ELA 30-2 Syllabus
2016-2017
The English Adventure!
What is ‘language arts’? What makes the English language ‘art’? Simply put, language arts is the study of literature, reading, and composition; but that can sound rather vague. What you are going to embark upon is unraveling the ins and outs of the English language and finding out just what can be done with it.
Expect that we’re going to keep an academic focus (but have some fun as well.).
Your Teacher, Mrs. McCormick
I'll be your guide for this action-packed trip through reading, writing, viewing, speaking, listening, and representing of the English language. We will navigate our way through a variety of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, stopping to sample the wares along the way!
Rules of the Road
1. Respect
- This not just a song! Show it towards the people, the place, and the things you encounter in this class, both online and in-person.
2. Common sense
- I know, I know. People say this isn't as common as it used to be, so let's cause a revival in this space and time we share.
3. When in doubt, ask!
- It is okay to ask questions. It does not hurt a bit.
4. The Big Picture
- This classroom is further bound by the expectations of the Alberta School Act (Section 12, Students p 24), the administrative policies of Prairie Land Regional Division, and the J.C. Charyk School Student handbook.
Learning Adventures Timeline
Nonfiction
A look at the types of non-fiction that exist, as well as an opportunity to hone your writing craft in preparation for the diploma exam. Expect to further your practicing of Visual Reflections, Literary Explorations, and Persuasive writing.
Fiction
Includes both a variety of short stories, Canadian and global, as well as our novel study, Night by Elie Wiesel. Your muse may even get to come out and play!
Drama
One of Arthur Miller's modern tragedies, Death of a Salesman, will take centre stage in our class.
Beneath the Ink
Poetry demystified. What wondrous meanings lie under the words?
The Medium IS the Message
What role does media play in our lives? This unit also contains our film study.
Course Review
As the diploma exam comes up fast after the Christmas break, it is intended that the course content will be completed BEFORE the break. Course review and exam prep will happen when we return from Christmas holidays.
Ongoing Activities
To sharpen your mad ELA skills, there will be ongoing reading, writing, and grammar tools activities including daily muse journals and weekly grammar practice (both online and off-line). See some of those apps below!
Apps We Use
Actively Learn
This is your online bookshelf. You will be assigned reading activities, as well as have the flexibility to explore on your own.
activelylearn.com
ELA 30-2 Class code: cf1da
NoRedInk
This is your online writing conventions practice. You get to tailor it to your preferences, so it can tailor your practice passages.
noredink.com
Class code: chfh7mdc
Kahoot
Back by popular demand! Just one of the fast-paced ways to digitally review what we've been up to!
kahoot.it
Quizziz
You liked Kahoot. Are you ready for Quizizz? One more way to digitally review what we've been up to!
Google Classroom
Ssh...don't tell anyone else, but the 'key' to access this treasure is 6rt5utk.
Classroom Procedures
- Need extra help? Ask and we can make arrangements to do so.
- Missing class? It's YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and complete those assignments. Check out the 'While You Were Out' folders for any handouts.
- Late with an assignment? Best practice is to NOT fall into this trap; however, if this happens, you have ONE week from the assignment due date to turn it in (unless otherwise specified). After that, it falls into the Abyss of Missed Opportunities. Its screaming echos will be heard in your overall course grade at the end of term.
Assessment
To document how successfully you have equipped yourself this term, here is the assessment breakdown. Grades will be cumulative. You will have both formative and summative assessments.
Course Work
Assignments: 70%
Tests/Quizzes: 30%
Final Grade
Course work: 70%
Diploma exam*: 30%
*Includes both a written and multiple choice component, each worth 15% of your overall course grade.
Diploma Exam Information
Good Stuff to Know
At the end of this course, you will be required to complete a two-part diploma exam that will have a combined weighting for 30% of your overall course mark.
Part A: Written exam
- You will be required to complete THREE written assignments in THREE hours.
- Monday, January 16, 2017 @ 9 AM
Part B: Multiple choice exam
- You will be required to read, think, and answer approximately 70 multiple choice questions that test your ability in a variety of genre that we will have studied in this course.
- Monday, January 23, 2017
Student Guide for Diploma Exams
Click here for this helpful PDF of information for you about writing this exam.
ELA 30-2 Written Exemplars
Click here, then click on ELA 30-2. There are numerous exemplars from past diploma exams for the three types of writing you will need to demonstrate.
Diploma Exam FAQ
For all those frequently asked questions you or your parent/guardian may have, just click here.
Stay Organized with Remind!
Contact Information
Email: jennifer.mccormick@plrd.ab.ca
Website: jcc.plrd.ab.ca
Location: Room #197, J.C. Charyk School
Phone: 403-854-3642
Twitter: @mmclassroom