ELL 40S: Grade 12 English Literary Focus

Instructor: Mr. Steve Dueck

Theme: The Human Experience

Description:
This course will strengthen the skills needed to accurately acquire information and to make
informed judgements. Studying the great works of literature increases students interpersonal
skills, aesthetic appreciation, and critical judgement. It also promotes the development of strong
communication skills, intellectual discipline, and the open-mindedness required for the world of
further learning.

Explanation and Outline:

Throughout the semester, we will study a range of literary works from various centuries and
genres. As we explore the classics, we will focus on various subjects that emerge, such as:

Innocence and Experience

Conformity and Rebellion
Culture and Identity
Love and Hate
Imagination
The Presence of Death
Good and Evil
Truth, Justice
Fate / Free Will

As part of the provincial English curriculum, you will experience the six language arts: reading,
writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and representing. During our time together, we will look at
some of the following works:

Poetry
Short Stories
Novels:
Lord of the Flies
Things Fall Apart
The Great Gatsby
Crime and Punishment
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Siddhartha
The Grapes of Wrath

Optional Novels / Literature Circles:

Independent Group Study
A Complicated Kindness
The Sun Also Rises
Medicine River
Pride and Prejudice
Catch-22
A Farewell To Arms
As For Me and My House

Drama:
Oedipus the King
Hamlet
The Importance of Being Earnest

Film Studies
The Sons Room
The Way
The Grapes of Wrath

Evaluation and Assessment

Major Writing / Projects
50%
1. Poetry Explication
2. Literary Essay
3. Fiction / Drama
4. Literature Circle
Daily Assignments
Writing / Presentations / Journals / 20%
Creative / Responses
Final Exam (Provincial):
30%
Total

100%

Note The above chart represents approximate weighting of assignments. However, adjustments
may need to be made due to unforeseen circumstances. Assignments will be weighted according
to the teachers discretion.
Your final mark in the course will be an accurate reflection of your work, effort, and contribution
to class as assessed by the instructor. Not every activity in class will receive a formal mark, but
they will all work towards learning and your final mark will reflect your overall performance.
The study of the English language arts enables each student to understand and appreciate
language and to use it confidently and competently in a variety of situations for communication,
personal satisfaction, and learning. In conjunction with the six language arts, assessment will
focus on the following five general outcomes:
1. Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
2. Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print, and
other media texts
3. Manage ideas and information
4. Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication
5. Celebrate and build community

Student Expectations:
1. Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared every day. You will need a
binder with dividers (for notes and handouts) and writing utensils. A separate notebook is
required for journaling.
2. The students and the teacher will exhibit behaviour that models mutual respect. This
includes respect for each other, other classmates, and property.
3. Assignments must be handed in at the beginning of class on the due date. Marks will be
deducted for late assignments: 2% per day maximum 20%. After established cutoff dates, a mark of zero will be given for assignments. Extensions forms available for
exceptional circumstances, but they must be filled out prior to the due date.
4. Students are responsible for inquiring about assignments or work missed. Check your
agenda book for school policies.
5. All required reading and responses must be completed to participate in class activities.
6. Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment, and possibly other disciplinary action
(see Student Handbook for school policy on Plagiarism, Evaluation, and Attendance)

All assignments must be typed and meet MLA guidelines. Do not expect in-class computer time
to complete assignments.
Absolute Cut-off Dates: Term 1April 11; Term 2 June 13
Exam May 30- June 2, 2016

Response Journals
JOURNALS:
The journal you create in this course is intended to record and to extend your learning. It
aims to increase both your knowledge and your skills.
You will use your journal to:
Respond to topics suggested in class
Respond to ideas presented in readings / viewings
Reflect before or after classroom discussions
Review and practice different writing forms
Journals will be assessed for the completion of entries. However, marks may be deducted if
there is a lack of effort or thought, regardless of quantity of writing. In addition, I expect
your journal to be neat with dates and headings. You need to make up ALL journal entries
missed. I will not read your entire journal. If your journal is not in class during a journal
check you will receive a zero for that check. You will also be required to share journal
entries as part of class discussion. If you are not prepared for class (journal not completed)
you will have to spend extra time in class.
Journal Marks:
5
4
3
2
1
0

Above Level All required entries, required quantity, exceptional presentation

At Level All required entries, 10-12 pages, organized
Emerging Missing some entries; does not meet required quantity, 7-10 pages
Below Level Many missing entries, insufficient quantity, messy, <6 pages
Very Little effort in maintaining a course journal
Out of Range No journal submitted

Journal entries must be completed in an 8.5 x 11 notebook.

Journal Checks:
1. March 3 12 pages
2. April 7 12 pages
3. May 5 12 pages
4. June 9 12 pages

Reading: Reading is an important aspect of this course. You are expected to bring a novel to
each class. We will use the first 10 minutes of class as silent reading.

Course Outline:
1. Poetry
a. Elements of Poetry
b. Imagination
c. Explication / Analysis
d. Group/Individual analysis of poems (Robert Frost)
e. Sonnets
f. Group/Individual comparison of poems
g. ASSIGNMENT: Poetry Test / Essays
2. Literary Essays Process, Types (Explication, Analysis, Comparison)
a. Thesis, Introduction, Body, Support, Citing, Conclusion
b. Pre-writing, Drafting, Revising, Final Copy
3. Literature Circles Choice Novel
a. Cooperative Learning, Critical and Personal Response Journals, Review
4. Literary Criticism
a. Critical Approaches
b. The purpose of Art (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

5. Novel Study Things Fall Apart

a. Society, Humanity, Morality, Allegory, Tragedy
6. Film: The Way The Journey, Siddhartha
7. Drama: The Importance of Being Earnest
8. Short Fiction
a. Elements of Fiction
b. Short Stories
c. ASSIGNMENT: Analysis Essay or Creative Writing
9. Drama / Tragedy: Shakespeares Hamlet
a. Thinking vs. Action / Coercion / Revenge
10. Greek Mythology / Tragedy / Aristotle / Sophocles
a. Oedipus the King
b. The Book of Job
11. Novel Studies: Heart of Darkness

Contact: Stephen.dueck@gvsd.ca
Website: stephendueck.weebly.com

ELA Common Standards

1.1 Discover and Explore
1.1.1 Express ideas
1.1.2 Consider others ideas
1.1.3 Experiment with language and form
1.1.4 Express preferences
1.1.5 Set Goals
1.2 Clarify and Extend
1.2.1 Develop understanding
1.2.2 Explain opinions
1.2.3 Combine ideas
1.2.4 Extend understanding
2.1 Use Strategies and Cues
2.1.1 Prior knowledge
2.1.2 Comprehension strategies
2.1.3 Textual cues
2.1.4 Cueing Systems
2.2 Respond to Texts
2.2.1 Experience various texts
2.2.2 Connect self, text, and culture
2.2.3 Appreciate the artistry of texts
2.3 Understanding Forms and Techniques
2.3.1 Forms and genres
2.3.2 Techniques and elements
2.3.3 Vocabulary
2.3.4 Experiment with language
2.3.5 Create original texts
3.1 Plan and Focus
3.1.1 Use personal knowledge
3.1.2 Ask questions
3.1.3 Participate in group inquiry
3.1.4 Create and follow a plan
3.2 Select and Process
3.2.1 Identify personal and prior knowledge
3.2.2 Identify sources
3.2.3 Evaluate sources
3.2.4 Access information
3.2.5 Make sense of information
3.3 Organize, record, and evaluate
3.3.1 Organize information
3.3.2 Record information
3.3.3 Evaluate information
3.3.4 Develop new understanding
4.1 Generate and Focus
Generate ideas
Choose forms
Organize ideas
4.2 Enhance and Improve

Appraise own and others work

Revise content
Enhance legibility
Enhance artistry
Enhance presentation
4.3 Attend to Conventions
Grammar and usage
Spelling
Capitalization and punctuation
4.4 Present and Share
Share ideas and information
Effective oral and visual communication
Attentive listening and viewing
5.1 Encourage, Support, and Work With Others
5.1.1 Cooperate with others
5.1.2 Work in groups
5.1.3 Use language to show respect
5.1.4 Evaluate group process
5.2 Develop and Celebrate Community
5.2.1 Share and compare results
5.2.2 Relate texts to culture
5.2.3 Appreciate diversity
5.2.4 Celebrate special occasions