English 10 What Will This Semester Look Like?

Materials That You Will Need Writing utensils (various) Highlighters Loose Leaf Google Docs Means to access my website An organized binder or similar device A dictionary and a thesaurus (can use online, bookmark good ones) Novel(s) you wish to read

Where Will Your Mark Come From? In English 10, you are marked on individual outcomes. Each individual outcome will have a mark, on each assignment, on a scale of means you have demonstrated understanding at a grade 10 level, 3 means you are approaching, 2 means you are developing, and 1 means you have limited knowledge. (3+ to 1+) Every time we complete a submitted assignment, there will be feedback on these outcomes. In order to improve, and maintain a successful mark, you will be expected to make changes and improvements as the semester carries on. I CAN ONLY MARK WHAT YOU SHOW ME. I DO NOT READ MINDS, NOR WILL I GUESS. WHAT YOU SUBMIT TO ME, IS WHAT I MARK.

Provincial Exam 80% of your grade will come from activities completed in class. 20% of your mark comes from a standardized assessment (Provincial Exam) provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Education. This exam is standardized, meaning I do not make it, and I mark it directly from a provided score sheet.

Effort Equals Results % 60-90% 0-60%

Dismantling “Myths” Related to English Class English is, in fact, skill based. You can not “pretend” to be good at English, nor can you “pretend” to work to improve. English (reading and writing especially) requires a lot of practice. English is not easy. Being literate (functioning in reading, writing, speaking and listening the English language) has a spectrum. You need to decide where you wish to be on that spectrum, and always aim to improve. Nobody in the room, including myself, can say with confidence that they have no room to improve.   English requires you asking for help when help is needed. The only person you “fool” by not putting forth your best effort in English is yourself. Being a confident user of the English language requires a lot of work, and English is something you use daily, and will use daily, for the rest of your lives. You will not be able to “pretend” to do assignments well in my room. A lot of the assignments we do will be predominantly classroom based, however, if you show up with the mindset that you are going to go in to “cruise control”, or you are going to think the assignment is “dumb”, or you are going to give a mediocre effort, or a minimal effort, you can expect mediocre and minimal marks. English can be fun – it involves a lot of creativity, thinking outside the box, problem solving, collaborative work, experimenting, failing, and succeeding. You will get what you put in to this course out of it.

English as an Indicator Subject University Trades and Diplomas The Workforce

Mr. Sarka’s Expectations Review my “Charter” because those rules are non-negotiable. If you are not in my room to put your best effort forward, and to strive to succeed, your semester will be a lot more rocky than it should. I am a firm believer in helping those who need it to the ends of my ability, IF, and only if, that individual is willing to help themselves. You have a say, without judgement, here in my room when it is appropriate, logical and meaningful. For example, if you need to move around the room to limit distractions, do so. If you need to have a conversation with me about an extension or extra support, do so. If you want to take a risk and answer a question, regardless of whether you are “right” or “wrong”, you can do so. You have an obligation to ask for help when you need it. You have an obligation to check my website on a regular basis. You have an obligation to be accountable when those situations arise. You are required to come prepared. You are required to check Power School on a regular basis – it will be updated promptly, and there should be no surprises.

Topics We Will Cover Various writing tasks Functional literacy Maintaining a learning journal Speaking tasks (debates, public speaking, collaborative group tasks, book talks, class discussions, etc.) Formal writing tasks Shakespeare Grammar practice Teamwork activities and the literacy piece of “the world” (Dragon’s Den, etc.) Writing from prompts (with and without time limits, with and without strict direction) Identifying perspective and bias in text Media One creative writing piece (The Hand You Were Dealt) Short stories and poetry Lyrics Public relations unit How to conduct proper research and format findings in written text Accuracy and precision in reading, writing, speaking and listening Responding to various types of questions (multiple choice, short answer, extended answer, essay, etc.) Class novel study

Academic Support and Additional Support I am available for academic support daily from 12:00-12:20. I would be willing to offer support during recess, resource designated periods, support periods, potentially before or after school. My room is open throughout breaks for socializing OR working, or both. My website will be a critical resource for you (saving trees and accountability 101) My address is for questions at