English Language Arts 10-1
5 Credits
In ELA 10-1 a novel (fiction or nonfiction), a feature film, and a Shakespearean play are
the extended texts studied. At this level students are encouraged to look
beyond plot and examine, identify and describe the craft behind its creation.
Personal, critical, and analytical responses using narrative, informative and
persuasive forms are required. Oral/Visual/Multimedia presentations, poetry
and script writing are also required.
ELA 10-1 students are expected to be proficient at sentence and
paragraph writing, as well as be competent readers. Strong,
independent work habits are an expectation.
Prerequisite: 65% in Grade 9 English Language Arts or 80% and teacher
recommendation from ELA 10-2.
English Language Arts 10-2
5 Credits
In ELA 10-2 high interest novels (fiction or nonfiction), feature films, and modern plays
are among the extended texts studied. At this level, students are encouraged to
consider the personal and practical applications of the texts studied. Personal, critical
and analytical responses using narrative, informative and persuasive forms are
required. Oral/Visual/Multimedia presentations, poetry and script writing are also
required. ELA 10-2 students are expected to have basic grammar and sentence writing
proficiency. Reading is often supported in the classroom.
Prerequisite: 50% in Grade 9 English Language Arts.
Humanities 10-1 & Humanities 20-1
Full Year – 10 Credits:
An alternate approach to studying
English Language Arts and Social Studies
at the Grade 10 and 11 levels is though
a Humanities course.
High School Flexibility Enhancement Project
These courses are being offered to meet diversified student interests and to add
enrichment and in-depth understanding to the scope of the total curriculum so as
to encourage increased understanding of “humanity and the world”. Through
literature, film, art, philosophy, geography, economics, history, religious studies,
and sociology, students will seek to find meaning in the world around them through
practical experiences, discussions, debates, research, study, reflection and other
vehicles for developing critical and creative thinking skills.
These courses will be concerned with how students view themselves, their families
their communities and society. Humanities courses help students become self
motivated problem-solvers equipped with skills and knowledge that will allow
them to face their changing world with confidence.
The main focus will be to foster an interdisciplinary understanding of the world,
borrowing from and integrating diverse perspectives through literature, film, art,
economics, and politics. Students will be asked to struggle with the question of their
own relationships to historical and current trends in globalization and nationalism. This
involves an inquiry that is both shaped by the knowledge and an understanding of
values reflected in both literature and social sciences. To understand contemporary
forms of life and expression, the emphasis on learning should have a
“multi-perspective” view on important issues and questions about the human
experience.
Community Involvement Activities: These activities encourage students to develop
awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and the role they can play in
supporting and strengthening their communities. These activities may take place in a
variety of settings. For example, students may become engaged in a combination of
the following: field trip experiences, businesses, charitable organizations, hospitals,
senior’s homes.
Prerequisite: 65% in previous ELA and Social Studies courses or 80% and teacher
recommendation from the -2 stream.
English Language Arts 20-1
5 Credits
In ELA 20-1 a fictional novel, a Shakespearean play, and either a non-fiction novel or
feature film are the required extended texts studied, along with a variety of shorter
texts. At this level emphasis continues to be placed on analytical skills through the
detailed study of literature. A commitment to writing and literary interpretation is
expected.
Successful ELA 20-1 students use a variety of writing styles to convey coherent,
supported thought. These students are independent readers, who do the majority of
their reading outside of the class. ELA 20-1 is essential preparation for ELA 30-1.
Recommended Prerequisite: 65% in ELA 10-1; or 80% in ELA 20-2 plus teacher
recommendation. Good reading and writing skills are essential.
Drama/English 20-1
Full Year – 10 Credits:
Drama 20 (5 Credits) & ELA 20-1 (5 Credits)
High School Flexibility Enhancement Project
Drama/English 20-1 is a combination of English 20-1 and Drama 20 and will focus on
exploring the literature, skills and knowledge required for the ELA curriculum through
the dramatic processes of the Drama curriculum.
Using the movement, speech, improvisation, theatre studies/design, and playwriting
strands of the Drama 20 Program of Study, students will explore personal, critical and
analytical responses to literature including the novel, the modern play, a feature film or
non-fiction text, the Shakespearean play, poetry, essays and short fiction.
Successful Drama/English 20-1 students use a variety of writing styles and dramatic
forms to convey coherent, supported thought. At this level, emphasis continues to be
placed on analytical skills through the detailed study of literature. Students will be
expected to use dramatic forms to analyze and represent understandings of content
and theme. A commitment to writing and literary interpretation is expected. These
students are independent readers, who do the majority of their reading outside of the
class. ELA 20-1 portion of the Drama/English 20-1 is essential preparation for
ELA 30-1.
Completion of Drama 20 is a prerequisite, and participation in various dramatic forms in
the course will be required. Both creative and critical writing will be explored in the
course.
Prerequisite: 65% in English Language Arts 10-1 or 80% and teacher recommendation
from ELA 10-2 and 65% in Drama 10.
English Language Arts 20-2 Flexibility
5 Credits
High School Flexibility Enhancement Project
This pilot class is intended for those students who are motivated to meet the
outcomes of the ELA 20-2 program in a compressed period of time.
How will this work?
Students will spend the first three months of the course studying the complete
ELA 20-2 curriculum. Following this study, students who have a course work mark of
60% or greater and an accountability* score of 85% or greater will be given the
opportunity of writing the final exam early (Term 1 in the first week of December;
Term 2 in the first week of May). Students who successfully complete the course (i.e.
complete the required course work and write the two-part final exam with a minimum
combined score of 60%) will be granted course credits in December/May).
Students who discover during the course that they are better suited to a full semester of
study, or who due to extenuating circumstances have been unable to meet the required
standards for early completion, will continue in the course for the full semester. The
remaining course time will focus on the completion of missed or incomplete units of
work, and continued study of those course segments that have been revealed as
needing remediation.
*Accountability = responsible attendance, preparedness, and classroom performance.
English Language Arts 30-1
5 Credits
In ELA 30-1 a novel, a feature film or nonfiction novel, and a play (modern or
Shakespearean) are the required extended texts studied, along with a variety of
essays, poems and short stories. Visual and multimedia texts as well as popular
nonfiction are also required study.
Intensive analytical and interpretive skills are emphasized, with refinement of formal
writing skills. Literary criticism and evaluation play a vital role in ELA 30-1.
Students SHOULD NOT consider ELA 30-2 adequate preparation for ELA 30-1.
Students wishing to register in ELA 30-1 should assure they have successfully
completed ELA 20-1, first.
Recommended Prerequisite: 65% in ELA 20-1; transfer from ELA 30-2 NOT recommended.
English Language Arts 30-2
5 Credits
In ELA 30-2 a fiction or nonfiction novel, feature film, and a modern or Shakespearean
play are the required extended texts for study. In addition, a variety of popular
nonfiction pieces, poems and short stories are also required. Visual and Multimedia
texts as well as essays are included in the required text study at this level.
ELA 30-2 continues to build formal and informal communication skills. Emphasis is
placed on both creative and practical writing tasks and personal appreciation of
literature.
Although assignment work continues to be supported in the classroom, students
at the 30 level are expected to exhibit independent work habits as well.
Occasionally students decide, after completing the ELA 30-2 course, that they also
wish to complete the more challenging ELA 30-1 course. This placement can only
happen with the permission of the school principal. Furthermore, it is recommended
that students who are considering this path achieve a grade of 85% or greater on the
ELA 30-2 diploma exam.
Prerequisite: 50% in ELA 20-2 or 45% in ELA 20-1.
