English 12 - Course Outline and Expectations
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Regular Classroom Activities
VOCABULARY - we will do a weekly vocabulary assignment that will include new words, definitions, and work early in the week and a quick quiz at the end of the week
LITERATURE CIRCLES - Literature circles will be based on books that students are able to pick from. The books will need to be read within a 4-5 week time frame and most of the reading will occur outside of classtime. Each week, we will have a "lit circle." During this time, students will gather with others reading the same book and will discuss specific aspects of the book as assigned by a student each week. They will be required to write a journal on a provided topic and will then engage in some self and peer reflection on how the day went. At the end of the 5 weeks, they will write an in-class essay on a topic designed to get them to "show what they know." Although not all of the books are on the Ministry of Approved Resources Lists, they have all be vetted through the Locally Approved Resources process by the Board of Education SHORT STORIES - In addition to relative terminology and background, the class will be exposed to a variety of short stories ranging from classical to contemporary authors on a variety of issues and topics. Much of these stories will be read out loud in class and will be accompanied by questions, paragraphs or other assignments. DRAMA - Depending on time, the class will read a contemporary drama and hopefully a Shakespearean play. Much of these plays will be read out loud in class and will be accompanied by questions, paragraphs or other assignments POETRY - Students will be expected to know and recognize relevant literary devices. In addition, they will read numerous poems that encompass a variety of central ideas or themes and these will be accompanied by questions, paragraphs or other assignments. ESSAYS/MEDIA - Through the course, students will be presented with articles and/or videos on topical issues suitable for their age. They will be asked to "take a stand" on these issues as a way to develop their ability to both think critically and to support their point of view with articulate evidence. They will also be expected to practice writing in a variety of forms including narration, description, persuasion, argumentation, exposition etc. |