English 20-APĀ 

Mr. Smith | Winter/Spring 2024

Room: 2048

Ā Welcome to English Language Arts 20-AP! Please DO NOT HESITATE to come to me with any questions, comments, or concerns whether they pertain to this course, another course, or personal matters; I am here to ensure that your time in my class and at Bert Church High School is educational, empowering, and enjoyable. I have full confidence in your ability to succeed.

Course Description

Course Overview

English Language Arts immerses students in the study of language and literature, developing and expanding upon the fundamental reading, writing, and language skills that students have studied previously.Ā  Through ELA, students will continue to study and apply the knowledge and skills that will allow them to be successful in this course and on their Provincial Exams.


English Language Arts 20-AP continues to immerse students in the advanced study of language and literature with a focus on preparing students for future academic studies in English. Specifically, this course will develop and foster studentsā€™ fundamental reading, writing, and language skills, guiding them in experiencing the significance, artistry, and value of literature. This course is geared towards students with an academic and artistic interest in literature, and it will challenge them to use language clearly, correctly, and efficiently in analytical, persuasive, and personal situations. Furthermore, this course will begin preparing students for the English 30 Diploma exam, as well as post-secondary studies in English literature.


The time designated to any one unit may vary, depending on the number and type of skills and activities to be integrated into that theme.Ā  However, in any one genre, the six essential strands: listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, & representing will be used to complete the following:Ā 

Course Objectives

Materials

Course Syllabus

Course Schedule

The exact schedule of the course will vary depending on the needs of the student learning group, the constraints of time, and the availability of course materials. Regardless of the schedule the course follows, the main theme and discussion point for the course will be the concepts of PERSONAL AND SOCIETAL VIRTUES. In studying these topics, the class will endeavor to cover the following works of literature:

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The Crucible

Arthur Miller

Macbeth

William Shakespeare

The Old Man & the Sea

Ernest Hemingway

Whiplash

Damien Chazelle

Expectations

General Expectations

Absences & Lates

Absences:

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Excused Absence:

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Unexcused Absence:


Late Arrivals:

Assignments

Readability:

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Reporting:


Extensions:

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Digital Submissions:


Missed Assignments/Earned Zero Policy:

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The following assignment policies will apply to the class:

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Please Note: The presiding teacher has no onus to grade late work immediately. The teacher will do everything in their power to mark late work as quickly as possible, but it may not be marked until the conclusion of the course.


Rewritten Assignments:

-Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  The original, marked assignment;

-Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  The mark sheet for the original assignment.


If the noted guidelines are not adhered to, the re-written assignment will not be accepted.

Computer Usage

An educationally functional electronic device as outlined by Bert Church High School policy is an asset.Ā  If such a device is to be used, it is expected that students will bring their device to class with charge sufficient for use throughout the period.

Cellphones

Cell phones do not replace the use of a Chromebook/Laptop, and significant research reveals that such devices are immense distractions to student learning and impediments to success. As such, cell phones, tablets, and other non-educational electronic devices should not be used in-class unless expressly directed by the teacher.Ā 

Cell phones and other electronic devices may be out during individual student work time. They must be away and out-of-sight during all other times unless specific permission is granted by Mr. Smith. Students violating this request will be given a warning. Following this warning, students who continue to violate this guideline will be asked to place their cell phone in their locker.Ā 

Remember, cell phones and social media are excellent repositories of information but have an abysmal affect on students' ability to learn and achieve. In almost all cases, the first intervention asked of a student trying to improve their grade will be to remove their electronic devices from the classroom. Ā 

Cheating/Plagiarism

Cheating includes:

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Plagiarism is when one student passes off another individualā€™s work as his or her own; the other individual in question may be a peer or an artist, author, or writer. Plagiarism is the most serious academic offence and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.Ā 


Cheating and plagiarism also includes the use of AI programs to compose student work, in whole or in part.Ā 

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Any task, assignment, quiz, or test that is presented with evidence of cheating or plagiarism, a grade of zero (0) may be awarded.

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Assessment

In class, students will be assessed on the criteria listed below. Regular attendance, classroom participation and an attitude conducive to learning are necessary for optimum performance and success in the English classroom.

FINAL EXAM

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While there will not be a final exam during exam week, students will be writing a summative reading comprehension exam during the final weeks of class in June (exact date TBD).Ā 


In addition to the instruction and assistance that Mr. Smith will provide, students are encouraged to take advantage of the following resources as they see fit. Remember, only regular use of these resources throughout the course will actually improve studentsā€™ grades. Ā 

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Strategies, Tips, & Tricks For Satisfaction & Success

You Should Know...

ASSIGNMENTS:



LATE ARRIVALS:



LEAVING EARLY:



PARTICIPATION IN CLASS:

How to Succeed In English...

The FOUR P's:





2. WRITING IS AN ART, AND ART IS A PROCESS:



3. CLASS TIME IS WORKING TIME:


Advice From Former Students...














Obscure Classroom Rules: