Ms. Harrisons English 20-1 Course Outline Email Contact: Liz.Harrison@gppsd.ab.ca Classroom Phone: (780) 532-7721, ext.

1189 Overview: This course is designed so that students may improve their pre-course skill levels in the practical use of language. Emphasis will be placed on improving communication skills, practicing critical thinking, developing literacy skills, responding to literature, and demonstrating understanding and evaluation of material. This course will also prepare students for the different parts of the English 20-1 Exam, which will be written in June. The six strands of language arts reading, writing, viewing, listening, representing, and speaking will be covered in a variety of ways, with a focus on reading and writing. Its not about coming to school to get the information! Its about what you can do with this information: answer really interesting questions; go see things for yourselves; experience the learning; inquire; play. Rita Pierson Timeline: *The following timeline is subject to change. Units: 1. Introductions (1 week) 2. Media Awareness, Critical Literacy, & Persuasive Writing (2 weeks) 3. Poetry (2 weeks) 4. Short Stories (3 weeks) 5. Novel Study (4 weeks) 6. Shakespearean Play Study (3 weeks) 7. Film study (1 week)

Evaluation: Your mark in this course will be determined accordingly: Course Work & Assessment: Assignments Projects Tests Writing (Essays) 75% 30% 20% 20% 30% 5% 7.5% 12.5%

Final Exam: 25% Personal Written Response Critical Written Response Multiple Choice

You have to be comfortable enough to let students fail as part of the learning process O ne right answer culture is not learning; to tell students to never be wrong, to ask them to always have the right answer, doesnt allow them to learn. Rita Pierson Resources & Supplies: Textbooks and novels will be checked out as needed. All other texts will be photocopied and provided to you as needed. It is strongly recommended that you keep ALL notes and assignments, and keep them organized to support personal review of concepts studied. It is the responsibility of each student to come EVERY class fully prepared with ALL required materials. These include: -Writing utensil (preferably black or blue ink pen) -Binder (neatly organized with all materials) -Paper -Texts (as required)

Homework/ Assignment Policies: English 20-1 is a rigorous academic course designed to prepare students for 30-1 ELA and subsequent University entrance. Students should expect to have regular homework and/or reading to be completed as homework, as part of your learning and preparation in this course. Assignments must be submitted at the BEGINNING of class on the assigned DUE date. If you have an excused absence for the day an assignment is due, it is due at the beginning of the first class upon your return. Assignment due dates will be clearly communicated. If you have not handed in an assignment by the time it is marked and returned to the class, it will be counted as an INCOMPLETE. Late assignments may be subject to a reduction in marks. A DEAD date will be assigned, following the due date, for significant or summative assignments. Assignments may not be submitted after any posted dead dates, and calls home may be made. When absent, it is the STUDENTS responsibility to catch up on missed class work by seeing the teacher promptly upon your return to school.

Lateness: Respect for the learning of others is demonstrated by those who arrive for class on time. Students who are late to class disrupt the instruction given to students who are on time. Repeated lates will be discussed and dealt with accordingly. Late Stop Checks Late stop checks will be held randomly throughout the year. Students who arrive late for class may be issued a late ticket and required to serve a Flex block detention or a Friday pm detention. Students who are not willing to serve a detention should not be late! Failure to attend an assigned detention will be considered defiance and may result in more severe consequences. Possible consequences include additional detentions, in school suspension, out of school suspension, removal from course, removal from the Comp. Plagiarism: Copying, borrowing, or downloading someone elses work and presenting it as your own is a SERIOUS ACADEMIC OFFENSE. This includes resubmitting work YOU have done for previous classes. Plagiarized assignments will be redone over several lunch hours until completed to my satisfaction. Electronic Devices Policy (for cell/ smart phones, and ALL other devices): There will often be appropriate times to use your personal devices. Technology is a fantastic tool, and part of your education is learning how to use that tool effectively. This means: 1. Unless you are given specific opportunity and permission to use your device, keep it on silent and put away. 2. When you are permitted to use your device, do so respectfully any inappropriate content, misuse of time, or disrespectful conduct with technology will not be tolerated, and you will lose your tech privileges. 3. If you are found to be misusing or wasting class time with technology, you will lose your tech privileges. (This includes texting.) 4. I ALWAYS have veto; Ms. Harrison giveth, and Ms. Harrison taketh away. Headphones must be removed from your ears and neck while I am teaching. If it is an independent working activity, you may ask to listen to music. If permitted, you may listen at a volume that does not disturb others or interfere with your ability to learn or work. Music is NOT permitted during exams and major assignments.

Everything Else: Leaving the classroom for use of Washroom/ Drinks/ Materials Please sign out when leaving the classroom, and back in upon return on the designated board. Use this privilege wisely; abuse of this privilege will result in its termination. Excessive time spent out of the classroom/ abuse of these privileges will result in you repaying me this time on your lunch hour. Only ONE person at a time may be absent from the room. PLEASE wait for an appropriate time to leave. (It is not appropriate to leave in the middle of a lecture or other instructional activity.) You are expected to get caught up on any material missed in an appropriate way. Food in the classroom is a privilege. You may enjoy this privilege until it becomes a problem with garbage, mess, or distraction from learning. If food becomes a problem, the privilege will be removed. For school policies concerning the dress code, please see your student handbook. ALL school policies will be adhered to and enforced when necessary.