Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Tues. Sept. 5, 2017: Welcome Introduction/Course Outline

English Language Arts A30
Teacher: Ms. Benoit

Contact Information:
 E-mail: dawn.benoit@nwsd.ca

Blogger homework check:

Elaa30fall2017.blogspot.com

 “Language plays a key role in learning and in thinking.  When people use any of the language processes--speaking, listening, writing, reading, representing, or viewing--they learn as they work with language.”
                                                                                         --Sask. Ed. Curriculum Guide

The A30 English Language Arts Curriculum, as directed by Saskatchewan Education, specifies that students are to be engaged in the meaningful use of “Language”.  The literature selected becomes the vehicle of understanding the strands of language: reading, writing, listening, speaking, representing, and viewing.   A resource-based approach in learning will be utilized; thus, the students will be exposed to a variety of texts, print, audio, and video material.

The ELA A30 course is based upon different issues and themes.  In an issue-oriented course, students explore their beliefs, assumptions, and thoughts as they examine issues related to their world.  Issues that will be covered include: 
           
1.      Canada – Diverse Landscapes and People:

A vast and Varied Land; Nature and the Seasons; Regional Landscapes; Identity and Diversity; Personalities and Values.

Possible Questions: What are Canadians’ attitudes to and concerns about the natural and constructed (e.g., political, virtual, linguistic) landscapes in which they live, and how do they express and act upon those attitudes and concerns? How have Canada’s natural and constructed landscapes influenced Canadians? How have Canada’s natural and constructed landscapes deeply influenced Canadian artists, speakers, authors and their texts? How has your region’s landscape been represented in Canadian texts- visual, oral, print, and multimedia? Why is it important to have one’s physical – natural and constructed-landscapes represented in the texts one encounters? How does Canada’s physical landscape influence Canadians’ relationships and interactions with self and each other? How are the landscapes of mind and heart as important as the physical landscapes of Canada? What is revealed about the psychological landscapes of Canadians in visual, oral, print, and multimedia texts? How has the representation of the physical landscape changed throughout Canada’s history? What do the changes reveal about the Canadian psyche? How have Canada’s historical landscapes influenced its contemporary landscapes? What are similarities and differences between historical and contemporary landscapes? What factors account for these similarities and differences? How have historical and contemporary First Nations, Metis, and Inuit landscapes shaped our national landscape? How do we honour the histories of the many peoples who live in Canada while we forge landscapes that are contemporary and emerging? What is the relationship between the individual and the state in Canada? What is the role of the state in Canada? Where does the ultimate power reside in Canada - in the individual or in the society? What societal issues concern Canadians? How have societal issues changed over the course of our nationhood? How do Canadians balance the personal landscape with the societal landscape? How do we balance self-preservation with concern for others?

2.      Canada – Diverse Voices:
                                   
Aboriginal Voices; Voices through Time; Regional Voices
Multicultural Voices; Female and Male Voices; Marginalized Voices.

Possible questions: What does it mean to be Canadian and what is our national identity? What is the relationship between the individual and the community in Canada? How do individuals shape a community and a country and how to the community and the country shape their citizens? What contributions have Canadian individuals made to the character of the Canadian community and/or global community? How do Canadians navigate their local, regional, national and global communities? Why is it important for Canadians to recognize, historically and currently, both the glorious and the scandalous aspects of Canadian life? What perspectives have been dominant or privileged in Canada? Why? Why is equitable representation of voices and all perspectives important for every Canadian? Do Canadians share collective principles that define as Canadians? How can Canadians and their communities with varying and divergent beliefs act ethically, cooperatively, and respectfully?


                                   
The minimum reading/analyzing guide for the ELA A30 resource selection includes:

Short Stories—3 intensive, 3 extensive                     Essays—3 intensive, 3 extensive
Poems--5 intensive, 5 extensive                                 Plays—1 intensive, 1 extensive
Full-length Novels—1 intensive 1 extensive             Other media--- T.V./ Video

Grammar:  An integrative approach will be used in the teaching of grammar. Research has shown that grammar is only meaningful when understood in the context of the strands of any language.  Those not meeting minimal goals will get additional exercises.






                                                     Continued
OVERALL COURSE EVALUATION PERCENTAGES

Term Work:                                                                            
·         Compose and Create
(4 minimum: includes paragraphs, essays, creative
writing, presentations, novel study)                                  25%
·         Assess and Reflect (5 minimum: includes self-
reflection, learning/improvement plans and
assessments)                                                                      20%
·         Comprehend and Respond (4 minimum: includes
unit exams)                                                                        25%

Final Exam.…………………………..                                               30%

CLASSROOM POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance has a direct bearing on success. The goal of Carpenter High School’s attendance policy is to keep students in class to help them be as successful as possible by developing lifelong attendance habits. As such, after five absences (excused or not), the Student Services Worker will be contacted to determine a course of action. After fifteen absences, the recommendation will be removal from this class.

TARDINESS:
Students must be punctual for a minimum of eighty-five per cent of classes.  There is a fifteen tardy classes – excused or unexcused – maximum.  Exceeding fifteen tardy classes will result in a recommendation to be removed from this class.

MISSED ASSIGNMENTS/QUIZZES/EXAMS: 
Quizzes/Exams must be written on the scheduled dates.  If a student misses a quiz/exam, the student must make arrangements with the teacher to write that quiz/exam no later than three days after the student returns to school. In most situations, alternative assignments and/or exams will be available to replace the ones missed, thus removing the NHI. This, however, must be requested in a timely manner by the student and before final quarterly and year-end deadlines. Students will know what they have missed if they keep up with their readings on Blogger. The novel study is deadlined. Lates will not be accepted.

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Sufficient time will be given for the completion of all assignments.  Readings, however, often involve student directed learning as students read at different speeds. It will be up to each student to organize his or her time appropriately.
Hand-Written assignments for editing: must be submitted in blue or black ink (not felt or pencil).
Grammar and multiple choice assignments must be submitted in pencil.
Continued

SUBMISSION EXPECTATIONS
First and Last name, date of submission, and class designation (A30) MUST appear in the upper right hand of all formative assignments being handed in. The only exceptions to this rule is if an assignment supplies a spot where your name is indicated to go or if you are following MLA layout expectations on an essay. If an assignment is submitted without meeting this basic objective, it will be returned for revision or a mark will be deducted. If an assignment is submitted in pencil when it is supposed to be in pen or in pen when it is supposed to be in pencil, it will be returned for revision or a mark will be deducted. It is expected that students at this grade level can follow basic submission expectations. If you are in doubt about the expectations for an assignment, ask.

PLAGIARIZISM:
Plagiarism is a serious offence.  Any grade 12 student caught plagiarizing will receive a zero per cent on the assignment in question.  Offences will also be referred to administration.  Teachers have access to Internet sites that can detect plagiarism and often due so randomly.

BEHAVIOUR:
While in this school, and by extension, this classroom, RESPECT is the #1 rule.  All students are required to display polite, courteous manners towards teachers, office and maintenance staff as well as fellow peers.  All students are to respect the dress code at Carpenter High School as specified in the student agenda book.  Behaviour deemed inappropriate will not be tolerated and administration will be notified immediately.

CELL PHONES:
Cell phones are distracting to all students in class. Cell phones are to be turned off and put in the “daycare” when students enter the class (or not brought in at all). In rare situations, cell phones may be used if the teacher provides consent and only immediately after consent is given.

FOOD/DRINK: 
Students are encouraged to bring bottled water to class.  Other beverages and food are not permitted, without prior approval by the teacher.  This is a school rule.

SUPPLIES:
See me if obtaining any of these are a problem. I expect students to have these for class by Tuesday, September 11, 2017.Mond
ay, September 8, 2014.
·         Pens: dark blue or black only (ball point, not felt tipped)
·         Highlighters (a pack of four distinct colours)
·         Pencils and erasers
·         A USB stick

·         Binder and paper

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