English

English 9 students pick up where middle school left off, as they develop skills in six areas, which are further grouped in two areas of competence: 1. comprehend and connect (reading, listening, and viewing skills), and 2. create and communicate (writing, speaking, representing skills). This course introduces students to the formal study of various literary genres: poetry, short stories, the novel, and drama. Students will develop skills and strategies that enable them to anticipate and confirm meaning while reading and listening. They will also study and apply the conventions of language to writing—with particular emphasis on coherent paragraph development. Student choice is important in English 9, as are the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust; therefore, both choice and the principles of learning are embedded in English 9.

Foundation: None

 

This combined course offers students the chance to continue skill development in six areas, which are grouped together in two curricular competencies: 1. comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing), and 2. create and communicate (writing, speaking, representing). English 10 students work with diverse materials that are more challenging than the ones in the previous year and strive to create and communicate in ways that show increasingly sophisticated understanding of the language. The course is divided equally between Focused Literary Studies (examining the traditional genres of fiction, drama, poetry, and non-fiction) and Creative Writing. Student choice is important in English 10, as are the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust; therefore, both choice and the principles of learning are embedded in English 10.

Foundation: English 9

This combined course offers students skill development in six areas, which are grouped together in two curricular competencies: 1. Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing) and 2. Create and communicate (writing, speaking, representing). Grade 10 level English Language Arts study involves working with diverse materials that are more challenging than the ones in the previous year and strive to create and communicate in ways that show increasingly sophisticated understanding of language. The course is divided equally between the two focus areas. Spoken Language is addressed through recognizing and appreciating diversity among cultures as represented in oral and other texts and exploring appropriate spoken language formats for intended purposes (such as podcasts, debates, presentations, and poetry recitations). New Media recognizes the complexities of digital citizenship through development of self-monitoring habits and actions as participation in digital communities. There will be an emphasis on identifying bias, contradictions, and distortions. Within both sections, students will represent their learning through multi-modal texts. Student choice is important in English 10, as are the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust; therefore, both choice and the principles of learning are embedded in English 10.

Foundation: English Language Arts 9

EFP 11: Literary Studies and Writing* is a course designed for students to explore and delve deeply into various diverse Indigenous texts (stories, poems, art, music, etc.) while developing their abilities to comprehend, connect, create, and communicate. Students will think critically, creatively, and reflectively with and beyond the texts to strengthen and apply their understandings to various themes and ongoing Indigenous issues. Additionally, students will engage in both independent and collaborative learning opportunities to grow in their written expression. They will use writing processes to extend and refine their writing skills and create varied, purposeful compositions. Possible themes of this course involve authentic voices and representation, truth and reconciliation, storytelling, connection to place, and identity. There is an emphasis placed on incorporating student choice/voice, making connections, and building a classroom community that practices the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which signify the values of identity, relationships, holisticness, connection to land, and Indigenous knowledges and perspectives.  

*This course fulfills the Indigenous-focused course requirement for graduation.  

Foundation: Creative Writing and Literary Studies 10 or English 10 equivalent

All Language Arts classes include reading, writing, and speaking in the curriculum but this course emphasizes the development of oral communication skills. If you think that you don’t like public speaking, you are afraid of it, or you think you lack skills in this area then this course is for you. You will be helped to overcome anxiety around public speaking, improving success not only in this course but in all your other courses too. Throughout the semester, you will engage with a wide range of First Peoples’ literature, both fiction and non-fiction, to better understand the role colonization has played in impacting Indigenous history and literature. You will take inspiration from the ideas encountered in literature authored by Indigenous writers to write and share your own ideas and stories in preparation for engaging in presentation pieces such as consensus circles, debates, slam poetry, recitations, and storytelling. Spoken Language 11 EFP is grounded in the First Peoples Principles of Learning which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust.

Foundation: Creative Writing and Literary Studies 10 or English 10 equivalent

Literary Studies 11 continues the development of language and literacy skills with greater emphasis on exploring canonical literature i.e., the most recognized and celebrated literature of various historical eras. This may include the classical period of Greek antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Victorian Period and our own modern times. While using oral, written, visual, and multimodal texts to explore enduring literary themes, this course will broaden students’ understanding of themselves and their world within a broader historical and cultural context. Student choice is important in English 11, as are the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust; therefore, both choice and the principles of learning are embedded in English 11.

Foundation: Creative Writing and Literary Studies 10 or English 10 equivalent

Journalism 11/12 is a four-credit elective open to students in Grades 9-12. Students taking Journalism are responsible for producing stories and photographs for the online school newspaper, The Catalyst. Students will learn the major newspaper story forms including news, sports, features, editorial and opinion. They will compose news and feature photos, conduct a public opinion poll, and research, write and produce a podcast. Students will strive to produce journalism meeting professional standards and following Canadian Press style. They will prepare questions, conduct interviews, carry out online and other forms of background research and be responsible for one or more beats (regular coverage areas) in the school. Students will also study the techniques used to present news and in so doing, learn the difference between professional, objective journalism and social media. The Journalism 11/12 classroom applies the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust.

Foundation: None

The study of BETRAYAL in Spoken Language 12 is designed for students who want to extend their skills in oral communication from the learning they have done in earlier courses. While Spoken Language 11 is an asset, completion of any of the English 11 level options will give you suitable grounding for success in this course. This course will explore the concept of why and how people betray one another as students build a body of work that demonstrates understanding of a variety of spoken language genres which might include performance pieces such as debate, slam poetry, literature recitation, storytelling, reader’s theatre, radio/podcasts and video posts; oral tradition pieces such as oratory, local story knowledge, and oral history (in a variety of cultures); and professional applications such as speech writing/presenting, proposals and pitches, interviewing, radio/podcasts and video posts (for information items), and voice-overs. Over time, students will be supported as they strive to develop confidence in their abilities and consolidate their spoken language skills. The Spoken Language 12 classroom applies the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust.

Foundation: Composition 11, English First Peoples (EFP), 11 Literary Studies 11, Spoken Language 11 or New Media 11 or English 11 equivalent.

**Please note this course is an elective and does not replace English Studies 12.

English Studies 12 is a graduation requirement course that builds on and extends students’ previous learning experiences in English with a focus on comprehending and connecting (reading, listening, viewing) and creating and communicating (writing, speaking, representing). It is designed for all students and provides them with opportunities to refine their ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts; think critically and creatively about the uses of language; and explore texts from a variety of sources and modes that reflect diverse worldviews. As well, students will deepen their understanding of themselves and others in a changing world while gaining insight into the diverse factors that shape identity. The English Studies 12 classroom applies the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust.

Foundation: Composition 11, English First Peoples (EFP) 11, Literary Studies 11, Spoken Language 11 or New Media 11 or English 11 equivalent.

Composition 12 is an elective designed to develop an appreciation for written communication. Students will read, discuss and study a multitude of models and styles of writing. The course will provide opportunities for students, with increasing independence and self-sufficiency, to create original pieces of writing for a range of purposes and audiences that can be used in many different contexts. Students will develop their composition skills through the process of discussion, drafting, reflecting and revising. Students will receive multiple opportunities to show their understanding and learning. The following are possible areas of focus for Composition 12: Narrative, expository, persuasive, literary and synthesis with attention to thesis development, structure and transition; planning, drafting and editing; writing for specific audiences and academic disciplines; how to cite sources, incorporation of quotations, credibility of evidence and quality and reliability of given sources. The Composition 12 classroom applies the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust.

Foundation: Composition 11, English First Peoples (EFP) 11, Literary Studies 11, Spoken Language 11 or New Media 11 or English 11 equivalent.

**Please note this course is an elective and does not replace English Studies 12.

This course is an elective designed for students who are interested in exploring literature to deepen their understanding of themselves, of others, and of the world. Students will be able to examine the construction and evolution of language and consider how it can shape ideas and create influence. Additionally, students will be able to recognize how analyzing stories allows for diverse perspectives on ideas and how critically thinking about text can add to one’s development as an educated and engaged citizen of society. Focused areas of study can include critical approaches to literature, such as feminist literature or diasporic literature, examining culturally specific texts, from Canadian to world literature, exploring literature by era, specific author studies, or inquiry-based and thematic studies. This course is complimentary to the English Studies 12 course. The Literary Studies 12 classroom applies the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust. 

Foundation: Composition 11, English First Peoples (EFP) 11, Literary Studies 11, Spoken Language 11 or New Media 11 or English 11 equivalent.

**Please note this course is an elective and does not replace English Studies 12.

Explore the literature of fear to deepen your understanding of this powerful emotion and its relation to yourself, others and the world. Examine the construction and evolution of story and language in print, film, song, and visual art to explore how fear (broadly defined) can shape ideas and create influence. Focused areas of study may include mythology; medieval and modern plague fiction; the gothic novel and short story; fear in children’s literature; comics and graphic novels; modern horror fiction; the horror film and the social thriller. As well, we will be examining these texts with respect to theoretical and philosophical approaches to fear, which may include Freud’s uncanny; cognitive and evolutionary theories of fear; fear as control; manufactured fear; and attractive fear. This elective course is complimentary to the English Studies 12 course. The Literary Studies 12 classroom applies the First Peoples Principles of Learning, which are based on the concepts of community, shared learning, and trust.

Foundation: Composition 11, English First Peoples (EFP) 11, Literary Studies 11, Spoken Language 11, New Media 11 or English 11 equivalent.

**Please note this course is an elective and does not replace English Studies 12.

This course is designed for the Emerging/Beginning Level 0-1 English Language Learner. Students will learn basic grammar rules, spelling, and punctuation within their writing, while also exploring different genres of reading. Oral skills are also taught with regards to pronunciation, clarity, and comprehension. A basic introduction to Canadian culture is also introduced.

Foundation: None

This course is designed for the Beginning/Developing Level 1-2 English Language Learner. Students will focus on the four main English language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will also demonstrate growth in English language proficiency through oral, visual, and simple written form. Students will learn to identify and compare their own customs/traditions to that of Canadian culture and customs.

Foundation: Beginner ELL or equivalent

This course is designed for the Expanding Level 3 English Language Learner. This class provides students the opportunity to develop their academic language skills for continued success in the areas of English and Socials. Students will continue to build their writing, speaking, listening, and reading competencies through a variety of different text genres and forms. Included are the elements that comprise Canadian culture, especially that of Indigenous culture.

Foundation: English Language Development 10 or equivalent.

This course is designed for the Expanding Level 3 English Language Learner and can be taken concurrently with Introduction to Academic Language 10. Students will continue to enhance and work on developing their language proficiency with regards to listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a more expressive and creative manner. Paragraph writing, vocabulary, novel study, poetry, and different genres of reading and writing will be studied. An emphasis on the proper use of grammar, spelling, and writing strategies such as how to write a paragraph and an essay are learned throughout the semester.

Foundation: English Language Development 10 or equivalent.

This course is designed for the Consolidation-Bridging Level 4-5 English Language Learner. This class provides students the opportunity to build on their English language skills in the areas of reading, writing, comprehension, and oral language, in preparation for English 10. Students will study a variety of different genres while learning strategies on how to extract, analyze, interpret, connect and expand on the information learned in class. Paragraph and essay writing, vocabulary, short stories, poetry, novel studies, and other genres of reading and writing are the major units of study in this course.

Foundation: Academic Strategies for Language Learners 10 or equivalent.

This is a non credit class where students who are no longer taking ELL classes will be enrolled in for an additional year. The purpose is to provide extra help and assistance as they move onto mainstream English based classes. It is an opportunity for the ELL specialist to connect with students receiving indirect support for an additional year and help them adjust and in some cases connect them with peer tutors if needed. Students will connect with the ELL specialist each week to connect and give updates on their progress in their courses. They can also use the block for extra studying/review, help with projects, assignments or daily homework.

Foundation: ELD 11

ELL and International students at Centennial have helped to mentor and lead new students at Centennial from many different countries and cultural backgrounds.  You will now play an important role in our Centennial School Community by continuing to help support our most vulnerable learners.  Students will have the opportunity to lead, support and mentor new and current students at Centennial who have cultural and language commonalities. In this class you will have time to develop your leadership skills, to create and support events within the school, as well as to create a school environment of inclusion. This is a full year (linear) , four credit course.

Foundation: None