Thames Valley District School Board

Central Elgin Collegiate Institute

Department: English Course Name: Grade 12 College English

Department Head: Carol Quigley Ministry Course Code: ENG4C
Course Developer(s): Carmen Richter Development Date: September 2007
Course Revisor(s): Danika Barker Revision Date: September 2009
Course Type: College Grade Level: 12 Credit Value: 1
Prerequisites/Co-requisites, if any: English, Grade 11 University or College

Course Outline 2009-2010

Curriculum Policy Document(s)/Date:

The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: English, 2007 (Revised)

Course Description/Rationale (based on description from the Policy document)

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.

Textbook(s)/Essential Resource Materials (e.g. text with date)

Baker, Sheridan, and Lawrence B. Gamache. The Canadian Practical Stylist. 4th ed.
Cinderella Man. Dir. Ron Howard. Perf. Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger. DVD.
Universal, 2005.
Don Mills ON: Addison-Wesley, 1998.
*Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. New York: MTV Books/Pocket
Books, 1999.
Davies, Richard. Between the Lines 12. Toronto: Nelson, 2002.
*Foon, Dennis, Skud. Toronto: Groundwood Books/ House of Anansi Press, 2003.
*Green, John. Looking for Alaska. New York: Speak/Penguin Group, 2005.
*Hopkins, Ellen. Crank. New York: Simon Pulse, 2004.
*Major, Kevin. Far From Shore. Toronto: Groundwood Books/Douglas & MacIntyre,
1980, 2004.
*McCormick, Patricia. Cut. New York: Scholastic / PUSH 2002.
*Plum-Ucci, Carol. What Happened to Lani Garver. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc., 2002.
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Toronto: Canadian School Book Exchange, 1996.
*Sherman, Alexie. The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian: New York: Little,
Brown and Company, 2007.
*Vizzini, Ned. It’s Kind of A Funny Story. New York: Miramax Books, 2006.
Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New York: Penguin Books, 1947, 1975.

*These novels are part of a book club study. Students will choose one.
Overall Expectations of the Course: by the end of this course students will

A. ORAL COMMUNICATION

1. Listening to Understand: listen in order to understand and respond appropriately in

a variety of situations for a variety of purposes;
2. Speaking to Communicate: use speaking skills and strategies appropriately to
communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes;
3. Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: reflect on and identify their strengths as
listeners and speakers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most
helpful in oral communication situations.

B. READING AND LITERATURE STUDIES

1. Reading for Meaning: read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of

informational, literary, and graphic texts, using a range of strategies to construct
meaning;
2. Understanding Form and Style: recognize a variety of text forms, text features, and
stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they help communicate
meaning;
3. Reading With Fluency: use knowledge of words and cueing systems to read fluently;
4. Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: reflect on and identify their strengths as
readers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful before,
during, and after reading.

C. WRITING

1. Developing and Organizing Content: generate, gather, and organize ideas and
information to write for an intended purpose and audience;
2. Using Knowledge of Form and Style: draft and revise their writing, using a variety of
informational, literary, and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the
purpose and audience;
3. Applying Knowledge of Conventions: use editing, proofreading, and publishing
skills and strategies, and knowledge of language conventions, to correct errors, refine
expression, and present their work effectively;
4. Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: reflect on and identify their strengths as writers,
areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful at different stages in
the writing process.

D. MEDIA STUDIES

1. Understanding Media Texts: demonstrate an understanding of a variety of media

texts;
2. Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques: identify some media
forms and explain how the conventions and techniques associated with them are used to
create meaning;
3. Creating Media Texts: create a variety of media texts for different purposes and
audiences, using appropriate forms, conventions, and techniques;
4. Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: reflect on and identify their strengths as media
interpreters and creators, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most
helpful in understanding and creating media texts.
Outline of Course Content

Unit 1: This I Believe

This unit will focus on the Oral Communication strand but it will also serve as a
diagnostic for the overall expectations in the Reading and Literature Studies, Writing,
and Media Studies strands. The theme for the unit will revolve around the idea of
personal belief and how one can defend and support an opinion. The culminating task
for this course is an oral essay.
Approximately 15 periods

Unit 2: Identity and Choices

The 4th R Literature Circle novels will serve as the anchor for unit. These novels all deal
with issues faced by today’s teens. Students will focus on reading strategies and using
the media to make connections to the world around them. The culminating task for this
course is a reading portfolio.
Approximately 25 periods

Unit 3: Hot Topics

This unit will focus on the writing expectations for this course. Students will explore
topics chosen from the previous unit’s book clubs. Students will research these topics
and prepare a research report. Students will also complete a number of other writing
tasks to develop their writing skills. The culminating task for this unit is a research report
and public service announcement.
Approximately 25 periods

Unit 4: Drama
The major focus of this unit will be Reading and Literature studies using drama as the
vehicle. Students will watch and review a film. Then they will study a contemporary or
classic work of drama and apply the skills they have developed in the previous units to
analyse a text, make connections, and reflect on strategies. The culminating task for this
unit is a mock trial and writing-in-role exercise.
Approximately 15 periods

Course Culminating Activity

Toward the end of the semester, students will have a final opportunity to demonstrate
their mastery of the overall expectations for this course through a combination of the
CCA and the final examination. The CCA will take the form of a written report and will
use evidence obtained throughout the course. There will also be a presentation aspect
to this project. Class time will be given for the completion of this project, and it will be
very important for students to maintain regular attendance.
Approximately 10 periods.

Teaching/Learning Strategies:
Think-aloud
Modeled writing
Debate
Cooperative Learning
Interactive lectures
Blogging (reflective writing)
Group discussion
Independent and collaborative research
Reciprocal teaching
Assessment and Evaluation of Student Performance:

Term Work (70% of overall grade)

Term work will include a variety of diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment
strategies including tests, quizzes, and performance tasks. Wherever possible, choice
will be provided to support students with diverse learning styles and needs. The four
categories of knowledge and skills (Knowledge/ Understanding, Thinking,
Communication, Application) will be weighted equally.

Final Evaluation (30% of overall grade)

The final evaluation will be based on the essential understandings that have been
practised during the course. It will consist of a Course Culminating Activity (15%) and a
Final Exam (15%). The four categories of knowledge and skills will be weighted equally
in the final evaluation as well.