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Course Profile   Study Skills in English, Open, Public

 

Course Overview

 

Course Profiles are professional development materials designed to help teachers implement the new Grade 11 secondary school curriculum. These materials were created by writing partnerships of school boards and subject associations. The development of these resources was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education. This document reflects the views of the developers and not necessarily those of the Ministry. Permission is given to reproduce these materials for any purpose except profit. Teachers are also encouraged to amend, revise, edit, cut, paste, and otherwise adapt this material for educational purposes.

 

Any references in this document to particular commercial resources, learning materials, equipment, or technology reflect only the opinions of the writers of this sample Course Profile, and do not reflect any official endorsement by the Ministry of Education or by the Partnership of School Boards that supported the production of the document.

 

© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2001

 

Acknowledgments

Public District School Board Writing Team – Study Skills in English

 

Leading Board

Toronto District School Board Writing Team

 

Writers

Denise Gordon

Paula Markus

 

Advisory Team

Vilma Blenman

Hazel Excell

Sandra Katz

Alison Kelsey

Jo Nieuwkerk

Betty Ann Taylor

 

Secondary English Consultant

Dianne Fenner

 

 


Course Overview

Study Skills in English, Open, ESLDO

Course Description

This course prepares students to use English with increasing accuracy in most classroom and social situations and to participate in society as informed citizens. Students develop the reading, writing, and oral presentation skills required for success in all subjects. Students study and interpret a variety of grade-level texts, develop oral communication skills through participation in informal debates and seminars, and extend their range of research skills.

Course Notes

The thematic units have been chosen to reflect the maturity and interests of adolescent newcomers to Canada. These students are continuing to develop their oral and written English communication skills in preparation for full integration into mainstream secondary school courses. Each unit of this course provides students with a challenging and motivating culminating performance activity which will allow them to demonstrate the integration of many English language skills needed for success in the school program.

This full course overview was developed as a collaboration between the Public and Catholic Course Profile writing teams for ESLDO. The unit overview charts highlight the main components of each unit including the clustering of expectations into activities and the types of tasks to be done in each activity. Unit 2: Journeys to Freedom is completely fleshed out in the public Course Profile. For an example of how Unit 1: Coming of Age could be delivered, teachers may consult the Catholic Course Profile ESLDO found at the website www.curriculum.org.

Students in ESLDO may have progressed from the first course, ESLAO, through the series of Ontario secondary school ESL courses. Others may have entered Ontario with some background in English and have therefore begun their ESL studies further along the continuum of courses at the ESLBO or ESLCO level. Students who have been in previous ESL courses will already have had exposure to a range of teaching strategies, such as cooperative learning, self- and peer assessment, and performance-based assessment. Those who have more recently entered Ontario schools may not yet have had the opportunity for exposure to these teaching and assessment strategies. Teachers need to be aware of the range of student background experiences in their classes and accommodate accordingly.

In addition to the varied teaching, learning, and assessment strategies presented in this Course Profile, teachers will want to establish at the beginning of the course a number of ongoing classroom routines and activities which are integral parts of a balanced language learning program. These routines include: journal writing; silent reading of English; using first language and bilingual materials where appropriate; reading aloud of a variety of materials by the teacher; keeping vocabulary lists or notebooks; learning relevant Canadian cultural information at appropriate times throughout the year; and compiling media scrapbooks.

Students in this ESLDO course are required to independently read and report on a novel of their choice. An annotated list of suggested novels is included in the course resource section of this Course Profile overview. Novels were chosen for their appropriateness to both the ESLDO student’s level of reading proficiency, and their links to the various themes presented in this course. It is suggested that the teacher, in collaboration with the library staff, begin to compile a classroom collection of these novels so that they are readily available early on in the year when students begin to work on this assignment.

In order to graduate from an Ontario Secondary School, all students must pass the Grade 10 Test of Reading and Writing. This ESLDO course has been designed to give students opportunities to practise the following reading and writing skills demanded for success on the test:

·         Extract information from graphical and informational texts;

·         Interpret and make inferences from a reading selection;

·         Write summaries;

·         Write reports;

·         Write a series of linked paragraphs which give information or express an opinion.

Many newly arrived students will be experiencing culture shock, family separation, and dislocation at the same time as they begin to cope with adjusting to school in a new country or province. ESL teachers should be aware of and sensitive to the many changes and adaptations which immigrant and refugee students face. Another category of students who may also be in the ESLDO class is International or fee-paying (Visa) students. These students face their own special challenges in adjusting to life in Ontario schools, often living on their own, or under the care of a guardian while completing their high school education in Canada. Teachers should strive to create a welcoming and secure classroom environment for all learners.

Inclusiveness of all ethnic, racial, and cultural groups, and both genders, is embedded in this course. ESLDO often deals with sensitive but important issues, and students’ reactions to these issues must be respected. Teachers should be sensitive to the class dynamic and level of trust before embarking on some activities. They should always be prepared for potential painful student revelations. In such cases teachers must collaborate closely with school counsellors who will have outside agency contacts. Similarly, teachers should be sensitive to the variety of socio-economic levels, family structures and past political experiences of students. Teachers should be prepared to make accommodations in certain learning situations so that all students will find the classroom comfortable and non-threatening.

Units: Titles and Times

Unit 1

Coming of Age

25 hours

* Unit 2

Journeys to Freedom

30 hours

Unit 3

It’s Your Right!

30 hours

Unit 4

Unsung Heroes

25 hours

* This unit is fully developed in this Course Profile.

 

Unit Overviews

Unit 1:  Coming of Age

Time:  25 hours

Unit Description

Students begin the process of building study skills such as vocabulary development, use of the writing process, research, time management, self-evaluation, and goal setting through reading short stories, poetry, and non-fiction prose. The theme, Coming of Age, allows students to explore their places in family and society through the examination of a variety of literary genres and associated print and media resources. Through discussions of differences in rites of passage among societies, students examine the ethical issues of bias and inclusion. Students are introduced to some elements of critical analysis and literary terminology. As they move toward being effective communicators in English, they are encouraged to find their own voices in oral and written presentations. In the culminating activity student reactions to literature are gathered, polished, and published.

Unit 1 Overview Chart

Activity/
Time

Expectations

Assessment

Focus/Tasks

1. Milestones

 

300 min

DORV.01, .02, .03; DREV.01, .02, .04; DWRV.01, .04; DSCV.01, .02; DOR1.03, .04, .05, .07; DOR2.01, .02; DOR3.05; DRE1.01, .02.; DRE2.01, .02; DRE3.01, .02, .03; DRE4.01; .02, .03; DWR1.01; DWR2.02; DWR3.01, .02, .05; DSC1.03; DSC2.03

Knowledge/
Understanding,
Thinking/Inquiry,
Communication,
Application

Focus: Understanding short story structure, developing reading strategies, and accessing community support material using the themes Milestones and Rites of Passage

Tasks

- Create a personal profile and introduce another student

- Read and respond (orally and in a short paragraph) to a short memoir

- Establish Vocabulary/Structure Journal. Use word attack skills

- Read short story. Review literary terms

- Use transition phrases

- Categorize

- Research support material for major rites of passage events

- Practise skimming/scanning techniques

2. Blueprints for New Directions

 

300 min

DORV .01, .03; DREV.01, .02, .04; DWRV.01, .02, .03, .04; DSCV.01, .02., DOR1.05, .06, .09, .10, .11; DRE1.01, .02, .03; DRE2.01, .02; DWR1.02, .03, .05; DWR2.03, .05, .06; DWR3.01, .02, .04, .05; DSC1.01; DSC2.01, .03

Knowledge/
Understanding,
Thinking/Inquiry,
Communication,
Application

Focus: Self-evaluation and goal setting by finding personal relevance in prose and poetry

Tasks

- Read and respond to short prose and poetry as a class and in groups (jigsaw)

- Write comprehension responses using quotations

- Take notes

- Respond creatively: diary, journal, letter, personal reflection using the writing process

- Self-evaluate

3. Getting There

 

180 min

DORV.01, .02, .03; DREV.01, .02; DWRV.01, .02; DSCV.01, .02; DOR3.01, .02, .03, .04, .05; DRE2.01, .02; DRE3.02; DSC2.03

Knowledge/
Understanding,
Thinking/Inquiry,
Communication,
Application

Focus: Time-management, study habits, Canadian classroom challenges and expectations through examination of school related scripts

Tasks

- Analyse using mind maps

- Read autobiographical stories

- Scan and write summaries

- Practise group work: note-taking, oral presentations

- Role-play

- Use peer evaluation

- Videotape

4. Imprints

 

180 min

DREV.02, .04; DWRV.01, .02; DSCV.02; DRE2.01, .02; DRE4.01, .02, .03; DWR1.02, .05; DWR2.05, .06; DWR3.01; DSC1.03; DSC2.01, .02

Knowledge/
Understanding,
Thinking/Inquiry,
Communication,
Application

Focus: Application of time management, good study habits, organization and research techniques

Tasks

- Read and respond to a short story

- Research project using research terminology, appropriate reading strategies, vocabulary development, note-taking, graphic organizers, résumé, cover letter, and journal writing

5. Listening to Other Voices

 

300 min

DORV.01, .03; DREV.01; DWRV.01, .02, .03; DSCV.02; DOR1.03, .04, .05, .11; DOR3.03, .05; DRE1.02, .03; DWR1.03, .04; DWR2.01, .05, .06; DWR3.01, .02; DSC2.03

Knowledge/
Understanding,
Thinking/Inquiry,
Communication,
Application

Focus: Read and critically respond to non-fiction and poetry with the theme of teenage conflicts

Tasks:

- Read and critically respond to two non-fiction short stories and poetry selections

- Analyse main idea and point of view

- Review poetic devices

- Read and write in journal

- Maintain personal glossary

- Read a poem to music

- Present in a small group

6. Using Our Voices

 

240 min

DORV.01; DREV.02, .03; DWRV.01, .02, .03; DSCV.02; DOR1.05; DRE2.01; DWR1.01, .03, .04; DWR2.01, .03, .04, .05, .06, .07; DWR3.01, .02; DSC2.03

Knowledge/
Understanding,
Thinking/Inquiry,
Communication,
Application

Focus: Writing and publishing creative pieces on themes of self-discovery and growing up

Tasks

- Use the writing process for creative extension of personal voice in writing non-fiction and poetry

- Develop editing skills

- Publish booklet of class writing

- Maintain personal glossary, specifically computer software terminology

 

Unit 2:  Journeys to Freedom

Time:  30 hours

Unit Description

Canada continues to be a destination for people from all over the world who come here seeking to live in freedom. As an introduction to Canadian immigrants’ journeys to freedom, students compile a media watch scrapbook by collecting and writing summaries of newspaper and magazine articles. They also engage in vocabulary study arising from this reading. Students view and respond to a video on the experience of immigrant and refugee groups in Canada. For a research report and oral presentation, students research, extract, and organize information about immigrants to Canada, citing non-fiction sources such as newspaper articles and on-line research materials in a bibliography. The unit culminates in the exploration of a literary journey to freedom in Canada through the analysis of the Canadian novel, The Road to Chlifa. Students write a five-paragraph essay on a theme arising from the novel. This novel also forms the basis for vocabulary building, as well as the focused study of the use of modal verbs to offer advice and express regret.

Unit 2 Overview Chart

Activity/Time

Expectations

Assessment

Focus/Tasks

1. Media Watch

 

420 min

DORV.01, DORV.04, DOR1.05, DOR4.01, DOR4.02, DOR4.03, DOR4.04, DREV.02, DREV.04, DRE1.03, DRE2.01, DRE2.02, DRE3.01, DRE3.06, DWRV.04, DWR2.02, DWR3.01, DWR3.02, DWR3.05, DSCV.01, DSC1.05, DSC2.03

Diagnostic: Participation in group discussions and presentations (Communication)

Formative: In-class practise article summary (Thinking/Inquiry, Communication)

Summative: Media Watch Scrapbook, using teacher-created checklist or rubric (Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Analyse and Respond to Media

Tasks

- Activating prior knowledge

- Independent reading of unit novel using content reading logs

- Read, analyse, and summarize newspaper articles

- Contrast fact vs. opinion

- Compile a media watch scrapbook

- Vocabulary logs

- View and analyse a video

2. Research Report

 

300 min

DREV.04, DRE3.02, DRE3.03, DRE4.01, DRE4.02, DRE4.03, DWRV.02, DWRV.03, DWRV.04, DWR1.05, DWR2.01, DWR2.03, DWR2.04, DWR2.05, DWR3.01, DWR3.02, DWR3.05

Formative: Bibliography for Research Project (Knowledge, Communication)

Formative: First Draft of Research Report (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Summative: Research Report, using teacher-created rubric (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Writing a Research Report

Tasks

- Use research skills to locate and read articles on immigration issues

- Compile a bibliography

- Take notes using an organizer and expand into a report

- Take report through writing, revising and editing process

3. Oral Presentations

 

240 min

DORV.01, DORV.02, DOR1.03, DOR1.04, DOR1.05, DOR1.07, DOR1.09, DOR1.11, DOR2.01, DSCV.01, DSCV.02, DSC1.06, DSC2.01

Formative: Self-Assessment of Speaking Skills in Oral Presentation with checklist (Communication, Application)

Summative: Oral Presentations, using teacher-created rubric (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Summative: Graphic Organizer Folders, using a checklist

(Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Oral Presentations

Tasks

- Teacher models oral presentation format

- Oral presentations using accurate standard English

- Note-taking on each presentation using a graphic organizer

4. The Road to Chlifa: Karim’s First Months in Canada

 

240 min

DREV.01, DRE1.01, DRE1.02, DRE1.03, DRE3.04, DRE4.01

Formative: Content Reading Logs (Knowledge, Communication)

Formative: Comprehension Quiz (Knowledge, Communication)

Formative: Reading Response Journal (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication)

Focus: Read and respond to part one of novel; learn about literary devices

Tasks

- Think/pair/share

- Response journal writing

- Vocabulary logs

- Class and small group discussions

- Discussion of literary devices

5. The Road to Chlifa: Understanding Characterization

 

300 min

DORV.01, DORV.03, DOR1.04, DREV.01, DRE1.02, DRE1.03, DWRV.04, DWR3.05

Formative: Response Journal (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication)

Summative: Paired Dramatization, using a checklist (Communication, Application)

Summative: Character Study (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Summative: Grammar Exercise (Knowledge, Communication)

Focus: Read and respond to part two of novel

Tasks

- Study of plot, character and setting

- Compilation of character studies

- Response to novel through dramatization

- Contextualized grammar study

6. The Road to Chlifa: Themes

 

300 min

DREV.01, DREV.02, DRE1.04, DRE2.01, DRE2.02, DWRV.01, DWRV.02, DWRV.03, DWRV.04, DWR1.01, 1.03, 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.05, 3.01, 3.02, 3.05

Summative: Five-paragraph Essay, using teacher-created rubric (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Summative: Vocabulary Log (Knowledge, Communication)

Summative: Response Journal (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication)

Focus: Discuss and write a five-paragraph essay on a theme from the novel

Tasks

- Study models of essay format on literary themes

- Write and edit a five-paragraph essay

- Select a novel for independent study (to be submitted at end of course)

 

Unit 3:  It’s Your Right!

Time:  30 hours

Unit Description

Students develop an awareness of their rights and responsibilities as members of Canadian society through reading and discussing sections of grade-level texts, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Aboriginal Charter of Rights, the Ontario Human Rights Code, District School Board equity policies, and individual school Codes of Conduct. Reading newspaper and magazine articles which illustrate human rights issues, viewing of a video on Canadian human rights issues, debates on the interpretation of individual or group rights, and the development of positive communication and conflict-resolution skills all form part of this unit. The comprehension and use of the formal register of language in oral and written communication are emphasized. As a culminating task, students prepare and present posters related to a current issue involving the rights and responsibilities of living in Canada.

Unit 3 Overview Chart

Activity/Time

Expectations

Assessment

Focus/Tasks

1. Universal Human Rights

 

120 min

DSCV.01, DSC1.01

Formative: Vocabulary Cloze Exercise (Knowledge, Communication)

Focus: Building background knowledge of basic Human Rights

Tasks

- Activating prior knowledge about human rights

- Brainstorm concepts of human rights

- Vocabulary development

2. Human Rights: The Canadian Context

 

240 min

DREV.02, DRE2.01, DRE2.02, DRE3.03, DRE3.05, DRE3.06, DWRV.04, DWR3.03, DSCV.01, DSC1.01, DSC1.02,

Summative: Reading Comprehension Quiz (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication)

Focus: Reading Canadian Human Rights texts from various levels of government

Tasks

- Read and comprehend excerpts from Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code, etc.

- Contextualized Grammar study

3. Human Rights in Canada: Raising Awareness

 

360 min

DORV.01, DORV.03, DOR1.06, DOR3.06, DREV.03, DRE3.01, DRE3.04, DRE3.06, DWRV.01, DWRV.04, DWR1.01, DWR1.05, DWR3.04, DSCV.01, DSCV.02, DSC1.01, DSC1.05, DSC1.06, DSC2.03

Formative: Group Oral Summary (Communication)

 

Summative: Written Summary (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Human rights issues

Tasks

- Read sections of newspaper and magazine articles on Canadian human rights issues

- Class discussions

- Group discussions and oral summaries

- Write a summary

- Contextualized Grammar study

4. Human Rights in Action

 

240 min

DORV.03, DORV.04, DOR3.06, DOR4.01, DREV02, DREV.03, DRE2.01, DRE3.01, DRE3.03, DRE3.04, DRE3.05, DRE3.06, DSCV.01, DSC1.03

Formative: Video viewing worksheet (Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Summative: Case Study Assignment (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Application of human rights principles in school and community

Tasks

- Case studies and readings

- Discussions of issues

- View and discuss a video on human rights in Canada

5. Communicate Right!

 

240 min

DORV.03, DOR1.01, DOR1.02, DOR3.01, DOR3.02, DOR3.03, DOR3.04, DOR3.05, DSCV.02, DSC1.04

Summative: Role play (Communication, Application)

Focus: Respect for others’ rights through positive communication and conflict resolution skills

Tasks

- Model and practise positive communication skills such as “I” messages and active listening

- Student role plays

- Idiom/colloquial language study

6. The Right to Express your Views: A Debate

 

240 min

DORV.01, DORV.03, DOR1.08, DOR1.10, DOR1.11, DOR3.03, DSCV.01, DSCV.02, DSC1.06, DSC2.01, DSC2.03

Summative: Debate (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Debate on Canadian human rights issues

Tasks

- Debate preparation on issues such as freedom of speech and hate literature; freedom of the press and censorship; North American Free Trade Agreement Act?

- Class debate

- Language focus on persuasion and polite disagreement

7. Post It!: A Human Rights Poster Presentation

 

360 min

DORV.02, DORV.04, DOR1.02, DOR1.10, DOR1.11, DOR3.03, DOR4.05, DWRV.01, DWRV.02, DWRV.04, DWR1.01, DWR2.04, DWR2.05, DWR2.06, DWR2.07, DWR3.01, DWR3.02, DWR3.05

Summative: Poster Presentation (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Focus: Poster Presentation on a Canadian human rights issue

Tasks

- Model of an effective poster and presentation (text and visual elements)

- Class presentations

- Peer assessment

- Use of formal language in oral presentations

 

Unit 4:  Unsung Heroes

Time:  25 hours

Unit Description

Students explore volunteerism and contributions to the school and wider community as they respond to a collection of short stories, poetry, media works, and brief biographies. They research and report on community and charitable organizations which offer opportunities for volunteer community service. Students examine the format and preparation of personal resumes and application letters. Students conduct interviews with community members who make a wide variety of quiet but vital contributions to society. Students write and edit a biography focusing on an individual who has made a difference in their community. They also complete the independent book report begun earlier in the course.

Unit 4 Overview Chart

Activity/
Time

Expectations

Assessment

Focus/Tasks

1. Unsung Heroes: Making a Difference

360 min

DREV.01, DRE1.02, DRE1.03, DRE3.01, DWRV.01, DWR1.03

Formative: Personal response to short stories and poetry (Knowledge, Communication, Thinking/Inquiry)

Focus: Short Stories/Poetry about “Unsung Heroes”

Tasks

- Literary analysis

- Personal response

2. Unsung Heroes: Reading their Stories

 

360 min

DORV.04, DOR4.02, DREV.03, DRE3.01, DRE3.04, DRE3.05

Formative: Reading comprehension exercises (Knowledge, Communication, Thinking/Inquiry)

Summative: grammar exercises (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication)

Focus: Brief Biographies of Unsung Heroes

Tasks

- Reading comprehension – biographies of people who contribute in subject fields such as math, science, technology, the arts, human rights

- Discussion: What makes a “good citizen”?

- Analysis of the biography genre and appropriate language style

- Contextualized grammar study

3. Making a Difference in Our Communities

 

420 min

DORV.01, DORV.02, DOR1.05, DOR1.11, DREV.04, DRE3.02, DRE4.01, DRE4.02, DRE4.03, DSCV.01, DSC1.03, DWRV.01, DWRV.02, DWRV.04, DWR1.02, DWR1.05, DWR2.05, DWR3.01, DWR3.02, DWR3.05

Formative: Peer Evaluation of Oral Presentation (Knowledge, Communication)

Summative: Oral Presentation (Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, Application)

Formative: First Draft of Application Letter
(Knowledge, Communication, Application)

 

Summative: Final Draft of Application Letter (Knowledge, Communication, Application)

Focus: Report on Community/Charitable Organizations

Tasks

- Research community/charitable organization

- Prepare short report based on a model

- Oral presentation

- Complete a peer evaluation of oral presentations

- Study application letter models

- Write and edit a personal application letter for a community service placement

4. Unsung Heroes: Telling their Stories

 

360 min

DORV.01, DOR3.06, DREV.01, DRE1.04, DRE1.05, DWRV.02, DWRV.03, DWRV.04, DWR2.01, DWR2.02, DWR2.03, DWR2.05, DWR3.01, DWR3.02, DWR3.05, DSCV.02, DSC2.01

Formative: Role-Play and Interview (Communication)

Summative: Biography (Communication, Thinking/Inquiry, Application)

Independent Book Report (Knowledge, Communication, Thinking/Inquiry, Application)

Focus: Writing a Biography

Tasks

- Plan, role-play, and conduct an interview

- Compose the biography from interview notes

- Language focus on organization and connecting devices

- Process writing and editing

- Collect book reports assigned in Unit 2

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Brainstorming, K-W-L charts, webbing, modelled writing, journal writing, essay writing, portfolio compilation, cooperative learning groups, teacher read-alouds, graphic organizers, think/pair/share, worksheets, field trips, vocabulary charts, key word lists, vocabulary/grammar journal, media watch scrapbook journal, viewing and responding to videos, class and community surveys and interviews, cloze exercises, information gap activities, questionnaires, oral presentations, Internet searches, small group and class interaction, sharing languages and cultures, independent research projects, role-play, follow teacher and student presentations, self- and peer assessment, library research with print and electronic materials, book reports, writing editorials and news reports, debates, letter writing, resume preparation, language and social context awareness activities, poetry readings and writings.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

The assessment and evaluation techniques used in this course are diagnostic, formative, and summative. They are constructed to link the teaching/learning strategies to the various curriculum expectations focused on in each unit through the four Achievement Chart categories of Knowledge, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, and Application, which appear in the ESL/ELD Ontario Curriculum Policy document.

A number of different strategies are used for assessment and evaluation in this course, including: response scrapbooks, group and individual presentations, written pieces in a variety of forms including essays and research reports, quizzes, written tests, and journals.

Term work is worth 70% of the overall final course mark.

The required 30% final summative assessment could be composed of:

1)   a final examination

2)   the independent book report assigned in Unit 2

3)   the biography which forms the culminating activity of Unit 4

Accommodations

An ESLDO class is of a heterogeneous nature, encompassing students of varying ages and backgrounds, and may also feature continuous intake of newly arrived students throughout the semester or school year. To support students with varying levels of English proficiency, differing previous school experiences and varying learning styles, teachers should incorporate the following strategies into their classroom programs: making available newspapers, magazines and taped books at various proficiency levels; tailoring assignments, assessment, and evaluation to meet individual needs; and providing opportunities for practice with English language learning software.

Among the suggestions for accommodations provided in the various activities of this Course Profile are: using the first language when appropriate; pairing and grouping students for support; coaching and buddy reading; chunking information into smaller units; providing opportunities for consolidating and building on background conceptual knowledge; using visuals in addition to printed material; using taped texts as a support to print material; and modifying assessment and evaluation techniques when appropriate.

Resources

Azar, Betty. Understanding and Using English Grammar. New York: Prentice Hall Regents, 1999.

Archer, Lynn, Cathy Costello, and Debbie Harvey. Reading and Writing for Success. Harcourt Brace, 1997.

Lennox, Corinne and Ian Wildeboer. Action Guide: A Human Rights Resource Manual for Secondary Schools. Ottawa: United Nations Association in Canada, 1998.

Lim, Phyllis L. and William Smalzer. Across Cultures: Universal Themes in Literature. Nelson Publishing, 1994.

Porter, Jessie. Voices Past and Present. Toronto: Wall and Emerson, 2000.

Sauvé, Virginia L. and Monique Sauvé. Gateway to Canada. Toronto: Oxford University Press. 1997.

OSS Considerations

Education for Exceptional Students

At every point in this course, teachers should take into account the needs of any exceptional students as set out in their Individual Education Plans. ESL students show the same range of learning exceptionalities in the same proportions as other Ontario students. Some students arrive with previously identified learning needs, while the needs of others are identified when their progress in English language acquisition, and cultural adjustment differs significantly form that of students from similar backgrounds and with similar educational experiences. It is important not to identify students as learning disabled on the basis of performance or behaviour that reflect, a normal process of second language acquisition or that reflect a lack of prior opportunity to learn the knowledge and skills being tested.

The Role of Technology in Curriculum

It is important for all ESL students to be given opportunities to develop competence in using computers and other technology. In this ESLDO course, students are afforded opportunities to use word processing and graphics software to produce pieces of written work and to do research on the Internet and with CD-ROM software. Students are encouraged to work with their peers to help each other access and learn about technology.

Career Education

ESL students need opportunities to explore the full range of educational and career paths available to them in their new country and educational setting. At the ESLDO level of English proficiency, students should be encouraged to consider cooperative education placements to enhance their school programs and give them exposure to a variety of career choices. In Unit 4: Unsung Heroes, students learn to prepare personal resumes and application letters. They also research community and charitable organizations for opportunities for volunteer and community service. Students discuss the role of volunteerism both as a service to the community and as an enhancement to future employability.

Health and Safety

Students who are recent arrivals from other countries may have special health and safety needs. In Unit 3: It’s Your Right!, students consider issues of human rights at the local, provincial, and federal levels. Students focus on both the rights and responsibilities of the individual in school, the workplace, and the larger society. Conflict-resolution skills also form part of the unit.

Emotional health is as important as physical health and safety. The experience of immigration, even in the best of circumstances, involves feelings of loss and disorientation for many students. Throughout this course, the teacher is expected to be sensitive to the range of experiences that students bring with them. The teacher must recognize the equal legitimacy of students choosing to share or keep private their experiences and feelings. Unit 2: Journeys to Freedom, addresses issues such as the trauma of war, flight, loss, and dislocation in depth. Teachers should be prepared for a wide variety of responses to this theme. The study of the experiences of various recent immigrant and refugee communities in Canada in this unit should be approached from a factual and historical perspective to diffuse any emotional conflicts which may arise between class members.

A school environment that is free of racial and sexual harassment is as important to students as a physically and emotionally safe environment. Activities throughout the course, and in particular in Unit 3: It’s Your Right!, focus on the importance of school rules, rights, and responsibilities and include a review of the board’s racial and sexual harassment policy. Students are taught how to report problems and how to get help if they feel they are being harassed.

Compulsory Credits

Up to three ESL or ELD courses may be substituted for compulsory English courses.


Coded Expectations, Study Skills in English, ESL Level 4, Open, ESLDO

Oral and Visual Communication

Overall Expectations

DORV.01 · communicate orally in English in a wide variety of daily activities in the community, the classroom, and the workplace;

DORV.02 · use the elements of English grammar with increasing accuracy in speech;

DORV.03 · use appropriate language and non-verbal communication strategies in a variety of situations;

DORV.04 · create, analyse, and interpret a variety of media works.

Specific Expectations

Developing Fluency in Oral Communication

DOR1.01 – respond to and use some implicit commands and messages (e.g., indirect requests and orders such as: Would you like to rewrite that?, meaning You should rewrite that; Is that where the dictionaries go?, meaning Please put the dictionaries away);

DOR1.02 – recognize and use a variety of conversational strategies (e.g., opening formulas such as How are you?, attention-getting phrases such as Excuse me, turn-taking signals such as I’d like to add, and closing formulas such as I’ve got to go now);

DOR1.03 – use a variety of communication strategies to bridge gaps in their English-language knowledge (e.g., ask for clarification; paraphrase; use facial expressions and gestures to convey meaning);

DOR1.04 – use the pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation patterns of spoken English with accuracy most of the time;

DOR1.05 – participate in classroom discussions and oral presentations;

DOR1.06 – provide a summary of a group discussion or an activity;

DOR1.07 – use a variety of transition words and phrases in classroom discussions and oral presentations to express relationships such as comparison, contrast, sequence, and cause and effect;

DOR1.08 – follow complex sequences of instructions;

DOR1.09 – take notes from classroom presentations, using a written outline or graphic organizer as a guide;

DOR1.10 – express and support a point of view in classroom discussions;

DOR1.11 – use formal speech for oral classroom presentations.

Developing Accuracy in Oral Communication

DOR2.01 – use important elements of English grammar with increasing accuracy (e.g., verb tenses, negatives, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, articles, and prepositions of time, direction, and location);

DOR2.02 – correct some common grammatical errors in their own speech (e.g., inconsistent verb tenses, unclear pronoun reference).

Using English in Socially and Culturally Appropriate Ways

DOR3.01 – analyse social contexts to determine the appropriate type of language to use (e.g., the suitability of colloquialisms, emphasis, and eye contact in a videotaped speech or interview);

DOR3.02 – recognize and respond appropriately to verbal and non-verbal cues (e.g., identify inappropriate aspects of language and behaviour in comedy);

DOR3.03 – use formal and informal styles of language appropriately (e.g., compare and role-play the use of forms of address in different situations);

DOR3.04 – use some idioms and slang where appropriate (e.g., Off the top of my head; Run that by me again);

DOR3.05 – use polite forms to negotiate and reach consensus in small-group tasks (e.g., Would you like to...?, How about...?, Don’t you think...?);

DOR3.06 – recognize and use the appropriate style of language for various workplace situations (e.g., evaluate customer and employee interactions as presented in a video; role-play an employee asking for advice from a supervisor).

Developing Media Skills and Knowledge

DOR4.01 – respond to a wide variety of media works through discussion and comparison of their own and others’ reactions to the works (e.g., advertisements, news programs, dramatic presentations);

DOR4.02 – identify strategies used in different media to influence specific audiences (e.g., figurative language, provocative visual images, youth-oriented music);

DOR4.03 – analyse media productions to identify different media perspectives on social and cultural issues (e.g., how newspapers and television companies select and present facts, images, and opinions on issues related to race, gender, and age);

DOR4.04 – explain some of the causes and consequences of local, national, and international current events (e.g., explain how Canadian immigration patterns are related to world events; explain the causes and consequences of some forms of pollution);

DOR4.05 – create a documentary or news report on a current issue.

Reading

Overall Expectations

DREV.01 · read and respond to literature, with teacher guidance;

DREV.02 · use a range of strategies to build vocabulary;

DREV.03 · extract information from grade-level texts, with teacher guidance;

DREV.04 · locate, evaluate, and use information from a variety of sources for academic, social, and career purposes, including guided research projects.

Specific Expectations

Reading and Responding

DRE1.01 – identify some common cross-cultural themes in literature (e.g., coming of age, creation of the universe, quests);

DRE1.02 – identify and explain literary elements and devices in teacher-selected texts (e.g., theme, character development, plot, setting, simile, metaphor);

DRE1.03 – make inferences about a writer’s point of view or a character’s actions;

DRE1.04 – choose and respond to personal reading material comparable in scope and difficulty to some materials selected by their English-speaking peers;

DRE1.05 – explain their reasons for choosing specific authors and genres (e.g., in book reviews, in literature study groups).

Developing Vocabulary

DRE2.01 – use a variety of strategies to build vocabulary (e.g., check learner dictionaries; keep a personal list of words and phrases; seek opportunities to use new words);

DRE2.02 – infer the meaning of many Latin-based words from context and from prefixes, suffixes, and word roots.

Using Reading Strategies for Comprehension

DRE3.01 – recognize the elements and purposes of different forms of texts and participate in discussions about them (e.g., subject-area texts, short stories, magazine articles);

DRE3.02 – skim texts for main ideas and overall organization (e.g., skim a section of a reference book to evaluate its relevance for a specific project; skim brochures for career information);

DRE3.03 – scan texts for specific information (e.g., locate required information in a reference book; locate information about specific aptitudes or qualifications in a career brochure);

DRE3.04 – determine meaning in texts that contain complex grammatical elements (e.g., conditionals, modals, passive verbs);

DRE3.05 – recognize transition words and phrases used to indicate definition of terms, classification, sequence, summary, conclusion, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and hypothesis (e.g., that is, in conclusion, by contrast, as a result, possibly);

DRE3.06 – identify facts, opinions, and perspectives in text.

Developing Research Skills

DRE4.01 – use knowledge of a variety of conventions of formal texts to locate information (e.g., footnotes, end notes, and lists);

DRE4.02 – compare ideas and information from a variety of sources for guided research projects (e.g., sources such as print and non-print magazines and newspapers, CD-ROMs, the Internet);

DRE4.03 – summarize main points for guided research projects, using graphic organizers (e.g., charts, tables, Venn diagrams).

Writing

Overall Expectations

DWRV.01 · write in a variety of forms appropriate to different subject areas, personal needs, and career goals, with teacher guidance;

DWRV.02 · use the writing process to prepare final drafts, with teacher guidance;

DWRV.03 · arrange ideas in logical order and present them in linked paragraphs;

DWRV.04 · use the sentence patterns and conventions of standard Canadian English with accuracy most of the time in written work.

Specific Expectations

Relating Purpose to Form

DWR1.01 – write to carry out assignments in different subject areas (e.g., short reports, outlines, summaries, editorials, notes, essays, examination answers);

DWR1.02 – write for career-related purposes (e.g., résumés, covering letters, memos, e-mail messages);

DWR1.03 – select and use appropriate forms for personal and creative writing (e.g., diaries, journals, personal letters and e-mail messages, dialogues, poetry, narratives);

DWR1.04 – use descriptive words and phrases to convey mood, atmosphere, and emotion;

DWR1.05 – use the conventions appropriate to particular forms of writing (e.g., letter salutations and closings, cover pages and headings, bibliographies).

Applying the Writing Process

DWR2.01 – write a passage of three or more paragraphs to develop a central idea;

DWR2.02 – use transition words and a variety of sentence patterns to express relationships such as comparison and contrast (e.g., similarly, on the other hand) and cause and effect (e.g., as a result of);

DWR2.03 – edit to improve writing style (e.g., to convey a personal voice, to stress objectivity);

DWR2.04 – use visual elements to enhance the effectiveness of published text (e.g., margins for ease of reading, headings and typeface for emphasis);

DWR2.05 – produce final drafts, using appropriate writing tools (e.g., dictionaries, editing checklists);

DWR2.06 – use word-processing software to compose and edit pieces of writing;

DWR2.07 – use graphics software to format and embellish pieces of writing.

Developing Accuracy in Written Form

DWR3.01 – spell words accurately in final drafts, including subject-specific terms;

DWR3.02 – use periods, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and parentheses correctly in final drafts;

DWR3.03 – use the semicolon to separate main clauses in a list of ideas;

DWR3.04 – use ellipses to show that words have been omitted from a quotation;

DWR3.05 – use common tenses and verb phrases, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions of direction and time, and interrogative and negative constructions appropriately and with accuracy most of the time.

Social And Cultural Competence

Overall Expectations

DSCV.01 · demonstrate understanding of the rights and responsibilities of living in Canada;

DSCV.02 · demonstrate flexibility as learners in different teaching and learning situations.

Specific Expectations

Developing Citizenship Awareness and Skills

DSC1.01 – participate in discussions about important social and political documents (e.g., the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, district school board race relations policies);

DSC1.02 – identify and explain the role of some components of the Canadian political system (e.g., parties, levels of government, the electoral process);

DSC1.03 – identify and use the skills needed to seek assistance in the school and community (e.g., use, and help others to use, the services of school guidance departments and community and school support services; explain their district school board’s harassment policy and procedures);

DSC1.04 – demonstrate knowledge of strategies for conflict resolution by participating in simulations, role plays, and group discussions;

DSC1.05 – research and participate in discussions comparing the needs and values of people of different ages and cultures and both genders;

DSC1.06 – participate in discussions and debates about local, national, and global issues and events.

Adapting to the Ontario Classroom

DSC2.01 – participate effectively in a variety of learning and teaching situations (e.g., independent research; oral presentations; varied assessment situations such as tests, examinations, and student-teacher conferences);

DSC2.02 – use study skills effectively (e.g., select appropriate study strategies; use self-monitoring and self-correcting strategies);

DSC2.03 – participate fully in group activities, (e.g., contribute productively to all group tasks, assist others in the group, and help keep the group on task).

 

 

 

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