Welcome to Language Arts 9! The aim of language arts is to enable each student to understand and appreciate language, and to use it confidently and competently in a variety of situations for communication, personal satisfaction and learning. The following general learning outcomes will guide our studies this year. 

Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to:

• explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
• comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print, and other media texts.
• manage ideas and information.
• enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.
• respect, support and collaborate.               

Course Texts

• Student selected novels
• Assortment of short stories and plays

Course Topics

• Literature terms and story structure
• Spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Writing structure and style
• Business letters and formal communication
• Vocabulary development and reading strategies
• Personal Narratives, focusing on theme, descriptive writing, imagery and sensory language
• Reading, interpreting and writing poetry
• Essay writing, including the proper referencing of sources
• Reading and writing short stories
• Organizing information and ideas
• Working with others
• Academic language and conversation

Technology Notes:  Students will use Google Classroom and Google Apps for Education (GAFE) to complete much of their work throughout the year. Assignments, notes and activities will be posted each day in Google Classroom. Students must use this tool to hand in written work. If students do not have access to an internet enabled computer at home, school computers are available at lunchtime for use.  If additional time is required, and computer access is not available, students can print work at school to complete by home at hand. https://classroom.google.com/c/NDEwNTY2OTc5MjFa
EVALUATION
Tests/Quizzes           20%
Classroom Writing/Reading Assignments   60%
Final Exam (PAT scores)           20%
Students are required to write the Grade 9 Language Arts Provincial Achievement Test. This will be the final exam.

Grades
Assignments will be graded in a timely manner, however, please recognize minor assignments may take up to a few days to grade, and major assignments will likely take a week or more. 

​Extra Help
Extra help will be available during FLEX block, please ask me for a FLEX PASS in advance.

​Please see me in advance to schedule extra help as I will not always be in the classroom at lunchtime and after school.

Classroom Expectations and Guidelines
The number one expectation I have for you in this course is that you will be successful, and make progress in your ability to listen, speak, read, write, view and represent in the English Language. I will work hard to provide a variety of learning experiences to help you develop your language skills, and expect you to work hard to take advantage of these opportunities, doing your best on everything in this course. Home reading and writing will help you to be successful this year. ​

1. You are expected to be positive, pleasant and polite in class
2. You are expected be punctual, prepared and productive in class
3. When you enter the class, sit in your assigned seat, take out your learning materials (pen/pencil, binder with paper). If an activity or assignment is posted on the board, read it and begin working on it right away.
4. When I, or anyone else including guests, administration, and your peers, are addressing the class you are listening attentively, and not doing anything to distract others.
5. Healthy food and drinks are allowed in class.  Soda, Pop, energy drinks, and junk food are not permitted in my class.  If you are unsure, ask. Opening or consuming food should not be a distraction to yourself or others.  
6. Assignments, Homework and Extensions: All assignments must be completed by the beginning of the class on the day they are due. If homework is not completed on time, you will be required to spend time at lunch or after school to complete unfinished work.  If you need an extension you must talk to me prior to the day an assignment is due.  
7. During work times, you must be on task.  Peripheral conversations and off task behaviour are not permitted.  If you are working on individual tasks, you need to work silently. If you are working on group tasks you need to be working collaboratively with your group.
8. Cell phones, as per my classroom policy, are not to be on, used or visible during class time, unless specific permission has been provided for an in-class activity.
9. iPods (or a phone) and other personal music devices will be permitted on occasion.  The may be used when you are working silently on individual work, and only after I have indicated they are allowed, or you have asked for permission.  Music devices being used outside of these parameters will be dealt with in the same manner as cell phones.