English 10

Amy Hillaby
email: amyhillaby@gpcsd.ca
The study of English Language Arts enables you to understand and
appreciate the importance and artistry of literature. It also enables you to
understand and appreciate language, and to use it confidently and
competently for a variety of purposes, with a variety of audiences and in a
variety of situations for communication, personal satisfaction, and learning.
As strong language learners, you will be able to meet Albertas graduation
requirements and will be prepared for entry into post-secondary studies if
you so choose!
General Outcomes (as stated by Alberta Education)
Students Will Listen, Speak, Read, Write, View and Represent To:
General Outcome 1: Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
1. Discover possibilities
2. Extend awareness
General Outcome 2: Comprehend literature and other texts in oral, print,
visual and multimedia forms, and respond personally, critically and
creatively.
1. Construct meaning from text and context
2. Understand and appreciate textual forms elements and techniques.
3. Respond to a variety of print and nonprint texts
General Outcome 3: Manage ideas and information
1. Determine inquiry or research requirements
2. Follow a plan of inquiry
General Outcome 4: Create oral, print, visual and multimedia texts, and
enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.
1. Develop and present a variety of print and nonprint texts
2. Improve thoughtfulness, effectiveness and correctness of
communication
General Outcome 5: Respect, support and collaborate with others
1. Respect others and strengthen community
2. Work within a group
Evaluation
The units in this course are organized thematically. Each unit will possess a
variety of genres linked by a common theme.
Knowing how your learning is evaluated is important so you can advocate for
your own learning!

You will be provided with a rubric for each assignment so you know how you
will be assessed.
Process
10%
Product
50%
Unit Assessment
20%
Final Assessment (portfolio) 20%
What do the categories mean and what type of assignments are included in
each?
Process = typically assignments which focus on the learning of the
material. This could be check in quizzes, assignments with several steps
involved (process of writing, etc.), metacognitive questions/assignments,
seminar work, socratic discussions, formative assessment.
Product = culminating type of assignments where output is actually
evaluated. Such assignments include Personal Response to Texts, Critical
Analytical Responses to Literature, Visual Representations, Teaching Act IV of
r Romeo and Juliet etc.
Unit Evaluation = end of unit, proof of learning/understanding. These help
you prepare for your final course assessment! This will include EITHER one
Personal Response to Text, one Critical Analytical Response to Text and an
Essential Question Unit project.
Course Outline
Unit I:Fortunes Fool or Simply Stupid?
Essential Questions: Should we blame fate for the consequences of our
actions or are we alone fully responsible? To what extent does ignorance
contribute to human suffering? Is there such a thing as bad luck or is luck
a matter of perspective? (approx 30-35 classes)
Novel choices: Independent novel study. A novel of your choosing, approved
by me!
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
A look at Shakespeare A Man and His Times
Familiarization with language and usage (literary devices, figures
of speech etc.)
Elements of a Shakespearian play.
Personal and Critical Analytical response to play.
Possible Film for study: Forrest Gump
Short Stories from Sightlines 10: The Face in the Pool, The Skating Party,
The Sniper
Study of poetry: Texts: Poetry in Focus and Sightlines
Figurative Language (differentiating between figurative and
literal language)

Identifying figures of speech

Forms of poetry

Unit 2: How Full, Exactly, is the Glass? (approx 30-35 classes)

Essential Questions: Why is it some people can view a
situation/circumstance as something negative whereas others view the same
situation/circumstance as something positive? Why is it easy to "play the
victim rather than take responsibility? Why do some people view
themselves as victims, and others as heroes?
Possible Short Stories from Sightlines 10: Earthquake, The Man Who Had
No Eyes, The Bicycle, Borders
Film Study: Catch Me If You Can
Modern Drama: Learning to Drive (Sightlines)
Various short stories, nonfiction, and poetry.
Unit 3: Behind the Mask: Identity/Dreams (approx 30-35 classes)
Essential Questions: Who are you? Suddenly life is no longer black and white
but a variety of colours and hues and contrasts. Humans often identify who
they are by what they believe, the opinions they hold and the roles that they
choose. To what extent are we responsible for our own happiness? What
causes some people to contribute to injustice whereas others fight against
it?
Texts: Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird
Possible Films for study: The Help and Signs
Modern Drama: Lord What Fools, Just Lather and Nothing Else (Sightlines)
Various short stories, non-fiction, and poetry

The last of human freedoms is to choose ones attitudes.

- Victor Frankl