- faster pace with more challenging texts
- holistic unit work (40%) and usually one major assignment per unit (60%)
- major assignment is folded into holistic grade (What?)
- shift away from effort-based grading
- a lot of overlap of assignments/readings (starting things before other things are finished); requires independence
We discussed during that first week the unusual way unit work is structured in AP Lit. Because you don't really get grades for effort or homework in college, this course is designed to prep you for that reality.
As such, your major assignments (usually OQs), while existing in their own category (60%), are also "folded' into your unit work. That means the basis for the other 40% of your grade is still what you get on the major assignments (mostly OQs).
By default, you can expect your unit work grades to almost always match your OQ or major assignment grades.
Exceptions: if your class discussions, free writes, emulations, notes on the novel, and other small assignments reflect writing and thinking that is significantly different in quality than the work shown on your OQ, you may receive a bump up or down of about a half a letter grade.
An example:
1. You bomb the OQ and get a very low grade.
2. But you are consistently showing up on time and performing at a high level in class, all your work is handed in on time (and reflects much higher-level effort, thought, and quality than displayed on your OQ), then you may receive a bump. This is at the discretion of the teacher.
And again, the default is to not award many bumps. To emphasize: this course is designed to prep you for the reality of receiving grades exclusively on the basis of performance on major assignments.
What does this mean? It means, do all the little things at a consistently high level so that if you do get a low grade on a major assignment you have the opportunity to get a better unit work grade:
- Show up on time and prepared.
- Get your high quality work done on time (including all Senior Project assignments).
- Approach discussions with a serious sense of curiosity and collegial, collaborative inquiry.
- Produce advanced, high quality notes on all the reading.
- Produce thoughtful, sophisticated emulations that reflect a deep understanding of the author.
- Produce thoughtful, sophisticated, and thorough written work on all minor in-class assignments, including free writes.
Note again, you can do all these things and still not get a bump. This doesn't mean you're not brilliant. It just means that your grade is considered to be an accurate reflection of your current ability to execute and perform on major assignments.
If you ever need more clarity, would like to review your work line by line with me, etc., please do not hesitate to drop in or make an appointment.
- The Management
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