number of assignments will vary, but on average, expect 6 quizzes and 3 major tests per
quarter. Other common quarterly assignments consist of essay writing, creative projects, and
homework checks. Quizzes usually are worth 20 – 25 points, tests 50, essays 40, projects 50,
homework checks 10.
TOTAL POINTS =
300 Points (approximate)
*Assignments or assessments may vary due to pace of class and individualized
instruction.
As an AP student, you have been issued an IPAD Mini for class use, which is a
privilege and a responsibility. Bring your device fully charged daily. Loss of
points and possible disciplinary referral will result from failure to bring your
device to class or inappropriate use of it (games, social media, etc.)
Remember, your IPAD is your responsibility; however, it is the property of the
BVA school district, and its content may be viewed by administration at any
time. Also, be advised that you are financially responsible for loss or damage to
the device.
Academic Standards:
Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been
adopted by the Department of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in
the process of being implemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance
of the standards and the efforts to meet them.
Home Access Center:
If
Grades will be updated every Friday on Home Access Center. If you lost or cannot remember
log in information, please contact our Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500 ext. 1108.
Schoolwires (Website):
My website will be updated every Friday. Course Topics, Assignments, and Quizzes and Tests
are also posted weekly.
The following signatures state that all parties are aware of the preceding syllabus.
Student Signature____________________Date_______________
Parent Signature_____________________Date_______________
Teacher Signature____________________Date_______________
Subsequent Course Pre-Requisites:
What follows are the pre-requisite grades and expectations that a student must attain in order to
take the subsequent courses. Pre-requisites are listed within the current school-year’s course
selection guide. Note: Pre-requites are subject to change prior to the spring scheduling process.
Course Option 1:
Course Option 2:
Course Outline:
First Quarter
I.
Major literary works:
 Summer Reading Book Forum
 The Last Lecture
 Lord of the Flies
I.
Assorted writing
AP Test prep
Quarterly assessment
II.Second Quarter
Major literary works:
 Frankenstein
II.
Assorted writing
AP test prep
Quarterly assessment
III.Third Quarter
Major literary works:
III.

Dystopian Novel Unit
Research Paper
AP test prep
Quarterly assessment
IV.Fourth Quarter
Major literary works:
 Hamlet
Poetry
AP test prep
Quarterly assessment
IV.