Mont Kiara International School

Mont’Kiara International School Grade 10 English

Instructor: Mr. Jeff Robidoux Email: [email protected] Web Site: class wiki (see MKIS website, Middle and High School, High School Workspaces, HS English – Robidoux)

Who are the people who make the rules? Your parents? Teachers? The government? The ‘Man’? How do they possess authority? What qualifications do those in authority have? Whose interest do they serve? Are you required to follow their expectations? Why? What if you don’t? Are there times when you shouldn’t? The theme of English 10 is Power and Responsibility. From Winston Smith’s attempt to insulate himself from the totalitarian will of Big Brother in 1984, to Macbeth’s vaulting ambition, to the cultural and political dilemmas faced by Amir in The Kite Runner, the content of this course raises challenging questions about the nature of power and what we, as humans, do with and about it. While the content of many of the works we will read and evaluate deals specifically with this theme, the way the texts themselves have been constructed also speaks to the concept. Students will look at the techniques and characteristics of each of the pieces of writing we read to learn from the author’s style and to become knowledgeable about the choices they, too, can make when writing.

Course Description: We will use a variety of texts from several genres to explore students’ answers to these thematic questions: Nineteen Eighty-four, Macbeth, and The Kite Runner in addition to supplemental non-fiction essays, poetry, short fiction, podcasts, multi-media features, and short films or film clips. English 10 will continue to develop the core skills from English 9, namely reading for comprehension, writing for effect, developing correct grammar, and analysing literature. It is expected that students in grade ten will learn to become independent readers, to examine literature critically, and to write with clarity and accuracy for a variety of purposes. Students will work carefully to develop reading and writing strategies. Some topics of study will be interacting with the text, responding to literature, recognizing the effects of various genres, learning the power of language and word choice, analyzing the effects of style and structure, making inferences, and interpreting poetry. Excerpts from the text Voice Lessons by Nancy Dean will be used throughout the year to provide focussed practice with these skills. Students will build on the literary analysis skills learned in grade nine as they learn to master the commentary essay. Another focus will be presentation skills in preparation for the ESLR assignment in April and for the oral presentation component of IB English courses. Lessons on grammar and writing skills will include parallel structure, agreement issues, punctuation (especially commas, colons, and semi-colons), and modifying phrases. Public speaking is an ongoing focus in this course, especially in anticipation of the ESLR presentations in grade 10 and the significant oral presentation component of IB English. Students will learn skills and practice delivery of several presentations, including learning to use visual or supplementary support effectively. Combining speaking, analysis, and research skills, students will complete a poetry presentation assignment in the second semester. They will choose one poet to work with, studying how the writer’s biographical background shaped and influenced his or her work. They will share their findings, along with examples and personal commentary, to the class as a formal presentation. After reading Nineteen eighty-four, students will practice their research skills, culminating in a substantial research essay. They will learn to incorporate MLA citation and formatting style. If time allows at the end of the year, we will explore personal narrative writing as both a means of self-expression and as a suggested genre for answering open-ended writing prompts such as might be found on common exams or university applications. Finally, grammar and vocabulary skills will be emphasised as a key component of increased proficiency in reading and writing. Vocabulary lists will be student generated, with an etymological element added to word acquisition. Grammar topics will re-enforce and build on skills learned in English 9.

Grading: According to MKIS policy, all assessment will fall into one of the three categories below. The English department has created subject-specific descriptors for each category; Investigation & Application Skills 45% - Student work that applies comprehensive learning about a topic or theme, such as projects, written papers, formal oral presentations, summative tests, or other assessments that take significant preparation, process, and effort.

Knowledge & Understanding 35% - Student work that demonstrates knowledge and understanding, such as quizzes, journals, notebook entries, informal presentations, and writing activities.

Practice & Communication Skills 20% - Student work that primarily practices skills and communication, such as homework, in-class activities and discussions.

As per the student handbook, major assignments, projects, and tests not submitted may be scored as low as 25%.

Extra Help: Extra help and individual attention are readily available throughout the year. Comments on a returned essay, general observations directed at a majority in the class, or marks on a test have limited valuable as feedback. Students are encouraged to arrange appointments to review work or ask for specialized guidance. Twenty minutes of one-on-one at lunch can be extremely valuable as a supplement to classes and lectures. If we can’t connect face-to-face, contact me by e-mail ([email protected])

Academic Honesty and Integrity: (From the Student Handbook, p.33) Academic rights and responsibilities go hand in hand with honesty and integrity. As middle and high school students mature, the school recognizes their growing need to become more independent thinkers, and we encourage them to begin making some of their own choices. At the same time, we expect our students to respect the rights and ideas of others—both fellow students and adults. One goal of the school is to create a sense of honesty and integrity in all aspects of student life at M’KIS. Plagiarism is the act of presenting another’s words, ideas or images as one’s own without crediting the source. Every student is responsible for documenting the use of work that is not their own. Cheating is breaking test procedures or “copying” on tests, quizzes, papers or homework. Aiding someone else in cheating is also cheating.

To review the consequences for plagiarism and/or cheating at M’KIS, refer to the Student Handbook, pages 33-34.

(My own addition): Tutors: Many students employ outside tutors to supplement instruction received at school. When applied responsibly, this can be a rewarding and valuable practice. However, many students use tutors to complete work on their behalf. Not only is this practice counter-productive in that it robs the student of a chance to develop and practice skills, more importantly, it is cheating. I am happy to collaborate with tutors to work in the best interest of improving the performance of the individual according to his/her needs. Please feel free to have tutors contact me by e-mail to work on individualized plans. But please ensure that work submitted is the student’s own. When a student says, “Yeah, my tutor helped me a little,” that often means the tutor did too much, or even all, of the work.

Late Assignments and Backwork Study Hall: Students who are not turning in completed assignments in a timely manner will be required to work on those assignments with me prior to the start of school, during lunch time, and/or after school until those assignments are completed and submitted. If I have other commitments such as club advisement, coaching, etc., the students owing assigned work will be assigned to our Back-Work Study Halls on Tuesday and Thursday until all assigned work has been completed and submitted.

Attendance/Tardies: Attendance is crucial to success in the English classroom; please make every effort to be in class for every scheduled session, including scheduling dental/medical appointments, etc. outside of school time, when possible. Getting the notes from a classmate is a poor substitute for being a part of class discussions and activities, and students who regularly miss classes inevitably fall behind and their grades suffer. Please refer to page 25 of the student handbook for policy on lates and absences.

Materials Needed:  Black and Blue Pens  Post-it Notes in different colours  High lighters of various colours  A binder in which to keep handouts, vocabulary, class notes, work to be completed, and marked papers  A regular supply of lined paper  5 tabs of dividers

I understand that by signing this document I have read and understand the expectations of MKIS 10th grade English. If I have any questions, I know I can reach Mr. Robidoux at the email provided or by a scheduled appointment. ______Student’s Name Printed Student’s Signature Date

______Parent’s Signature Date

When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. – John F. Kennedy

Course Outline:

First Quarter, August to October  Short Stories  Novel Study – The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini  Grammar – subject verb agreement, verb tense consistency  Literary analysis writing – conventions and six traits review, “Schaffer model”  Voice Lessons (diction, detail)  Vocabulary

The essence of government is power, and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse. – James Madison

With an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things. – William Wordsworth

Nothing in life possesses value except the degree of power—assuming that life itself is the will to power. – Friedrich Nietzsche Second Quarter, October to January  Shakespeare – Macbeth  Poetry and Literary Terms  Grammar – parallel structure, modifying phrases  Voice Lessons (imagery, figures of speech)  Vocabulary  Semester One Exam

Third Quarter, January to March  Novel Study – 1984 by George Orwell  Public Speaking – emphasis on speaking to teach, inform, and discuss  Research Skills – emphasis on web-based research, esp. using databases  Research Essay  ESLR presentation prep  Grammar – sentence combining, sentence variety, and editing/revising for effect  Voice Lessons (syntax, tone)  Vocabulary

Fourth Quarter, April to June  Poetry and Literary Terms – poetry presentations  Personal narrative writing – making an expository point through story- telling  Grammar – catch up and add-ons, as needed  ESLR presentations  Voice Lessons (summary)  Vocabulary  Final Exam