This course introduces and extends upon students' understanding of reading and comprehension, writing conventions, media and oral communication. Through this course students will have the chance to develop their reading and comprehension skills using various strategies; they will learn and cultivate good strategies for the writing conventions in grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling; they will learn to interpret oral and media texts and create their own.
This course is designed to develop the oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that you need for success in
your secondary school academic program and in your daily life. You will analyze literary texts from contemporary and historical
periods, interpret informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important
focus will be on the use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. The course is intended to prepare students for
the Grade 10 Academic English course, which leads to university or college preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12.
Course Syllabus
Unit 1: Keeping an eye on the media
Lesson 1: Logos everywhere
Lesson 2: Looking behind the ads
Lesson 3: Web awareness
Lesson 4: The tools of the film trade
Lesson 5: Putting it all together
Unit 2: Express yourself
Lesson 6: The writing process
Lesson 7: The news report
Lesson 8: Poetry in brief
Lesson 9: Rhythm and rhyme
Lesson 10: Dramatic reading
Unit 3: Communicating to connect
Lesson 11: Tune out and tune in
Lesson 12: Making a speech
Lesson 13: Introduction to drama
Lesson 14: Drama that entertains
Lesson 15: Taking your cue
Unit 4: There's nothing like a good story
Lesson 16: Diving into a text
Lesson 17: Connecting the dots
Lesson 18: The tricks writers use
Lesson 19: Elements of style and literary devices
Lesson 20: The literary essay
