ENG 20-2 COURSE OUTLINE

Every kid. Every day. Teacher: Mrs. Switzer Email: elizabethann.switzer@nlsd.ab.ca Welcome to English 20-2! Through this course we will be working on the goal of becoming life-long learners. This course focuses on all six of the strands required in the Language Arts curriculum: LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING, WRITING, VIEWING, AND REPRESENTING while at the same time focusing on Canadian literature and Canadian content. One of the best quotations is: To be mature is to know when to be immature. Therefore, it is expected that you will know and practice this difference. There will be times to be creative and loud, and there will be times to be quiet and focused. One key component to success in this course is attendance. This course moves quickly and provides a deeper understanding of the content of the English Language Arts course, as well as providing the knowledge base for your Senior English courses; thus, your presence will ensure your continued success through high school. A second key component of your success is your understanding of what we are doing. If you dont understand, it is your responsibility to come and talk to me so that I can help. Like in any good partnership, I am committed to you, and you need to be committed to me. General Course Objectives: There are 5 general outcomes that form the foundation of this course. Students are expected to demonstrate increasing confidence in their abilities to: explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences comprehend literature and other texts (oral, print, multimedia) and to respond personally, critically, and creatively manage ideas and information create oral, print, visual, and multimedia texts, and enhance the clarity and artistry of communication respect, support, and collaborate with others In addition, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will be incorporated to provide a broad perspective on the nature of technology, how to use and apply a variety of technologies, and the impact of ICT on the self, and on society. The ICT curriculum presents these concepts with the following interrelated categories: communicating, inquiring, decision-making, and problem solving foundational operations, knowledge and concepts, processes for productivity Moral intelligence will also be an integral part of this course as students will be expected to examine materials from various perspectives and to reflect on their own feelings and thoughts on various texts.

UNITS OF STUDY Through the semester the main units of study will comprise a variety of activities and will focus on developing a variety of skills, using a variety of materials (novels, short stories, poetry, essays, videos, and media technology). 1. Short Stories Several short stories will be studied in order to become familiar with particular literary terms and stylistic devices, and in order to observe, describe, define, explain, analyze, persuade, reflect, and captivate. Students will also be expected to write a short story. Approximate time frame: 4 weeks 2. Novel 1: Students will participate in a novel study in order to become versed in the understanding and manipulation of literary texts, and with the concept of anthropological investigation. Students will complete literary and research projects. Novel will be announced at a later date. Approximate time frame: 4 weeks 3. The plays the thing Students will be re-introduced to Shakespeare and read, research, and enjoy Shakespeares Macbeth. Students will study themes and motifs, and work on presentations, projects and inquiry. Approximate time frame: 4 weeks http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/ 4. Poetry Poetic techniques will be studied as students read and write various types of poetry, and a research project will familiarize students with Canadian poets, as well as international poets. Approximate time frame: 2 weeks 5. Media Students will become aware of the major tactics and techniques used in the Canadian media, with a focus given to non-fiction articles and comic book characters. Approximate time frame: 2 weeks 8. Independent Novel During class, students will be expected to be reading an independent novel. This will be ongoing throughout the semester. With this novel, they will be doing projects. Supplies Needed: Binder with paper Pens/pencils Novel (for independent reading) Jump drive/flash drive Texts as appropriate Pencil crayons/markers as needed Evaluation: Major Writing Assignments Major Assignments Tests Final Exam 20% 20% 20% 40%

EXPECTATIONS You are to come to class prepared (binder with paper, pen/ pencil, texts as needed) Name, class, and date is to be written in the upper right-hand corner of all work that is submitted (with the exception of essays which will have a cover page) Double space all assignments and write only on one side of the page All assignments submitted are to be written in blue or black ink (no pencil for good copies) or typed Please note: Assignment due dates are to be given proper consideration. If there is a situation that comes up and results in an assignment needing to be handed in late, please talk to me. Occasionally, some work will not be accepted late (homework checks, in-class assignments, or assignments that have been corrected and returned this is the gamble you take). Please note: Computer failure will not be considered a valid excuse for not submitting an assignment on time. Students are expected to take alternate measures (email it to the teacher and ask her to print it before school begins, bring it in on a disk/memory stick and bring it to be printed prior to the beginning of school, write it out by hand) in order to submit assignments on time. Attendance: Attendance is crucial to success. If you are late, please enter the class quietly if the door is open. If the door is closed, please wait outside the door patiently and I will come and let you in at my earliest convenience. You may knock once to let me know you are there; however, then you are expected to wait. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and to pick up the handouts from the folders at the back of the class. It is expected that missed work will be submitted at the beginning of class upon your return, or that it be submitted by someone else. If you miss an exam, you will have to make arrangements to write it when you return. Be prepared to write it upon your arrival. If the absence is unexcused, you will receive a mark of 0. There is no eating/ drinking in class except for water.

Cell phones infringe on peoples right to learn and provide distractions for you as well as the people around you. If I see your cell phone, whether you are texting, facebooking, etc, it will be confiscated for the day. Repeated infractions will involve administration. (unless there is an emergency situation of which the Administration and I should be aware).
Very important: Plagiarism of any kind immediately results in a mark of 0 and a phone call to a parent/ guardian. Please be aware that there are two types of plagiarism: direct (which is obvious) and indirect. Indirect plagiarism (which is equally as offensive) refers to the taking of someone elses ideas, keeping the same line of thinking, but changing the words. The ideas and presentation of those ideas is still not your own, and unless you give credit to the source, you are plagiarizing. If your find someone who has said something exactly like you wanted to say it dont pass it off as your own. I would much prefer you give the source credit, than trying to be sneaky. There will be no leniency in this regard.

Curriculum Information Form ***Please read, complete, and submit this sheet tomorrow.
The Alberta Guide to Education 12 states:

[it] is important in preparing students to participate responsibly in a democratic and pluralistic society. Such study provides opportunities to develop the ability to think clearly, to reason logically, to open-mindedly and respectfully examine different points of view and to make sound judgments. . .issues that have been anticipated by the teacher, and those that may arise incidentally during instruction, should be used by the teacher to promote critical inquiry and/or to teach thinking skills. English Language Arts courses facilitates an investigation into the human condition. The human condition is diverse, complicated, multi-faceted, exciting and complex. It includes elements of experience, geography, history, religion, personal choices, and culture. The uniqueness of differing experiences contributes to a richness that should be learned and questioned in a way that acknowledges and appreciates multiple perspectives an underlying and foundational principle in my classroom. Should you require more information about the main works of literature in this course, I have included helpful websites that will provide you with more detailed content information. Should you be interested in obtaining more specific information regarding the content of specific units in this course, please do not hesitate to contact me. My signature below indicates that I have read this course outline, ____________________________ Student Signature ____________________________ Student Printed Name ______________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________ Parent/Guardian Printed Name

In order to facilitate communication between myself and you (parent/guardian), I am creating a database of parent email addresses. Should you wish to be a part of this database, please include your email below: Parent/Guardian e-mail : ___________________________________ Parent/Guardian cell#: ___________________________________

**Remind 101 As another way to communicate with students and parents, I have set up a Remind 101 account. Through this, I will send texts to students, reminding them of tests, assignments, school events, or other pieces of information that is needed. This account lets me send texts without knowing a students phone number. To receive messages via text, send Students: Once you have texted this, you will be asked for your name. Please enter your name Ex. John Doe Parents: Once you have texted this, you will be asked for your name. Please enter your name, along with your childs name in brackets. Ex: Jane Doe (John) @easeng202 to 204-817-0221

To receive messages via email, send an email to @easeng202@mail.remind101.com WHAT IS REMIND101 AND WHY IS IT SAFE? Remind101 is a one-way text messaging and email system. With Remind101, all personal information remains completely confidential. Visit www.remind101.com to learn more. **Website I also have set up a website where you can check in and see what is going on in class. To find the website, go to: mrsswitzer.weebly.com As always, please feel free to contact me at the school (826-3366) or via email (elizabethann.switzer@nlsd.ab.ca) I look forward to a fantastic year with your student! Elizabeth-Ann Switzer