Prose+Forms


 * Prose Forms: Every Tuesday and Thursday! **

Tuesdays and Fridays, English 9 students will deal with various forms of prose--short stories, novel study (individual, small-group and class novel studies) and non-fiction (article and essay) forms. The twice-a-week format means students will have a few days between assignments, to enable them to get help before or after school if they are stuck.

The PLOs for reading and analysing prose forms include B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9, B9, B10, B11, and B12. In discussing their analysis in small and large groups, (and preparing for class discussion) students will also address PLOs A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9 and A10.

Don't panic! We will practice identifying these in stories we read before there is any kind of test on these terms--but you should be working to memorize the definitions you don't know.
 * Literary Elements**: In order to discuss prose forms, students need the specific vocabulary for frequently-seen features, elements and devices. As in the introductory Drama and Poetry classes, students will be given a list of common terms and will need to learn not only the definitions, but how to identify each term "in the field". (In other words, they should be able to look at a poem and say, "There is onomatopoia in this line," and be correct, or look at a short story and identify foreshadowing and rising action.) All the literary elements definitions are in this PowerPoint which can also be found onthe Drama & Poetry page.

Assessment: Quiz (at least one in the Short Stories Unit), Short Story unit test.

Assessment: Short Story unit test.
 * Short Stories:** Students will read and analyse short stories from various cultural traditions, as well as modern short stories, including some Canadian pieces.

Individual Novel Study: In Term 1, students will do a written book report. In term 2, students will do a book talk. Click on the assignment name to view the assignment and the marking criteria. Yes, this means students are expected to read for pleasure in addition to reading assigned texts. Books for individual projects may be read during Daily Silent Reading. Books for individual projects must be at grade level (grade 8 or higher in difficulty) and appropriate for school. If you are not sure if your book is appropriate or at grade level, show it to me and ask--I'll be happy to tell you! The final deadline for these assignments is the marks cutoff at the end of the term. Students who submit their book reports early will have an opportunity for feedback and/or a re-do. Assessment: Book Report and Book Talk assignments. Book Report is due before the end of Term One, Book Talk is due before the end of Term Two.


 * Class novel study:** The whole class will read and study //Ender's Game// by Orson Scott Card. Students will do assigned readings outside of class, and discuss their readings through extensive small- and large- group discussions, including online postings.

Assessment: Essay and individual interview/presentation. Online postings.