Language Arts 9
Course Outline
Grand Centre High School
Mr. J. Nichol
2008-2009
Overview of Semester
Students in Language Arts 9 will be with Mr. Nichol until the end of Semester 1 in January. After their midterm, students will take the second half of the course with Ms. Kapoor.
Classroom Agreements
It is the desire of the instructor to create an atmosphere of positivity, cooperation and respect in the classroom. Students will be expected to follow 4 simple “Classroom Agreements” in Language Arts 9. These are:
ATTENTIVE LISTENINGMUTUAL RESPECT
APPRECIATION STATEMENTS (NO PUT-DOWNS)
RIGHT TO PASS/RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE
Unit 1: Literacy in a Media Hungry World (Jan 29-Feb 28)
Students will learn to write and communicate effectively with technology in the 21st Century. Emphasis will be placed on structure, spelling, grammar, puntcuation, content and tone.
Unit 2: The Call of The Wild vs. Into the Wild (March 1-April 1)
Students will compare the journey of two characters who are drawn to the North. Includes a major character analysis of Buck, Jack London’s iconic adventurer, and Christopher McCandless, an idealist whose desire for a simpler existence cost him his own life.
Unit 3: Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (April 1-May 15)
Take a creative look at one of Will’s funniest comedies. Who said Shakespeare was boring? Not here! Students will create podcasts, perform scenes and will compare William Shakespeare’s original and adapted text with the Hollywood Film , “10 Things I Hate About You.”
Unit 4: Poetry Redux (May 16- June 8)
Students will analyse, write and create digital media to create a deeper understanding and appreciation for poetry.
Grading
Assignments/Projects70%
Quizzes Test15%
Mid-Term Exam (Jan) or Pat Final Exam (June)15%
Note: Students mark from semester 1 will be combined with their semester 2 mark from Ms. Kapoor’s class to determine their final grade.
See GCHS Student Code of Conduct
Cell Phones
Cell phones must be turned off while in class. Please see GCHS’ Acceptable Cell Phone use Policy