Course Outline and Expectations
Semester 2 – 2014
Teacher: S. Di Paolo
Course Title: Grade 9 Academic English
Course Code: ENG 1D1
Room: 341
Contact: 905-820-3900 X70316
Course Description:
This course emphasizes analytic reading, writing, oral communication, and thinking skills that students need for success in
secondary school academic programs and their daily lives. Students will study and interpret texts from contemporary and
historical periods, including short stories, novels, a play and short essays. They will also investigate and create media
works. An important focus will be the correct and effective use of spoken and written language.
Course Evaluation:
(All evaluation is based on the four categories required by the Ministry of Education regulations).
Knowledge and Understanding
25%
Term Work
Thinking
25%
CPT (Culminating Performance Task)
Communication
25%
Final Exam
Application
25%
Total
70%
15%
15%
100%
Units of Study
Unit
1. Short Stories, Non-fiction
Texts
Various Resources
2. Elizabethan Drama
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini
Various Resources
3. Novel Study
4. Literacy Preparation
5. Grammar
Language Power
Time Frame
February
March
April
May
Ongoing
* Textbooks and units of study are subject to change.
* Students are responsible for the specific textbook they have been assigned. A lost text must be replaced before a new text
is issued.
Homework
Several reading and writing tasks will be assigned for homework throughout the semester. Homework will be checked daily
so it is essential that you keep up with the required work and ask questions if you are not sure about something. Please
remember that you are always responsible for the work that you missed. Make sure that you have the phone numbers
of at least two reliable people that you can contact for information when you are away. If you are absent on the day that a
homework task is assigned, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and to have the work completed when you
return to class.
Assignments
For major assignments and the culminating activity, deadlines will be established well in advance. There will be a specific
submission period for you to hand in your work. Any assignments submitted one day following the submission period will be
given a 10% deduction. Assignments will not be accepted after the late penalty day. Exceptions may be made for
legitimate reasons. Skipping class on the day of a summative evaluation task may result in a mark of zero.
Cheating/Plagiarism
Cheating is an act of academic dishonesty and comes in many forms such as, but not limited to, communicating in any form,
copying from others and using unauthorized notes or electronics during an evaluation.
Plagiarism, an example of cheating, is the act of claiming another person’s words, ideas, work as one’s own such as, but
not limited to, copying another student’s work, copying and pasting text from electronic sources without citing and identifying
it as a quotation, falsifying a citation, quoting a source without citation, paraphrasing but not citing the source, copying and
pasting graphics without citing the source, etc.
Please note that plagiarism and cheating will NOT be tolerated. You will receive a mark of zero if you decide to
cheat or plagiarize. Students who assist others in cheating/plagiarizing will be disciplined accordingly. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be
notified.
Classroom and Students’ Expectations:
 Students will be in the complete Gonzaga uniform at all times (including proper footwear).
 No personal electronic devices (PEDs) are permitted in the classroom. These include cell phones, iPods, and
digital cameras, All PEDs will be confiscated if they are brought into the classroom.
 Tardiness is unacceptable! It disturbs the class. Three lates will result in an assignment/detention and a phone
call to parent/guardian.
 Students are responsible for catching up on missed work and obtaining notes/handouts upon their return.
 In order to foster teamwork and a co-operative classroom environment, students must show respect for themselves,
for their peers, and for their teachers. Disrespect towards the teacher or other classmates will result in disciplinary
action. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
 Food/drinks are not allowed in the classroom. Water is permitted.
Extra Help:
I am always willing to answer questions and provide clarification. Please do not hesitate to ask for feedback when you need it! I am
available during 3A lunch and after school in Rm. 316.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS…
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SET A GOAL FOR YOURSELF AND FOCUS ON IT!
ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD STUDY PARTNERS!
READ AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND YOUR WRITING WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE!
Dear Parents,
It is my pleasure to introduce myself as your child’s Grade 9 Academic English teacher. I am looking forward to an
engaging and productive semester with the Grade 9 Academic Class. Please review this course outline with your
son/daughter and if you have any questions or concerns throughout the course of the semester, do not hesitate to
call me at the number below.
S. Di Paolo
English Department
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School
905 820 3900 ext. 70316
Please complete the bottom half of this sheet and return it to school as soon as possible.
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I have read the course outline and I understand all of the policies and expectations mentioned above.
_____________________________
Student’s Signature
_____________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature
Parent/Guardian Contact Information
1. ______________________________
Name
_____________________________________________
Daytime Phone #
2. ______________________________
Name
_____________________________________________
Daytime Phone #