ENGLISH

Please note that the following courses have historically had a $4 course fee associated with them. The fee covers the cost of the Dover Thrift edition of Shakespeare that the student will be given for reading and annotation in class. Please contact school administration if you have any questions about course fees.

English 8

The major goals of this course are to develop competency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representing. The writing process is emphasized throughout the course, supported by review of and introduction to grammatical concepts, usage, sentence development and combining, and paragraph construction. In studying short stories, poetry and novels, literary elements and devices are introduced.

English 9

English 9 further develops competency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and representing, and includes further emphasis on sentence, paragraph and essay construction as supported by the writing process.  Mechanical structures, such as usage, grammar, and punctuation are also reinforced.  Students learn the structure of the expository essay and are introduced to the persuasive essay.  Students continue to develop analytical skills in poetry, short stories and novels. Public speaking is taught informally.

English 10 (please choose 1 of the 6 options)

In each of the English 10 options, students will experience a variety of media that will include selections from the pillars of English Studies: the novel, short stories, poetry, and Shakespeare. The Curricular Competencies of composition, speaking and listening are further developed. Each of the options will include elements of spoken language and First People’s texts. All of the English 10 options will prepare students fully for the English 11 and 12 options of their choice.

Creative Writing and Composition 10

Creative Writing and Composition 10 is an English Studies 10 class designed for students who have an interest in developing their skills in written communication in a variety of contexts, including creative expression.  The course provides students with opportunities to think critically as they study authors and texts related to the craft, extend and refine their writing, and explore personal and cultural identities, memories, and stories in a wide range of genres.  Within a supportive community of writers, students will work individually and collaboratively to develop their craft through processes of drafting, reflecting, and revising to build a body of work and evidence of writing that displays a refinement of skills and exploration of themes and ideas.

Pre-AP English 10

Students are expected to have a minimum of Proficient (80%) in English 9.

(A required summer reading assignment must be completed as part of this course.)

While covering the same curriculum as Lit Studies 10, this course develops reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills by examining a wide range of challenging novels, plays, short stories, and poems from across eras and cultures. There is an emphasis on in-depth understanding of specific literary genres, writing techniques, and the analysis of literature and literary styles through the introduction of close-readings. Students enrolled in this course will move at a faster pace than in a regular English 10 class.

Debate and Composition 10

Debate and Composition 10 is an English Studies 10 elective designed for students who are interested in exploring English through the lens of debate. In addition to studying the traditional genres of fiction and nonfiction, students will focus on the Spoken Language core competencies and apply them in developing argumentation skills. An emphasis is placed on developing persuasive arguments, and additional focus is given to the verbal presentation of arguments that is central to debate. Written composition is still central to this cohort, but some evaluation will come from the public speaking that is necessary for debate. Students may have the opportunity to participate in debate competitions at the school, regional and provincial levels.

Literary Studies and Composition 10

Literary Studies 10 is an English Studies 10 elective designed for students who are interested in the literature of a variety of eras, geographical areas, or themes, or in the study of literature in general. The course 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.

New Media and Composition 10

In addition to being an option that covers the four core areas of English, New Media 10 is an English Studies 10 class that includes a lens over the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas. The following are possible focus areas of study: media and film studies, journalism and publishing, and digital communication. Literature and Non-Fiction prose will be used to supplement these ideas.

STRIVE 10 (Cohort)

(Four courses – English, Pre Calc Math, PE, and Science – see Miscellaneous Courses for more information.)

English 11

In each of the English 11 options, students will explore a variety of media that will include selections from the pillars of English Studies: the novel, short stories, poetry, and Shakespeare. The Curricular Competencies of composition, speaking and listening are further developed. Each of the cohorts will include elements of spoken language and First People’s texts, and all of the cohorts will prepare students fully for English Studies 12.

There are no prerequisites for any English 11 option. Each will build on general knowledge acquired in any of the English 10 options and will provide students with the opportunities to further the skills developed in English 10, or develop new skills for students new to the course. All the English 11 options are designed to prepare students fully for the English Studies 12 option of their choice. 

English First People: Literary Studies and Writing 11

(Meets graduation requirement for an Indigenous-focused course)

English First People: Literary Studies and Writing 11 is designed for students who are interested in the study of the literature of a variety of eras, geographical areas, or themes through the lens of Indigenous literary and cultural traditions. In addition to meeting the Grade 11 English requirement for graduation, this course meets the Indigenous studies graduation requirement. As with all of the English 11 options, students may move on from this class to any of the English 12 options.

Pre-AP English 11

Student are expected to have a minimum of 80% in English 10 (Pre-AP English 10 is recommended)

(A required summer reading assignment must be completed as part of this course.)

Pre-AP English 11 is designed to prepare students for AP English Literature and Composition in grade 12 and continues with close reading and in-depth analysis of selected texts.  Students will improve their writing in a variety of ways with a focus on literary analysis essays and will also examine their writing process in order to become effectual writers. As with all of the English 11 options, students may move on from this class to any of the English 12 options.

Creative Writing 11

The Creative Writing 11 elective is designed for students who have an interest in developing their skills in written communication in a variety of contexts, including creative expression.  The course provides students with opportunities to think critically as they study authors and texts related to the craft, extend and refine their writing, and explore personal and cultural identities, memories, and stories in a wide range of genres.  As with all of the English 11 options, students may move on from this class to any of the English 12 options.

Literary Studies 11

The Literary Studies 11 elective is designed for students who are interested in the literature of a variety of eras, geographical areas, or themes, or in the study of literature in general. The course 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. As with all of the English 11 options, students may move on from this class to any of the English 12 options.

New Media 11

In addition to being an option that covers the four core areas of English, New Media 11 is an English Studies 11 class that includes a lens over the changing role of technology in today’s society and the increasing importance of digital media in communicating and exchanging ideas. The following are possible focus areas of study: media and film studies, journalism and publishing, and digital communication. Literature and Non-Fiction prose will be used to supplement these ideas. As with all of the English 11 options, students may move on from this class to any of the English 12 options.

Debate 11

Debate 11 is designed for students who are interested in exploring English through the lens of debate. In addition to studying the traditional genres of fiction and nonfiction, students will focus on the Spoken Language core competencies and apply them in developing argumentation skills. An emphasis is placed on developing persuasive arguments, and additional focus is given to the verbal presentation of arguments that is central to debate.  Students may have the opportunity to participate in debate competitions at the school, regional and provincial levels. As with all of the English 11 options, students may move on from this class to any of the English 12 options.

English Studies 12

Each of the English Studies 12 courses build on and extends students’ previous learning experiences in English 10 and 11 options.

As with all of the English options at SDSS, students in each of the English Studies 12 options will gain insight into the diverse factors that shape identity, appreciate the importance of self-representation through text, and contribute to Reconciliation by building a greater understanding of the knowledge and perspectives of First Peoples.

English First Peoples 12

(Meets Language Arts 12 and Indigenous-focused coursework graduation requirements)

English First Peoples 12 fulfils the graduation requirement for an English Studies 12 course. The Grade12 curriculum is designed to allow students to think critically, solve problems, communicate clearly and be able to learn and work both independently and with other. Students will contribute to reconciliation by developing a greater understanding of the knowledge and perspectives of First Peoples. Students will use fiction and nonfiction to gain insight into the diverse factors that shape identity and to develop a sense of the importance of self-representation through text. In addition, First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future.

English Studies 12

(Meets Language Arts 12 graduation requirements)

The Grade 12 curriculum is designed to allow students to think critically, solve problems, communicate clearly, and be able to learn and work both independently and with others.  Students continue to develop skills in reading and interpreting different forms of literature, using literary terminology, demonstrating critical and creative thinking, and expressing themselves powerfully and convincingly through writing and speaking for a variety of audiences. Students will gain insight into the diverse factors that shape identity, appreciate the importance of self-representation through text, contribute to Reconciliation by building greater understanding of the knowledge and perspectives of First Peoples.

AP English Literature & Composition 12

Students are expected to have a minimum of 80% in English 11 (Pre-AP English 11 is recommended)

(A required summer reading assignment must be completed as part of this course.)

This AP English Literature and Composition 12 course is an extensive program of university-level literary analysis which requires reading and assignments to be completed during each of the breaks throughout the year. In addition, students are expected to participate in morning or afternoon seminars throughout the year. This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature, and through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.

Writing is an integral part of the AP English course and the optional AP exam, which is written in May. The cost is approximately $130, and the goal is to increase students’ ability to explain clearly, cogently, even elegantly, what they understand about literary works and why they interpret them as they do.