ENGLISH 10 COURSE OUTLINE
UNIVERSITY HILL SECONDARY SCHOOL
TEACHER: MS. L. KWAN
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides the student with opportunities and methods to further develop
skills in reading, writing, speaking and thinking. Students will develop a deeper
appreciation for the English language, both written and spoken, and develop their
fluency and flexibility in all areas of communication. Students will have the opportunity
to explore and appreciate short stories, drama, poetry and the novel, and will develop
their ability to interpret, respond to and evaluate the literature provided during the
course.
COURSE CONTENT: (the order and contents of this outline may change to some
degree based on textbook availability)
TERM I:


COMPOSITION/ESSAYS
1. Different essay types
2. Writing techniques
3. Seminar discussions of model essays
SHORT STORIES
1. Elements of the short story
2. Three – Five Short Stories
3. Unit Exam
TERM II:
 NOVEL: The Chrysalids
1. Project
2. Essay
 DRAMA: Othello, or Romeo and Juliet
1. Oral reading, history, themes and language
2. project
3. Quizzes and unit exam
TERM III:
 NOVEL: To Kill a Mockingbird
1. Elements of the novel
2. Composition
3. Quizzes and unit exam
 POETRY:
1. Poetic Devices: metaphor, simile, personification, etc.
2. Exploration of theme, rhythm, tone, pattern, symbols, imagery and poetic devices.
3. Critical response to poetry: analysis, oral participation
4. End of unit poetry reading by all students
* Grammar and Usage: recognized problem areas will be dealt with on a regular basis
throughout the year.
 Sentence Combining
 Sentence faults as they occur in composition
 Grammar as needed
 Sentence clarity, precision, and variety
ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
MARKS FOR EACH TERM REPORT
Participation
Quizzes & Short Tests
Assignments
Unit Exams
% OF TERM
10
15
25
50
FINAL REPORT
All three terms are weighted equally. There is a PROVINCIAL EXAM FOR ENGLISH 10 in
June, which will count for 20% of your grade for the year. Completion of all assignments is a
requirement for completion of the course.
EXPECTATIONS
1. ATTITUDE: Students are required to respect others in the classroom
2. ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is required. Tardiness may affect participation
marks. Notes that fully explain absences are essential to allow for make-up tests
and assignments.
* It is the student’s responsibility to seek the teacher for missed assignments and tests.
A mark of zero will be given for missed assignments.
3. HOMEWORK: Assignments must be completed and submitted according to teacher
specifications. Listen carefully for instructions, write them down and note the
due date. Check the homework board as well. Unless otherwise specified, late
deductions are applied at a rate of 10% per day.
4. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY:
show an honest effort (an honest effort means that
the student has made a conscious effort to follow suggestions to improve and
has sought extra help from me after school, if necessary).
*Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Students will receive a zero and will
be disciplined according to school policy. Please see school agenda for policy.
Intellectual honesty is important in secondary school. For additional information concerning
the definition of plagiarism and possible repercussions in post-secondary institutions, some
websites below provide examples that should offer some clarity:
http://www.sfu.ca/philosophy/honesty.htm
http://www.arts.ubc.ca/Plagiarism_Avoided.373.0.html
IF YOU HAVE A TUTOR:
In general, only students who have weak composition, comprehension and oral skills require
a tutor for English. Ideally, your English tutor should assess your comprehension and
composition skills and endeavour to assign his/her own original assignments. Grammar
and usage problems can be addressed through the tutor’s own original lesson plans and
resources. Composition skills can be improved through extracurricular novel reading, writing
response and discussion. It is inappropriate for a tutor to help with school homework by
writing a student’s essays, providing ideas for assignments or editing drafts to the point
where it becomes the tutor’s work. If your tutor is not providing you with original lesson
plans that are tailored to your learning style and needs, you are NOT getting your money’s
worth.
5. LEARNING READINESS: students are expected to come prepared to learn with
appropriate materials such as a 3-ring binder, loose-leaf paper and pens (blue or
black). Art supplies may be required for projects.