Year 9 English

Course Overview

Term 1
We begin the 9ENG year with a unit introducing students to the purpose of English at secondary school, developing their appreciation for the social significance of literature, language, and story. Students will explore bicultural and multicultural literature, including some Māori narratives and ideas of nationhood, whakapapa, personal identity, and community. They will also be provided opportunities to explore other stories from cultures that are of personal significance or interest to them. Students are encouraged to reflect on how they fit in within their own communities, and how they express or respond to the bicultural world in which we live. After analysing the variety of narratives and mythologies presented, the students will write their own version of a myth, which is subsequently assessed and recorded as their first Writing grade. After this, students will study written text; either a novel, or an anthology of short stories or poetry. Students will respond to this written text through in-class activities and formal essay writing.

Term 2
The focus of Term 2 is the Mid-Year Exams, which gives teachers insight into how students have progressed after Term 1. We begin the term by revising reading comprehension skills; analysing unfamiliar texts and identifying language features, parts of speech and the effect of these. In the exam, students will complete a reading comprehension paper, as well as an essay responding to their written text. These will result in two Reading grades. After these exams, the rest of the term will be spent reading and understanding a range of historical texts (poetry) and an introduction to Shakespeare and the Elizabethan era. Students will also explore their developing understanding of creative language through a piece inspired by one of the historical texts they have studied. This piece will be due at the beginning of Term 3 and will result in their second Writing grade.

Term 3
In Term 3, the students will either rewrite a Shakespearean scene and then perform in front of the class, or they will create a static image illustrating how specific themes are developed in the play. This will result in a Presenting grade. They will then move on to watching and analysing a film. They will be looking at how directors utilise a variety of film techniques and conventions to create meaning. This close analysis will lead into an essay response and provide inspiration for their Speaking assessment. They will write and present a persuasive speech which shares their opinion of the film, which will result in another Presenting grade.

Term 4
In Term 4, the students will complete their film study unit, and begin revising for their exams. This revision will focus on reading comprehension, reinforcing conventions of essay writing, and grammar skills. The exam is made up of a reading comprehension section, a grammar/editing section, and an essay response on their the studied film. As for the mid-year exam, this will result in two Reading grades. After exams, students will embark on a personal reading response project. Over the final two weeks of the term, students will summarise their thinking and learning about any text they have read over the year, and develop an individual or small group presentation to share their thoughts and opinions with the class.