8-7 English Language Arts
(a.k.a. Core English)
2009-2010
Teacher: Ms. Emily Gesner
Overview: Students in the Extended French Programme receive six periods of English Language Arts per seven day cycle. As in previous grades, the English Curriculum is divided into four strands which are reported separately on the report card.
The four stands are:
Oral Communication, Reading, Writing & Media Literacy
In keeping with current research, as well as my personal philosophy of teaching, these four components are interwoven on a daily basis. Students will be encouraged to think critically about what they see, hear and experience and to develop the ability to express themselves clearly both orally and in writing. English classes this year will also provide opportunities for students to express themselves creatively in various media.
Classroom Routines and Expectations:
· All students are expected to arrive on time for class with all needed materials.
Students should have:
- 2 notebooks (Composition & Spelling/Vocab/Grammar) housed in a binder section labeled ‘English’
- loose-leaf paper
- pencils & pens
- a glue stick & scissors
- coloured pencils
· During class students are expected to work effectively both independently and in groups. Students are expected to do their best on all assignments and are responsible for listening carefully to all instructions and directions.
· Students are expected to follow the School Code of Conduct and TDSB Code of Online Conduct.
· Students are expected to take responsibility to get work in advance when they know they will be absent. After an unexpected absence students are expected to check the class blog, phone a friend and/or visit me to obtain (and complete!!) all missed work.
Homework: Homework will consist of class work, assignments, reviewing material for quizzes/tests and completing larger projects. Students are often given more than one night to complete homework – I hope this practice will greatly reduce incomplete homework due to extra-curricular commitments and conflicts with other subject areas.
Reading: Parents/guardians are also urged to encourage their child to read nightly. Parents can support their child in making sure that students have a variety of interesting and challenging reading materials. Discuss reading with your child, including what they read online, in magazines etc.
Editing support: When possible parents/guardians are encouraged to help their child revise their writing for grammar, spelling and organization (within reasonable limits). Completion of in-class writing will be used for a balanced assessment of students’ writing ability.
Spelling and vocabulary: For the first term (and perhaps beyond), students will have weekly word lists for spelling and vocabulary. More challenging words will be included for those students with superior skills. These lists will be assigned DAY 3, with a quiz the following DAY 3. If your student struggles with spelling I encourage parents and students to work on these words throughout the week.
Curriculum: The Ministry of Education expectations for Grade 8 English are attached on the following page and give a general idea of the emphasis of the Grade 8 programme. These expectations are outlined in greater detail on the Ministry of Education website (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/).
In practice, curriculum will be planned thematically. Our first theme, which I dub “Me in Box” involves the students getting to know each other through narrative writing and the preparation of a time capsule or “Me in a Box” (tentatively due October 19th) . Students will be expected to read two novels of their choosing (with written component tentatively due Friday Oct 9th and Friday Nov 9th; with “creative portions” to be presented shortly after the written components).
Future themes will be chosen based on student academic needs and interest. Potential themes include
“Fear” (a popular unit exploring fear in literature, and in the psyche)
“Equity and Social Justice” (an exploration of issues of power and privilege)
“The Bard – Lite” (an introduction to Shakespeare)
“Sci-Fi & Fantasy” (futuristic literature)
“Comparing Media” (a unit comparing traditional & “new” media)
“Graphic Novels, Manga and More” (an idea I’m working on…)
Students & Parents - Do you have other ideas? Let me know.
Website/blog: http://winonamsgesner.blogspot.com/
This blog is a recent effort. It will feature a brief summary of what has been covered each day, due dates for up-coming homework, assignments and projects. Students and parents are encouraged to check the blog for work missed due to absences, as well as back-up copies of handouts, spelling & vocabulary words etc.
Contact Information:
e-mail: emily.gesner@tel.tdsb.on.ca
phone: (416) 393-1680
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns as they arise.Also, if you have any talents in language arts, media or the creative arts I’m always keen for added expertise and enthusiasm.
