AP

Literature & Composition

Dr. Preston

The Treachery of Images by Ren Magritte (1928-29)

AP English Summer Contract

Dr. Preston 2015-2016

AP Literature & Composition

David Preston, Instructor, Righetti High School

Course Description
AP English 4 provides a college-equivalent learning experience in literature & composition.
Participation in this course is purely voluntary. For these reasons, seniors who enroll in this course
are expected to do a great deal of independent reading and writing, and every student who takes
this course is expected to takeand passthe AP Literature & Composition exam. Success will
require initiative, responsibility and discipline. Enrolling in AP English 4 signifies your
commitment to meet the course requirements, beginning with the summer reading
assignment and concluding with the AP Exam in May 2016.

Summer Reading
During the first week of school we will have an essay exam and Socratic seminars that focus on the
themes and techniques demonstrated in the summer reading. In order to prepare, students are
required to read and take notes on the following three works:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Essays of Michel de Montaigne by Michel de Montaigne
Students are expected to take active reading notes. This means writing as you read. Your notes
should support your understanding of the following: 1) elements of literature (plot, characters,
theme, e.g.); 2) writing tools and techniques (diction, syntax, foreshadowing, indirect
characterization, e.g.); and 3) major themes and ideas from the books. In addition to these three
categories, you may also take notes on any vocabulary, concepts, writing styles/strategies that you
have questions about, or ideas in the text with which you strongly agree/disagree. This last
category will be especially important in reading Montaigne, the inventor of the essay.

More Information
There will be a peer-to-peer lunchtime orientation in May. For more specific information about
the course, or to arrange a class visit, please see Dr. Preston in Room 608 or email him directly at
dpreston.learning@gmail.com.



2015-2016

INTRODUCTORY MEMO
AP English 4



TO:

Righetti H.S. Students in Dr. Prestons Classes

FROM:

Dr. Preston

RE:

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE A HERO

As different as world cultures and heritages are, they all share one story in common.
This story involves a call to adventure. A young protagonist is captivated by a
question or a challenge and leaves safety behind to explore a new land or idea.
Along the way he or she is confronted with obstacles, helped by a mentor, and
confused by issues of learning and faith. Ultimately he or she becomes
knowledgeable and returns home from the journey transformed, as a hero.

Today is the day you begin to become a hero.

This document serves the following three purposes: 1) To introduce myself to you,
2) To welcome you to my class, and 3) To ensure you understand what it will take to
be successful.

Education has been a big part of my life. After graduating from high school in Los
Angeles I attended UCLA, where I earned a Bachelors Degree in Communication
Studies, a Masters Degree in Teacher Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree
in Educational Policy and Management. I first taught at the Venice Alternative
Education & Work Center in 1992, and at many other schools since. For ten years I
taught at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and in the Business & Management
Extension programs at UCLA. In 1996 I started a management consulting practice
and I advised companies about how to train and lead their employees to achieve
challenging goals. In 2004 I decided to return to teaching full-time. I taught at the
fourth largest high school in the country for two years in Los Angeles, and came to
Righetti in the fall of 2006.

My class and my approach to teaching are designed for one goal: your success. I
believe that as students we learn best when we are challenged, when we are
encouraged, and when we are given an opportunity to think about complex ideas in
a place where we can concentrate and expand our minds.

The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their

commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of

endeavor.

- Vince Lombardi

In teaching thousands of students over the years I have learned that there are four
practices that make everyones learning easier and more effective. To support the
goal of your success, I ask for your commitment to the following four practices in
addition to Righettis general standards of conduct. You can remember these as
Prestons Four Ps:

Students will be PROMPT

Students will come to class PREPARED
Students will be POLITE
Students will be PRODUCTIVE

Each day you come to class youthe heromust make choices. I strongly believe
that individuals have the right and the obligation to choose their own paths in life;

high school students are old enough to make informed choices. Each choice we
make has a consequence. If you are a driver who runs a red light, you risk getting a
ticket or getting hit by another car. I strongly encourage students in my classes to
understand and follow the path to success. Those who do will become more
knowledgeable and experience the pride and satisfaction of a job well done. Those
who choose not to will suffer the usual horribleswarnings, poorer grades, less
interesting work, and, if necessary, conferences with parents/guardians and/or
administrators. In my class you will choose your own path and your choices will be
visible to everyone else in the network. In fact, I will never give you a gradeyour
scores and evaluations will be mere reflections of the understanding and skill you
demonstrate.

I expect a very successful experience for us and I am excited about being your
teacher. The students Ive met so far have been intelligent, friendly people who
seem enthusiastic about learning. I will go over classroom procedures with you
verbally so that you can take your own notes about how to organize yourself for
success. In the meantime, please sign one copy of this documentand ask your
parent/guardian to sign it as welland return it to me in class on the first day of
school. (*You may hack the assignment by signing, scanning, and sending as a .pdf
attached to an email.) This will be your first graded assignment. Please keep a copy
for easy reference. I will share a copy and a list of my students on the course blog so
that everyone has the same information and understands each others choices.

Understanding language and literature has never been more exciting or important.
Not only can a story unlock your imagination and take you to different times and
places, it can help you comprehend the world around us right now. Everywhere you
turn there are messages that use language and tools from literature to influence you,
from television commercials to politicians to shopping center signs. As you begin to
perceive the strategies that people use in their communication, you will become
more skilled and you will look at the world in a brand new way. This is your
opportunity to become the hero in your own education and your own life story. Let
the journey begin!

English 4(AP)
2015-2016 Course Syllabus
Instructor's Name: Dr. Preston
Phone Number: 937-2051 ext. 2608
E-mail address: dpreston@smjuhsd.org; dpreston.learning@gmail.com

COURSE MATERIALS:
Selected novels, short stories, poems, articles & graffiti
1 binder with dividers/white, college-rule paper (used for English
only!)
Spiral notebook or composition book
Black or blue pens
Highlighter (optional)
Students are required to bring the materials listed on this syllabus
everyday to class. Textbooks must be covered. Textbook and materials
checks will occur during the week. These checks will be reflected in the
student's homework grades.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides university-equivalent instruction in preparation for
the Advanced Placement Literature & Composition Exam. Students should
expect daily homework. Students will be keeping a journal, expanding
their vocabularies, reading literature, taking notes on lectures, writing
papers, presenting to the class and participating in groups. There will be
multiple assessments during each six-week grading period. A
comprehensive final will be administered at the end of each semester. In
addition to our study of world literature, students will also explore goalsetting and career opportunities.
GRADING POLICIES:
Homework assignments, in-class assignments, projects, quizzes, exams,
and class participation will be the basis for the final grade. Each six-week
grade will be calculated independently of the others. For the twelve-week
progress report, the first six-week grade and the second six-week grades

will be averaged together. For the final semester grade, all of the three
six-week grades will be averaged. Grades are calculated using both letter
grades and test scores. Students will have individual grade conferences in
which they will participate in evaluating their performance and set goals
for the future. Extra credit opportunities will be announced periodically in
class.
CHEATING POLICY:
Any type of cheating, either on tests/quizzes or plagiarism in papers, is unacceptable.
ANY cheating will result in a grade of F for the entire semester.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All daily work, homework, quizzes, tests, and standards assignments
should be maintained in the binder and organized according to type of
assignment. Any graded work that is not returned to the student will be
kept in a portfolio in class, maintained by the teacher. Notes and
information in the binder will be used throughout the semester and will be
tested on the final exam.
HOMEWORK & DAILY ASSIGNMENTS
Homework assignments will be posted on the board in class and discussed
with students.
Daily assignments: Each day students will begin class by writing in their
journals on a topic posted on the board. Students must have a spiral
notebook or composition book for this purpose. In addition, students are
required to choose outside reading novels, which they must bring to class
each day. Students are encouraged to spend a minimum of 30 minutes
each night reading.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES/RULES:
Respect the ideas and feelings of others. Respect is shown through
the use of appropriate language, positive attitude, and use of good
manners. Come to class on time and be prepared with all the required
materials. Listen attentively and follow the teacher's directions the
first time.
Keep our classroom free of food, gum, garbage and unsanctioned
graffiti.
Do not disrupt the learning process by speaking at inappropriate times,
eating, playing, fighting, putting on make-up, getting up during a
lesson, etc.
Assignments are not accepted late. If a student cannot turn in an
assignment due to an excused absence, the assignment is due upon

return. It is the students responsibility to get make-up work before

or after class - NOT during instructional time.
If a student is absent the day prior to a posted test (as opposed to a
pop quiz), the student is expected to take the test as scheduled. If a
student is absent on the day of a quiz or posted test, that student will
be expected to take the test or quiz immediately upon return to class.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited in class. Cell
phone use will be considered cheating. If a cell phone is brought out
during class for any reason it will be confiscated and returned at the
discretion of the teacher. If a student violates the policy a second
time, the cell phone will not be returned until a conference can be
arranged with a parent and an assistant principal.
SCHOOL RULES:
Attendance/Tardy Policy - A student is tardy if he/she is not in his/her
desk when the tardy bell BEGINS. If a student is walking into class as the
bell rings, he/she is tardy. Please refer to the Parent Handbook for
consequences and the school attendance policy.
Major Discipline - Please refer to the 2011-2012 RHS Handbook.
STANDARDS
This course incorporates the California State Content Standards in
English/Language Arts, which may be found online at the California
Department of Education website www.cde.gov/ci/reading.html
Standards assignments are graded on a pass/fail basis. The skills and
knowledge demonstrated in the final product are the only criteria for
proficiency. Student effort is NOT part of the assessment criteria. This
puts a great deal of responsibility on the individual student to take time to
learn and study course materials.

I have read Dr. Prestons YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE A HERO memo and the
course syllabus. I hereby understand and agree to the terms of both the memo
and the syllabus. I understand grading policies, the role of standards, and
student responsibilities for this course; I further understand and agree to school
and classroom policies and I accept full responsibility for the consequences of
my actions. I hereby commit to the four practices: I will be Prompt, Prepared,
Polite and Productive, and I will be successful in Dr. Prestons class.


________________________________________________________________________
Date

Student Name

Student Signature

________________________________________________________________________
Date

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Signature

I have discussed this course with someone important to me.

I have not discussed this course with someone important to me.