STEPHEN HELLER
Stephen Heller taught AP English Language and Composition at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL, for 22 years, eight of which were combined with AP US History in American Studies. Since 1991, he has served in numerous capacities with the College Board, including consultant, test development committee member, co-designer for Vertical Teams workshops, AP Exam Question Leader, Table Leader, and Reader. His publications include AP English Bound, Entering the Conversation, Documenting United States History, and Crosscurrents: Aristotle’s Common Topics Meet the AP History Courses. He has also authored AP Instructional Materials for W.W. Norton: The Norton Reader (15th edition) and Back to the Lake (3rd edition). Steve earned his B.A. in English from Northwestern University, M.A. in the Teaching of English from the University of Illinois—Chicago, and PhD in Educational Administration and Supervision from Loyola University—Chicago
Stephen can be contacted at brookbullock3@gmail.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This Advanced Placement Summer Institute will examine the key pillars of AP English Language and Composition, as outlined by the recently published Course and Exam Description. This course will focus on the integration of close reading, rhetorical analysis, argument, and synthesis as a culmination of developing skills. Participants in this APSI will have the opportunity to focus more in depth on all areas of the course. Focus areas will include: the integration of speaking and listening into the work of original argument; the use of authentic inquiry as a springboard for reading rhetorically and synthesized arguments; the integration of key concepts from social studies pedagogy to help leverage student skill development; the exchange of best practices among colleagues to best help the needs of contemporary learners. This course will also examine strategies to expedite the effective and quick evaluation of student writing, as well as how to adopt a standards based approach towards evaluation, in order to provide students greater opportunities to develop their skills. Participants will also work together in the exploration of relevant contemporary authors and creation of original research projects for their students. This course will also provide participants ample time to revise and develop their own curriculum.
AP English Language and Composition 2024 4 Day Syllabus—APSI
Day 1
Morning Introductions
Overview of revised course framework
Overview of the exam
Individual/team goal setting for the week
Afternoon Introduction to units 1-2 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on close reading: samples, materials, strategies / Multiple Choice questions/ AP Classroom
Application to own curriculum/ team work
Day 2
Morning Overview of rhetorical analysis
Alignment to units 1-2 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on teaching rhetorical analysis; samples,
Materials, strategies
Afternoon Introduction to units 3-5 of revised course framework
Overview of student analytical writing
Application to own curriculum/ team work
Day 3
Morning Overview of researched arguments/ authentic inquiry
Alignment to units 3-5 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on teaching researched arguments:
samples, materials, strategies
Afternoon Introduction of units 6-7 in revised course framework
Overview of student synthesis arguments
Application to own curriculum/ team work
Day 4 Overview of open argument/ speaking and listening
Alignment to units 8-9 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on teaching open argument: samples, materials, strategies
Afternoon Overview of student open arguments
Strategies on evaluating quickly and effectively
Team or individual presentations
This Advanced Placement Summer Institute will examine the key pillars of AP English Language and Composition, as outlined by the recently published Course and Exam Description. This course will focus on the integration of close reading, rhetorical analysis, argument, and synthesis as a culmination of developing skills. Participants in this APSI will have the opportunity to focus more in depth on all areas of the course. Focus areas will include: the integration of speaking and listening into the work of original argument; the use of authentic inquiry as a springboard for reading rhetorically and synthesized arguments; the integration of key concepts from social studies pedagogy to help leverage student skill development; the exchange of best practices among colleagues to best help the needs of contemporary learners. This course will also examine strategies to expedite the effective and quick evaluation of student writing, as well as how to adopt a standards based approach towards evaluation, in order to provide students greater opportunities to develop their skills. Participants will also work together in the exploration of relevant contemporary authors and creation of original research projects for their students. This course will also provide participants ample time to revise and develop their own curriculum.
AP English Language and Composition 2024 4 Day Syllabus—APSI
Day 1
Morning Introductions
Overview of revised course framework
Overview of the exam
Individual/team goal setting for the week
Afternoon Introduction to units 1-2 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on close reading: samples, materials, strategies / Multiple Choice questions/ AP Classroom
Application to own curriculum/ team work
Day 2
Morning Overview of rhetorical analysis
Alignment to units 1-2 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on teaching rhetorical analysis; samples,
Materials, strategies
Afternoon Introduction to units 3-5 of revised course framework
Overview of student analytical writing
Application to own curriculum/ team work
Day 3
Morning Overview of researched arguments/ authentic inquiry
Alignment to units 3-5 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on teaching researched arguments:
samples, materials, strategies
Afternoon Introduction of units 6-7 in revised course framework
Overview of student synthesis arguments
Application to own curriculum/ team work
Day 4 Overview of open argument/ speaking and listening
Alignment to units 8-9 of revised course framework
Pedagogy on teaching open argument: samples, materials, strategies
Afternoon Overview of student open arguments
Strategies on evaluating quickly and effectively
Team or individual presentations