COURSE OUTLINE

Grade 12 English – 40SC
Course Outline – Fall/Winter 2013-14
Mr. Grunerud / Ms. Kopetsky
dgrunerud@sjsd.net / lkopetsky@sjsd.net

 

This English course will offer many opportunities for written and oral expression.  You will be exposed to a wide variety of literary forms and other media in order to develop and strengthen your communication skills.
You will be assessed in the following areas:
a) Comprehends and responds critically to a variety of texts
b) Uses and adapts to a variety of written forms appropriate for audience, purpose, and context
c) Manages ideas and information
d) Explores thoughts, ideas, feelings, experiences
e) Celebrates and builds community
UNITS       APPROXIMATE TIMELINE
1. Identity         15 classes
• Readings – short stories, poetry, non fiction
• Viewing – feature film
• Writing –memoir
• Review of Write Traits/Grammar
• Writing & Connecting Variables
• Ongoing Reflections
2.  Media Literacy        15 classes
• Film Analysis
• Viewing – three – four feature films
• Writing – film review/response
3.  Narrative Forms        15 classes
• Readings – variety of texts
• Writing – variety of forms
4.  Human Rights/Holocaust Unit Study     25 classes
• Readings – short stories, poetry, non-fiction
• Writing – creative assignment/essay/quadrant/speech
• Novel – Night by Elie Wiesel
5.  Exam Prep         Ongoing 
• Readings/Assignments in preparation for the January 2014 Provincial
Exam
Added Bits:  Poetry, Modern Play, Discussions/Debates, Variety of Readings – Newspaper, Articles, Textbooks, Cartoons, Digital Learning (Bring in your devices)
Course Evaluation:
Daily Work (including written assignments, reading response journals, tests, oral presentations, etc.):           70%
Provincial Standards Exam – January 2014:       30%
You will be assessed in the following areas:
a) Comprehends and responds critically to a variety of texts
b) Uses and adapts to a variety of written forms appropriate for audience, purpose, and context
c) Manages ideas and information
d) Explores thoughts, ideas, feelings, experiences
e) Celebrates and builds community
Your assignments (homework, class work, quizzes, tests, essays, projects, etc.) will be graded based on one or more of the above areas. Don’t worry; this will make more sense as we go through it.

Working for Success
 It’s up to you…lots of stuff will be going on in class.  Ask for help, spend time doing homework…
 If you miss any classes (that would include assignments, assessments, etc.) it is your responsibility to get caught up.  Check with me as to the best time to complete this catch up. 
 You will be considered late if you arrive after the bell and the class has begun.  Please enter the room quietly, leave your late slip on my desk, and go to your seat without disturbing any of the other students. Alternative, better option: be on time.
 You will need a three-ring binder, looseleaf, several pens (black/blue ink).  Most assignments that are handed in are to be in blue or black ink/or word processed; pencil is acceptable for daily edits and some other assignments.
 Our room is to be kept clean at all times. Please recycle. Remember that we share this room; don’t make me the bad guy with other teachers!
 Respect and courtesy are paramount to the success of our classroom.  This means everyone in the room has the right to enjoy a safe, positive, and non-threatening learning environment. How do we do this? Easy: keep classroom conversations respectful of everyone, including anyone not present.
 If you choose not to use classroom time productively, that’s your problem. If you’re interfering with the ability of others to use class time effectively, then it’s my problem. It’s part of the respect and courtesy thing.
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is to always try one more time.”  Thomas Edison