top of page

English Language Arts 9

Into the Unknown

Grade 9 is a very exciting time as young learners prepare to navigate the social and academic challenges of transition. This can be stressful and daunting, but also wonderful as they begin to explore the unknown, discovering new opportunities for themselves. Through the study of literary works, we will listen, read, write, speak, view, and represent what it means to embark and take up this call to adventure.

Course Outline

Speech and Composition

Speaking to the unknown

Students will develop public speaking and presentation skill by learning the formal techniques while also playing with the literary devices of tone and voice. By projecting other characters, students can learn to project their envisioned selves as they begin to explore other unknown characters in texts and life. 

  • Speaking to the Unknown: Ways to Make Speech Worth Listing To notes

  • Impromptu Speech activity sheet

  • Link to further reading - Public Speaking Tips

  • Disney Character Assignment task sheet

  • Disney Character Exemplars - Eulogy, Toast, Acceptance Speech

Short Stories

The call to the unknown/adventure

Students will explore the general plot diagram as a tool to develop their deeper analysis of literary texts. Comparing between various characters call into the unknown, students will also reflect on their own call to adventure and where their journey could take them as protagonists of their own stories.

  • Link to helpful website on Literary Devices

  • Reading the Unknown lecture notes

  • Plot and Character activity sheet

  • Pitch Me a Plot Assignment task sheet

  • Critical Reading activity sheet

  • Glossary of Literary Devices

Poetry

Conflict in the unknown

Students will focus on the use of literary devices as tools to express and comprehend complex emotions and messages within poetic texts. An exploration of these mediums will give students the opportunity to analytically understand deeper connotations and denotations while expressing themselves more artistically and creatively. 

Film

Metamorphosis in the unknown

Students will analyze the change in characters as they enter the unknown and use this as a tool to prepare for their novel study. A introspective reflection will also allow them to prepare and envision the personal change that they will themselves make. 

Writing Assignments

Making the unknown known

Students will learn both Narrative and Functional Writing in preparation for the PATS but also begin to develop their critical/analytical literary writing which will set them up for high school. 

  • Phrase Fridays model

  • Dear John activity sheet

  • Into the World of Business Letters notes

  • Reading Comprehension Strategies notes

  • Functional Writing Outline

  • How to Write a Body Paragraph outline

bottom of page