ECF 30S: English Comprehensive Focus 30S

Instructor: Mr. Steve Dueck

Description:
This course continues to develop language and comprehension skills through a variety of
transactional, technical, and literary forms. Students explore and respond to a wide range of
media, including novels, poetry, Shakespearean drama, films, magazine articles, essays, and
business writing. The course has a practical orientation preparing students for the communication
of the workplace and helping them as the take on responsibility for their own success. This
course also presents students with the opportunity to improve time management, goal setting,
and group work skills.

Explanation and Outline:

Throughout the semester we will study a variety of literary works and genres. This course will
focus on the themes of personal identity, transformations, and social commentary with an
emphasis on the Canadian Experience, Romantic Literature, and Victorian Literature. An
idea we will explore is how there are moments, incidents, and decisions in life that develop
character these are moments that change the course of a narrative and alter a characters
perspective. During our time together we will cover the following works: (Note: this list may
change)
Macbeth
Frankenstein
Animal Farm
The Metamorphosis
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
My Antonia
Night
The Book of Negroes
Diary of Anne Frank
The Hobbit
In addition, we will also look at short stories, essays, and poetry by a variety of authors.

Unit Work
Essays
Projects
Presenting
Responding
Group Work
Creative
Journal
Independent Reading

50%

Tests / Quizzes
Final Exam

20%
30%

Total

100%

All major assignments must be completed in order to receive a final mark in the course.
Not all assignments in this course will receive a grade. Assignments will be weighted
appropriately by the instructor.

Contact: Stephen.dueck@gvsd.ca
Website: stephendueck.weebly.com

English Outcomes:
1. Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
2. Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print, and other media
texts
3. Manage ideas and information
4. Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication
5. Celebrate and build community

Student Expectations:

Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared every day. You will need a
binder with dividers (for notes and handouts) and writing utensils. A separate notebook is
required for the journal.
The students and the teacher will exhibit behaviour that models mutual respect. This
includes respect for each other, other classmates, and property.
All required reading and responses must be completed to participate in class activities.

PLAGIARISM:

Definition: The act of using the ideas or work of another person or persons as if they
were ones own, without giving credit to the source.
Consequences: 0%, redo assignment, course failure (See agenda book). Other forms
of cheating, such as looking at another students paper during a quiz or test, allowing
another student to look at your paper during a quiz or test, or talking during a test or quiz,
will lead to similar consequences.

LATE AND MISSED ASSIGNMENTS:

Missed work is your responsibility. If you know you are going to miss a class in which an
assignment is due, hand it in early, or have a sibling/peer drop the assignment off.
Handouts: You are responsible for collecting missed handouts and consulting a classmate
concerning missed work.
Assignments must be handed in the appropriate in-box at the beginning of class; they may
not be handed in via email unless specific arrangements have been made.
Late assignments will receive up to a 20% deduction @ 2% per day.
Missed presentations will result in a zero.

Absolute Cut-off Dates: Term 1Nov 13, Term 2 Jan 29

Outline:
Poetry and Creative Writing
Experimenting with language
Poetry as performance
Canadian Identity
Terminology
Analysis
Memory
Video Poetry / Poetry Anthology
Who am I My Antonia
Transformations
The Metamorphosis
Macbeth
Short Fiction
The Problem of Evil
Film: Corpse Bride
Frankenstein
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Social Commentary
Personal Essays

Response Journals
JOURNALS:
The journal you create in this course is intended to record and to extend your learning. It
aims to increase both your knowledge and your skills.
You will use your journal to:
Respond to topics suggested in class
Respond to ideas presented in readings / viewings
Reflect before or after classroom discussions
Review and practice different writing forms
Journals will be assessed for the completion of entries. However, marks may be deducted if there
is a lack of effort or thought, regardless of quantity of writing. In addition, I expect your journal
to be neat with dates and headings. You need to make up ALL journal entries missed. I will not
read your entire journal. If your journal is not in class during a journal check you will receive a
zero for that check. You will also be required to share journal entries as part of class discussion.
If you are not prepared for class (journal not completed) you will have to spend extra time in
class.
Journal Marks:
100
80
60
40
20
0

Above Level All required entries, required quantity, exceptional presentation

At Level All required entries, required quantity, organized
Emerging Missing some entries and does not meet required quantity
Below Level Many missing entries, insufficient quantity, messy
Very Little effort in maintaining a course journal
Out of Range No journal submitted

Journal entries must be completed in an 8.5 x 11 notebook.

Journal Checks:
1. October 13 12 pages
2. November 12 12 pages
3. December 17 12 pages
4. January 28 12 pages
.

Reading: Reading is an important aspect of this course.

You are expected to bring a novel to

each class. We will use the first 10-15 minutes of class as silent reading. This can also be a time for
silent journal writing. This is NOT a time for using the library or working on assignments.

PHONES, FOOD, AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS

Ringers should be turned off; phones, used only with permission.

Food, only present with permission
All other electronic devices need to be put away before class begins
If cause for distraction, phones and food will be confiscated and returned at the end of the
class or the day.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MR. DUECK

Email: stephen.dueck@gvsd.ca
Phone: 325-8008.

ELA Common Standards

1.1 Discover and Explore
1.1.1 Express ideas
1.1.2 Consider others ideas
1.1.3 Experiment with language and form
1.1.4 Express preferences
1.1.5 Set Goals
1.2 Clarify and Extend
1.2.1 Develop understanding
1.2.2 Explain opinions
1.2.3 Combine ideas
1.2.4 Extend understanding
2.1 Use Strategies and Cues
2.1.1 Prior knowledge
2.1.2 Comprehension strategies
2.1.3 Textual cues
2.1.4 Cueing Systems
2.2 Respond to Texts
2.2.1 Experience various texts
2.2.2 Connect self, text, and culture
2.2.3 Appreciate the artistry of texts
2.3 Understanding Forms and Techniques
2.3.1 Forms and genres
2.3.2 Techniques and elements
2.3.3 Vocabulary
2.3.4 Experiment with language
2.3.5 Create original texts
3.1 Plan and Focus
3.1.1 Use personal knowledge
3.1.2 Ask questions
3.1.3 Participate in group inquiry
3.1.4 Create and follow a plan
3.2 Select and Process
3.2.1 Identify personal and prior knowledge
3.2.2 Identify sources
3.2.3 Evaluate sources
3.2.4 Access information
3.2.5 Make sense of information
3.3 Organize, record, and evaluate
3.3.1 Organize information
3.3.2 Record information
3.3.3 Evaluate information
3.3.4 Develop new understanding
4.1 Generate and Focus
4.1.1 Generate ideas

4.1.2
4.1.3

Choose forms
Organize ideas

4.2 Enhance and Improve

4.2.1 Appraise own and others work
4.2.2 Revise content
4.2.3 Enhance legibility
4.2.4 Enhance artistry
4.2.5 Enhance presentation
4.3 Attend to Conventions
4.3.1 Grammar and usage
4.3.2 Spelling
4.3.3 Capitalization and punctuation
4.4 Present and Share
4.4.1 Share ideas and information
4.4.2 Effective oral and visual communication
4.4.3 Attentive listening and viewing
5.1 Encourage, Support, and Work With Others
5.1.1 Cooperate with others
5.1.2 Work in groups
5.1.3 Use language to show respect
5.1.4 Evaluate group process
5.2 Develop and Celebrate Community
5.2.1 Share and compare results
5.2.2 Relate texts to culture
5.2.3 Appreciate diversity
5.2.4 Celebrate special occasions