Wexford Collegiate, School for the Arts Department of English Course of Study English, Grade 9, Applied ENG1P 2011-2012

Course Description: This course is designed to develop the key oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills students need for success in secondary school and daily life. Students will read, interpret, and create a variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts. An important focus will be on identifying and using appropriate strategies and processes to improve students' comprehension of texts and to help them communicate clearly and effectively. The course is intended to prepare students for the Grade 10 applied English course, which leads to college or workplace preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12.

Course Texts: Prose and Poetry Selections from: Crossroads 9 Literacy Power G Newspaper Selections Dramatic Selections from: Seven Plays of Mystery & Suspense Front Row Novel Study (Minimum of one of the following): Monster Looking for a Hero The Rock Crabbe Son of the Mob Graphic Novel: Bone Series Individual Graphic Novel

Evaluation: Term Work (70%) + Culminating Tasks (30%) = 100% Term Work (Strands):

Final Assessment Tasks

Reading and Literature Studies: Writing: Oral Communication: Media Studies:

21% 21% 14% 14% 30%

English Curriculum - Overall Expectations ORAL COMMUNICATION: 1.

Listening to Understand: Listen in order to understand and respond appropriately in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes;

2.

Speaking to Communicate: Use speaking skills and strategies appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes;

3.

Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: Reflect on and identify their strengths as listeners and speakers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful in oral communication situations.

READING: 1.

Reading for Meaning: Read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning;

2.

Understanding Form and Style: Recognise a variety of text forms, text features, and stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they help communicate meaning;

3.

Reading With Fluency: Use knowledge of words and cueing systems to read fluently;

4.

Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: Reflect on and identify their strengths as readers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful before, during, and after reading.

WRITING: 1.

Developing and Organizing Content: Generate, gather, and organise ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience;

2.

Using Knowledge of Form and Style: Draft and revise their writing, using a variety of informational, literary, and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the purpose and audience;

3.

Applying Knowledge of Conventions: Use editing, proofreading, and publishing skills and strategies, and knowledge of language conventions, to correct errors, refine expression, and present their work effectively;

4.

Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: Reflect on and identify their strengths as writers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful at different stages in the writing process.

MEDIA LITERACY: 1.

Understanding Media Texts: Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of media texts;

2.

Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques: Identify some media forms and explain how the conventions and techniques associated with them are used to create meaning;

3.

Creating Media Texts: Create a variety of media texts for different purposes and audiences, using appropriate forms, conventions, and techniques;

4.

Reflecting on Media Literacy Skills and Strategies: Reflect on and identify their strengths as media interpreters and creators, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful at different stages in understanding and creating media texts.

Course Units Each unit is designed to develop and improve fundamental literacy skills to support student learning across the curriculum. Unit orders and assignments are subject to change. Unit One:

Me and My World

15 Periods / 15%

In this first unit, students will focus on reading and writing texts which examine relationships with family, friends, and the surrounding community. They will have the opportunity to express opinions about themselves and their environment while examining social issues and asking questions such as “who am I” and “what do I think”? Cross-curricular reading strategies, vocabulary development, writing process skills, self-assessment and goal setting will be emphasized. Periodically, students will be tested on reading content and comprehension, and they will be required to self-assess, peer edit, and polish writing pieces for submission and evaluation. Evaluation: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Class Activities & Reflection (Media and Writing) Polished Opinion Piece (Writing) Reading Comprehension Test (Reading) Photo Essay (Media and Oral Communication)

Unit Two:

Weird and Wonderful Mysteries

2% 3% Literacy Diagnostic Test 10%

20 Periods / 20%

Students will examine a range of short texts, dramatic scripts, such as “The Monkey’s Paw” or “Dracula”, graphic texts, and audio recordings with a focus on unexplained creatures and phenomena. Particular emphasis will be on script development, as well as the Graphic Novel, Bone. Evaluation: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Class Activities & Reflection (Reading and Writing) Bone Reading Test (Reading) Creating Drama – Storyboard/Comic Book (Media) Drama Presentation (Oral Communication)

5% 5% 5% 5%

Unit 3:

Adventure, Danger and Disaster

15 Periods / 15%

Working alone and in groups, students will reflect on, respond to, and analyse a variety of selections related to adventure and taking risks. Students will examine a variety of short, informational texts about physical challenges, work dangers, and environmental disasters. Particular emphasis will be on writing a news report, reading and listening strategies to understand oral presentations. Evaluation: 1. Reading Comprehension Tests – Readings (Reading) 2. Response to Oral Presentation (Oral, Writing) 3. News Report (Reading and Writing)

Unit 4:

Novel Study

3% 4% 8%

25 Periods / 20%

Students will read one core novel as a class, or participate in one of three reading circles. Using a variety of oral and written activities, students will develop their reading comprehension skills as they work towards becoming independent readers and critical thinkers. Particular emphasis will be on collaboration with peers in small groups through literature circles, and preparing and responding to student presentations. Evaluation: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Reading Comprehension Test (Reading) Literature Circle Media/Writing Tasks (Media/Writing) Literature Circle Responses (Oral Communication) Opinion Essay (Reading and Writing)

Course Culminating Activities

3% 6% 3% 8%

15 Periods / 30%

Drawing upon themes, strategies, and skills developed in previous units the culminating course activities focus upon having students demonstrate the range of skills they have honed or acquired throughout the year. The focus is on reflection upon and demonstration of their learning. Final Evaluation: 1. Creative Writing Task 2. Oral/Media Task 3. Reading Task

10% 10% 10%