ROSEDALE HEIGHTS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

ENG1D: GRADE 9 ACADEMIC ENGLISH, 2015-16

TEACHER:
REVISED:
GUIDELINES:
COURSE AIMS:

Mr. Carter, Mr. Parkes, Ms. Thorpe

September 2015
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10 English, 2007
This course is designed to develop the oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy
skills that students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily
lives. Students will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret
informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An
important focus will be on the use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. The
course is intended to prepare students for the Grade 10 Academic English course.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Please note that depending on the needs of each class, units may be changed, added, or taught in a different order.

1. WRITING

AND REBELLION: In this introductory unit, we will explore a variety of poetry and prose. We will
use short stories, or John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men, or George Orwells Animal Farm to explore the
elements of fiction, and if classic texts are still relevant. We will also compose a short introductory essay.

2. CONTEMPORARY NOVEL STUDY: Our focus will be the study and interpretation of Ransom Riggs Miss
Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children, Rainbow Rowells Eleanor and Park, or Mark Haddons The
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. We will pay close attention to the social and cultural aspects
of the novel, the use of voice, and writing techniques.

3. ELIZABETHAN DRAMA: This brief unit will introduce students to the language and themes of William
Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream or Twelfth Night. We will try to centre our exploration on film or
live performances of the play, and will discuss and examine modern and traditional adaptations.

4. MEDIA STUDIES: An introduction to media literacy will frame the units study, which will focus on the analysis
of differing types of media. Students will explore feature films, documentary films, and advertisements,
critique contemporary media practices. We are often able to make a trip to Torontos Hot Docs film festival
during in this unit.

5. PERSONAL NARRATIVES

AND CREATIVE WRITING: Students will examine the role of story-telling in todays
world by reading Marjane Satrapis graphic novel Persepolis, and by composing their own creative writing
portfolios. We will also explore some contemporary and historical world issues.

6. WRITING SKILLS: Throughout the year we will focus on the use of formal written language to articulate and
organize ideas. We will review grammar rules, basic elements of style, and common usage and sentence
errors in high school writing. The goal will be to improve students formal writing skills.

7. EXAMINATION: The grade 9 English examination takes place at the end of the year, and will incorporate
concepts and ideas explored in class.

8. INDEPENDENT NOVEL STUDY: This 4-week culminating project takes place in class during June 2016. It
allows students to demonstrate what they have learnt by selecting an independent novel to read and study.
Students will analyze characters, create media pieces, and compose writing assignments.

EVALUATION
TERM WORK

70%

Reading and Literature Studies

Writing
Oral Communication
Media Studies
Examination

18%
18%
12%
12%
10%

SUMMATIVE EVALUATION

30%