English Language Arts IV

West Island College

First Semester/2017-2018

Code: 632-406

Teachers:  C. Grivas, D. Hastings, A. Krespil, F. Myers

Required texts:  Seagull Reader Literature Collection

                          Night by Elie Wiesel

                          Dictionary + Thesaurus (teacher recommendation)

Course Description

This course is meant to strengthen and improve the student’s analytical, written, oral, and comprehension skills.  It has been designed to thoroughly prepare our students both for Secondary V English and CEGEP English.

The short story, poetry, and drama will be the focus of our literary adventures.  Seagull Reader-Literature Collection, and a Shakespearian play will be the main sources of materials.  Independent reading (in the hope of making lifetime readers of our students) will be strongly encouraged.

A number of short stories and poems will be studied in depth.  This will allow the student to increase his/her analytical skills and to develop an appreciation of literature.  Students will be taught to analyze and to write the reading response.  They will be encouraged to conference and discuss their understanding of various works.  The students will be taught the formal essay structure with a focus on the persuasive style.  As well, an introduction to the commentary article will be taught.  

Drama will be taught through one of the works of William Shakespeare.  Students will learn about the Elizabethan world picture.  Excellent audio recordings of the play will be utilized.  Textual analysis will be taught through this action-packed play.  

The novel will be approached in a two-pronged manner.  One or two novels may be read in class, including such works as Night, The Glass Castle, The Book of Lost Things and Something Wicked this Way Comes.  They will be examined as literary works and used for analysis.  Also, the themes and their relevance to today’s world will serve as a basis for discussion.

There will be four oral assignments, all designed to enhance the students’ skills in presenting themselves in a confident manner.  

Throughout all the literary units we will note the various themes and styles that are presented.  Some themes for discussion and writing will include topics as utopia/dystopia, the heart of darkness, fables and fairytales, the games people play, etc.

Competency Evaluation

1. Uses language to communicate and to learn…………………… 33%

• Oral presentations, videologues, group work

2. Reads and listens to texts……………………………………......33%

• Reading responses, quizzes, novel evaluations

3. Produces spoken, written and media texts  ……………………... 34%

• Argumentative essay, creative writing, article writing

Evaluation

• Learning and evaluation situations are designed to assess each competency as per the prescribed weight (value) of the Ministry of Education.

• Students will be informed of specific evaluation plans, tasks, weight and frequency in class.

Extra Help Availability

Remediation is an important component of the learning process.  If students are having difficulties with the course material, it is important that they seek help immediately.

Due to the individual nature of the courses, the request for extra help may come from the student, the parent or the teacher.  Extra help will be provided by appointment with the teacher (at lunchtime or after school) and the student will be obliged to attend.  

Students must assume responsibility in this area – for attending the extra help session and for any necessary follow-up.

Parents will be informed of any problems that arise as well as the role they should play in the remediation process.

EVALUATION PLAN