AP Language and Composition

Miss Sandvick2014-15

Primary Benefit: College Preparation

• Colleges know AP classes are challenging.

• This course will live up to the reputation. Therefore, you will be better prepared to tackle college courses.

Hargrove, Godin and Dodd: College Grade Point Averages

• AP students who scored a 1 on AP Exams outperformed students who had taken neither AP nor dual enrollment

• AP students who scored a 2 or higher on AP Exams outperformed all students

Source: Hargrove, Godin and Dodd, 2007

Experience a college-level test

Primary Benefit: College Preparation

The intensity of college exams catches far too many freshmen by surprise:

“Students who have prepared for and taken the AP Exams adapt more easily to taking college essay exams, and are especially skilled in including a thesis and a well-developed argument. They are also less intimidated by sophisticated, college-level multiple-choice questions that seek to test understanding over memorization.”

—Robert Blackey, Professor of HistoryCSU, San Bernardino

Area Pre-AP (high school) AP (college)

Essays 26 lines in approximately 40 minutes

Reading, annotating, and writing a five-paragraph essay in 40 minutes

Assigned Reading Three novels (summer reading + one novel each semester)

Five novels (summer reading + one novel each nine-weeks)

Assigned Reading Teachers model analysis Students analyze with support from the reading group

Tests Assessments are heavily skills-based (EOC)

Assessments are heavily content-based (college) while still maintaining some skills-based questions (AP)

Resources Encouraged to use dictionary Forbidden to use dictionary (Students must rely on context clues.)

Grading Scale 70% summative 30% formative(Reassessment)

75% summative25% formative(No reassessment)

Welcome to College!

Area Support Day/Time

Instruction Reading Group Tuesday A.M. (6:45-7:10) Wednesday P.M. (3:00-3:30)

Writing Lesson Thursday P.M. (3:00-3:30/:45)Monday P.M. (3:00-3:30/:45)

Technology Remind 101

(Edmodo)

Community Coffeehouse Fridays Friday A.M. (6:50-7:15)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Reading Group Coffeehouse Friday

Writing Lesson Reading Group Writing Lesson

Support System

Support System

• Close-knit community within AHS:– Approximately 300 strong within a student body

of 3,250 (10%)– Two teachers who will both tutor you– Community building: Coffeehouse Fridays, movie

nights, etc.

Secondary Benefit: Group of Engaged Learners

• PSAT– Registration for the next PSAT is this THURSDAY Sept. 25. – Cost- $15 – Good practice for SAT– Test date: Wednesday Oct. 15 (during school)

• SAT– Registration for the next SAT is by September 30 [already in late

registration].– Cost- $52.50 (waivers are available online if needed)– Students can take the SAT as many times as they want. – Test date: Saturday October 11, 2014 (outside of school)

• www.collegeboard.org for more information

PSAT/SAT

Question Answer

1 A

2 A

3 C

4 B

5 D

6 C

7 D

8 C

9 E

Answers to the Close Reading