Course Overview
T Dobson | Email: Tdobson@hrsb.ca
Course Introduction
This course offers students opportunities to learn on their own, learn with peers, experience and create a variety of texts, explore new perspectives, build on strengths, and develop new skills such as speaking and writing, reading, and critical thinking. Classroom activities are designed to support students in meeting the required learning outcomes for English 12 and helping them to build confidence and proficiency with all language processes.
Evaluation
30% — Speaking and Listening (e.g. presentation, group/class discussion, audio text response)
30% — Reading and Viewing (e.g. novel study, research, independent reading, thematic study)
20% — Writing and Representing (e.g. essay or letter, creative project, language study, journal)
20% — Final examination
When determining final grades in this course:
o No single assessment will account for more than half the value of the category
o I may use professional judgment when considering learning trends over time and more recent student work
o Students will write a final examination, which counts for 20% of the overall grade.
Assessment Practice
Students will be provided with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their progress toward achievement of outcomes:
o Formative assessments (based, for example, on conferencing, conversation, observation, checklists, exit passes, homework checks, and classroom activities) are informal and do not affect grades. Students receive feedback and have the opportunity to improve as they practice new skills, while teachers gain information about students’ strengths and needs.
o Summative assessments (which include, as examples, all final products and projects, tests, quizzes, reading responses, and journals) occur at the end of a lesson or unit, appear on the Gradebook portal, and count toward midterm and final grades. These assessments give students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned, communicate student learning to parents/guardians, and give teachers the opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of lessons.
Creating Opportunities for Success
The language arts classroom plays a critical role in helping students prepare for their adult lives. All students are expected to help establish and maintain a productive and safe learning environment by:
o Participating in all class activities;
o Completing assigned work, including homework, in a timely manner;
o Respecting the dignity, abilities, and experiences of all members of the class;
o Understanding that classroom time is for classroom activities.
Individual concerns are addressed outside of class time.
Procedural Expectations
Students are responsible for:
o Seeking assistance with assignments when required;
o Requesting an extension for assignments in a timely manner when required;
o Completing assignments by specified due dates so that I may provide timely feedback;
o Responding to feedback provided during the learning process.
Please note:
o In the event that a due date for an assignment is missed, it will be at my discretion and that of the principal to extend the deadline.
o Students who do not adhere to the extended deadline will have missed that opportunity to demonstrate achievement towards the outcomes addressed in that assignment.
o Missing or overdue work will sometimes be required to be completed under the supervision of the teacher.
o Students will not be able to exempt the English 11 exam; however, in order to be eligible for an exemption in any other course(s), students must be up-to-date with all major assignments in all courses and have no more than six excused absences/six lates in any class.
o There is no bonus work or work package for this course. It is necessary to attend regularly and complete work as assigned.
Communication Tools
Dartmouth High School will use a variety of methods to communicate student achievement throughout the school year.
o PowerSchool (Gradebook) — please contact the main office regarding portal passwords
o Google Classroom
o Curriculum Night
o Parent/Guardian-Teacher Interviews
o Mid Term Reports and Final Report Cards
Accessing Help
Questions and concerns should be addressed promptly. Extra help is available by appointment when students miss time, have difficulty with the course work, or simply want feedback about an assignment they are completing. Students are encouraged to make an appointment for lunch or after school support when needed (subject to availability). It is the responsibility of students to see teachers about missing work. Extra help or conferencing sessions are sometimes requested and scheduled by the teacher.