Overview: This course is designed so that students may improve their pre-course skill levels in the practical use of language. Emphasis will be placed on improving communication skills, practicing critical thinking, developing literacy skills, responding to literature, and demonstrating understanding and evaluation of material. The six strands of language arts reading, writing, viewing, listening, representing, and speaking will be covered in a variety of ways, with a focus on reading and writing.
A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other. Charles Dickens
Units: 1. Introductions (Welcome to Your Next Phase) 2. Introduction to Letter Writing Time Capsule 3. The World as it Currently Exists Media Awareness, Cultivating Skepticism Critical Literacy, & Changing the World, One Letter at a Time Persuasive Writing 4. Transformative Short Stories and Incredibly Creative Writing 5. Significant Poetry 6. Secret of Life Novel Study 7. Secret of Life Film study
Evaluation: Your mark in this course will be determined accordingly:
*Marks weightings subject to change at the discretion of the English Department, Administration, and/ or Department Coordinator. At this time there is no final exam, but that is also subject to change. Provincial Achievement Tests are to be written at the end of Grade 9 according to Provincial governance and application of standards.
You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it. Maya Angelou
Resources & Supplies: Textbooks and novels will be checked out as needed. All other texts will be photocopied and provided to you as needed. It is strongly recommended that you keep ALL notes and assignments, and keep them organized to support personal review of concepts studied.
It is the responsibility of each student to come EVERY class fully prepared with ALL required materials. These include:
-Writing utensil (preferably black or blue ink pen) -Paper -Binder (neatly organized with all materials) -Texts (as required)
Homework/ Assignment Policies: English 10-1 is a rigorous academic course designed to prepare students for further academic study of English Language Arts. Students should expect to have regular homework and/or reading to be completed as homework, as part of their learning and preparation in this course.
Assignments must be submitted at the BEGINNING of class on the assigned DUE date. If you have an excused absence for the day an assignment is due, it is due at the beginning of the first class upon your return. Assignment due dates will be clearly communicated. If you have not handed in an assignment by the time it is marked and returned to the class, it will be counted as an INCOMPLETE. Late assignments may be subject to a reduction in marks. A DEAD date will be assigned, following the due date, for significant or summative assignments. Assignments may not be submitted after any posted dead dates, and calls home may be made.
When absent, it is the STUDENTS responsibility to catch up on missed class work by seeing the teacher promptly upon your return to school. Lateness: Respect for the learning of others is demonstrated by those who arrive for class on time. Students who are late to class disrupt the instruction given to students who are on time. Repeated lates will be discussed and dealt with accordingly.
Plagiarism: Copying, borrowing, or downloading someone elses work and presenting it as your own is a SERIOUS ACADEMIC OFFENSE. This includes resubmitting work YOU have done for previous classes. Plagiarized assignments will be redone over several lunch hours until completed to my satisfaction.
Electronic Devices Policy (for cell/ smart phones, and ALL other devices): There will often be appropriate times to use your personal devices. Technology is a fantastic tool, and part of your education is learning how to use that tool effectively. This means:
1. Unless you are given specific opportunity and permission to use your device, keep it on silent and put away.
2. When you are permitted to use your device, do so respectfully any inappropriate content, misuse of time, or disrespectful conduct with technology will not be tolerated, and you will lose your tech privileges.
3. If you are found to be misusing or wasting class time with technology, you will lose your tech privileges. (This includes texting.)
4. I ALWAYS have veto; Ms. Harrison giveth, and Ms. Harrison taketh away.
Headphones must be removed from your ears and neck while I am teaching. If it is an independent working activity, you may ask to listen to music. If permitted, you may listen at a volume that does not disturb others or interfere with your ability to learn or work. Music is NOT permitted during exams and major assignments.
Students not complying with expectations are communicating a defiance of the classroom expectations and will be dealt with in a disciplinary manner.
Everything Else: Ask permission before leaving the classroom for use of Washroom/ Drinks/ Materials. Use this privilege wisely; abuse of this privilege will result in its termination. Excessive time spent out of the classroom/ abuse of these privileges will result in you repaying me this time on your lunch hour. Only ONE person at a time may be absent from the room. PLEASE wait for an appropriate time to leave. (It is not appropriate to leave in the middle of a lecture or other instructional activity.) You are expected to get caught up on any material missed in an appropriate way.
Food in the classroom is a privilege. You may enjoy this privilege until it becomes a problem with garbage, mess, or distraction from learning. If food becomes a problem, the privilege will be removed. For school policies concerning the dress code, please see your student handbook.
ALL school policies will be adhered to and enforced when necessary.