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École Riverside Secondary School
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)
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English Department

Exciting things are always happening in the Riverside English department. From learning the basics of our language, to dramatizing the stories of ancient Greece and Renaissance England, to writing award-winning speeches, essays, and poems, there is always something bubbling in English.

Riverside provides attractive options for students, who can choose between regular and honours courses, as well as electives. Riverside offers Literature for those who love history and reading, Journalism for those who love to write about today’s world, and Digital English for those who love technology. There is something for everyone in the Riverside English department.

ENGLISH COURSES

ENGLISH 10

This course will prepare students for the demands of senior level English courses. Students will be expected to write about and discuss literature in an increasingly critical and sophisticated manner. Students will develop a larger vocabulary with which to express their ideas effectively. The course includes further study of the genres presented in English 9. This course has a compulsory graduation program exam.

ENGLISH 10 ADAPTED

Enrolment in this course is by Riverside Student Services Department recommendation only.

ENGLISH 11

This literature-based course places emphasis on appreciation of literature and development of language and communication skills, with specific attention to the writing process and the need for increasing sophistication in students writing abilities. While students are presented with materials from a variety of genres, there is still a focus on fiction, drama, and poetry.

ENGLISH 11 HONOURS

This course is for the student who is interested in exploring more deeply Language and Literature. If you are interested in English Literature 12 or AP English 12, you will also find this course particularly helpful. While the skills and the genres are the same as the regular English 11 course, the literature studied is more challenging, as are some of the assignments. The criteria for grading are also the same as for the regular course. Signature of current English teacher required.

ENGLISH 11 – DIGITAL IMMERSION

This course provides a digital alternative for covering the English 11 curriculum. Technology is used to enhance the learning process. The emphasis is on project work and exploration through research. We encourage students who own a laptop computer to consider this option. Students who do not own a laptop will be required to rent a laptop from the school. A strong work ethic, a solid background in technology and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively is essential. Students may choose SS 11 DI and/or English 11 DI. Enrolment is limited, based on available space and technology.

COMMUNICATIONS 12

This is a practical course focusing on the use of English in everyday life. It is designed for students who would not be successful in the regular English courses. Teacher recommendation required.

ENGLISH 12

In English 12 students will develop a critical vocabulary with which to respond to literature, both in writing and in discussion. The principal materials studied will be short stories, poetry, novels, essays, and plays. Students should leave this course with the ability to write an insightful and well-organized essay and use descriptive or narrative techniques effectively.

ENGLISH 12 – DIGITAL IMMERSION

This course provides a digital alternative for covering the English 12 curriculum. Technology is used to enhance the learning process. The emphasis is on project work and exploration through research. We encourage students who own a laptop computer to consider this option. Students who do not own a laptop will be required to rent a laptop from the school. A strong work ethic, a solid background in technology and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively is essential. Enrolment is limited, based on available space and technology

ENGLISH 12 HONOURS

This is an enriched course for students who enjoy reading, discussing, and writing about literature. It provides an opportunity to explore ideas with people who share the same interests. The content includes a unit on ancient Greek theatre (culminating with the famous Antigone trial), a taste of Shakespeare, a satirical American classic novel, poetry, and short stories. This course also provides students with the opportunity to learn how to write a proper literary research paper, which is an essential skill for post-secondary education. Those students who combine English Honours 12 with Literature 12 can also choose to write the AP Lit exam. This exam is created by the AP College Board. Although this exam does not affect the English class mark, students who achieve 80% or higher will be granted credit for a first year university English course at most post-secondary institutions.

Signature of current English teacher required.

JOURNALISM 10

This introduction to Journalism will give students an opportunity to work on the production of our school newspaper, “The Eddy.” Basic journalistic style will be taught and students will have the opportunity to design layouts, work with graphics and publishing programs, and explore photojournalism.

JOURNALISM 11

Students taking Journalism 11 will also contribute to our award-winning school newspaper. Further aspects of journalism, introduced in Journalism 9, such as photojournalism, graphics, feature writing, and editorials will be explored at a more advanced level. Students will have an opportunity to focus on the specific aspects of newspaper production that interests them most. Creative and artistic students who enjoy writing, photography, and graphic design will find this course rewarding.

JOURNALISM 12

Journalism 12 is designed for those students who have taken an introductory journalism course and would like to continue working on the school newspaper. These students will act as the senior editors of the Eddy. Students will continue to learn layout techniques, graphic design principles, photojournalism, and more advanced journalistic style. Journalism 12 students will be responsible for giving the Eddy its direction, character, and look.

LITERATURE 12

This challenging elective course provides a rich literary background, which is excellent preparation for university English courses. Literature 12 surveys the literature of England from the Anglo-Saxon era to the present. The social and political context of the literature is also discussed.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

ELL BEGINNERS

This semestered course is for students new to the Canadian culture and school system. Students at levels 1 and 2 of English proficiency will develop the foundations for listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. They will learn basic classroom expressions, conversation and communication through an intensive program of grammar, vocabulary and oral conversation practice. Students will be encouraged to understand and appreciate Canadian culture through interactive activities, written and oral projects and assignments. Students enrolled in this course may not take regular English, Social Studies or Planning 10 courses. This is a non-credit course.

ELL INTERMEDIATE

This semestered course continues the development of the four fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students are introduced to literary terms, story analysis, sentence and simple paragraph writing. Vocabulary and comprehension skills will continue to be strengthened through reading relevant pieces of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and newspaper articles. Students enrolled in this course may not take regular English, Social Studies or Planning 10 courses. This is a non-credit course.

CANADIAN STUDIES 10

This semestered course is for students who have successfully completed the ELL Intermediate level course. This is a preparatory course for Social Studies 10. Students will be introduced to concepts, vocabulary and terminology of Canadian geography, government, law, customs and current events through a variety of written assignments and oral presentations. Students enrolled in this course may not take regular English or Social Studies courses. (4 credits)

ENGLISH SKILLS 10

This semestered course is for students who have successfully completed the ELL Intermediate level course. Students will continue to strengthen their reading and written grammar, essay and composition skills through reading, interpreting and analyzing works of Canadian and multicultural literature. Students will improve their listening and speaking skills through interactive classroom discussions, creating dialogues, and oral presentations. Students enrolled in this course may not take regular English courses. This is a non-credit course.

ELL COMPOSITION

This is a semestered course for students who have successfully completed the English Skills level course. Students will prepare for regular English 10 by studying a variety of topics reflecting the English 10 curriculum and prescribed learning outcomes. Students will continue to master their writing and composition skills through reading and analyzing a variety of genres of multicultural literature. Students will be introduced to aspects of Canadian literature and history through a series of poetry, essays, short stories, articles and excerpts from novels written by Canadian authors. Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency, understanding and fluency in public speaking, Shakespeare studies, and summative assessments which parallel the English 10 provincial exams. (4 credits)

ELL TUTORIAL

This semestered course is for students who have successfully completed the ELL Composition course, and is taken concurrently with English 10, to provide students with an opportunity to maximize their success in this course. Students will receive support for their English 10 class through supplementary material relevant to their course units, clarification and guidance on their English class assignments, as well as continued instruction on topics such as public speaking, grammar, poetry, literary terms and composition writing. Student will also receive support for other vocabulary and content courses such as Social Studies, Planning 10, etc. This is a non-credit course.

École Riverside Secondary School

2215 Reeve Street, Port Coquitlam BC
V3C 6K8
604-941-6053 604-937-8058 riverside@sd43.bc.ca
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
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