Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
1
Contextualized Learning Activities (CLAs)
For the “other required credits” in the bundle of credits, students in a Specialist High Skills Major
program must complete learning activities that are contextualized to the knowledge and skills
relevant to the economic sector of the SHSM. Contextualized learning activities (CLAs) address
curriculum expectations in these courses.
This template must be used to describe the CLAs. The completed form must be submitted to the
Ministry of Education for approval.
Submit all material in Microsoft Word.
Contact Information
Board
Development date
Halton District School Board
28 Jan 2010
Contact person
Terri Beckwith / Andreas Rehm
Position
Teacher
Phone
905-827-4101
Fax
E-mail
beckwitht@hdsb.ca / rehma@hdsb.ca
Specialist High Skills
Major
Business Studies
Course code and course
title
ENG 4U1 University Preparation English
Name of contextualized
learning
activity/activities
The Kite Runner Summative Assignment
Brief description of
contextualized learning
activity/activities
For the Kite Runner Summative Assignment SHSM option, students will
develop a formal business plan for the expansion of an existing company
into Afghanistan.
Duration
The Kite Runner Summative Assignment will take approximately 5-6 days of
class time. (Some of the research work will be done by the students at
home as homework).
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Overall expectations
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Reading and Literature Studies
1. Reading for Meaning: read and demonstrate an understanding of a
variety of literary, informational, and graphic texts, using a range of
strategies to construct meaning;
2. Understanding Form and Style: recognize a variety of text forms, text
features, and stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they
help communicate meaning;
Writing
1. Developing and Organizing Content: generate, gather, and organize
ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience;
2. Using Knowledge of Form and Style: draft and revise their writing,
using a variety of literary, informational, and graphic forms and stylistic
elements appropriate for the purpose and audience;
3. Applying Knowledge of Conventions: use editing, proofreading, and
publishing skills and strategies, and knowledge of language conventions, to
correct errors, refine expression, and present their work effectively;
Media Studies
1. Understanding Media Texts: demonstrate an understanding of a variety
of media texts;
2. Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques: identify
some media forms and explain how the conventions and techniques
associated with them are used to create meaning;
Specific expectations
Reading and Literature Studies
1.4 make and explain inferences of increasing subtlety about texts,
including increasingly complex or difficult texts, supporting their
explanations with well-chosen stated and implied ideas from the texts
1.5 extend understanding of texts, including increasingly complex or difficult
texts, by making appropriate and increasingly rich connections between the
ideas in them and personal knowledge, experience, and insights; other
texts; and the world around them
1.6 analyse texts in terms of the information, ideas, issues, or themes they
explore, examining how various aspects of the texts contribute to the
presentation or development of these elements
1.8 identify and analyse the perspectives and/or biases evident in texts,
including increasingly complex or difficult texts, commenting with growing
understanding on any questions they may raise about beliefs, values,
identity, and power
2.1 identify a variety of characteristics of literary, informational and graphic
text forms and explain how they help communicate meaning
Writing
1.2 generate, expand, explore, and focus ideas for potential writing tasks,
using a variety of strategies and print, electronic, and other resources, as
appropriate
1.4 identify, sort, and order main ideas and supporting details for writing
tasks, using a variety of strategies and selecting the organizational pattern
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
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best suited to the content and the purpose for writing
2.4 write complete sentences that communicate their meaning clearly and
effectively, skillfully varying sentence type, structure, and length to suit
different purposes and making smooth and logical transitions between ideas
3.3 use punctuation correctly and effectively to communicate their intended
meaning
3.4 use grammar conventions correctly and appropriately to communicate
their intended meaning clearly and effectively
3.7 produce pieces of published work to meet criteria identified by the
teacher, based on the curriculum expectations
Essential Skills and work
habits
Critical Thinking
Writing
Computer Use
Organization
Working Independently
Catholic graduate
expectations (if
applicable)
NA
Instructional/Assessment Strategies
Teacher’s notes
English teachers should review the components/elements of successful business report writing if they
are unfamiliar with the format. Suggested resource: The Business of English by Judi Misener and
Sandra Steele. Toronto: Oxford University Press Canada 1995.
Organization of Kite Runner Summative
Assignment Sheet – Hand out the assignment sheet and review the necessary components of a formal
business report with the students. Book a computer lab to allow the students the necessary time to
research the pertinent geographical/political/economic details of Afghanistan.
Classroom Time – Students are given 4-5 class periods to develop their ideas and conference with the
teacher regarding their progress.
Context – The CLA Business report for The Kite Runner reflects an authentic experience for specialist
high skills business major students who will likely be required to write effective business reports in the
workplace.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
4
Strategies
See Above
Assessment and Evaluation of Student Achievement
(List all assessment and evaluation strategies and tasks and attach handouts, tests, assignments, exercises, etc.)
1.
Kite Runner Business Report
Evaluation
Assessment tools
Proposal Sheet
Rubric
Additional Notes/Comments/Explanations
English teachers should review the components/elements of successful business report writing if they
are unfamiliar with the format. Suggested resource: The Business of English by Judi Misener and
Sandra Steele. Toronto: Oxford University Press Canada 1995. Copy an example of a formal
business report or share with students on an overhead/PowerPoint.
Resources
(List all the resources needed to support the implementation of the CLA.)
Example of a Formal Business Report
Human resources
English Teacher
Business Teacher
Print
Assignment Sheets, Texts
Software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Websites
N/A
Other
N/A
Accommodations
Accommodations will be made on a case by case basis taking into account individual exceptionalities
such as allotting more time for task completion, chunking material into smaller parts, etc…
List of Attachments
The Kite Runner Assignment Sheet with Rubric
The Kite Runner Proposal Sheet
5
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
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The Kite Runner Summative Assignment
Choose one of the tasks below that best suits your learning style and/or that you are the most
interested in. Specialist High Skills Major Business students should select the Formal Business
Report option.
Approximately 4-5 days of class time will be provided for you to work on the written and
research components of the assignment. You will also need to complete some of the assignment
at home for homework.
The teacher will designate a date for all students to provide evidence of their process. You must
bring at least half of the planning for the assignment in rough form on that date as this will
provide an opportunity to make sure that you are on the right track and for peer and teacher
feedback.
Note: For each assignment option, you are required to include a 200-250 word reflection that
explains the steps you took to complete this project and how you might use these steps/skills in
the future and/or a real-life situation.
Assignment Options
(SHSM) Formal Business Report:
You are VP of Public Relations for a big multinational corporation like Nike. The
company is considering expanding into Afghanistan to take advantage of the cheaper
labour supply there. The CEO hands you a copy of The Kite Runner; based on what you
learn from the novel, as well as the background information presented in class and your
own research, write a formal business report that analyzes the feasibility of your
company’s proposed expansion into Afghanistan. Your business report needs to be
formatted as such. You must include a table of contents, background
information/overview of Afghanistan with appropriate maps, charts and/or graphs to
highlight information about the key points of analysis. Points of analysis should include:
geography/location profile, population density, land costs, labour costs, transportation and
language considerations, impact of war, etc. Be sure to address the opportunities and the
key challenges that would be faced by implementing this plan in your conclusion and
final recommendation. You should aim for 8-10 pages, including visuals.
Eulogy:
a) Write a detailed eulogy for one of the characters (living or dead) in the novel. You must
videotape yourself giving the eulogy (assume it is for the character’s funeral). You must
provide a written good copy of the eulogy (at least 250 words or more).
b) Choose one appropriate song to conclude the eulogy. You must include the lyrics to the
song along with a written analysis of how the song represents your character (at least 250
words or more).
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
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Art Gallery:
Create a collection of either three (3) original works (painting, collage, sculpture, etc.) or
six (6) existing pieces of art that you believe symbolically represent themes, characters,
and/or events in the novel. Each work of art must be accompanied by a 250 word
reflection and explanation of how the work of art is connected to the ideas within the text.
You should remember to include a brief analysis/explanation of how the artist uses his/her
medium, colour choices, brushstrokes/technique, light, shadow and so on to create a mood
or theme in the work of art. Don’t forget to name the artist and the title of the work.
Soundtrack:
Create three (3) original songs to accompany The Kite Runner movie. Your songs must
include lyrics and music. The songs should reflect three different emotional states that
the various characters experience throughout the novel. Each song must be accompanied
by a 250 word reflection and appropriate lyrics not less than four stanza of four lines each.
Be sure to explain how the vocals and musical components complement the mood of each
song.
Photo Journal:
You are a location scout for a version of The Kite Runner movie that is being filmed
locally in Ontario. Create a ten (10) image photo journal (of your own photographs) that
symbolically reflects The Kite Runner’s themes, characters, ideas, settings, etc. Each
photo journal must be accompanied by a 150 word reflective paragraph that explains the
significance of the photo to the novel.
Music Video/Movie Trailer:
You have been chosen to direct a music video (or movie trailer) for the theme song to The
Kite Runner movie. Choose a song that you think is appropriate to be The Kite Runner
theme song and direct a 3-5 minute video for this song. Your video must reflect the
themes and important ideas of the novel. Classmates/friends can be in the video if
necessary. You must submit a two-page (400-500 word) explanation of what you chose
to include in the video/trailer and why you included it, as well as an explanation of how
the song you chose reflects the ideas of the novel and your music video.
Important Dates:
Evidence of Planning Process Date:
____________________________________
Due Date:
____________________________________
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
The Kite Runner Summative Assignment Proposal Sheet
Name:
Date:
Proposal:
1. What option do you intend to complete?
2. Explain briefly why you’ve chosen this topic.
3. What initial ideas do you have:
Approval:
B.
Timeline planning:


Date assignment given:
Plan to complete on time:


Rough Draft Due:
Final Due Date Due:
Timeline completed and approved:
(teacher signature)
(teacher signature)
8
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
ABBEY PARK HIGH SCHOOL
9
Name:
Teacher:
Date:
Course: ENG 4U
The Kite Runner Summative Assignment Rubric
Criteria:
(0%
49%)
Level 1
(50% - 59%)
Level 2
(60% - 69%)
Level 3
(70% - 79%)
Level 4
(80% - 100%)
limited links with/relevance to:
characters
plot
theme
setting
research (e.g.,
business report)
some links with/relevance to:
characters
plot
theme
setting
research (e.g.,
business report)
considerable links with /
relevance to:
characters
plot
theme
setting
research (e.g.,
business report)
highly linked with / relevance
to:
characters
plot
theme
setting
research (e.g.,
business report)
reflection upon/analysis
of/ evaluation of original
text
limited evidence of thoughtful
reflection, extension, or
evaluation of the original text’s
ideas
some evidence of thoughtful
reflection, extension, or
evaluation of the original text’s
ideas
considerable evidence of
thoughtful reflection,
extension, or evaluation of the
original text’s ideas
superior evidence of thoughtful
reflection, extension, or
evaluation of the original text’s
ideas
originality and creativity
of thought
little originality/creativity
some originality/creativity
considerable
originality/creativity
outstanding
originality/creativity
Uses conventions of
spelling, capitalization
and punctuation in oral
and written work
occasionally uses the
conventions of spelling,
capitalization and punctuation
correctly
frequently uses the conventions
of spelling, capitalization and
punctuation correctly
consistently uses the
conventions of spelling,
capitalization and punctuation
correctly
always uses the conventions of
spelling, capitalization and
punctuation correctly
Uses the conventions of
grammar and usage in
oral and written
communication
occasionally uses the
conventions of grammar and
usage
frequently uses the conventions
of grammar and usage
consistently uses the
conventions of grammar and
usage
always uses the conventions of
grammar and usage
Select words appropriate
to formal style
occasionally selects words
appropriate to formal style
frequently selects words
appropriate to formal style
Consistently selects words
appropriate to formal style
Always or almost always
selects words appropriate to
formal style
Demonstrates proper use
of all steps of the writing
process: dot jot, rough
copy, editing and
revision, good copy,
timelines, works
consulted if applicable
Demonstrates poor effort on all
steps of the writing process
Demonstrates satisfactory
effort on all steps of the writing
process
Demonstrates consistent effort
on all steps of the writing
process
demonstrates superior effort on
all steps of the writing process
Demonstrates proper use
of format / structure
Limited proper use of format /
structure
Some proper use of format /
structure
Considerable proper use of
format / structure
Superior use of format /
structure
Reflection
Limited reflection of
strategies/steps
Some reflection of
strategies/steps
Considerable reflection of
strategies/steps
Superior reflection of
strategies/steps
KNOWLEDGE
Links with/relevance to
text and/or Afghanistan
research

characters and/or

plot

theme

setting

research(if
applicable)
THINKING
COMMUNICATION
APPLICATION
Know
Think
Com
Apply
%