Grade 9 Language Arts Curriculum Outline
2011-2012
Teacher: Cheryl Waterfield
Email: cwater@staff.ednet.ns.ca
www.gbjhs.ednet.ns.ca
Phone: 827-4666
Homework Website:
Extra help is available upon request. Students should see me to schedule a
session. If classes are missed, students are expected to see me and to catch up
on work missed.
To access the English curriculum outcomes, refer to the Department of
Education website at www.ednet.ns.ca and go to “Document Depot”. From there,
go to “Curriculum & Textbooks”, followed by “Learning Outcomes Framework”.
Grading Language:
90s - Demonstrates excellent achievement of the expected learning outcomes.
80s - Demonstrates very good achievement of the expected learning outcomes.
70s - Demonstrates good achievement of the expected learning outcomes.
60s - Demonstrates satisfactory achievement of the expected learning
outcomes.
50s - Demonstrates minimally acceptable achievement of the expected learning
outcomes.
40s - Demonstrates has not met minimum requirements of the expected
learning outcomes.
Course Overview:
The English Language Arts program explores three areas: Speaking and
Listening; reading and Viewing; and Writing and Other Ways of
Representing. All three of these areas are interconnected and will be developed
throughout the year using a workshop format. An anchor novel (The Outsiders by
S.E. Hinton) will be read aloud in class at the beginning of the year and will be
used as a reference throughout for both reading and writing when studying
various aspects of the processes. Poetry will also be used throughout the year to
develop an understanding of how text can be used to both think and learn.
Homework will be assigned and posted on class homework sites when it is
necessary for students to complete class work at home. As well, students are
encouraged to read for 30 minutes, 3-4 times each week to increase general
knowledge and to improve vocabulary.
Major Areas of Study/Timeline:
Sept: Introduction/Organizational Procedures
Oct/Nov: Novel Study – The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Dec/Jan: Workshop Focusing on The Writing Process
Feb: Workshop Focusing on Memoirs
March: Workshop Focusing on Expository Writing
April: Workshop Focusing on Research
May/June: Public Speaking/Presentations
Assessment and Evaluation:
Assessment activities will be designed for students to demonstrate what they have
learned and to communicate their understanding of the Grade 9 English Language Arts
outcomes. Assessment will be varied and will include but not be limited to: rubrics, oral
and written presentations/assessments, process writing and published pieces from
writing folders, reading response logs, teacher observations, a final exam and class
participation.
Student Success:
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It is essential students come to class prepared all year. It is not unusual for
students to run out of pencils or have binders with broken rings by January
making it difficult for them to get their work done.
Students are responsible for missed work. They should see me as soon as
possible following an absence, especially if it is extended.
Sometimes the more I know about a student the better I am able to help them.
We all have bad days. If something is going on in your child’s life that may affect
their learning please let me know.
I really encourage the students to make responsible decisions around their
personal health and nutrition. It is important they come to school well rested with
breakfast and lunch. Please let me know if I can offer support to your child in this
area.
Your child’s success in school is a team effort. Please keep me informed about
the important things going on in your child’s life.