Transition Year English Date: Objectives Highlight the point of transition year English. Get to know each other to promote co-operation. Outline what we shall be doing in the coming weeks.

Transition Year English Date: Two questions to ask before every class. Does this improve your ability to interpret and change the world around you? (1 in 6 Irish adults are not functionally literate.) Does this prepare you for the Leaving Cert? (English should be guaranteed high points. You use it every day.) If the answer to both is yes, we are doing it. If it is neither, we will not.

General schedule of the class 5-10 minutes warm-up – get your head in the place it needs to be for the task. Reading, writing, note taking – always with the two questions from before in mind. 5 minute cool-down, questions, homework (homework will never take more than 10 min a night and will be given 2-3 times a week)

Last thing before we start: Journals Always have an A4 pad and Pen. Get a big folder, polypockets, (dividers optional) Get a small journal or copy for reflective reading. At the top of the page each day, write the heading and date.

Warm-up – Name sign With the paper provided, follow the instructions to create a name sign. Lay out the page lengthways. Fold it in half, the ends of the pages meeting perfectly. Use your hand or finger to flatten the middle down. Fold again then – finished  In big BUBBLE LETTERS, write what you want to be called (First name or abbreviation – a Jeremiah may want to be called Jerry). (Make bubble letters by drawing the outline then filling it in quickly)

Task one Back to school survey I get to use it to personalise the lessons for you. You get to use it to consider your own identity. It is something to talk about with others later as well.

The language of argument, The language of persuasion, Paper 1 Paper one of the Leaving Cert is based on five language styles. These are: The language of argument, Debates, speeches, dialogues The language of persuasion, Reviews, reports, more speeches  The language of information Memos, newspapers, interviews, letters The language of narration, Short stories, novels, essays The language of the aesthetic. Novels, drama, film, poetry

Paper 1 First and foremost, we want to tackle the language of argument and persuasion. Your ability to speak up and argue for what you want is key to this entire year. It shall help you in any subject doing projects (i.e. All of them). Speech writing, debating and public speaking start straight away then.

Paper 1 The language of information is equally important to you. The ability to gather or research information and convey it properly is needed now more than ever. Specifically, writing letters for work-experience and being able to convey information to people you want to sell things to shall be our concern.

Paper 2 Paper two is concerned with prescribed texts. Reading increases your vocabulary and opens up a world of new ideas and perspectives. You shall choose a novel by an international writer, read it and write an in-depth book report.

Paper 2 To link it to the Leaving Cert more, you shall be asked to use the same headings as the exam: Key moments, Characters, Imagery, Themes, Conflict. Classes concerning reading reflective journals and using these headings shall aid you.

Conclusion We start with speeches and debating, writing information and reading. The other language genres, poetry, drama, film studies and a host of wondrous activities await after.

Homework And the homework is........ Make sure you have a pen and pad.

I think... I knew... I now know... I want to know... Reflection I think... I knew... I now know... I want to know... I was surprised when...