ELA 20

Mrs. McLellan

September 2017

Welcome to ELA 20!

Our course will be broken up into the following two themes over the course of this semester:

- Starting Out- Beginning and Becoming

(Approximately September- January)

Questions to consider within this theme:

How does our beginning impact our lives? How does the past impact the present? Who am I and in what ways am I a byproduct of my childhood?

Central novel for this theme:

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

- Moving Forward- Establishing and Realizing

(Approximately December- June)

Questions to consider within this theme:

What are some of the inevitable changes that we will encounter with life? How can we prepare ourselves to cope well with these changes? How do goals and aspirations shape us as humans?

Central novel for this theme:

"12 Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup

As we examine these two central themes through a wide variety of texts, you will be asked to complete three major assignments for each unit. In total this will be six major assignments by the end of the course. Although the format of these assignment will "sometimes" be pre-determined (as per the demands of the Saskatchewan Curriculum), you will receive a wide variety of choice when it comes to the topic and content of your major assignments. My hope is that you will get the chance to grow your creativity, explore areas that interest you, and become more proficient in reading and writing as you complete these projects.

A general breakdown of the six major assignments are as followed:

Beginning and Becoming Unit:

- Compose a piece of creative writing

- Create and present a multimedia presentation

- Write a literary essay

Establishing and Realizing Unit:

- Use oral language to express a range of ideas (oral presentation)

- Write an informational paper

- Compose and present a dramatic piece (role play)

In addition to these required assignments, practice assignments will also be given throughout each unit to help prepare you for the major assignments. These small practice assignments will be very closely related to the major assignments. Although they will not be graded, the feedback that I give on these practice assignments will be very helpful when you go to complete your major assignments. I would encourage you to work hard on both the small assignments as well as the major assignments if you wish to reach your maximum potential in this course.

All of the assignments will be assessed based on the following three categories:

Comprehend and Respond: This will include your thoughts, your explanations, and the content in your assignments. I will be looking for originality, accurate information and higher level thinking.

Compose and Create: This will include your ability to communicate your ideas. In an oral presentation I will be looking for clarity in your voice, tone, pronunciation, etc. I will also be looking at the quality of your presentation props and accompaniments. In a written project I will be looking for clarity in how you organize your thoughts and I will also be looking for correct grammar and spelling.

Assess and Reflect: This will include your ability to self-reflect on your work and on the process of creating your work. This area will also include your ability to acknowledge what you did well and where you can approve. (**Please note, this category may not appear on every assignment)

In addition to the assignments in this course, I will also be administering a midterm exam as well as a final exam. Although I am expecting to see the most growth in the projects that you will be creating, it is mandatory to write final exams in Saskatchewan. As such, my hope is that the midterm will help prepare and give you a good idea of what to expect on the final. The midterm will take place flowing the first unit and the final will take place at the end of Quarter 2.

Break Down of Marks

Thinking and Inquiry: 25%

Includes research and analysis in major assignment.

Communication: 25%

Includes your ability to effectively communicate your ideas both in writing and speech. For written assignments this will include grammar and in oral assignments this will include volume and clarity of speech.

Application: 20%

Includes your creativity and overall quality of work. Does it relate back to course themes? Does it apply the skills that the assignment is asking for?

Knowledge & Understanding: 30%

Includes Mid Term and Final Exam

I look forward to working with each and every one of you this semester. I hope that as we share ideas and explore these topics you will be inspired to learn and create meaningful assignments. My door is always open if you have questions or ideas to share. I wish you a successful semester!

Sincerely,

Mrs. McLellan