1. Reading Skills and Short Stories
Students will read a variety of texts (short stories, novel, poetry, news reports, diagrams) and demonstrate understanding. Students will read a variety of short stories with cross-cultural themes and plot development and will respond to and evaluate the short stories. Students will practice using a variety of reading skills and strategies needed to make the transition to other secondary school disciplines. Reading skills include previewing, skimming, scanning, making inferences, analyzing text features, identifying main ideas and supporting details, guessing meaning from context, paraphrasing and summarizing, reading comprehension exercises, reading and note-taking, grammar and vocabulary building.
2. The Writing Process
Students will write for academic purposes (essay, outline, paragraphs) and personal purposes (reflections, letters, narrative). Students will practice the steps of the writing process using a variety of organizational exercises. Different types of texts will be analyzed and produced. Students will develop language and grammar skills through various exercises (sentence types, sentence problems, phrases and clauses, transition and linking words, verb tenses, parts of speech). Writing exercises include paragraph structure and organization, sentence structure, topic and concluding sentences, introductions and conclusions, pre-writing strategies, writing a thesis, organizing an outline, producing drafts – revising and editing, application of grammar and spelling strategies.
3. Awareness of Canada
Students will use a variety of materials and participate in activities to adapt to student life in Ontario. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diversity in Canadian society and study examples of the influence of Canada’s history and geography on its literature and art. Students will examine the traditions of a number of cultural communities in Canada, including Indigenous communities.
4. Summative Assignments
Students will complete a variety of assignments to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the content of the course, their critical and creative thinking skills and processes, and their application of knowledge and skills. Students will communicate meaning through oral, visual and written forms.