Ms.

Harrisons English LA 9 Course Outline

Email Contact: Liz.Harrison@gppsd.ab.ca
Classroom Phone: (780) 513-3200

Overview:
This course is designed so that students may improve their pre-course skill levels in the practical use of
language. Emphasis will be placed on improving communication skills, practicing critical thinking,
developing literacy skills, responding to literature, and demonstrating understanding and evaluation of
material. The six strands of language arts reading, writing, viewing, listening, representing, and
speaking will be covered in a variety of ways, with a focus on reading and writing.


A wonderful fact to reflect upon,
that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and
mystery to every other. Charles Dickens


Units:
1. Introductions (Welcome to Your Next Phase)
2. Introduction to Letter Writing Time Capsule
3. The World as it Currently Exists Media Awareness, Cultivating Skepticism Critical Literacy, &
Changing the World, One Letter at a Time Persuasive Writing
4. Transformative Short Stories and Incredibly Creative Writing
5. Significant Poetry
6. Secret of Life Novel Study
7. Secret of Life Film study





Evaluation:
Your mark in this course will be determined accordingly:

Course Work & Assessment: 100%*
Assignments 30%
Projects 20%
Creative Writing 25%
Critical Writing 25%

*Marks weightings subject to change at the discretion of the English Department, Administration, and/
or Department Coordinator. At this time there is no final exam, but that is also subject to change.
Provincial Achievement Tests are to be written at the end of Grade 9 according to Provincial
governance and application of standards.

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.
In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are,
what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it. Maya Angelou

Resources & Supplies:
Textbooks and novels will be checked out as needed. All other texts will be photocopied and provided
to you as needed. It is strongly recommended that you keep ALL notes and assignments, and keep
them organized to support personal review of concepts studied.

It is the responsibility of each student to come EVERY class fully prepared with ALL required materials.
These include:

-Writing utensil (preferably black or blue ink pen) -Paper
-Binder (neatly organized with all materials) -Texts (as required)

Homework/ Assignment Policies:
English 10-1 is a rigorous academic course designed to prepare students for further academic study of
English Language Arts. Students should expect to have regular homework and/or reading to be
completed as homework, as part of their learning and preparation in this course.

Assignments must be submitted at the BEGINNING of class on the assigned DUE date. If you have an
excused absence for the day an assignment is due, it is due at the beginning of the first class upon your
return. Assignment due dates will be clearly communicated. If you have not handed in an assignment
by the time it is marked and returned to the class, it will be counted as an INCOMPLETE. Late
assignments may be subject to a reduction in marks. A DEAD date will be assigned, following the due
date, for significant or summative assignments. Assignments may not be submitted after any posted
dead dates, and calls home may be made.

When absent, it is the STUDENTS responsibility to catch up on missed class work by seeing the
teacher promptly upon your return to school.
Lateness:
Respect for the learning of others is demonstrated by those who arrive for class on time. Students who
are late to class disrupt the instruction given to students who are on time. Repeated lates will be
discussed and dealt with accordingly.


Plagiarism:
Copying, borrowing, or downloading someone elses work and presenting it as your own is a SERIOUS
ACADEMIC OFFENSE. This includes resubmitting work YOU have done for previous classes. Plagiarized
assignments will be redone over several lunch hours until completed to my satisfaction.


Electronic Devices Policy (for cell/ smart phones, and ALL other devices):
There will often be appropriate times to use your personal devices. Technology is a fantastic tool, and
part of your education is learning how to use that tool effectively. This means:

1. Unless you are given specific opportunity and permission to use your device, keep it on silent
and put away.

2. When you are permitted to use your device, do so respectfully any inappropriate content,
misuse of time, or disrespectful conduct with technology will not be tolerated, and you will lose
your tech privileges.

3. If you are found to be misusing or wasting class time with technology, you will lose your tech
privileges. (This includes texting.)

4. I ALWAYS have veto; Ms. Harrison giveth, and Ms. Harrison taketh away.

Headphones must be removed from your ears and neck while I am teaching. If it is an independent
working activity, you may ask to listen to music. If permitted, you may listen at a volume that does not
disturb others or interfere with your ability to learn or work. Music is NOT permitted during exams and
major assignments.

Students not complying with expectations are communicating a defiance of the classroom
expectations and will be dealt with in a disciplinary manner.


Everything Else:
Ask permission before leaving the classroom for use of Washroom/ Drinks/ Materials. Use this privilege
wisely; abuse of this privilege will result in its termination. Excessive time spent out of the classroom/
abuse of these privileges will result in you repaying me this time on your lunch hour. Only ONE person
at a time may be absent from the room.
PLEASE wait for an appropriate time to leave. (It is not appropriate to leave in the middle of a lecture
or other instructional activity.) You are expected to get caught up on any material missed in an
appropriate way.

Food in the classroom is a privilege. You may enjoy this privilege until it becomes a problem with
garbage, mess, or distraction from learning. If food becomes a problem, the privilege will be removed.
For school policies concerning the dress code, please see your student handbook.

ALL school policies will be adhered to and enforced when necessary.