Mr. Tom Anstett

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Ability determines what you can do.

Motivation determines what you do.

Attitude determines how WELL you do the what!

August 2009

Dear Parent/Guardian & English 3 AP student:

"Give a person a fish, feed him or her for a day; teach a person how to fish, 
feed him or her for a lifetime."

Welcome to a new school year and specifically to English 3 AP 
Language & Composition.  I extend my best wishes to you and to your student.  
I hope that students will find this class intellectually stimulating, 
personally inspiring, and highly rewarding through professional instruction.  
I bring 36 years of experience, years I intend to put to good use.  I have 
found that if the teacher desires and models excellence in a friendly and 
professional manner, students will have a greater rate of success.
	I am asking you to discuss together this letter and the supply list 
page.  It is my intention to communicate with you frequently during the 
school year with necessary information.  Working together, we can provide the 
needed support for your student as he/she works through this course.  In the 
end, I hope all my students find this year to be one of the best they will 
experience at Lincoln-Way East.  It will be highly challenging.
	There is a variety of learning available every day.  First, the 
curriculum this year presents a plethora of distinct and heretofore, “new” 
writing concepts – all designed to shape and refine students’ 
understanding of persuasive writing and use of language geared toward success 
on the AP Language test next spring.  Second, students will improve their 
public speaking, read with greater fluency and depth, discuss more 
articulately, enhance their social skills, and learn to both learn and apply 
Word Wealth vocabulary.  Students are expected to interact positively.  
Participation is a must for application of learning.  Assignments should be 
completed thoroughly and timely.  I have found in my experience that if 
students both complete all their work and communicate well with teachers, 
they not only do well academically, but they also gain greater self-
confidence and learn significantly more.

Here are some ways you as parents can help all the teachers at East:
1.	Discuss a set time to complete homework without too many 
distractions.  I have a website for this course in “Teacher Web Pages” on the 
Lincoln-Way East homepage.  Check it out each week; there is quite a bit of 
information available.
2.	Read some of the material with your student.  Ask often how class is 
progressing.  If your child is struggling, have him//her talk to me.  Show 
them you are interested, but allow them to succeed or struggle on their own 
abilities.  Grades will be posted on-line frequently.  The Writing Center 
(room 235) is open during periods 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for writing assistance. I 
am in the Writing Center during period 3. 
3.	Provide the proper environment and encouragement.  On the other hand, 
do communicate any questions or concerns to me (815-464-4554).  Please leave 
a message if I am unavailable.  I will return any calls as soon as possible.
4.	Review and maintain time management with your student so that proper 
organization occurs.  Planners are used in class every Monday.  Regularly 
check my website for updates.
5.	Encourage…encourage…encourage!

Once again, I look forward to working with you and your student this year.  
Thank you in advance for all your support and cooperation.  Have an 
exceptional year!  GO BLUE!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Thomas Anstett (department chair)
815-464-4554
office hours: pre-arranged
email: tanstett@lw210.org

Course Description:

This year-long course focuses on reading, writing, and thinking about 
ideas.  Students will learn to ferret ideas out of American fiction and 
nonfiction when reading, how to clarify, refine, and express ideas in 
writing.  Because the course takes an inductive approach, students are 
encouraged to think critically.  They will not be asked to merely generate 
writing according to a preconceived model.  Instead, they will study models 
of rhetoric, argument, and research and analyze literature and nonfiction in 
order to determine the rhetorical principles behind effective writing.  
Students will then compose writing using their insights gleaned from analysis 
and synthesis.  In the process, students will be encouraged to develop their 
own writing styles, find their own voices, develop persuasive arguments, and 
integrate multiple forms of research into their writing.  Students may choose 
to take the AP Language test in the spring for college credit.  They will be 
required to purchase selected paperbacks in order to annotate their texts. 
	
Other course requirements:

Attendance: Since those students with the best attendance tend to 
achieve at a higher level, you should make every effort to attend school 
every day.  Normal school attendance policy is followed.

Assignments: These are due on the appropriate due dates.

Make-up work:  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make-up work.  
If you are not ill, quizzes are made-up when you return to class.  Contact me 
if you have questions or wish to arrange a time to complete make-up work.  No 
class time will be used for this.  Be responsible for all notes, etc., during 
your absence – check the website regularly.  Communicate with your learning 
partner in order to cover missed material.

Grades:  Your grade is based on the total number of points you earn each 
quarter.  The school grading system is used (100-90 = A, etc.).  For each 
semester, each quarter is 40% with the final exam 20%.  Grades are on-line.  
If you ever want to discuss your grade(s), please conference with me outside 
of class.  There will be some objective tests; however, the majority of 
assessments are written.

Extra-credit:  is just that – extra.  There will be opportunities available, 
but without all regular work being turned in, there is no possibility of 
extra-credit.

Academic Dishonesty:  Honesty in school is one of the fabrics of a healthy 
environment.  Thus, any academic cheating, plagiarism, etc., is cause for 
disciplinary action.  This also results in a zero, a phone call home, and a 
loss of trust.  Respect yourself, your teacher, your peers, and the facility.

Other “niceties”:
	Know everyone’s name and address each with this.
	I will treat you in a mature fashion, please return this.
	Pay attention in class.
	Avoid staying home to complete work.
	Communicate consistently and honorably.
	I am much more concerned with your attitude than your “brilliance.”
	Hard work overcomes many difficulties.
	Enjoy the fruits of learning more than the grade.
	Will you do what is right or what is easy??

Best wishes for a great year!!

GO EAST, GO GRIFFINS, GO BLUE!!!

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Mr. Tom Anstett

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