Pre-AP English II
Course Syllabus & Expectations
Only the educated are free.
— Epictetus
Course Instructor:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Mrs. Lanie Macaulay
(913) 780-7140
smacaulayon@olatheschools.org
M-W, F, 7:30-8 am M-F, 3-4 pm (by appt. please)
Course Description
This course, which meets the English II graduation requirements, is open to all students who desire a
literary and linguistic challenge. Pre-AP English II is designed to prepare students for the AP Language
and AP Literature courses – college-level courses – thus the “AP” designation on a transcript rather than
“H” (Honors) or “CP” (College Prep). AP courses will provide you with the intellectual challenges
and workload consistent with a typical undergraduate university English composition/literature course.
As such, the Pre-AP English II course is a significant step up from Pre-AP English I, a step closer to the
demands of junior and senior AP English. Students should expect to manage reading schedules and
work completed outside of class. In addition, students are expected to employ good grammar and
mechanics in writing and to progress in vocabulary development. Usage of the MLA style handbook for
essays is required (Program Planning Guide, Olathe District Schools).
Course Goals
1. To carefully read and critically analyze various genres of literature.
2. To understand the way writers use language to provide meaning and pleasure.
3. To consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as such elements as figurative
language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.
4. To understand a work’s complexity, absorb richness of meaning, and analyze how meaning is
embodied in literary form.
5. To consider the social and historical values a work reflects and embodies.
6. To write accurately and effectively, focusing on narration, argument, critical analysis of literature,
and research, as well as to write creatively to develop your own writer’s voice and improve
personal writing style.
7. To become aware of, through speaking, listening, reading, and chiefly writing, the resources of
language: connotation, metaphor, irony, syntax, and tone.
8. To develop and hone advanced vocabulary.
Course Texts
Pre-AP English students are strongly encouraged to acquire their own copies of course texts, specifically
the editions recommended by Mrs. Macaulay.
The Pearl, John Steinbeck
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson
Antigone, Sophocles
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
World Writers Today, Scott Foresman
Elements of Literature, Holt Rinehart Winston
In addition to these longer works, our class will read and analyze short stories, essays, and poetry
throughout the year. You will read two books for outside reading projects, as well.
Required Materials:
Student Planning Agenda (provided by ONHS)
Loose-leaf notebook paper
Three-ring binder dedicated to Pre-AP Eng. II – DUE FOR POINTS FRI., AUG. 22
Set of 8 tabs – DUE FOR POINTS FRI., AUG. 22
Composition Notebook – DUE FOR POINTS FRI., AUG. 22
Writing utensils (pencils, blue or black ink pens ONLY)
Expectations
Students are expected to come to class on time and be prepared for learning with all required materials.
Your Pre-AP English II binder is required every day, as well as the text we are reading. Students
are expected to learn and follow all classroom procedures and standards. Standards include:
o Honesty
o Respect (for self, others, and one’s surroundings)
o Responsibility
o Trustworthiness
Hallway Passes:
Students are expected to remain in the classroom during the entire period. Trips to the bathroom and
snack machines should occur during the six-minute passing period. Exceptions may be made on an
individual basis. You must have your student planner in order to leave the room. Consequences may
apply for excessive classroom departures.
Tardy Policy:
Students will be considered "on time" when they are sitting in their seats, prepared to learn. There will
be a daily "bell activity" to be completed within the first few minutes of class, so students should be
working on the assignment as soon as the final bell rings. Tardies will be handled according to the
Olathe North policy listed in the student handbook (any time after the bell to ten minutes late is tardy,
and you go to the tardy table; after ten minutes, you are counted absent-unexcused).
Make-up Work:
When a student is aware of an upcoming absence, he or she is encouraged to consult the teacher and
complete the work before returning to class. Due dates for make-up work will be handled according to
the Olathe North policy (you have two days to make up work for every day missed). You must staple a
yellow Make-up Work Form to each assignment when you turn it in.
Late Work:
The purpose for assignments in the classroom is student learning. Therefore, students are expected to
turn in ALL work. If the work comes in after the deadline, students will be automatically assessed a 30%
grade deduction from the overall score. Late assignments will only be accepted until three weeks
after the due date or one week before the end of the quarter in which the assignment occurred,
whichever deadline comes first. You must staple a yellow Make-up Work Form to each assignment
when you turn it in.
Plagiarism Policy:
As defined in the Olathe School District Secondary Handbook, plagiarism occurs “when an individual
uses another person’s ideas, expressions, or writing as if they were his/her own.” Plagiarism will not be
tolerated. If you are not familiar with what constitutes plagiarism, become familiar with it.
Course Schedule – Semester 1
Course Introduction – 2 weeks
o Expectations
o Summer Assignment Presentations
o Unspoken Rules of AP/Effective Habits of Mind
o “Brainology,” Dwerk
Close Reading / Annotation / Elements of Literature – 3 weeks
o Essays: “The Knife,” Selzer; “Time and Distance Overcome,” Biss
o Short Story: “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” Oates
o Poetry: “Courage,” Sexton; “A Blessing,” Wright; “The Barred Owl,” Wilbur; “Ex-Basketball Player,”
Irving; “Mother to Son,” Hughes
o Novella: The Pearl, Steinbeck
o Tone Lessons: Art, Music, Literature
o First Timed Write: Literary Analysis Essay
o Rhetorical/Literary Terms Flashcards & Test
Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury – 4 weeks
o Philosophical Chairs: Pros and Cons of Technology
o Figurative Language, Allusion: Post-It Annotations
o Dialectical Journals
o Poetry Analysis & Chunk: “After Apple Picking,” Frost and “Dover Beach,” Arnold
o ACT/SAT Vocabulary
o ACT prep
o Second Timed Write: Poetry Analysis Essay
o Campfire Activity
Jekyll and Hyde – 3 weeks
o Intro to 19th century Brit Lit
o ACT/SAT Vocabulary
o Complex Syntax
o Begin Grammar Blackbelt Academy
o Socratic Seminar: Psychology (Nature) vs. Morality (Personal Choice)
Antigone, Sophocles – 4 weeks
o Allusion Notebook Assignment
o Classical Greek Tragedy
o ACT/SAT Vocabulary
o Grammar Blackbelt Academy
o Third Timed Write: Synthesis Essay
o Outside Read #1 – Non-Fiction
Creative Writing – 2 weeks
o Memory Poem
o Picture Poem
o Phobia Poem
o Personal Anecdote Essay
o Poetry Analysis: “Names of Horses,” Hall; “The Rat Trinity,” Bosselaar; “Storm Warnings,” Rich
o Grammar Blackbelt Academy
o Semester 1 Final Exam
Course Schedule – Semester 2
The Kite Runner, Hosseini – 5 weeks
o Characterization: Post-It Annotations
o Dialectical Journals
o ACT/SAT Vocabulary
o Grammar Blackbelt Academy
o Socratic Seminar: Redemption
o Fourth Timed Write: Open-Ended Question Essay
Rhetoric – 5 weeks
o Elements of Persuasion, Rhetoric, Satire
o Sojourner Truth & Anna Cooper speeches
o “The Cat Bill Veto,” Stevenson
o “Us and Them,” Sedaris
o “Let Them Eat Dog,” Safran Foer
o Political Cartoons
o Grammar Blackbelt Academy
o Fifth Timed Write: Rhetorical Analysis Essay
o Outside Read #2 – Fiction
District Writing Assessment: Synthesis Essay
A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens – 7 weeks
o Research Paper – French Revolution (process paper)
o Twice-Weekly Discussions and Quizzes
o Dialectical Journals
o ACT/SAT Vocabulary
o Complex Syntax/Sentence Types and Variety
o Trial of Madame Defarge
o Semester 2 Final Exam
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- cut here and return by Friday, Aug. 22 --
I have read Mrs. Macaulay’s syllabus, and I understand her policies and expectations.
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Student Printed Name
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Parent Printed Name
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Student Signature
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Parent Signature
The email address below gives Mrs. Macaulay permission to email grade updates or any
information related to the student’s performance in English class.
Email: ___________________________________________________________________