Course Description: This four-day course is designed to benefit both the experienced and inexperienced AP English Language and Composition teacher. Using contemporary and classic texts, we will explore instructional strategies and assessments. We will work on planning the year as well as tweaking and/or constructing lesson plans and units. The workshop will be largely hands-on and differentiated to the degree needed.
I am looking forward to working with you. It is my hope to get to know you and for you to get to know your fellow participants so that we can form a learning community that continues after the school year begins.
Feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have both during the week and after the workshop concludes: beckymcfarlan@gmail.com
Topics will include the following: The College Board Course and Exam Description, Course and Syllabus Design, Audit, AP Classroom, Pacing, Formative and Summative Assessment, AP Exam Structure, Seminar Approaches, Strategies for Teaching Poetry, Short Works of Fiction, Major Works of Fiction (novels and drama), Grammar/Syntax, and Writing.
Key Take-Aways:
- Understanding the Course
- Planning the Course
- Teaching the Course
- Assessing Student Progress and Understanding
- Becoming a Member of the AP Community
Resources: You will have a hard copy of the Course and Exam Description. You will also have access to an online copy. I will post downloadable copies of my handouts, and participants will share theirs in a Goggle folder. You might consider lessons that you want to tweak for next year. This is an opportunity to get expert help from your colleagues.
Tuesday, August 5
APSI Welcome, Introductions, Overview of Week, Goals
Deep Dive into the Course and Exam Binder
The Audit
Rhetorical Analysis
Rubrics and Writing
Create a Reading and Writing Lesson for Rhetorical Situations
Read and Evaluate Student Samples
Work on Syllabus and/or Yearly Plan
Discuss FRQ2 and Rubric
Feedback on Rhetorical Situation Lessons
Wednesday, August 6
Download and Share
Reading Strategy – Says/Does/How
Access and Equity – Profile of an AP Student
Reading Strategies and Multiple Choice
AP Classroom/Dashboard
Argumentation
Unit Planning Claims and Evidence
Create an Argumentation Lesson
Read and Evaluate Student Samples FRQ3
Work on Syllabus and/or Yearly Plan
Explore AP Classroom, AP Central, or College Board Youtube
Discuss FRQ3 and Rubric
Feedback on Argumentation Lessons
Thursday, August 7
Download and Share
Personal Progress Checks and Assessment
Seminar Strategies
Thesis Writing
Synthesis
Review and Calibrate FRQ 1 Student Samples
Prepare a Synthesis Lesson
Read and Evaluate Student Samples FRQ1
Discuss FRQ 1 and rubric
Feedback on Synthesis Lessons
Friday, August 8
Download and Share
Style
Vocabulary and Discrete Skills
Satire/Comedy
Develop a writing plan for the year (Formative and Summative)
Share Lessons and Writing Plans
Post work in Google folder
Wrap-up
