Throughout the Course

Reading and Writing

Each section gives a reading assignment. The books chosen are classics from a range of time periods and genres. Read the book and complete the related writing assignment.

Poetry

Several of the sections contain a poetry assignment. The Grade 12 exam will require you to analyze and possibly compare poems. The assignments here are to help you with exam preparation.

Writing Samples

All of the assignments below require writing samples relating to the literature you are reading. If you complete other samples listed in the chart above, be sure to send them to your teacher/mentor.

Self Assessment

During the term complete a self assessment for five writing assignments. You will learn to recognize your strengths and weaknesses - and set goals for improvement.

Bi-Weekly (semester course) or Monthly (year long course) Assignments

FD - Introduction pg 13-19, lesson 1 - 7 - Submit lesson scores or anecdotal comments for your work in the Fallacy Detective each session.

Read Capitans Courageous by Rudyard Kipling. Through the course of this book Harvey learned many things from many people. In a short essay format discuss the lessons Harvey learned from the various characters in this book.

Rudyard Kipling was prolific poet. Read a variety of his poems . Select one poem and explain what appeals to you in the poem. Point out at least 5 poetic devices or figures of speech used.

FD - 8 - 15

Take Grammar Mastery Test (link in course links column)

Assignment: Read The Last of the Mohicans by Cooper. Research the time period and events this writing focuses on. The author presents his characters in a stereotypical style that would not be acceptable for a writer today. Compare and contrast the portrayal of the Caucasion and Native characters. Why would this book be even more controversial in our modern culture than it was when it was written?

Pauline Johnson was the first Native Canadian poet to have her works published in Canada. Read her famous poem: The Song My Paddle Sings. Analyze Johnson's use of personification in the poem. You may present your answer in written or visual form.

FD - 16 - 24

Assignment: Read The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas. Write a Formal Letter to the author of your novel attempting to persuade him/her to change something about the book. Be sure to support your suggestions with persuasive argument and good reasoning.

After you have completed reading The Count of Monte Cristo complete this poetry/writing assignment. In the provincial exam you will have to compare 2 reading selections. You must refer to both pieces. As practice for the exam do not worry about creating a final polished copy - I will mark this as a rough draft. First read the poem The Tides of Providence . Take your time to look at the poem. "In what ways are the philosophy of this poem and the Count similar or different?" You should allow yourself 15 minutes to think about, or talk about your ideas. Take no more than one hour to complete your writing.

Note to teachers - use the marking rubric for the provincial exams for this writing assignment

FD - 25 - 32

Assignment: Read Oliver Twist by Dickens. Research the author and present a Biography of his life and writing. Pay special attention to why he wrote this particular work.

Note to teachers - use the marking rubric for the provincial exams for this writing assignment

FD - 33 - 36

Write a summary of what you learned in the Fallacy Detective including:
- The valuable lessons I learned from this book were....
- I will use the lessons I learned from this book in the following ways....
- I would (or would not) recommend this book to a friend for the following reasons ....

Assignment: Read The Chosen by Potok. Create a personal response to what you have read. How did it make you feel? How did it make you want to act? What have you learned from your reading? (you could present your response as a visual presentation or written work)

In order to be fully prepared for your provincial exam begin creating a Definitions and Examples Journal of the key terms you need to be familiar with. Go to this link and download the Terms and Devices PDF. In a notebook begin recording the meaning and definitions of these words. You can find some of these definitions at the Pathways Academy website at this link . You can also explore the internet for definitions (Or ask your teacher for clarification). In addition to the definition provide an example of the terms and devices. You can make up the example or provide one from a book. Aim to do between 5-10 a week. You will be asked to submit this journal at the end of the course.

Example:

Direct presentation means an author tells you straight out who the character is: Tom was a mean boy. He grew up in a hard home and learned at an early age that to get what he wanted he would have to fight. Tom was muscular but lean, and the best fighter I have ever known.

We see very clearly who Tom is.

Assignment: Read MacBeth or Hamlet by Shakespeare. Create a detailed outline of the events of this story. I suggest you use the scene breaks to organize your outline. Watch a theater or film presentation of the play. Write a critique of the play or film for a local newspaper.

Continue working on Definition and Examples Journal.

Assignment: Read Silas Marner by George Eliot. Identify the theme or moral of the story. Discuss the theme or moral with an adult. Write a narrative or poem with the same theme. Do not re-write the story of Silas Marner - but an original narrative or poem with the same theme.

Note to teachers - use the marking rubric for the provincial exams for this writing assignment

End of the year -

hand in your Definitions and Examples Journal

hand in your Reading log for the year

Take a practice provincial exam and email your results of the multiple choice, and sample essays to your teacher for feedback.

This link will take you to a practice exam. Follow the prompts on the page and be sure to download the sample exam and answer key. Please mark the multiple choice questions.

Skills

• verbally interact to deepen understanding (explore, understand, and create ideas)
• verbally interact to create and edit text - A7
• deliver a spoken presentation effectively using oral language features
• effectively use and respond to body language
• utilize personal learning style choices
• read a variety of texts FD, A1-8
• extend vocabulary - FD, DJ
• develop thinking skills - FD, A 1-8
• explain and support personal connections to content - FD, A4
• identify textual structures and features - DJ
• identify elements of style and form - DJ, A8
• use contextual clues - FD

Analyze and Evaluate - FD, A 1-7

• literary content
• informational content (RL, A2)
• visual content (A6)
  

Write and Represent Information

• personal and/or imaginative text - A1, A4
• informational text - A2, A5
• persuasive text - A3
• narrative text - A1
• poetic text - A7
• descriptive text - A
• respond to bias, perspectives, voice, context, author's logic, quality of evidence, and coherence - A1-8
• use conventions of language that enhance meaning, artistry, coherence, and unity- A 1-8
• deliver a visual presentation appropriate for purpose and audience (optional for A 2, 5)
• self assess written work - 5 times
• apply criteria to improve writing - A 1-8

Due: At the end of the year.

Assignment: Download the HS Resource Record (aka a reading log) from this link . Through the year record and analyze the reading you do on this record. Scan or email your completed record to me after you finish the last book on your reading list.

Due: September 27th

Due: October 18th

Due: November 15th

Due: December 6th

Due: January 17th

Due: February 7th

Due: February 28th

Due: March 21st

Due: April 18th or on completion of you study of the Fallacy Detective.

Write a summary of what you learned in the Fallacy Detective including:

• The valuable lessons I learned from this book were....
• I will use the lessons I learned from this book in the following ways....
• I would recommend this book to a friend for the following reasons ....

Due: May 9th

Assignment: To prepare for the provincial exam download the list of terms you will be required to know for the exam from this link . Study the terms and learn the definitions of any you are not familiar with. From the terms select 10 to report on. For each term record the definition and an example, either from a text you have read, or one you have created. Email the completed definitions and examples.

Example:

Direct presentation means an author tells you straight out who the character is: Tom was a mean boy. He grew up in a hard home and learned at an early age that to get what he wanted he would have to fight. Tom was muscular but lean, and the best fighter I have ever known.

We see very clearly who Tom is.

Spring Provincial Exam Dates:

May 20th, 2011, 9am (electronic exam)

June 23rd, 2011, 9am