ENGLISH
The English program at ECS is either the Regular Academic program or the Modified program. The Modified program is suited to those students experiencing difficulty in the basics of reading and composition. A student must be recommended for this program. By policy, a student is allowed to take only one English class each semester except in the last semester when a maximum of two classes is allowed to make up for any deficiency.
ECS requires students to earn a minimum of 5 English credits in Division IV (grade 10, 11, 12).
At Grade 10 level students must take English Language Arts A10 & B10 |
OR |
English Language Arts A11 & B11 |
At Grade 11 level students must take English Language Arts 20 |
OR |
English Language Arts 21 |
At Grade 12 level students must take English Language Arts A30 & B30
ELA A30 (AP) & ELA B30 (AP) |
OR |
English Language Arts A31 & B31 |
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
The English Language Arts program is designed for students to extend their language skills and strategies and become competent users of all six language arts strands through many opportunities to view, listen, read, represent, speak and write in meaningful contexts.
ELA 10 begins a study of literature and multi-paragraph writing skills.
ELA A10 - contains units based around the themes "The Challenges of Life" and "The Mysteries of Life."
ELA B10 - contains units based around the themes "Equity and Ethics" and "The World Around and Within Us."
ELA 20 - uses the change from child to adult as its organizing framework. Possible themes are “Recollection – a journey back” and “Anticipation – on the threshold.”
ELA A30 - organizes its study around the Canadian experience. Students read literature from many Canadian voices, from different regions, from different time periods and from different ethnicities and learn to recognize their own voices contributing to the country.
ELA B30 - reads literature from around the world looking at human concerns in a global society. Through a number of possible themes students will write, listen, read and reflect on the nature of humanity in many cultures.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS ELECTIVES:
CREATIVE WRITING 20 – (Prerequisite is ELA A10 or ELA B10) Creative Writing 20 is designed to develop students’ creative writing abilities and to refine their writing skills. Students explore and develop their own ideas, a variety of writing strategies, and a range of writing forms. By reading and discussing a variety of texts and by tapping their personal experiences and imaginations, students have an opportunity to create and prepare for possible publication their own texts. They are encouraged to explore their own voices, to reflect on, and respond critically to their own and their peers’ writing.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS A10 & B10 ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) - These are introductory AP courses for students who are interested in enrichment as well as the possibility of writing the AP exam in grade 12. The courses cover the curricular outcomes for ELA A10 and ELA B10 supplemented with extended reading and writing and practice with close reading and analysis.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 20 ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) - Students who plan to write the AP exam in their grade 12 year are encouraged to register for ELA 20 AP. The course covers the curriculum mandated ELA 20 course supplemented with extended reading and writing and practice with close reading and analysis. Students are also encouraged to enroll in Creative Writing 20 in Semester 1.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS A30 & B30 ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) - Students who enroll in AP classes study the regular ELA 30A and B content enriched with other reading and writing in preparation for the AP exam in May of each year. Students successful at a level 4 or 5 receive class credit at most Canadian and American universities. Students also receive high school credit for ELA 30A: AP and ELA 30B: AP.
Students must be prepared for an adventure and for stimulating and thought provoking work. This class is recommended for students that excel in English and want a challenge. Students who do not maintain an 80%+ average at any reporting period will have their status in the AP class reviewed.
Enrolment indicates a commitment to write the AP exam in May. The exam fee of $85 U.S. is payable to the main office by the end of September.
Booklists for these classes will be available in the office and in the ECS library during exam week in June. Students are expected to have this reading completed for the beginning of the school year.