The 9th Grade English Language and Literature course is designed to address a wide of range of literary and non-literary genres, covering both classics and contemporary works. The main literary genres studied are poetry, short fiction, the novel, the graphic novel and drama. Non-fiction includes newscasts, editorials, advertisements, interviews or film trailers. Most units examine the conventions and narrative techniques used in a particular genre. Sometimes students will also be asked to compare and contrast storytelling techniques in for example a news story and a fairy tale to enhance their understanding of how these genres work. Many units involve student-selected independent readings concomitant with the course texts. Students may, for example, read a novel of their own choice as a companion piece to a novel read in class.

In terms of skills, the course focuses much on reading comprehension, analytical skills and critical thinking while developing students’ writing and oral expression. The course also involves critical viewing or ‘reading’ of visual texts, and helps students deepen and transfer their analytical skills by working with and across a very wide range of genres.

The 10th Grade English Language and Literature course is designed to address a wide of range of literary and non-literary genres, covering both classics and contemporary works. The main literary genres studied are poetry, short fiction, the novel, the graphic novel and drama. Non-fiction includes newscasts, editorials, advertisements, interviews, film trailers or reality TV. Most units examine the conventions and narrative techniques used in a particular genre. Sometimes students will also be asked to compare and contrast storytelling techniques in for example a news story and a narrative poem to enhance their understanding of how these genres work. Many of the units involve student-selected independent readings concomitant with the course texts. Students may, for example, read a novel of their own choice as a companion piece to a novel read in class.

Skills:

In terms of skills the course focuses much on reading comprehension, analytical skills and critical thinking while developing students’ writing and oral expression. The course also involves critical viewing or ‘reading’ of visual texts, and helps students deepen and transfer their analytical skills by working with and across a very wide range of genres.

The Language A curriculum for Grade 9 will teach students the necessary tools for successful communication and learning.  The course will also teach the mechanics of the Danish language as students develop their vocabulary and grammar skills in order to produce accurate and fluent writing. A major goal for the students is to understand and respond to literary works. For example, they will learn how theme is achieved through important techniques such as character development, point of view, symbolism and irony.  Students will have the opportunity to develop their analytical skills as they explore a wide range of reading material: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.  Finally, students will be responsible for a variety of tasks involving reading, speaking, listening and writing skills.

Using the MYP principles as a guideline, the Language A curriculum will provide many opportunities for the students to respond critically, creatively and personally to literary works in our units of study throughout the school year.  Importance is placed on Approaches to Learning skills so that students will further improve their skill set, teaching them to become active, responsible learners. As the demands of the curriculum increase so too must the students’ ATL skills in order for them to achieve success in the Language A classroom.  Planning, organizing, pacing their work and revising are core skills that students will work to develop throughout the course of this class.

The Grade 10 Danish Language A course is designed to address a wide of range of genres and styles of literature from the canon and contemporary works. The course is comprised of units on the short story, novel, drama, poetry, and at times also considers other media such as journalism, film or visual arts in relation to literature. Most units involve analysis of both a canonical and contemporary text and comparison or contrast of themes, conventions and styles. Many of the units involve student-selected independent readings concomitant with the course texts. The course focuses much on reading comprehension, analytical skills and critical thinking while developing students’ writing and expression through careful study of and regular exercises in grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. The course will also involve critical viewing and a number of speaking and presenting tasks.