Name:

Year 11English 2017

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 Year 11 English Course Planner 2018

Course Focus School Assessed Coursework

2018 Intro to the course and expectations
Starting Tune into Interpreter of Maladies
Line Start work on Context file
OWeek
TERM 1
Week 1 Like a House Fire
29th Jan
Week 2 Like a House Fire
5th Feb
Week 3 I Like a House Fire
12th Feb
Week 4 Like a House Fire
19th Feb
Week 5 Like a House Fire Practice analytical SAC
26th Feb
Week 6 Like a House Fire Like a House Fire analytical SAC
5th Mar
Week 7 Cosi
12th Mar
Week 8 Labour Day (14 Mar)
19th Mar Cosi
Week 9 Cosi
26th Mar
TERM 2
Week 1 Cosi Draft of oral creative SAC
16th April
Week 2 Cosi Final draft of Cosi oral creative SAC with a written
23rd April explanation
Week 3 Anzac Day (25 Apr)
30th May Analysing and presenting argument
Week 4 Analysing and presenting argument
7th May
Week 5 Analysing and presenting argument
14th May
Week 6 Analysing and presenting argument Practice SAC
21st May
Week 7 Analysing and presenting argument Analysing argument SAC (One article with a
28th May visual)
Persuasive speech draft due
Week 8 Revision Revision
4th June
Week 9 Exam Week GAT
11th June Exam (3 hours plus reading time)
Week 10 Queens Birthday (13 Jun)
18th June Unit 2 - Tune in to Nineteen Eighty-Four
Week 11 Nineteen Eighty-Four
25th June
Term 3
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 Week 1 Nineteen Eighty-Four Formative assessment on Nineteen Eighty-Four
16th July
Week 2 Gattaca
23rd July
Week 3 Gattaca
30th July
Week 4 Gattaca Formative assessment on Gattaca
6th August
Week 5 Comparative Nineteen Eighty-Four and Gattaca
13th Aug.
Week 6 Comparative - Nineteen Eighty-Four and Gattaca
20th Aug.
Week 7 Comparative - Nineteen Eighty-Four and Gattaca Comparative Practice SAC
27th Aug.
Week 8 Comparative - Nineteen Eighty-Four and Gattaca Comparative SAC
3rd Sept.
Week 9 Analysing and presenting argument
10th Sept.
Week 10 Analysing and presenting argument
17th Sept.
TERM 4
Week 1 Analysing and presenting argument Presenting argument oral SAC (re-draft speech
8th Oct. from end of term two)
Week 2 Analysing and presenting argument
15th Oct.
Week 3 Analysing and presenting argument Practice SAC
22nd Oct.
Week 4 Analysing and presenting argument Comparative analysing argument SAC
29th Oct. (Comparative analysis of two articles with at least
one visual)
Week 5 Revision
5th Nov.
Week 6 Melbourne Cup (1 Nov) Revision
12th Nov.
Week 7
19th Nov. EXAMS (3 hours plus reading time)
Week 8 Orientation to Year 12 Program
26th Nov.

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Units 1 a n d 2 English Course

TEXTS:
Reading and Creating texts:
Like a House on Fire (short story collection) by Cate Kennedy
Cosi (play) by Louis Nowra

Reading and Comparing texts:

Gattaca (film) directed by Andrew Niccol
Nineteen Eighty Four (novel) by George Orwell

Unit One Outcomes

In this unit, you will read and respond to texts analytically and creatively. You will analyse arguments
and the use of persuasive language in texts and create your own texts intended to position audiences.

Outcome 1- Reading and Creating

On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce analytical and creative
responses to texts.

Outcome 2- Analysing and presenting argument

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse how argument and persuasive
language can be used to position audiences, and create their own texts intended to position
audiences.

Unit Two Outcomes

In this unit students compare the presentation of ideas, issues and themes in texts. They analyse
arguments presented and the use of persuasive language in texts and create their own texts intended
to position audiences.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify and analyse how argument and
persuasive language are used in text/s that attempt to influence an audience, and create a text which
presents a point of view.

ASSESSMENT

The Outcomes must be demonstrated by:

Completing all course work by the deadlines
Participating in class discussions as a means of consolidating your knowledge
Completing all SAC tasks satisfactorily

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 Completing a mid-year and end-of-year examination

HOLIDAY HOMEWORK TASKS COMPETED

(tick when
done)
Read all the stories in Like a house on Fire and annotate as you go

Compete all Like a House on Fire reading journal in the booklet

Read Cosi and annotate as you go

Read Nineteen Eighty Four and annotate as you go

Watch Gattaca

Organising Yourself for Year 11 English

Year 11will be much busier than Year 10. If you fall behind it will take a big effort to catch up. Over
the summer holidays you have the opportunity to give yourself a head start on a hectic year.

You will be given a larger number of photocopies and you will need to take more class notes in
English, than ever before. It's important to organise these notes before school begins so that you don't
become overwhelmed. It is also important that notes are kept organised for revision before the end
of year exam.
Your English folder should be divided into the following sections:
Course Information- This may include course outlines, SAC information, study session times,
exam times or excursion information etc.
Reading and creating
Reading and comparing {texts) - Keep any notes you develop about the texts, as well as teacher
handouts and practice essays. You will need to go back over these for the June and end of year
exam. The information for each text could be stored in a separate folder until you begin revising
for the exam.
Analysing and presenting argument {issues)- This should include notes about language analysis
and point of view writing.
Orals- Keep your notes, brainstorming and planning for oral presentations.

Gaining the Most Out of Year 11 English

Be responsible for your own learning
Be pro-active and take responsibility for your own learning. Don't wait for your teacher to tell
you to do the following things:
Practice speed-reading, skimming, note-making and writing summaries
Annotate the texts as you read.
Create mind-maps and posters of the themes in the set texts
Find ways to help you remember information
Talk to others about your work
Tell your parents or some other family member about the texts you are studying and ask their
opinion about the themes and issues raised
Use the Internet to research articles related to your texts
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 It might sound simple and silly but get to class on time
Bring all equipment
Actually read the texts not summaries
Down load the texts if you prefer an audio version
Buy some postie notes
Remember If you miss a class it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to catch up on the work you
missed. You need to seek out the teacher and ask for any notes/work from that session.

Personal Learning Goals

Being a successful learner means being aware of your strengths and
weaknesses. Active learners continually reflect on their learning and set goals
to achieve what they want or need. Reflect on your experiences in English
so far. What are your strengths and weaknesses in English? Write them in
the table below.
My strengths in English My weaknesses in English

Using the points from your weaknesses column, set yourself some achievable goals for
Units 1 & 2 English. Make them very specific and think about how you will achieve the
goals.
My personal learning goals How I will achieve my goal

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Reading Like a House on Fire'
Pre-Reading Strategies

Step 1 Look at the text 'Like a House on Fire'. Observe the title, the image and anything
else that gives you a hint to what the text will be about (don't read the blurb at this
stage). Think of the things that we have discussed in class and the research that you have
done and consider what the stories might be about. Record your thoughts in your
workbook.

Step 2- As a class, read the blurb and reviews on the back.

Step 3 - Think back to your initial prediction. Was your prediction

correct/incorrect/partially correct? How do you know? (In your workbook)

Step 4 - In light of the new information, expand on your initial prediction. If your
initial predictions were completely way off, in light of the new information, make another
prediction about what you think the text will be about. (In your workbook)

Step 5- Do you have any questions about the text at this stage? Are you wondering what
will happen, who the characters are or what message the author is trying to convey?
Before we start reading the first story write down five questions that you have about the
text, in your workbook.

Step 6 - Read the title of the first story. What do you think this story will be about? Write
it down.

Step 7- As we read the first story you should be completing the breakdown table on the next
page. This will help you to remember the text, note important pieces of information, identify
key quotes and identify key characteristics of a character. Your teacher will help you to
break down the first story.

Every time you put your novel down it is a good idea to summarise what you have
read.

Finish reading and annotating all the stories over the summer break. The more thorough
your annotations, the easier it will be to understand and analyse the text before the SAC.

Don't forget to fill in all the reading journal, when you finish reading each story.

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 DECONSTRUCTING FLEXION BY CATE KENNEDY

Title of short story:

Significance of the title:

Plot:

Characters (include key details about character traits):

Setting:

Resolution:

Point of view:

Style of language:

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Narrative structure:

What are the key images?

What is the key message of the story?

Social/historical/cultural values conveyed:

Themes:

Key quotes with explanation of significance:

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 Contextual background to Like a House on Fire

In order to effectively analyse Like a House on Fire you will need to have an understanding of the context and background to the text. Over the
orientation period you will complete the following activities to enrich your understanding of the text.

Mark and label the following locations in the text on the map:

Name the states and territories

Melbounre
Sydney
Brisbane
Darwin
Perth
Adelaide
Hobart
Cannberra
Cairns
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
Southern Ocean
The Great Dividing Range
The Murray River
Uluuru
Alice Springs

Look up and write down definitions of the following terms:

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Flexion:

Whirlpool:

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 COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH TASK TO BROADEN YOUR
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTEXT OF THE LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE TEXT

In small groups, answer the following questions in a word document which you will email to your
teacher. All information submitted must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Answer questions in full
sentences, making sure to proofread for clarity.

Cate Kennedy
1. What style does she write in?
2. What are the inspiration for her pieces of work?
3. Which awards have her texts received and the importance of them?
4. Where was she born and when?
5. Why do you think her novels have been on the English text list?
6. Where did she grow up?
7. Where does she currently live?

Australian values:
1. What are values?
2. What are some Australian values?
3. What is a patriarchal lifestyle?
4. What are societal expectations of women?
5. What are societal expectations of men?

Short stories:
Different publications publish quite different stories. Look into some journals that accept short-story
submissions.
1. Read at least three stories from at least two separate editions of the journal. This should give
you information about how submissions are accepted, preferred styles, length ect.
2. What elements do you feel your chosen journal looks for in a story?
3. What are the requirements for submission?
4. What are the elements of short story?
5. What are the challenges and opportunities in writing short stories?

Short-story platforms
www.expressmedia.org.au
www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com
www.meanjin.com.au
www.overland.org.au
www.seizureonline.com
www.sleeperspublishing.com/almanac/
www.southerlyjournal.com.au
www.voiceworksmag.com.au
www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/short-storytips-_n_3947152.html
www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/03/kurtvonnegut-on-writing-stories/

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 Cate Kennedys Like a House on Fire
Reading Journal

Characters Narrative point of Key images or 5 Key Quotes Big Ideas What is the
view and how you moments that stand message behind this
would describe the out story?
voice
Flexion

Ashes

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Laminex and
Mirrors

Tender

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Like a House On
Fire

Five-Dollar Family

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Cross-Country

Sleepers

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Whirlpool

Cake

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White Spirit

Little Plastic
Shipwreck

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Waiting

Static

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Seventy-two
derwents

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 HOLIDAY HOMEWORK

Over the break, you need to read Like a House on Fire and complete the questions below in
your English book/folder. For each answer, make sure you include a quote as evidence.
Then explain the significance of the answer in relation to the story. Underline the
words 'significant because' in your answers. Use the two examples below as a guide.

'Flexion'
How is Frank different before and after the accident?
How does his wifes attitude towards him change?
Why do both of these characters change their attitudes towards each other?
'Ashes'
How does Chris see his mother, and how does this make him act towards her?
What moment changes his attitude to his father, and to his mother?
What happens at the end to signify that something has changed between Chris and his mother?
'Laminex and Mirriors'
Whay does Matron hunt out Marie? Why is Matron so annoyed?
What misconception does the main character have about Len and Dot? What changes her mind
about them? What part does she play in this moment?
Why is Mr Moreton both happy and sad about his daughters visit? Why do you think the main
character decides to do what she does for him?
Like a House on Fire'
What does the title of the story refer to? (Does it fit with your suggestions for the books overall
title from earlier?)
What hints does the author give to suggest that the dynamic between the two adults was once
different?
How have Ben and Sam changed between this Chrsitmas and the last? Why does this make their
father sad?
How do each of the characters compromises in the story?
'Five-Dollar Family'
In what ways is Des a disappointment?
How does the main character describe her own body at various points throughout the story?
Why is she so determined to get this family photo?
'Cross-Country'
How does Rebecca describe the differences between grief over a loved one dying and the grief
over a relationship ending?
Why does she become so obsessed with the image of overtaking her ex while running?
What two words unravel her thoughts?
Sleepers
Just Ray is echoed several times in this story. Who says/thinks it, and what tone does it set for
Rays character?
Why does everyone believe that they have a right to take a share of the sleepers?
Consider the final few sentences of the story and Ray as a character. What are the similarities
between the two?

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Whirlpool
What strikes you immediately about the narrative point of view of this piece?
What hints are there the the story about Annas position within the family? How do they all feel
about her? How does this make her feel about herself?
What does the pool represent to the girls and their father?
Cake
The presence of cake is repeated throughout the story and is echoed in the title. What do you
think the signifance of this is? How does it make Liz feel, and why?
What roles is Liz trying to switch between? How is she finding it difficult? How do others
make things more difficult?
White Spirit
What is the importance of the mural? How does the main character feel let down by it?
What is the growing sense of community ownership through collaboration?
What is happening differently in the reality of the community project than was intended by the
theory of it?
Little Plastic Shipwreck
How does Roley feel about Oceanworld and his job? Why doesnt he quit?
How doe the author show us the difference between Roley and Declan? How do we know
Roleys opinion of Declan?
Waiting'
Before we know where the main character is or what she is there for, how does the author
develop the tone of the story?
How does she show the tension and anxiety in each of the characters? What are they worried
about?
What are the different kinds of love demonstrated in the this story?
Static
What are the Evil Rays? Where are they coming from?
What are the differences between Marie and her husband and his parents?
What is each of the characters longing for?
Seventy-Two Derwents
How does the author show you that the girl in this story is younger than the narrators of other
stories in the book?
Is the family rich or poor? How do you know? How do each of the characters act because of
this?
What do you know about the reltionshiop between Ellie and her mother from Tylers story?
How does Ellie take care of Tyler?
What does Mrs Carlyle call the police? How does this impact Tyler?
What are the benefits of having a young narrator? And what are the drawbacks?

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