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English Department

The English department at Abbey Park High School is comprised of a team of energetic and enthusiastic teachers who are committed to sharing their passion, appreciation, and understanding of all aspects of literature studies to our students.

Course Selection Information OSSLT Literacy Test

The English Department Course Descriptions

Grades 9-12

This course is designed to develop the oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills that
students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily lives. Students
will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret informational and graphic
texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on the use
of strategies that contribute to effective communication. The course is intended to prepare students for
the Grade 10 academic English course, which leads to university or college preparation courses in Grades
11 and 12.

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to develop the key oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy skills
students need for success in secondary school and daily life. Students will read, interpret, and create a
variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts. An important focus will be on identifying and using
appropriate strategies and processes to improve students’ comprehension of texts and to help them
communicate clearly and effectively. The course is intended to prepare students for the Grade 10 applied
English course, which leads to college or workplace preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12.

Prerequisite: None

Course Outline

This course is designed to extend the range of oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy
skills that students need for success in their secondary school academic programs and in their daily lives.
Students will analyse literary texts from contemporary and historical periods, interpret and evaluate
informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An
important focus will be on the selective use of strategies that contribute to effective communication. This
course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 11 university or college preparation
course.

Prerequisite: Grade 9 English, Academic or Applied

Course Outline

This course is designed to extend the range of oral communication, reading, writing, and media literacy
skills that students need for success in secondary school and daily life. Students will study and create a
variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts. An important focus will be on the consolidation of
strategies and processes that help students interpret texts and communicate clearly and effectively. This
course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 11 college or workplace preparation
course.

Prerequisite: Grade 9 English, Academic or Applied

Course Outline

ONLINE: This course emphasizes knowledge and skills that will enable students to understand media
communication in the twenty-first century and to use media effectively and responsibly. Through analysing
the forms and messages of a variety of media works and audience responses to them, and through
creating their own media works, students will develop critical thinking skills, aesthetic and ethical
judgement, and skills in viewing, representing, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Academic or Applied

This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking
skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will study the content, form, and style of a
variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from Canada and other countries, and
create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An
important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity. The course is intended to prepare
students for the compulsory Grade 12 college preparation course.

Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Applied

 

This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking
skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will study the content, form, and
style of a variety of contemporary informational, graphic, and literary texts; and create oral, written, and
media texts in a variety of forms for practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language
clearly and accurately in a variety of formal and informal contexts. The course is intended to prepare
students for the compulsory Grade 12 workplace preparation course.

Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Applied

This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking
skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse challenging literary texts from
various periods, countries, and cultures, as well as a range of informational and graphic texts, and create
oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using language with
precision and clarity and incorporating stylistic devices appropriately and effectively. The course is
intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 university or college preparation course.

Prerequisite: Grade 10 English, Academic

This course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking
skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a variety of informational and
graphic texts, as well as literary texts from various countries and cultures, and create oral, written, and
media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using
language with precision and clarity and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to
prepare students for college or the workplace.

Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, College preparation

This course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking
skills necessary for success in the workplace and in daily life. Students will analyse informational, graphic,
and literary texts and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for workplace-related and
practical purposes. An important focus will be on using language accurately and organizing ideas and
information coherently. The course is intended to prepare students for the workplace and active
citizenship.

Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, Workplace preparation

This course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking
skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a range of challenging literary
texts from various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts;
and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using
academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular
texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended
to prepare students for university, college, or the workplace.

Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University preparation

The AP English Literature & Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical
analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their
understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.
As they read, students consider a work's structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale
elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone.
This challenging English course covers both the AP English Literature & Composition curriculum as well as
the grade 12 University level English Ministry expectations.

Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation

This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will analyse models
of effective writing; use a workshop approach to produce a range of works; identify and use techniques
required for specialized forms of writing; and identify effective ways to improve the quality of their writing.
They will also complete a major paper as part of a creative or analytical independent study project, and
investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.

Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University preparation

Course Outline

This course will help students develop and consolidate the skills and knowledge required for the study of
different subjects and disciplines to solve problems, make decisions, create personal meaning, and present
findings beyond the scope of a single subject or discipline. Students will apply the principles and processes
of inquiry and research to study a range of film, fiction, non-fiction, and mass media resources to analyze
historical events and to investigate real-life situations and world issues. They will also apply critical thinking
skills in both familiar and new contexts, create innovative media products, and communicate new
knowledge.

Prerequisite: Grade 11 English, University preparation

This course prepares students to use English with increasing fluency and accuracy in classroom and social

situations and to participate in Canadian society as informed citizens. Students will develop the oral-
presentation, reading, and writing skills required for success in all school subjects. They will extend

listening and speaking skills through participation in 63 discussions and seminars; study and interpret a
variety of grade-level texts; write narratives, articles, and summaries in English; and respond critically to a
variety of print and media texts.

Prerequisite: ESL Level 3 or Equivalent

This course provides students with the skills and strategies they need to make the transition to college and
university preparation courses in English and other secondary school disciplines. Students will be
encouraged to develop independence in a range of academic tasks. They will participate in debates and
lead classroom workshops; read and interpret literary works and academic texts; write essays, narratives,
and reports; and apply a range of learning strategies and research skills effectively. Students will further
develop their ability to respond critically to print and media texts.

Prerequisite: ESL Level 4, or Equivalent

We Believe That Literature = Life! And so do our students! In their words:

I read because it strengthens the mind.

I read to escape from my own world and become inspired by new characters.

I read to help become familiar with new vocabulary.

I read because it challenges my intellect and expands my vocabulary.

I read because I enjoy reading.

I read to immerse myself in a story.

I read to stay updated with current events in the news.

I read to learn new things and to understand peoples' viewpoints.

I read to understand and interpret others perspectives.

I read to experience and to be influences by other things outside myself.

I read because it takes me out of my life and puts me in someone else's.

An effective reader is one who not only grasps the ideas communicated in a text but is able to apply them in new contexts. To do this, the reader must be able to think and write clearly, creatively and critically about the ideas and information encountered in all forms of texts. The English curriculum focuses on developing the knowledge and skills that will enable students to become more effective readers and writers.

Meet the Minds Who Love Literature

Halloween Grease is the Word !
Therapy Dogs are always welcome in the English Department - they love reading too !

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