Pre-AP English II
Course Syllabus & Expectations
Only the educated are free.
— Epictetus
Course Instructor:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Ms. Lanie Gray
(913) 780-7140
[email protected]
Mon.-Fri., 3-4 pm (by appointment, 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. 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
guide for essays is required (Program Planning Guide, Olathe District Schools).
Course Goals
Learning objectives are closely aligned with the Kansas College & Career Ready Standards; particular
objectives include:
1. To carefully read and critically analyze various genres of literature;
2. To understand the way writers use language to create meaning and pleasure;
3. To consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as such elements as diction, imagery,
figurative language, syntax, 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 to develop an understanding of one’s
place in the world;
6. To write accurately and effectively, focusing on narration, argument, critical analysis of literature,
and research, and to write creatively to develop writer’s voice and improve personal writing style;
7. To refine both speaking and listening skills in the classroom setting, working toward a deep
understanding of communication and problem solving in a team setting;
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 Ms. Gray.
The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson
Macbeth, William Shakespeare
Antigone, Sophocles
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
Life of Pi, Yann Martel OR The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
In addition to these longer works, our class will read and analyze short stories, essays, articles, speeches,
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 (or a section of a binder) – DUE MON., AUG. 22
Set of 5 tabs – DUE MON., AUG. 22
150 notecards with binder ring – DUE MON., AUG. 22
Writing utensils (pencils, blue or black ink pens ONLY)
Highlighters
Post-It Notes
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
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
pink Make-up Work Form to each assignment when you turn it in. [NOTE: reading quizzes must be
made up within one week of the absence and cannot be retaken.]
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 two 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 pink 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.” This includes turning
in work that is the same, word for word, as another student – even if you worked together, you must do
your own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are not familiar with what constitutes plagiarism,
become familiar with it. Plagiarized assignments will result in an administrative and parent meeting and
an initial “zero” on the assignment until it is completed again for partial credit.
Course Schedule – Semester 1
Course Introduction / Close Reading & Analysis / Elements of Literature – 4 weeks
o Expectations
o Summer Assignment Work (The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck)
o Socratic Seminar – The Grapes of Wrath
o Unspoken Rules of AP
o “Brainology,” Dwerk
o Essays: “The Knife,” Selzer; “Time and Distance Overcome,” Biss
o Rhetorical/Literary Terms Flashcards
o First Essay: Literary Analysis
Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury – 5 weeks
o Philosophical Chairs: Pros and Cons of Technology
o Close-reading: Figurative language, allusion, syntax devices
o Dialectical Journals
o Poetry Analysis: “Dover Beach,” Matthew Arnold; “Mending Wall,” Robert Frost; “Courage” by
Anne Sexton
o ACT Vocabulary
o Begin Grammar Black Belt Academy
o Campfire Activity
o Second Essay: Poem Analysis
Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson – 4 weeks
o Intro to 19th century British Literature
o Close-reading: Victorian values, psychology of addiction, Freud’s structural model of personality
o Short Story: “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” Oates
o Dialectical Journals
o ACT Vocabulary
o Grammar Black Belt Academy
o ACT prep
o Socratic Seminar: Psychology (Nature) vs. Morality (Personal Choice)/Good and Evil
o Third Essay: Argument
Macbeth, Shakespeare – 5 weeks
o Revisiting of Shakespearean tragedy
o Fiction Outside Reading Assignment/Literature Circles/Pecha Kucha (spoken presentation)
o ACT Vocabulary
o Grammar Black Belt Academy
o Rhetorical & Literary Terms Test, Cumulative Vocabulary Test (Semester 1 Final)
o Fourth Essay: Synthesis (Semester 1 Final)
Course Schedule – Semester 2
Creative Writing – 3 weeks
o Study of imagery, diction, figurative language, syntax devices in creative writing
o Memory Poem
o Phobia Poem
o Haiku Series
o Grammar Black Belt Academy
o Fifth Essay: Personal Anecdote (Narrative Essay)
A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens – 6 weeks
o Close-reading: complex syntax, characterization
o Dialectical Journals
o ACT Vocabulary
o Grammar Black Belt Academy
o Mock Trial
o Sixth Essay: Technical Writing – Witness Statement
Rhetoric – 4 weeks
o Close-reading: elements of persuasion, rhetoric, satire
o Sojourner Truth & Anna Cooper speeches
o “The Cat Bill Veto,” Stevenson
o “Us and Them,” Sedaris
o Political Cartoons
o Grammar Black Belt Academy
o Rhetorical Deconstruction
o District Writing Assignment (Seventh Essay: Synthesis)
o Kansas Reading Assessment
The Kite Runner, Hosseini OR Life of Pi, Martel – 5 weeks
o Close-reading: Afghan history and culture, analysis of excerpts from the Qu’ran
o Dialectical Journals
o ACT Vocabulary
o Cultural Enrichment Project – Eighth Essay: Expository & Speech (Semester 2 Final)
o Grammar Black Belt Academy Cumulative Test (Semester 2 Final)
-- Return, signed, by Wednesday, Aug. 24/Thursday, Aug. 25 –DO NOT CUT OFF –
I have read Ms. Gray’s syllabus, and I understand her policies and expectations.
_____________________________________
Student Printed Name
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Parent Printed Name
_____________________________________
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: ___________________________________________________________________