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Dan Forte
Email:
dan.forte@gvsd.ca
Welcome to the wonderful world of English Language Arts! This course focuses on the six
language arts: reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and representing. It is a
course about communication - a course about discovering, exploring, and expressing
your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Students will use and develop skills within the six
language arts to improve on many aspects of communication by responding to and
creating a variety of pragmatic and aesthetic texts.
One of the main purposes of this course is for students to enjoy the pleasures of
literature, inviting stories, films, and other texts to evoke your emotions, challenge your
thoughts, and inspire you to become a better human being. In this course I am hoping
you will gain a deeper understanding of yourself and/or the world around you.
GENERAL OUTCOMES:
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Units:
*These units are subject to changes throughout the semester
*Units not necessarily presented in this order
The Bucket List
Life goals. Do you have any? The unit will culminate with students writing either their own eulogy or 80th birthday
speech, which will be presented by someone else in the class.
Macbeth
We'll take a look at the play and study some of its language and themes. Then well critique the use of Shakespeare in
the ELA classroom.
Maus I
Well read the graphic novel and study the form. We may watch a movie/documentary or two as well and study those
forms.
Creative Writing
We'll take a look at a variety of texts and develop creative writing techniques. Students will write a creative piece for
their final project.
Assessment:
Here is a breakdown of the mark distribution for this course.
50% - Unit Work
20% - Tests/Quizzes
30% - Final Exam
50% - Unit Work Category
35% - Major Assignments
Major Assignments/Projects:
Bucket List =
/7%
Macbeth =
/7%
Maus I =
/7%
Ethics and Morals =
/7%
Creative Writing =
/7%
10% - Process Journal
The Process Journal will be assessed 3-4 times for a total of 10% of your final mark.
5% - Minor Assignments
20% - Tests/Quizzes Category
5% - Independent Reading Test
10% - Maus I
5% - Ethics and Morals
30% - Final Exam
You will write a final exam the third week of June. It is worth 30% of your final mark. You will be adequately
prepared to write this exam
since it is based on the skills you will be refining throughout the semester. And I
provide a sweet review.
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Assignments due on or before this date will not be accepted after this date has passed. Your assignment will
receive a permanent NHI
(not handed in), which is the equivalent of a "0."
Assignments due on or before this date will not be accepted after this date has passed. Your assignment will
receive a permanent NHI
(not handed in), which is the equivalent of a "0."
Assignments due on or before this date will not be accepted after this date has passed. Your assignment will
receive a permanent NHI
(not handed in), which is the equivalent of a "0."
LATE WORK
It is expected that all assignments will be completed and submitted on time. Under
exceptional circumstances, extensions will be given. Extensions will only be given if
you have spoken to Forte BEFORE the assignment due date.
**Marks for late assignments will be reduced to a maximum of 20% at a rate not
exceeding 2% per school
day.**
Classroom Expectations:
Students who are decent human beings know the expectations and follow them:
1. Respect for everybody, all the time. This includes respecting yourself!
**Cellphones and other handheld devices are not to be used in class. In
fact, I dont even want to see them. Leave your device in your pocket,
just like I do. Ignore it. Set it to silent and turn the vibration feature
off**
2. Leave the negativity at home, or keep it to yourself!
3.
You are responsible for learning material that you have missed, no matter the
reason.
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Availability:
If you need to speak with me about any concerns, or if you need extra help, I am here for
you. You can email me at any time, and you can speak with me whenever Im free. Here
is when I am available to respond to your emails and when I am available for extra help:
Email:
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