Westlake Boys High School
Year 10 English
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mr M. Saville.
Year 10 English
Vision
Our Year 10 English course has a particular focus of exploring the power of language. Our year cycles through a series of themes which allow us to access various written and visual texts. We focus our time on understanding the power of the written and visual language has to impact the audience. We then seek to create opportunities to create texts, for various purpose and audience, which employ these important techniques.
This vision helps us work toward our literacy objectives. We explore and use language in a variety of contexts, for various audience and purpose. In year 10, most students will have their first attempt at the national literacy standards.
Authors and poets studied in this course are from Aotearoa and beyond. When these texts are explored, students are encouraged to also consider the lense of te āo Maori (the Maori world).
Course Overview
Term 1
Theme: Whānau, whare, kai, me
We study an anthology of texts (poems, novel extracts, documentaries, short film) which explore themes of family, home, foodand individual identity and how these impact the individual. Some examples of texts taught are Seven Waka and Search for the Emerald City by Whiti Ihimaera and extracts from The Dawn Raids by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith.
Assessment in Term 1:
Creative Writing
Close reading essay
Term 2
Theme: Place, whenua, motu
Students study a range of texts (songs, lyrics, short film, documentaries) which explore themes of place, setting, patriotism etc and how these texts portray the connection between people and land/ place. Some examples of texts studied in this unit are Octopus Auckland by Karlo Mila, Chains by Che Fu and teh Still Here documentary series by RNZ.
Assessment in Term 2:
Non Fiction Writing
Mid-year Examination (Comprehension, Grammar and Spelling Proofreading, Essay)
Term 3
Theme: History/ Future
Students study text/s which explore thinking around history and future. An example of how we explore this theme is studying the dystopian text genre. This allows us to explore the value of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and understand the important role we have as a society to proctect and guard the land, people, places around us. An example of texts studied here are The Hunger Games, Finch and Legacy by Whiti Hereaka. Three weeks of this term are dedicated toward a cross-curricular unit with Social Studies reflecting on the Treaty of Waitangi.
Assessment in Term 3:
Persuasive Speech (Cross-curricular unit with Social Studies)
Timed Class Essay
Term 4
Strong literacy focus and end of year exam preperations.
In preperation for the Literacy standard, students explore and practice various styles of writing for purpose (letter of complaint, news articles, blog posts), in addition to practicing proofreading, editing and comprehension skills. Following this we begin preperations for the End of Year Exmas.
Assessment in Term 4:
Formal Writing
National Literacy Test
End-of-Year Exam (Comprehension, Proofreading, Essay)
Entry Criteria
All students in Year 10 will complete a course in English.
Equipment/Stationery and Course Costs
As this course makes extensive use of digital learning material. It is expected that you will have a laptop or other suitable learning device available for each class when required.
Pathway
Assessment Information
Various assessment points throughout the year. Students are assessed on:Creative writing
Close Reading Analysis and Essays
Persuasive Speaking
Formal Writing
Non-Fiction Writing `
Comprehension
Disclaimer
Course selection does not guarantee a course will be available or that you have approval to take a course. Final course confirmation is in January and depends on your final results and in rare cases, staff availability.
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