Junior AP English 2013-14
• Annotated novels
due tomorrow
• Discussion of
expectations and
requirements of
Junior AP English
Ms. Jane Sasser
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English teacher at ORHS since 1986
M. A. in English literature & writing
Senior English
Junior AP English
Creative Writing
Published (and working) writer
Supplies
• Notebook for class
notes by tomorrow
• Journal by Wednesday
• Level F Vocabulary
Workshop by
Wednesday, August 21
• Composition folder by
Thursday, August 22
Advanced Placement
• Rigorous reading
content
• Massive reading
• Major research
• Higher level thinking
and discussions
• English is two-year
program
American literature
• Not the same thing
as pulp fiction
• Often depressing in
mood
• A “living” literature
Major Author project
• Choosing authors
by September 3
• 5-page assignment
coming
• 10-page paper
• 20-25 minute oral
presentation
Plagiarism
• Copying another
student’s work,
current or former
• Copying from
Internet
• Copying from books
• Buying/ lifting
“professional”
papers
Grades
I operate on a points scale. Every assignment you do
will be given a grade that shows the points you earned
out of the points possible. You can estimate your grade
by recording individual scores and dividing the total
points you’ve earned by the total number possible.
A=
B=
C=
D=
F=
88 to 100
80 to 87
70 to 79
65 to 69
0 to 64
Grades
1) What you score on an individual test, essay, or quiz is not
nearly as important as your final average. Therefore, the
person who makes a C+ on a test is not at a significant
disadvantage to the person who makes a B-. I do not look
at individual scores, only the overall total. Obviously if
you always make a C+, though, you will have a C+
average.
2) You cannot afford to miss grades. A 0 score will
wreck your average. It is especially important for you to
write all the essays and promptly make up any missed
tests.
Grades
3) I do round up scores from .5 and above. (In other
words, if you have a 79.5% grade, you will get a B
rather than a C.)
4) Some of you are going to end up with a B+ or a C+.
You will be disappointed because you wanted the higher
letter grade, and I understand that disappointment. I’ve
been there. But the line between grades does have to be
drawn, and it has to be applied consistently for all my
students in order for it to be fair.
Grades
5) I ask that you keep up with your own grades except for
midterm and final grades. Write down your scores as
you receive them; I regularly post grades on Skyward. I
cannot honor constant requests to look at the grade
book or the computer; this just wastes too much
valuable class time. However, you will have scores
returned to you regularly and you can do your own
average. I encourage you to do so; check and make
sure your midterm and final grades agree with mine.
First essay
• Rough draft due
Monday, August 19
• Final paper due, in
composition folder,
on Thursday,
August 22
Web Page
1. http://highschool.ortn.edu
2. Left menu: School Staff
3. Scroll down list; click on Sasser,
Jane
4. Click on Teacher Web Page
5. Click on period you take this class
Web page
6. Click on Assignments
7. Click on Poisonwood Bible
8. Click on sasser writing essay
2013.doc
9. See also MLA essay
formatting.doc (not in PB folder)