2025/2026- Semester 1
English 9 Studies Course
Ms. Cheung
(gcheung@sd40.bc.ca)
Introduction
Welcome to English Studies 9 where we will explore what is meaningful to you and
what your role in life might as expressed through literature and language. You will be
challenged and you can in turn challenge others to strive for excellence. Together as a
class, we will make exciting discoveries and gain more confidence by overcoming
challenges. Your mind and imagination will be stretched beyond your expectations. In
this class, you will learn to appreciate the power of figurative language- through this
language of imagery and metaphor you will create and be created. My hope is that
your lives will be enriched through the study of literature and language as we explore
topics on identity, relationships with others, and relationship with the world.
Course Curricular Competencies (Know, Do, Understand):
Students will be able to:
• gain greater awareness of different genres.
• identify figurative devices in various poems, short stories, play, and novel.
• demonstrate organization in written work.
• analyze literature in a meaningful and insightful way.
• elaborate and develop ideas in different forms of writing.
• understand the differences in the different forms of essay writing.
• explain and elaborate ideas in presentations.
• show an understanding in the development of plot and character in play, short
stories, and novel.
• begin demonstrating critical thinking.
• make connections between literature, self, and the world.
Other more specific Curricular Competencies are linked to each unit. If you are
interested, check the white board each day to see what skills are the focus of the day!
Selected Texts:
1. Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian-by Sherman Alexie
2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream– by William Shakespeare
3. Selected short stories (to be determined).
4. Poems will be selected from poetryinvoice.ca and www.poetryfoundation.org
Note: We will not be reading all the novels listed above, but these are some
potential options for the semester.
Course Overview
Unit 1
The Writing Process and novel study:
Writing:
• Grammar conventions and mechanics (Subject Verb conjugation, Pronoun
reference, modifiers, complex sentences, and compound complex sentences)
• Graphic organizers and the writing process- brainstorming; organization and
planning; writing drafts; editing and proofreading; peer editing; and writing
final copy.
• Structure and format of various essays, including narrative, descriptive,
expository, and persuasive.
Novel:
• Elements of novels: Setting, characterization, conflict, irony, and resolution.
• Ideas to understand: Propaganda, conditioning, and different systems in
society.
• Writing component- Literary analyses- short responses and essays.
Unit 2
Short stories and Poetry:
Short stories:
• Different genres.
• Elements of short stories: Point of view, characterization, conflict, symbolism,
irony, and setting.
• Writing component- literary analyses and narrative essay
Poetry:
• Different forms of poems.
• Figurative devices: alliteration, couplet, irony, metaphor, onomatopoeia,
oxymoron, personification, repetition, rhyme, simile, symbol, etc.
• Writing component- literary analyses.
Unit 3
Creative writing:
• Use writing and design processes to plan, develop, and create engaging and
meaningful literary texts for a variety of purposes and audience.
• Assess and refine texts to improve their clarity, effectiveness, and impact
according to purpose, audience, and message.
• Use an increasing repertoire of conventions of Canadian spelling, grammar,
and punctuation.
• Use and experiment with oral story telling processes.
Unit 4
Drama:
• Reinforce various figurative devices.
• Elements of plays: Setting, Characterization, Conflict, and Resolution.
• Writing component- Literary analyses and synthesis essays.
Evaluation:
• Writing/Assignments- 35%
• Tests- 30%
• Presentations- 25%
• Participation- 7%
• Reading logs- 3%
General Rules and Expectations
Attendance/Lates/Absences:
You are expected to be on time to class each day. If you take public transportation to
school, it is your responsibility to make sure you do not miss the bus. If you are ill
and need to be absent, you must provide a doctor’s note when you return. Also, it is
YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed from others in the class. If you are
late, you might miss a quiz that is given at the beginning of each class.
Readiness to Learn:
You are responsible for bringing materials and what you need in class. This includes:
pens; pencils; an eraser; ruler; art supplies, such as pencil crayons; lined paper; and
book(s) and/or handouts. Be ready to participate and be involved in your own
learning.
Technology in Classroom:
Technology can be an immensely helpful tool for learning, and there will be times
when you do additional research either at home or in class. With the new provincial
standards for code of conduct order on the personal digital devices policy, we, as a
class, will align with the “off and out of sight” expectation. Please review these
expectations here: https://nwss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/NWSS-Code-ofConduct-3.pdf
Classroom Behaviour:
You are expected to be respectful to other students in the classroom and the teacher.
Rude, disrespectful language in class is inappropriate. This is a zero tolerance for
bullying and discrimination in the classroom. If you feel uncomfortable because of
someone else’s behaviour, please talk to me in private.
Adaptations and Inclusive Education:
If you have an Individual Education Plan and require adaptations and extra support,
please let me know. I would be happy to adapt and provide extra support so that you
can be successful.
Communication with the Teacher:
You and your parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome to email me to communicate
concerns, inform me of absences due to illness or emergencies, and request for
accommodations to support your learning. Please note that if an email is sent after
9PM, it will most likely not be replied until the next morning.
Assignments:
You are expected to hand in assignments on time. For each day the assignment is late,
2% will be deducted. For assignments that you do not hand in, you will receive a
score of 0.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or words without giving them proper
credit. Plagiarism can range from unintentional (forgetting to include a source in a
bibliography) to intentional (buying a paper online, using another writer’s ideas as
your own to make your work sound smarter).
Beginning writers and expert writers alike can all plagiarize
(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/avoiding_plagiarism/index.html).
Consequences can include receiving a 0 for the assignment, having parents informed,
and having the summer school principal informed.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more
that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss