Mrs. Spurgeon's AP English Website.
English III and IV AP Mission Statement:
The mission of English IV-AP and English III-AP classes is to gain a deeper understanding of the human
condition through the study of literature and the exercise of thoughtful conversation and
writing. The texts we study will allow us to examine some ways in which people can
develop a sense of purpose and a structure of ethical behavior. The ultimate purpose of
the study of literary texts is to teach us how to extract meaning from experience;
reading these texts should ideally help us learn to construct a way of being that will give
us the sense of a life well-lived.
My goal is to send my students into the world of adulthood armed with optimism and
hope, a sturdy and flexible self-reliance, a sense of connectedness and community, and
delight in the many opportunities being human offers them. Developing a sense of
connection with the great conversation of literature and ideas through the ages will
ideally move my students toward wholehearted participation in the larger endeavor of
thought, action, art, and vision.
To reach these goals, the members of the class will practice increasingly skillful close
reading of texts, precise written expression, and fluent dialogue within a group of
thinkers. Each student will be expected to help move the class forward toward success
by reading thoughtfully and conscientiously, writing clearly and adventurously, and
speaking his/her thoughts frankly and openly during class discussion. There is NO WAY
to earn an A in this class if you do not read and actively participate in seminars and
discussions!
Ultimately, I want my students to score well on the Advanced
Placement Literature and Composition Test in May and earn college credit.
Through this process, I want them to understand and appreciate the
profound cultural and historical impact of the written word while fostering
a life-long appreciation for literature and poetry. My classroom methodologies and
instructional techniques will focus on implementation and support of the LISD Strategic
Design goals.
The mission of English IV-AP and English III-AP classes is to gain a deeper understanding of the human
condition through the study of literature and the exercise of thoughtful conversation and
writing. The texts we study will allow us to examine some ways in which people can
develop a sense of purpose and a structure of ethical behavior. The ultimate purpose of
the study of literary texts is to teach us how to extract meaning from experience;
reading these texts should ideally help us learn to construct a way of being that will give
us the sense of a life well-lived.
My goal is to send my students into the world of adulthood armed with optimism and
hope, a sturdy and flexible self-reliance, a sense of connectedness and community, and
delight in the many opportunities being human offers them. Developing a sense of
connection with the great conversation of literature and ideas through the ages will
ideally move my students toward wholehearted participation in the larger endeavor of
thought, action, art, and vision.
To reach these goals, the members of the class will practice increasingly skillful close
reading of texts, precise written expression, and fluent dialogue within a group of
thinkers. Each student will be expected to help move the class forward toward success
by reading thoughtfully and conscientiously, writing clearly and adventurously, and
speaking his/her thoughts frankly and openly during class discussion. There is NO WAY
to earn an A in this class if you do not read and actively participate in seminars and
discussions!
Ultimately, I want my students to score well on the Advanced
Placement Literature and Composition Test in May and earn college credit.
Through this process, I want them to understand and appreciate the
profound cultural and historical impact of the written word while fostering
a life-long appreciation for literature and poetry. My classroom methodologies and
instructional techniques will focus on implementation and support of the LISD Strategic
Design goals.