9ENG - ENGLISH

Year 9 English is important because it:

• Enhances lifelong learning and communication skills such as reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening.

• Contributes to your developing sense of identity and connection with the world, and your awareness of Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage.  You will  learn how to think about a variety of texts in order to understand the power of language to enrich and shape your own and others’ lives.  

• Allows you to develop skills that empower you to think critically and express yourself creatively. 

Adapted from TKI 

In Year 9 English, you will "develop a sense of identity and understanding of the world" by:

• Developing reading and writing skills that help you engage meaningfully with a range of texts.

• Developing your ability to use a range of language features appropriately, and show increasing understanding of their effects.

• Increasing your understanding of how to use punctuation, spelling and grammar accurately.

• Learning to use and respond to feedback.

• Learning to recognise the relevance of literature to yourself and the wider world.

You will develop the ability to be a lifelong learner, who is critical and creative, by reading, viewing and listening to a range of texts to interpret language and meaning.  These include:

• Extended written text (Novels and/or Plays)

• Short written text (Short stories and/or poetry)

• Visual text (Posters and/or Film)

• Oral text (Speeches and/or Plays)

When examining texts, you can expect to participate in discussion and debate, to complete written responses such as paragraphs and essays, and to use critical thinking activities such as Thinker’s Keys and 3-Level Guides.  

You will also create a range of texts, including:

• An oral presentation (such as a debate, speech or monologue)

• A writing portfolio (a range of formal and creative writing)

• A Shakespeare performance for the Y9 Drama Festival

You will use an exercise book, Google Docs, Google Classroom and Education Perfect.  

Homework

You should be reading for pleasure - teachers will negotiate how reading is assessed with the students.  Other than that, the only homework expectations are that you complete work started in class, and perhaps work on some assessments at home.

Successful students in English build on their existing literacy skills by being:

• • Willing to listen and engage openly in the ideas of others in a range of forums.

  • Able to receive and provide feedback to their peers.

  • Curious about how others see the world.

  • Resilient and able to persist when dealing with challenges.

  • Able to work independently or collaboratively according to the task.

Students who would benefit from additional literacy support may consider selecting INT as an option subject.

A range of formal and informal checkpoints will take place throughout the year.  Students will be advised of targets at the start of each term.  

Students' understanding of ideas and ability to support them with details, as well as progress in literacy learning (reading and writing) will be tracked via: 

• a range of creative and non-fiction writing experiences

• speaking/presenting opportunities

• response to text paragraphs 

Assessment in the Junior School

This course is assessed using our WC Learning Progression Framework and provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to continue onto NCEA L2 English.