ROSEDALE HEIGHTS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Course Of Study Grade 12 English University Preparation ENG 4U TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 2007
Course Overview Grade 12 English, University Preparation Prerequisite: Course Developers: Kimberley Snider, John Blakey, Nancy Clark Course Description This course emphasizes consolidation of literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills. Students will analyse a range of challenging texts from various time periods, countries, and cultures. They will write analytical and argumentative essays and a major paper for an independent literary research project, and apply key concepts to analyse media works. An important focus will be on understanding academic language and using it coherently and confidently in discussion and argument. Ministry Document The Ontario Curriculum Grades 11 and 12 s: Titles and Time 1 Essay Skills and Theory 20 hours 2 Modern Drama 20 hours 3 Midterm Examination 4 Themes in Literature: Truth and Beauty or Archetypes 20 hours 5 Novel Study: Journey to the Self 20 hours 6 Shakespearean Drama 20 hours 7 Culminating Performance Task: Global Literature 10 hours Overviews 1: Essay Skills and Theory In this introductory unit, students will revisit their knowledge of essay skills, including the use of rhetorical devices in argumentative writing and MLA usage. Students will explore informal writing in their creation of a personal essay and hone their formal writing skills through the analysis of media works using the theories of Marshall McLuhan and Noam Chomsky. Formative Diagnostic 1. The Personal Essay 2. Review of Literary Terms, MLA Style Informal writing tone Using a source for writing inspiration i.e. photographs Using rhetorical devices and heightening style in writing Review of literary terms Using MLA style, preparing a bibliography
3. McLuhan, Chomsky and Theory Introduction to Marshall McLuhan and Noam Chomsky s media theories through videos, articles, lectures, etc. Analyzing media forms Preparing a comparative media essay using theory 1. The Personal Essay 2. Review of Literary Terms, MLA Style 3. McLuhan, Chomsky and Theory In-class reading selections, handouts, class discussions, brainstorming, modelling, in-class writing activities, peer editing. Handouts, research, review of terminology, testing. In-class reading selections, video demonstrations, lectures, handouts, research, class discussions, overhead samples, review of comparative essay writing process, peer editing, drafting, polishing. 2: Modern Drama In this unit students will choose from a variety of Post-War American and Canadian plays, including those by Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Arthur Miller and Michel Tremblay. Students will select and read a play and in groups create dramatizations and media products based on their studies that will be pitched to the class. 1. Independent Literature and Group selection of play Independent reading 2. Creating a Pitch Group planning Research Preparation of Piece 3. Pitch Group 1. Independent In-class reading, brainstorming, selection of roles, modelling 2. Creating a Pitch In-class group work, discussions, conferencing, teacher feedback 3. Pitch Oral presentations, class discussion
3: Midterm Examination The midterm examination is composed of a sight essay. 4: Themes in Literature: Truth and Beauty or Archetypes Students will trace the dominant themes of truth and beauty or archetypes found in a variety of literature, including essays, short stories, poetry and media in preparation of their upcoming novel studies. Student will conduct research into these themes and their connections to literature, and will write a comprehensive test based on their readings. 1. Introducing Themes in Literature Introduction of theories, famous quotations of themes (Carl Jung, etc.) 2. Exploring Themes in Literature Literature and In class reading and viewing selections Researching themes in literature Informal presentations Final test 1. Introducing Themes in Literature 2. Exploring Themes in Literature Lectures, class discussions, handouts, informal group work. In-class reading selections, group activities, research, videos, overheads, class discussions, informal presentations, test. 5: Novel Study: Journey of the Self Students will apply the knowledge and skills gained in previous units to the in-depth study of one of the following novels: F. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby, Robertson Davies Fifth Business or Michael Ondaatje s In the Skin of a Lion. Students will plan seminar presentations and write an argumentative essay or short story based on their novels, with particular attention paid to themes of exploration and self-discovery in the texts. 1. of Literature Studies and and exploration of the novel s themes the Novel 2. Character Seminar and Tasks Literature Studies and Group work, oral presentations, creation of media pieces.
1. of the Novel 2. Character Seminar and Tasks In-class reading, discussion, handouts, literature circles, reading quizzes, film studies, etc. Group work, creation of media pieces, oral presentations., peer editing, polishing writing pieces. 6: Shakespearean Drama In this unit students will extend their facility with literary analysis in their study of William Shakespeare s Hamlet or King Lear. Students will analyze and dramatize the text, plan presentations and produce a variety of work based on their studies. Literature and Socratic introduction to the text aloud for understanding Exploring themes in the text 1. Introduction to the Text 2. Seminar Preparation Preparation of seminar topics Oral presentations 1. Introduction to the Text 2. Seminar Preparation In class reading selections, handouts, lectures, class discussions, videos, quizzes. Group work, oral presentations. 7: Culminating Activity Global Literature The culminating activity builds on skills developed in the Grade 11 ISU Project. Students select two books and/or plays for study, including at least two global texts (other than North American). Students will have teacher-student conferences, write comparative essays and prepare multimedia presentations for the class. 1. Conferences Literature and and note-taking Teacher-student conferences 2. Drafting and Research Drafting an outline Conducting Secondary Research Polishing Essay
3. Multimedia Oral presentations Listening quiz on oral presentations 1. Conferences 2. Drafting and Research 3. Multimedia Notetaking, teacher-student conferences. Peer editing, research, handouts, drafting. Oral presentations, modelling, class discussion. Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement Teachers must assess Learning Skills separately on the report card. Learning Skills (Homework Completion, Independent Work, Team Work, Initiative) play a critical role in the achievement of curriculum expectations. It is the school s expectation that all assignments be submitted on time. Overall evaluation of the course is divided as follows: Term Work - 60% Midterm Examination 10% Culminating Performance Task - 30%. The weighting of the strands in this course is: Literature and 30% 30% 20% 20% Culminating Performance Task 30% Culminating Performance Task Process ( Conferences, outlines, drafts, listening quiz) Final Essay Literature and X Per Cent Value 8% X X X 15%
Presentation X X 7% Textbooks and/or Essential Resources Echoes The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald Fifth Business Robertson Davies In the Skin of a Lion Michael Ondaatje Hamlet William Shakespeare King Lear William Shakespeare Modern Drama Selections may include: Who s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Crucible, Leaving Home, Death of a Salesman, Les Belles Soeurs, Raisin in the Sun, Long Day s Journey Into Night, Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie, etc.