Welcome to English 12 Manon Therrien- Gauvin Room 2006 September 2014

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ENGLISH 12?

English  This course will focus on the study of English mostly through literature (reading and comprehension), writing, and class discussions. Your participation is crucial to your enjoyment of this class.  In class, students are required to interact in English only. It is the most effective way to learn a language. This, is not a choice. It is a requirement that you cannot overlook or ignore.  As a student of this class, you will be responsible for your class work, notes, evaluations, and attendance.  As a grade 12 student, maturity and professionalism is expected of you.

Course Content  Reading 35%  Writing 35%  Speaking 30%

Reading  Literature:  Dead Poets Society (novel /adapt. screenplay– N.H. Kleinbaum )  Flowers For Algernon (novel – Daniel Keyes)  Tuesdays With Morrie (memoir – Mitch Albom)  Novel of Choice (OP Seminar)  Short Stories - Reading Responses

Writing  Writing skills (grammar, style, thesis statement…)  Initial Writing Assignment  Picture Essay  Freedom Essay  Meditations (as many as we are in class)  Video Responses (500 words MINIMUM)

Speaking  Informal Presentations + Class Discussions  Formal Presentations:  Solo Presentation: World Organizations  Short Story Presentation (group presentation)  Solo Presentation: Seminar (novel of choice)  Viewing and Listening Activities

Required Materials  Binder with loose-leaf paper  Small binder for meditations  Pens (blue or black please), pencils, erasers, highlighter, corrector fluid…  USB **Please be responsible and bring all the required materials to class**

General Learning Objectives Communication Speaking: interpret, negotiate, and react orally in various socio-linguistic situations.  Reading: interpret and react critically towards the significance of messages from the media and various texts.  Writing: present information, concepts, and ideas to different audiences and with different intentions.

Guidelines for a healthy learning environment  All school rules apply to our classroom.  Using appropriate language is mandatory (no swearing or foul language – sorry, I know it’s fun…).  You can bring water to class, but no food, pop, juice…(A reusable water bottle would be better for the environment)  Please wait for the bell to ring before getting up to leave.  Trips to the bathroom or drinking fountain will be to my discretion.  Respect is of the utmost importance: respect the class material and the people who share this space. *Remember….you are old enough to know better, and when you know better, you do better… ;)

Goals  to become a better writer  to be able to express your thoughts in a clear and elegant manner (to become a better speaker)  to be ready for post-secondary studies I can help, and I will help, but you have to do the work.

Dead Poets Society “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering... these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love... these are what we stay alive for.”

Flowers For Algernon “I don’t know what’s worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you’ve always wanted to be, and feel alone.”

Tuesdays With Morrie So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half- asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”