Junior Secondary Curriculum
YEAR 8 ENGLISH
SEMESTER ONE
Students read the graphic novel ‘ Coraline ’, identifying the ideas, themes and issues explored in this text and provide supporting evidence to justify interpretations. After classroom discussion and analysis, students write an expository essay focused on developing consistency of viewpoint and development of ideas as well as a creative narrative response. Students explore a range of texts related to the Holocaust that are factually accurate including rich primary source material. The program is logically sequenced and thematically rich and explores the significance of the Holocaust. Students respond through a number of formats including verbally and through the creation of a comparative essay.
SEMESTER TWO
Students complete an in - depth textual study of ‘ Grace beside me ’. Through research, class discussion, questioning and detailed written responses, students develop analytical skills. Through rich discussion and annotation students learn to gather and organise evidence and then to manipulate language features to express complex ideas. When writing they edit for effect, selecting vocabulary and grammar that contributes to the precision of written and verbal output, using accurate spelling and punctuation. Students follow this up with a study of the film ‘ Freedom Writers ’ as text, comparing the way writers explore important ideas with the way film makers do it. They apply a specific analytical method to scenes of their own choice and explain their interpretations with a formal oral presentation to their peers. This task builds analytical skills which are then applied to a formal analytical essay that focusses on the ability to justify opinions using knowledge of film. Throughout, there is a concurrent focus on improving grammar, spelling and punctuation which is designed to give students a strong base for all their thinking and expression, in any genre or form of communication.
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Curriculum Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
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