Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary

2013-2014

English 8

Teachers: Mr. Street, Mr. Pimentel, Mr. Ditson

Room: 306 (far door) Email:

Tutorial times: Tuesdays (3:00pm-3:45pm in room 306)

English 8 Course Outline

Rationale

Welcome to English 8, a course that emphasizes the development of important communication skills. Throughout the year we will be working towards improving reading comprehension, listening skills, formal and creative writing, critical thinking, and public speaking. We will explore a wide range of materials including articles, short stories, poetry, public speaking (speeches) and a novel. The hope is that through our study of different texts students will grow in their understanding of themselves and the world around them, and furthermore develop their ability to interact with this world in a variety of ways.

Intended Outcomes

The following are prescribed learning outcomes derived from the BC Ministry of Education Integrated Resource Package. It is expected the student will:

·  Respond to texts personally, critically and creatively.

·  Use specific skills and strategies to create thoughtful personal responses, compare ideas, and synthesize thinking over a variety of literature including novels, short stories, mythology, poems, visual texts, and non-fiction texts.

·  Identify and analyze various literary elements including elements of the short story, poetic devices, figures of speech, character types etc.

·  Be able to identify and discuss theme both verbally and in formal written form.

·  Use grammatically correct, and stylistically appropriate, language in speaking and writing (purpose and audience).

More detailed prescribed learning outcomes may be found on the Ministry of Education’s website:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/english_language_arts/2007ela_812.pdf

Evaluation

·  Formal Writing (Paragraphs, Multi-paragraph responses): 30%

·  Assignments (questions, responses, reviews, worksheets etc): 25%

·  Homework: 10%

·  Tests and Quizzes: 15%

·  Midterm and Final Exams: 20%

Expectations

·  Be on time each day prepared with all necessary materials.

o  Binder, pens, current text of study and a silent reading book

·  Come to class with an open mind and be willing to learn!

·  Show respect for all those around you- students and staff alike.

·  Remember, everyone has the right to a safe classroom environment, so listen to others and respect their opinions.

Late/ Incomplete Assignment Procedures:

Zeros / Students who do not hand in their assigned work will be given a zero until that work has been completed and handed in. Once the work is submitted to the teacher, the assigned mark will replace the zero. All work must be completed by Reporting Period Deadlines. If outstanding work is not received by these deadlines the mark for the outstanding work will remain a zero.
Late Work / Due to our open grade book and Zero Policy, late work will be accepted. However, there may be non-numerical consequences to work being submitted late. These consequences may include less formative feedback on the work handed in, completing alternate assignments, and other reasonable items as identified by the department policies.
I’s / An “I” mark and “I-form” will be assigned a student for any of the following reasons:
·  if the student is failing the course
·  if the student is in danger of failing the course so that students and parents may be warned
·  for incomplete work, regardless of mark percentage, if the student has failed to demonstrate understanding of key Prescribed Learning Outcomes which are linked to core assignments or tests
·  for work which is in progress due to extenuating circumstances such as illness or absence
Re-assessment opportunities / Re-assessment opportunities will be granted to a student only after certain conditions have been met. These conditions will require the student to demonstrate understanding of course Prescribed Learning Outcomes.

Absences:

·  Students are responsible for the completion of all assignments regardless of absence.

·  If a student is absent it is his/her responsibility to contact the teacher regarding making up the assignment. Please Note: the teacher will not chase you for missing work!

·  If you have questions regarding work you have missed, please see the teacher on your own time to discuss the assignment- please do not discuss this at the beginning of class.

·  If a student has missed a test or quiz due to a legitimate reason, they are to expect that the test will be written on their NEXT DAY BACK.

Texts:

·  Inside Stories I and selected short stories

·  The Outsiders

·  Selected poems

·  Selected grammar worksheets

Binder:

·  Students must have these sections in their binders: Notes/grammar, assignments, and tests/quizzes and writing

Overview of the Year:

Unit One: September
The Wonder of Writing and Reading Workshop / →  Writing and editing terms
→  The 8 parts of speech
→  Sentence construction as writing dictates
→  Rules of punctuation as writing dictates
→  Grammar Review as writing dictates
→  Grammar Gurus
→  Reading Journal will be ongoing throughout the year
Unit Two: October – November and throughout the year.
Descriptive, Narrative, Persuasive and Expository Compositions / →  Explore the different writing styles & their purposes
→  Prewriting techniques: Brainstorming & Outlines
→  Daily Writing for multiple purposes
→  Editing and Revision
Unit Three: December – January
Theme and Short Stories / →  Key Elements of the Short Story: plot, setting, conflict, character, point of view, and THEME
→  “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
→  “The Open Window” by Saki
→  “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov
→  “A Letter to God” by Gregorio Lopez y Fuentes
→  “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe
→  Literary Analysis & Comprehension Quizzes for each story
→  Students will create & present their own short story
MIDTERM EXAM / GRAMMAR, WRITING, SHORT STORIES
Unit Four: February
Exploitation of the Youth in Advertising / →  How do companies market and target teenagers
→  Music Videos – the exploitation of the human body
→  Selling Cool – branding effects
→  Television and Movies
→  Billboard and Mall Advertising
→  Stereotypes and Bias in the Media
→  Student Group Project and Presentations
Unit Five: March
Public Speaking – Let Your Voices Be Heard / →  Explanatory of Persuasive in Nature
→  Analyze the role of public speaking
→  View famous speeches and critique
→  Students to research, prepare, and practice speech
→  Presentations
Unit Six: March - April
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton / →  Literary Circles
→  Literary Analysis – writing and discussion
→  Themes: Friendship, Family, Identity, Stereotypes
→  Viewing of Film
→  Student Projects
Unit Seven: May – June
Poetry and Mythology – Finding the Magic in Language / →  Students will maintain a Poetry Portfolio for the unit
→  Students will read, interpret and analyze poems
→  Students will create and present their own poems
→  Greek Myths – the beginning, the Gods and Goddesses, and various mythological stories

*Grammar lessons will be taught throughout the year.