ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 20F

COURSE OUTLINE
______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE:
To enjoy the pleasures of literature, inviting stories, poems, plays, and films to
evoke our emotions, challenge our thoughts, and inspire us to become better
human beings.
To develop fundamental skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing
and representing.
GENERAL OUTCOMES:
Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, literary, and media
texts.
Manage ideas and information.
Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.
Celebrate and build community.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Unit One: Poetry
Unit Two: Short Stories
Unit Three: Novel Studies
Unit Four: Research Essay
Unit Five: Shakespeare / Drama
Novel Studies: The Chrysalids, My Left Foot, Huckleberry Finn, All Quiet on the Western
Front, The Call of the Wild, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Night-time.
MARKS BREAKDOWN:
20% - Tests and Quizzes
35% - Assignments
15% - Research Unit
30% - Final Exam February 2, 2016
WEEKLY ROUTINES:
1) Independent reading: Every class will begin with 15 minutes of silent
reading. Students should plan to bring their independent reading books to
every class. Reading logs and journal entries will be completed periodically
to assess independent reading.

2) Grammar and spelling: Mini-lessons will focus on basic mechanics:

capitalization, punctuation, homonyms, sentence construction, elements of
style, and spelling rules.

3) Journal: You will need to write daily in your Journal Notebook. I will be
expecting THREE pages of writing every week. In addition, I will regularly
give you journal topics and questions. In order to receive an at-level journal
mark, these assignments must be completed. Your journal is a place for
YOUR writing this is not intended for notes or instructions. Journals will be
assessed four times during the semester. Assessment will be explained in
class.
Journal Marks:
100
80
60
40
20
0

Above Level All required entries, required quantity, exceptional presentation

At Level All required entries, required quantity, organized
Emerging Missing some entries and does not meet required quantity
Below Level Many missing entries, insufficient quantity, messy
Very Little effort in maintaining a course journal
Out of Range No journal submitted

Journal entries must be completed in an 8.5 x 11 notebook.

Journal Checks:
1. October 13 12 pages
2. November 12 12 pages
3. December 17 12 pages
4. January 28 12 pages
.

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR EVERY CLASS:

Independent reading book
1-2 binder with looseleaf and dividers
Blue/black pens, pencils, erasers, paper, etc.
Journal Notebook (8.5x11)

SUPPLIES NOT NEEDED FOR ANY CLASS:

Cell phones
Hats, bandanas, toques, etc.
Ipods, electronic devices
Food
If used repeatedly in class, these supplies will be confiscated and returned at the
end of the school day. Further consequences may be added as necessary; see
agenda book.

LATE/MISSED ASSIGNMENTS:
Missed work is your responsibility. If you know you are going to miss a class in
which an assignment is due, hand it in early, or have a sibling/peer drop the
assignment off.
Handouts: You are responsible for collecting missed handouts and consulting a
classmate concerning missed work.
Assignments must be handed in the appropriate in-box at the beginning of class;
they may not be handed in via email, or at the end of class.
Late assignments may receive up to a 20% deduction at the rate of 2% per
day.
Final cut-off dates for late assignments:
o Term 1 April 10
o Term 2 June 12
o Late assignments submitted after these cut-off dates will not be
graded.
Daily homework, speeches, or presentations must be prepared for the beginning
of class. A missed homework check, speech, or presentation will result in a zero.
Missed tests must be made up within 2 days of your return to class, unless other
arrangements have been made with the teacher.
Skipped tests (unverified absence) may result in a zero, an essay-style test
alternative, or an essay-style alternative assignment, at the discretion of the
teacher.
ATTENDANCE
As stated in GVC policy, consequences for unverified absences may include
detention, suspension, and removal from class.
Notify the office and Mr. Dueck if you plan on being absent.
LATES
Late students will receive zero on missed grammar quizzes, reading checks, and
homework checks.
Students retrieving supplies from their locker during class time will be considered
late.
PLAGIARISM:
Definition: The act of using the ideas or work of another person or persons as if
they were ones own, without giving credit to the source.
Consequences: 0%, redo assignment, course failure
Other forms of cheating, such as looking at another students paper during a quiz
or test, allowing another student to look at your paper during a quiz or test, or
talking during a test or quiz, will lead to similar consequences.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MR. DUECK

Email: stephen.dueck@gvsd.ca
Phone: 325-8008