2008 Syllabus for Literature & Composition - Olathe
July 28 - August 1, 2008
Institute Overview
Participants will discuss and practice strategies for creating and maintaining a student centered learning environment through close reading strategies and careful analysis of written text. Because there will be a variety of experience levels in the class, we will utilize all methods we bring to share, including the following:
- How much and what genres we should include in the course
- How we get students to better assess their own products
- How to give written feedback and coach our students to do the same
- How to help students learn to read and think carefully
Consultant Background
Gretchen Polnac taught AP literature and film for 31 years in
the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas, where she received
numerous teaching awards. She now teaches full time at The University of
Texas in UTeach Liberal Arts, guiding pre-service
teachers though their professional sequence of methods courses. Gretchen's
undergraduate work was completed at The University of Texas and her graduate
work at Texas State University and The University of Texas. She is
a reader for both AP Literature and Language.
Institute Preparation
Teachers should bring the following to the institute:
- A Best Practice lesson with which they have had success (copies for all participants if possible)
- A read copy of John Steinbeck's East of Eden (in order for us to progress through effective AP strategies, it is necessary to know a common text before participants arrive)
- Sticky notes
- Eagerness to share and learn from each other
Institute Schedule
Please note that the following agenda is tentative; an effective facilitator will address the needs and desires of the participants and we will proceed accordingly.
Monday
- AP Handbook (in depth)
- 2008 AP Literature Test-a deconstruction
Tuesday
- Prose: short cuttings
- Prose: short stories
- Poetry (In depth look at Browning, Donne, and Eliot)
Wednesday
- Poetry (modern influences)
- Novel: East of Eden
Thursday
- Non fiction
- Sharing Best Practices
Friday
- Bringing it all together: Where do we go from here?
- Sharing Best Practices
Graduate Credit Option
Participants may also earn three graduate education hours for any of the AP Summer Institutes from Washburn University for a reduced tuition rate of $85 per credit hour and the successful completion of an academic assignment. The academic assignment must be submitted to Dr. Sandy Tutwiler (sandy.tutwiler@washburn.edu) by August 15, 2008.
Additional Information
Timothy W. Peterson, Ph.D.
Dean of Continuing Education
Washburn University
1700 College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621Phone: (785) 670-1399
Fax: (785) 670-1028