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English

 
HUMANITIES 8
 
This is a year-long course that covers the content and competencies of both English Language Arts and Social Studies. Within this course, students will develop skills in reading, writing and communication through creative and critical thinking. Students will also develop a sense of personal and social responsibility.
 
The big ideas for English 8  include:
 
  • the exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others and the world.
  • people understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
  • texts are socially, culturally, geographically and historically constructed.
  • language shapes ideas and influences others.
  • questioning what we hear, read and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
  • recognize and appreciate the role of story, narrative, and oral tradition in expressing First Peoples' perspectives, values, beliefs, and points of view. 
 
Social Studies 8 explores content spanning the 7th century to 1750, such as:
 
  • contacts and conflicts between peoples stimulated significant cultural, social and political change.
  • human and environmental factors shape changes in population and living standards.
  • exploration, expansion and colonization had varying consequences for different groups. 
  • changing ideas about the world created tension between people wanting to adopt new ideas and those wanting to preserve established traditions.
 
Students will be able to engage in the inquiry process; assess significance of place, people and events; look at continuity and change throughout history. Also, they will learn to explain different perspectives and make ethical judgements on past and present events, actions, and decisions.
 
 
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS  9          (required)
 
The general aim of this course is to develop the understanding of English through investigation and exploration.  The skills emphasized include reading, writing, communication, creative and critical thinking, with a focus on the structure in language and literature. Students are also required to develop a sense of social and personal responsibility.
 
Big Ideas include:
  • the exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
  • people understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
  • texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
  • language shapes ideas and influences others.
  • questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
 
 
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS COURSES FOR GRADES 10, 11, AND 12
 
Big Ideas include:
 
  • the exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others and the world.
  • people understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
  • texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
  • language shapes ideas and influences others.
  • questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
 
Required courses for a Dogwood Diploma:
  • English First Peoples 10 OR Creative Writing/Composition 10 OR New Media 10
  • English First Peoples 11 OR Literary Studies and Writing 11
  • English First Peoples 12 OR English Studies 12
 
 
ENGLISH FIRST PEOPLES 10            (meets English 10 requirement) 4 credits
 
EFP 10 is intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students interested in engaging with culturally-based literature and improving their writing experience.
 
  • This course represents authentic First Peoples voices exploring worldviews and principles of learning through varied experiences, values, beliefs, and connections to land/place, through both local and international perspectives .
  • Various texts will be explored including oral story, speech, poetry, dramatic works, film, and prose (both fiction and non-fiction).
  • Students will have the opportunity to develop their creative and analytical writing skills based on common themes explored in the course.
 
 
CREATIVE WRITING AND COMPOSITION 10            (meets English 10 requirement)  4 credits
 
  • Intended for students who want to expand and improve their writing experience.
  • Students will read and study compositions by other writers and consider a variety of styles as models for the development of their writing.
  • Students will use writing and design processes to plan, develop and create engaging and meaningful texts for a variety of purposes and audiences.
 
 
NEW MEDIA AND LITERARY STUDIES 10           (meets English 10 requirement) 4 credits
 
  • New Media 10 is a program of studies designed to reflect the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas.
  • This course is intended to allow students and educators the flexibility to develop a program of study centered on students’ interests, needs, and abilities, while at the same time allowing for a range of local delivery methods.
  • Allows students to delve more deeply into literature as they explore specific themes, periods, authors, or areas of the world through literary works in a variety of media.

 

 
ENGLISH FIRST PEOPLES 11          (meets English 11 and Indigenous Focused requirement) 4 credits
Pre-requisite: Any English 10 course
 
  • EFP 11 is intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students interested in engaging with culturally-based literature and improving their writing skills.
  • Represents authentic First Peoples voices exploring worldviews and principles of learning through varied experiences, values, beliefs and connections to land/place, through both local and international perspectives.
  • Explore various texts and genres, including oral story, speech, poetry, dramatic works, film and prose (both fiction and non-fiction).
  • Develop creative and analytical writing skills based on common themes explored in the course.
 
 
ENGLISH FIRST PEOPLES 12           (meets English 12 Indigenous Focused requirement) 4 credits
Pre-requisite:  Any English 11 course
 
  • This course is intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students to engage with culturally based literature and improving their writing skills
  • Represents authentic First Peoples voices exploring worldviews and principles of learning through varied experiences, values, beliefs, and connections to land/place, through both local and international perspectives.
  • Students will explore various texts and genres, including oral story, speech, poetry, dramatic works, film, and prose (both fiction and non-fiction).
  • Students will develop their creative and analytical writing skills based on common themes explored in the course.
 
 
ENGLISH STUDIES 12            (meets English 12 requirement) 4 credits
Pre-requisite:  Any English 11 course
 
  • Students will continue to explore various texts and genres, including oral story, speech, poetry, dramatic works, film and prose (both fiction and non-fiction).
  • Develop creative and analytical writing skills based on common themes.